Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite campground
Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite
The area also boasts several nearby points of interest such as the historic mining town of Leadville, the Turquoise Lake Recreation Area, and the Mount Elbert Trailhead which is the highest peak in Colorado. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes and streams or take a scenic drive along the nearby Independence Pass.
The Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite offers several amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. However, visitors are reminded to bring their own drinking water as there is no potable water available at the campsite.
The best time to visit Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite is from mid-June to mid-September when the weather is mild and the average temperature ranges from 50°F to 80°F during the day and drops to 30°F to 50°F at night. It is important to note that the campsite is only accessible by foot or horseback and requires a permit which can be obtained through the San Isabel National Forest office.
Finally, interesting facts about the area include its history as a mining region during the 1800s and its abundant wildlife which includes black bears, mountain lions, and elk. Visitors are reminded to take necessary precautions when camping in bear country and to properly store food to prevent attracting wildlife.
What's on-site at Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinyon Flats Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Pinyon Flats - Sand Dunes National Monument | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Campsite 0.3 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Campsite 1.2 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Campsite 1.6 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huerfano R At Manzanares Xing | 17 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek Near Crestone | 11 cfs | → |
| North Crestone Creek Near Crestone | 18 cfs | → |
| Ute Creek Near Fort Garland | 13 cfs | → |
| Sangre De Cristo Creek Near Fort Garland | 2 cfs | → |
| Trinchera Creek Below Smith Res | 0 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Sand Dunes Natl Mon | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Medano Pass | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Medano Pass | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Ute Creek | 2.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ute Creek | 2.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Crestone 5.3 Sse | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve
- Wilderness Great Sand Dunes
- National Park Great Sand Dunes
- Wilderness Sangre De Cristo
- San Luis Lakes Wildlife Area
- San Luis State Park
Fishing spots
- Manzanares Creek
- San Luis Lake
- Smith Reservoir (Costilla Cty)
- Mountain Home Reservoir
- Lake Isabel
- Deweese Reservoir
Points of interest
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite
Can I make reservations at Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Buck Creek Backcountry Campsite.