Lost Trail Campground

State: Colorado

Open: Seasonal

Number of Sites: 7

Elevation: 9573

County: Hinsdale

Free: Yes

About: This isolated campground is located 38.2 miles southwest of Creede on Forest Road 520. There are numerous attractions to tempt the camper. Nearby Trails include: access to the Continental Divide, Lost Trail Creek Trail 821 to Carson City Mining area, West Lost Creek Trail 821 to Cataract Lake (A National Scenic Trail), Heart Lake Trail 823 to Heart Lake and Ute Creek Trail 819 to the Weminuche Wilderness.

The 4 WD roads are Stony Pass (Forest Road 520) and Beartown/Kite Lake (Forest Road 506). Lost Trail Creek, Ute Creek and one mile from the upper end of Rio Grande Reservoir are all accessible fishing sites. The Lost Trail Guest Ranch is adjacent to the campground. Do not use the private land footbridge on the Sky Hi Ranch for any purpose.

The campground facilities have 7 sites, each with a parking spur, table and fire ring. A vault type toilet is provided. The drinking system, which is a well, is now CLOSED , because the water will not test as safe. Firewood and refuse receptacles are not provided. There is only limited maneuvering for RV’s and trailers and most of the spurs and pull-throughs are short and cannot accommodate large RV’s or trailers. The access road above Rio Grande Reservoir is also narrow and sometimes rough. Screening and trees are limited. The campground is usually busy from mid-June through the end of August.

Fees: None (2011)

Usage: Light

Water: None

Restrooms: Vault Toilet

Restrictions: Near Rio Grande Reservoir, boats allowed, no wakes, trolling motors OK, primitive boat ramp. Must have a Colorado Fishing license to fish in nearby streams and reservoirs. Must have Colorado ATV registration stickers if using ATV’s on nearby Lost Trail or Stony Pass Road.

Closest Town: Creede, CO

Directions: Directions from Creede, Colorado: Travel 19 miles southwest on Colorado Highway 149 to Forest Road 520 (Rio Grande Reservoir Road). Take Road 520 west for 18.1 miles. The Campground is on the south side of the main road.