Iron City Campground
USFS · Campground · Fee
Fast facts
- Cost
- Fee charged
- Managed by
- USFS
- Type
- Campground
- Hours
- Check out: 12 pm (noon)'Quiet hours: 10 pm to 6 am
- Reservations
- recreation.gov
- Nearest dump station
- Taylor Lagoons Dump Station · 11.3 mi
- Coordinates
- 38.7084, -106.3356
- Last verified
- September 18, 2026
About this place
Iron City Campground is located within the Chalk Creek Canyon, which is one of the valley's most popular areas, offering access to many ATV trails. This is a small campground with 15 campsites. It is located near the historic townsite of St. Elmo. The Iron City cemetery is located on the east end of the campground. An interpretive sign at the entrance to the cemetery provides information on the early settlers and miners who are buried there.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 4x4 Road 267.
From the USFS.Official page
Is Iron City Campground free?
No. Iron City Campground charges a fee. It is managed by the USFS. Sites are reservable through recreation.gov.
How do I get to Iron City Campground?
Visitors can access the area by traveling on Highway 285 from either Buena Vista or Salida. From Buena Vista travel south on Highway 285 for approximately 7 miles then turn right on County Road 162. Travel west on CR 162 for 16 miles to the junction with CR 292, just east of the historic townsite of St. Elmo. Turn right onto CR 292 and travel for .5 miles to the campground.
What are the rules at Iron City Campground?
The following restrictions apply to this campground : Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV). Maximum RV length is 25 ft. Dogs must be leashed at all times. No discharge of firearms or fireworks. Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground. No reservation needed.
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.
