Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite campground
Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite
One of the main draws of the Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite is its proximity to several popular hiking trails. In particular, visitors can explore the nearby St. Louis Lake Trail or the High Lonesome Trail, both of which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. For those interested in fishing, Cold Creek is also a great spot to try your luck at catching native trout.
The campground itself offers several amenities for visitors to enjoy. There are several campsites available, each with a fire ring and picnic table. Water is available at the nearby Cold Creek, and there are vault toilets on site. Visitors are encouraged to pack out their own trash to help preserve the natural beauty of the area.
Interesting facts about the Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite include its location in an area that was once heavily mined for gold and silver. Visitors can still see evidence of this history in the form of old mine shafts and tunnels in the surrounding mountains. Additionally, the area is home to several unique plant species, including the Indian paintbrush and the alpine forget-me-not.
The best time of year to visit the Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite is typically from June through September, when temperatures average between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and can drop into the 30s at night. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions, including afternoon thunderstorms, and should always be mindful of the potential for wildlife encounters.
Sources:
-https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/recarea/?recid=28454
-https://backpackersreview.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/cold-creek-backcountry-campsite-review/
-https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/st-louis-lake-trail
-https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/high-lonesome-loop-trail
What's on-site at Cold 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 Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsite 0.3 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Campsite 1.2 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Campsite 1.6 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Campsite 1.8 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Campsite 2.2 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Creek Near Crestone | 10 cfs | → |
| Huerfano R At Manzanares Xing | 18 cfs | → |
| North Crestone Creek Near Crestone | 18 cfs | → |
| Cotton Creek Near Mineral Hot Springs | 12 cfs | → |
| Grape Creek Near Westcliffe | 8 cfs | → |
| Ute Creek Near Fort Garland | 12 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Medano Pass | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Medano Pass | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Great Sand Dunes Natl Mon | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Crestone 5.3 Sse | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc South Colony | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| South Colony | 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
- Wilderness Great Sand Dunes
- Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve
- National Park Great Sand Dunes
- San Luis Lakes Wildlife Area
- San Luis State Park
- Baca National Wildlife Refuge
Fishing spots
- Manzanares Creek
- San Luis Lake
- Deweese Reservoir
- Lake Isabel
- Smith Reservoir (Costilla Cty)
- Mountain Home Reservoir
Points of interest
Paddle runs
- Mountain Front To Western Park Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Sand Creek
- Headwaters To Confluence With Medano Creek
- Headwaters At Medano Lake To Ends On The Sand Sheet Past The Southern End Of The Dunes
- Headwaters At Indian Spring To Ends Where The Creek Is Diverted Into Irrigation Ditches
- Eastern Boundary Of Park To Western Park Boundary
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 Cold 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 Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite
Can I make reservations at Cold 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 Cold 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 Cold Creek Backcountry Campsite.