Chalk Lake Campground
Chalk Lake Campground offers 19 sites each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.
Sites 4-9 and 14 are "walk-up," first-come, first-served sites. All other sites are reservable. Site 1 is used by the host from mid-May to mid-September. After that time, it is available as a "walk-up," first-come, first-served site. Chalk Lake Fishing Site is located next to the campground.
The campground sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet in Chalk Creek Canyon, which gets its name from the soft, white, chalk-like kaolinite canyon walls. Kaolinite is a clay mineral that was deposited by percolating hot springs. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including chipmunks, hummingbirds, birds of prey and mule deer.
Reservations
Make Reservations HereCall 877-444-6777 or visit recreation.gov at least four days in advance. A minimum stay on Friday and Saturday night is required on weekends. A three-night minimum stay is required on holiday weekends. Walk-ups are exempt from the nightly minimum.
General Information
Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. Campers who are unable to find a campsite in one of the four developed campground may camp above the townsite of St. Elmo on County Road 267 or near the Hancock townsite located 5 miles south on Forest Road 295. Additional camping is available in the Browns Creek area south of County Road 162 at the junction of county roads 270 and 272.
May to September
Opening and closing dates are weather dependent. Services such as water, trash or a host may not be available during early and late season.
Check in: 2 p.m.
Check out: 12 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The Interagency Senior Pass (previously known as the Golden Age Pass) and the Interagency Access Pass qualify for a 50% discount at concessionaire run campsites. The discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass owner, not to any additional campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass owner's party.
The following restrictions apply to this campground:
- A maximum of eight people, two tents and two vehicles or one recreational vehicle (RV) is allowed per site.
- Maximum RV length is 50 feet.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times.
- No discharge of firearms or fireworks is permitted.
- Only licensed vehicles can operate inside the campground.
$25 fee per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $10 fee for a third vehicle.
$10 fee for day use if not camping overnight.
Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. A self-service fee tube is available for on-site payment. Sites must be occupied the first night of payment.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Contact Name: Salida Ranger District
Contact Phone: 719-539-3591
Address: 5575 Cleora Road Salida, CO 81201
Phone: 719-539-3591
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 38.71297914
Longitude: -106.23375339
Elevation
8,700 feet
Directions
From Buena Vista, Colorado, travel U.S. Highway 285 south for 7 miles to County Road 162. Turn west onto County Road 162 and continue 8 miles to Chalk Lake Campground.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Drinking water is available from a hand pump.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Other Amenities
Firewood is available for sale at the host site for $10 per bundle.
Recreation Opportunities
OHV Road RidingOHV Road Riding Info
There is abundant OHV riding near the campground. For information on what county roads permit OHVs, please visit the Chaffee County website.
Popular rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes and Williams Pass (open during the month of August). Visitors should purchase a San Isabel National Forest map, which shows the various roads in the Chalk Creek area. Maps are available at the Salida Ranger District office and other retail stores.
