
KELSEY CAMPGROUND
17
Total Campsites
Campground
15
Reservable Sites
Mixed (reservable + first-come)
—
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About KELSEY CAMPGROUND
Overview Kelsey is one of two campgrounds within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour's drive southwest of Denver, Colorado. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and trout fishing. Recreation The Buffalo Creek Recreation Area is home to a 40-mile trail system most popular with mountain bikers, but hikers and horseback riders enjoy the area as well. Several trailheads are within the area, including Little Scraggy Trail, just 3 miles north of the campground. Access to the Colorado Trail and the Buffalo Burn Trail begin from this trailhead. Shinglemill Trail is also nearby. Buffalo Creek is a popular fishing stream for brook trout. The area offers great wildlife viewing opportunities for turkey, elk, mule deer, chipmunks and porcupines. Facilities The Buffalo Creek Recreation Area is home to a 40-mile trail system most popular with mountain bikers, but hikers and horseback riders enjoy the area as well. Several trailheads are within the area, including Little Scraggy Trail, just 3 miles north of the campground. Access to the Colorado Trail and the Buffalo Burn Trail begin from this trailhead. Shinglemill Trail is also nearby. Buffalo Creek is a popular fishing stream for brook trout. The area offers great wildlife viewing opportunities for turkey, elk, mule deer, chipmunks and porcupines. Natural Features The campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Summer temperatures are mild and range from 75-80 during the day to 55-65 at night. The Kelsey Overlook is just north of the campground along County Road 126, offering beautiful views of the valley below. Nearby Attractions The drive along County Road 126 southwest from Pine Junction affords magnificent views of the valleys below. Pikes Peak, at 14,110 feet, can be seen in the distance and other prominent rock formations present themselves throughout the scenic drive. contact_info For facility specific information, please call (303) 647-2366. Charges & Cancellations Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
- 17 total campsites listed.
- 15 reservable sites plus first-come options.
- Most common site type: standard nonelectric (15).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.


Our Take
What makes KELSEY CAMPGROUND special
Tucked into the pine-scented foothills of the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, Kelsey Campground is one of those quietly rewarding spots that locals tend to keep to themselves. Sitting roughly an hour's drive southwest of Denver, it offers a genuine mountain escape without the marathon road trip. The campground's 17 well-spaced sites nestle among ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, giving each party a welcome sense of seclusion. Mornings here start with birdsong and the soft crunch of needles underfoot, while evenings invite you to linger around the fire ring as stars fill an ink-dark sky. The surrounding landscape is a playground for hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners. The Colorado Trail passes nearby, and a web of singletrack fans out through the rolling terrain. Anglers will find small creeks worth exploring, and wildflower season paints the meadows in bursts of lupine and Indian paintbrush. Facilities are modest by design, keeping the experience close to the land. If you are looking for a no-frills base camp with genuine Colorado character and easy access from the Front Range, Kelsey Campground delivers in spades.
Campsite Inventory
17 sites to choose from
STANDARD NONELECTRIC
13
Reservable
0
Accessible
TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC
2
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
Site capacity
Single
Check-in time
2:00 PM
Check-out time
12:00 PM
Driveway entry
Back-In, Pull-Through
Driveway surface
Gravel, Paved
Max guests
8
Max vehicle length (ft)
20, 35, 40, 45
Minimum guests
Yes
Pets allowed
Yes
Shade
Full
Site length (ft)
30, 32, 34, 37
Site width (ft)
10, 8, 9
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Phone
303-275-5610
jvalentine@goexplorus.com
Getting There
From Denver, take Highway 285 southwest to Pine Junction and turn south on Jefferson County Road 126. Travel approximately 17 miles to the campground.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to KELSEY CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for KELSEY CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for KELSEY CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at KELSEY CAMPGROUND?
KELSEY CAMPGROUND currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (15), TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC (2).
Where is KELSEY CAMPGROUND located?
KELSEY CAMPGROUND is in Colorado near S.PLATTE RANGER DIST. Coordinates: 39.3164, -105.2667.
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