Ranger Lakes Campground, State Forest State Park, Walden, Colorado


Easily one of our favorite stops in Colorado, this campground is one of several you will find in State Forest State Park, located west of the Rocky Mountain range. The campground views are beautiful with the Rockies as the backdrop. Walden has been designated as the "Moose Capital of Colorado" and although we have stayed in two parts of this park, we have yet to see a moose. We have, however, seen evidence of moose with footprints and droppings on the trails right from the campground. Ranger Lakes is a collection of small lakes booming with a healthy population of rainbow trout. In our one full day here, we caught 25 trout. There are also some nice trails ranging from easy to moderate from camp. The Moose Visitor's Center is a just a few miles west from camp. There you can find interpretive sites and information, as well as take a view from the Moose Viewing Platform. The campground has dirt roads and pads, most of which are level. Sites along the western perimeter have the best views of the willow covered valley (moose tend to congregate there) and the Rockies. Campsites are all spacious with tables, fire pits, and a designated tent pad. Some sites are set up as "buddy sites" where you will face your neighbor's door/patio. Young pines spot the campground and you will find an abundace of small wildlfe including chipmunks, hummingbirds, and even stoats that populate the wildflower undergrowth. 

Best Sites: 112, 115, 117-120, 124, 125

Poor Sites: None

Hookups: None

Potable Water: Yes

Dump Within Facility: 5 miles west at the park entrance

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