Ansel Watrous Campground
USFS · Campground · Fee
Fast facts
- Cost
- Fee charged
- Managed by
- USFS
- Type
- Campground
- Reservations
- recreation.gov
- Nearest dump station
- Rocky Mountain National Park Dump Station · 26.4 mi
- Coordinates
- 40.6907, -105.3444
- Last verified
- September 18, 2026
About this place
Campground is adjacent to the Cache la Poudre River. Area varies from heavily forested to open meadow and is surrounded by steep mountains. Facilities provided include restrooms and drinking water. Each site contains a tent pad, fire grate and picnic table. All campsites with a tent pad have a bear locker. Popular activities include fishing, white water rafting and hiking. There are no sewer site hookups. The lower loop does not accommodate trailers, as the turn into the campground is very tight. The upper loop is open year-round.
From the USFS.Official page
Is Ansel Watrous Campground free?
No. Ansel Watrous Campground charges a fee. It is managed by the USFS. Sites are reservable through recreation.gov.
How do I get to Ansel Watrous Campground?
Drive 11 miles north of Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287. Turn left (west) onto Colorado Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon) and travel approximately 13 miles.
What are the rules at Ansel Watrous Campground?
A single site may hold up to eight people. Tents must fit on the pads provided. RVs, trailers or other vehicles must fit on the parking spur because driving or parking off road is not permitted. The parking length ranges from 25 to 45 feet in upper loop. In the lower loop RV size is limited to an overall length of 30 feet.
Nearby
SourceData from the USFS. Last synced September 18, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.
