Pumphouse Recreation Area in Colorado Rockies — photo 1

Pumphouse Recreation Area

Colorado Rockies

About this campsite

Overview

Managed by Kremmling Field Office  

The Pumphouse Recreation Area is part of the Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), providing opportunities for developed camping, river access and access to hiking trails. With over 100,000 annual visitors the sites facilities include 3 developed boat ramp sites, 12 vault toilets, day use and overnight parking, 18 Single Campsites and 2 Group Campsites. The campground has a seasonal potable water system that may be in operation between mid-April to mid-November (not available for trailer hookups or filling of Recreational Vehicle and Travel Trailer filling).

Recreation

Pumphouse Recreation Area is the most heavily used access point for the Upper Colorado River between Kremmling and State Bridge. Those floating downriver access calm flat water to Class III whitewater rapids.

The Gore Canyon Whitewater Playpark is located just above Boat Ramp #2 and provides a manmade wave that is popular for kayakers, stand up paddle boarders and other small watercraft. It is also an exciting splash feature for watercraft coming downriver from Boat Ramp #1.

Hiking opportunities accessed from the Pumphouse Recreation Area provide ample access for wade fishing and exploring along the Colorado River. 

The Gore Canyon Trail is open to foot travel only providing access upriver for 1.5 miles. Keep an eye out for the historic retaining walls holding the trail in place that early surveyors of Gore Canyon and homesteaders developed to access this area of the river for finding a railroad route and efforts to divert water for irrigation. 

The Gore Canyon Ranch Trail is open to foot travel only and provides access downriver for 1.25 miles connecting to the Gore Canyon Ranch Trailhead and Parking Area. This undeveloped area was the site of a homestead ranch and acquired by the BLM to improve and expand public recreation and access, provide educational opportunities on the area’s history, wildlife and responsible recreation opportunities and restore habitat for wildlife. 

The historic Argentine Trail is open to foot travel only and is accessed from the Gore Canyon Ranch Trail. This trail is not for the lighthearted as it has steep drop offs as much of the trails was blasted into the cliffs of Hartman Canyon allowing access for surveyors and mule trains. Those floating down stream can see this trail high up the canyon wall on river left. 

Facilities

Each campsite must be reserved through Recreation.gov and has varying space for parking (see parking size limitations for each campsite before completing your reservation), a picnic table, a fire ring, and close proximity to a vault toilet and trash receptacles. For campsites 1-8, driveway parking is 35 feet or less in length and is back-in/pull-in. Additional vehicles may park along the roadway adjacent to the campsite if space allows or must park in the general parking areas. Camping within vehicles outside of the assigned campsite driveway is not permitted. Campsites 9-18 are parallel parking and typically have space for two vehicles and small trailers. Additional vehicles must park in the campground overflow parking across from Group Campsite A. 

Potable water may be available May - October. However, do not rely on this as the water source for your trip's needs as it is not always operational. 

There are no electric hook-ups and cell service is non-existent without a booster. 

There are three boat ramps with restrooms. Boat Ramp #2 adjacent to the Gore Canyon Whitewater Play Park is a boat slide with steps. Boat ramps have electricity.

Natural Features

The Pumphouse Recreation Area is adjacent to the Colorado River between Gore Canyon and Hartman Canyon. The scenery within the area is a

Location

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo
SAT🌫️
22° / 4°
💧 4%
SUN🌦️
25° / 9°
💧 11%
MON🌦️
17° / 10°
💧 57%
TUE☁️
20° / 9°
💧 58%
WED☁️
23° / 6°
💧 22%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km
Radium Recreation Area — CO5.7 km away

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Radium Recreation Area

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Lynx Pass Campground — CO19.9 km away

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Lynx Pass Campground

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Elliott Creek Campground (CO) — CO20.1 km away

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Elliott Creek Campground (CO)

Overview Elliott Creek Campground is located on the northwest side of Green Mountain Reservoir in White River National Forest. Sitting to the south of the dam offers an ideal setting for visitors seeking a multitude of recreational activities both on water and on land. Recreation Encompassing a landscape of rivers, mountains, trails and forest roads, the White River National Forest is one of the top recreation forests in the nation. Located on the shores of Green Mountain reservoir, Cow Creek Campground is a popular spot for boating, kayaking, fishing, water skiing and windsurfing. Anglers will find populations of rainbow and brown trout, as well as kokanee salmon when casting their lines out into the water. Spring Creek is a popular off-roading area located at the northern end of the Gore Mountain Range. A network of roads open to off-road vehicle use meanders through lodgepole pine and spruce/fir forests. Viewpoints of surrounding mountains open up along these roads. Facilities Elliott Creek Campground has 20 standard sites suitable for tents and smaller trailers. Vault toilets are provided. All motorized watercraft must be inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species and must launch from a monitored launch ramp. The Heeney Marina below the Town of Heeney on the west shore is open during daylight hours throughout the season. Natural Features In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting eight wilderness areas, four defined seasons and ten peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation. The White River National Forest was established in 1891 as the White River Plateau Timber Reserve; the second such reserve to be named in the United States. In 1905, the newly formed Forest Service was given authority of the reserve. Long before this designation, the area was home to the Ute Indians who followed herds of elk and bison on their seasonal migrations. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564. Nearby Attractions Take some time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. In the summer visitors may want to traverse Trail Ridge Road from one side of the park to the other, reaching alpine vistas boasting elevations of more than 12,000 feet. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Willows Campground (CO) — CO20.3 km away

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Willows Campground (CO)

Overview Willows Campground is located on the north shore of Green Mountain Reservoir in White River National Forest, offering an ideal setting for visitors seeking a multitude of recreational activities both on water and on land. Recreation Encompassing a landscape of rivers, mountains, trails and forest roads, the White River National Forest is one of the top recreation forests in the nation. Located on the shores of Green Mountain reservoir, Cow Creek Campground is a popular spot for boating, kayaking, fishing, water skiing and windsurfing. Anglers will find populations of rainbow and brown trout, as well as kokanee salmon when casting their lines out into the water. Spring Creek is a popular off-roading area located at the northern end of the Gore Mountain Range. A network of roads open to off-road vehicle use meanders through lodgepole pine and spruce/fir forests. Viewpoints of surrounding mountains open up along these roads. Facilities Willows Campground has 21 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers and RVs. Vault toilets are provided. All motorized watercraft must be inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species and must launch from a monitored launch ramp. The Heeney Marina below the Town of Heeney on the west shore is open during daylight hours throughout the season. Natural Features In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting eight wilderness areas, four defined seasons and ten peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation. The White River National Forest was established in 1891 as the White River Plateau Timber Reserve; the second such reserve to be named in the United States. In 1905, the newly formed Forest Service was given authority of the reserve. Long before this designation, the area was home to the Ute Indians who followed herds of elk and bison on their seasonal migrations. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564. Nearby Attractions Take some time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. In the summer visitors may want to traverse Trail Ridge Road from one side of the park to the other, reaching alpine vistas boasting elevations of more than 12,000 feet. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Cow Creek North (CO) — CO22.1 km away

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Cow Creek North (CO)

Overview Cow Creek North Campground is on the northeast shores of Green Mountain Reservoir in White River National Forest, offering an ideal setting for visitors seeking a multitude of recreational activities both on water and land. All motorized watercraft must be inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species and must launch from a monitored launch ramp. The Heeney Marina below the Town of Heeney on the west shore is open during daylight hours throughout the season. Recreation Encompassing a landscape of rivers, mountains, trails and forest roads, the White River National Forest is one of the top recreation forests in the nation. Located on the shores of Green Mountain reservoir, Cow Creek Campground is a popular spot for boating, canoeing, fishing, water skiing and windsurfing. Anglers will find populations of rainbow and brown trout, as well as kokanee salmon when casting their lines out into the water. Spring Creek is a popular off-roading area located at the northern end of the Gore Mountain Range. A network of roads open to off-road vehicle use meanders through lodgepole pine and spruce/fir forests. Viewpoints of surrounding mountains open up along these roads. Facilities Cow Creek North Campground has 5 group sites suitable for tents, trailers and RVs. Vault toilets are provided. The landscape around the lake is open with very few trees and miles of mountain views. Each group site has 2 picnic tables and a fire ring. Natural Features In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting eight wilderness areas, four defined seasons and ten peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation. The White River National Forest was established in 1891 as the White River Plateau Timber Reserve; the second such reserve to be named in the United States. In 1905, the newly formed Forest Service was given authority of the reserve. Long before this designation, the area was home to the Ute Indians who followed herds of elk and bison on their seasonal migrations. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564. Nearby Attractions Take some time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs and exhibits. In the summer visitors may want to traverse Trail Ridge Road from one side of the park to the other, reaching alpine vistas boasting elevations of more than 12,000 feet. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

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Pumphouse Recreation Area