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Ansel Watrous Campground

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG, Colorado

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As of October 2026, Ansel Watrous Campground is a campground in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Colorado with 17 campsites. Ansel Watrous Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Ansel Watrous Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Ansel Watrous Campground is located at 40.6897° N, 105.3492° W.

people allowed on each site: 8

Ansel Watrous Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Changes allowed: 3 change(s) per reservation
Maximum reservations at once: 4 reservations
Reservations close: 4 day(s) prior to arrival

Published by Recreation.gov for Ansel Watrous Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Ansel Watrous Campground

1112131415161712345678910

Standard 16
Tent 1
Accessible 13

What an RV fits

33 ft6 sites
36 ft1 site
40 ft6 sites

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: fishing, hiking, wildlife, photography, stargazing, horse riding.

All sites at Ansel Watrous Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Access
011	LOWER	Standard	8	33 ft	Accessible
012	LOWER	Standard	8	33 ft	Accessible
013	LOWER	Standard	8	33 ft	Accessible
014	LOWER	Tent	8	-	-
015	LOWER	Standard	8	33 ft	Accessible
016	LOWER	Standard	8	33 ft	Accessible
017	LOWER	Standard	8	33 ft	Accessible
001	UPPER	Standard	8	36 ft	Accessible
002	UPPER	Standard	8	40 ft	Accessible
003	UPPER	Standard	8	40 ft	Accessible
004	UPPER	Standard	8	40 ft	Accessible
005	UPPER	Standard	8	40 ft	Accessible
006	UPPER	Standard	8	40 ft	Accessible
007	UPPER	Standard	8	40 ft	Accessible
008	UPPER	Standard	8	-	-
009	UPPER	Standard	8	-	-
010	UPPER	Standard	8	-	-

About Ansel Watrous Campground

Overview

Ansel Watrous Campground is located on the Cache la Poudre River, 22 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colo., along Highway 14. Visitors enjoy the area for its great rafting, fishing and hiking opportunities.

Recreation

The Cache la Poudre River offers whitewater rafting and fishing. Anglers cast for brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout, among other species of fish.

Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are in the surrounding area, including the 4-mile Young Gulch Trail.

Other popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the campground include birding and wildlife viewing.

Facilities

The campground offers accessible single-family sites, each equipped with a 12-by-15 tent pad, a picnic table and a campfire ring with grill.

Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Dead and downed firewood may be gathered in the forest or purchased from the campground host.

Natural Features

The canyon's vegetation varies from dense forests to open meadows and the campground is surrounded by steep mountains. The campground is situated among Ponderosa pines on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado's first river designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 529-0578.

Charges & Cancellations

A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.

Modifications for this campground must be made through Recreation.gov or by calling the call center at 1-877-444-6777 PRIOR to your reservation start date. Customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date.

Rules and notices at Ansel Watrous Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Ansel Watrous Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

The campground's lower loop is not accessible to trailers longer than 20 feet, due to a hairpin switchback near the campground entrance. The parking length ranges from 25 to 45 feet in upper loop. RVs, trailers or other vehicles must fit on the parking spur. Driving or parking off road is not permitted.

Drinking water is available at the campground until Sept. 28th each year.

All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis before and after the reservation season

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/arp for more information on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

No RV water connections are available. Come with your RV/trailer water tank filled. Filling at campground hydrants cross-contaminates the system and is not allowed.

Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

Sites 8, 9, 10, 14 will only fit one vehicle. Two vehicles may fit on the other sites if you're tent camping.

ONLY 8 people are allowed on each site. Check in with the host prior to setting up camp. Tents must fit on the pads provided. All campsites with a tent pad have a bear locker.

All campsites must be occupied within 26 hours of the beginning of the reservation. If not present the site will be rented by first come first serve basis.

EXTRA VEHICLE FEES: One vehicle is included in your reservation. Any additional vehicles will be charged $8.00 per vehicle per night and will be collected by the camp host if you did not pay for the Extra Vehicle Add On. One vehicle consists of one camper being towed by vehicle, or any other vehicle towed behind camper. One van or one truck with camper attached counts as one vehicle. Extra vehicles must fit on the parking spur at your site.

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.

Modifications for this campground must be made through Recreation.gov PRIOR to your reservation start date. Customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date.

Check-Out is at 12 P.M.

Check-In is at 2 P.M.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Ansel Watrous Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Ansel Watrous Campground?

Ansel Watrous Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Ansel Watrous Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Ansel Watrous Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Ansel Watrous Campground have?

Ansel Watrous Campground has 17 campsites.