Walden, Colorado · Est. 1972

The mountains don't rush.
Neither should you.

High-altitude camping at 9,000 feet where the only schedule is sunrise to starlight. Tucked along the North Platte River, Ranger Lakes gives you room to breathe — and nowhere else to be.

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Ranger Lakes Campground surrounded by pine forests and mountain views

A place that
reminds you how
to slow down

Ranger Lakes Campground sits along the North Platte River in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, just outside Walden, Colorado. Since 1972, we've offered a quiet, unpretentious basecamp for people who come to the mountains to disconnect — from screens, from noise, from the idea that every hour needs to be accounted for.

Whether you're here for a weekend of fly fishing, a week-long hiking expedition, or simply a night under an unpolluted sky, we provide the kind of straightforward, well-kept campground that lets the landscape do the talking.

9,000
Feet elevation
50+
Sites available
52
Years open

Everything you need.
Nothing you don't.

We keep the essentials clean, reliable, and unobtrusive — so you can focus on the forest, the river, and the quiet.

RV & Tent Sites

Spacious, level sites accommodate both tents and RVs up to 35 feet. Each site offers partial to full shade with river or mountain views depending on your selection.

Pipe Water & Dump Station

Potable water available at each site during the season. A full-service dump station and clean restrooms with hot showers are maintained year-round.

Year-Round Access

Open April through October with select winter weekends. Winter sites are first-come, first-served and offer a quieter, snow-dusted experience among the pines.

Fishing & Boating

Direct river access for fly fishing and small non-motorized craft. Rainbow and brown trout are stocked seasonally. Gear can be packed into your campsite.

Stargazing

At 9,000 feet with zero light pollution, the Milky Way is visible from your fire ring. Bring a blanket and stay up late — the sky puts on its own show.

Group Friendly

Large sites available for family reunions and group outings. Fire rings, picnic tables, and ample parking make gathering here effortless and comfortable.

What's around you

The Medicine Bow National Forest is your backyard. From river trails to alpine peaks, the best adventures are the ones you stumble into.

Hiking trail through pine forest near Walden

Trail Access

Dozens of hiking trails begin within minutes of the campground, ranging from gentle riverside walks to steep alpine ascents above treeline.

Fly fishing on the North Platte River

River Fishing

The North Platte is renowned for trout fishing. Wade from your campsite or drift further downstream — the fish don't care about your itinerary.

Wildlife in the Medicine Bow National Forest

Wildlife

Elk, deer, eagles, and the occasional bear roam these corridors. Keep your camp tidy and your curiosity alive — encounters are part of the experience.

Winter landscape at Ranger Lakes Campground

Winter Camping

Cold-weather campers find solitude and silence in the off-season. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and firelit evenings await on select weekends.

What people say

"
We've been coming to Ranger Lakes for three summers in a row. There's something about the way the light hits the river at dawn that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
— A returning guest, Denver
"
Clean sites, friendly staff, and the best stars I've ever seen from a campsite. We didn't have cell service and it was the best part of the trip.
— A weekend visitor, Boulder
"
My kids have never slept this well. No traffic noise, no streetlights — just wind in the pines and the river running behind our tent. We'll be back.
— A family trip, Fort Collins

Ready to unplug?

Whether you're planning a quick overnight or a week-long retreat, we're here to help you find the right site and the right time of year.

Location Walden, Colorado 80480
Season April – October (year-round select weekends)

Send a Message

We'll get back to you within 24 hours during the season.

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Ranger Lakes Campground

Walden, Colorado 80480

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