Desolation campground
Desolation
Reservations are required for camping at Desolation camping area, ensuring that visitors have a designated spot upon arrival. It is advisable to make reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons, as this campground tends to get crowded. The best time to visit Desolation camping area is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is mild and favorable for outdoor activities.
When visiting this camping area, campers should be cautious of wildlife encounters, as the region is home to various species, including bears and mountain lions. It is essential to store food securely and follow proper wildlife safety guidelines. Additionally, campers should always be mindful of fire safety and adhere to any fire restrictions or guidelines imposed by the authorities.
Overall, Desolation camping area in Colorado offers a peaceful and scenic getaway for nature enthusiasts. With its amenities, reservation requirement, ideal visiting time, and necessary precautions, campers can make the most out of their camping experience in this beautiful location.
What's on-site at Desolation
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 Desolation, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagues Creek | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Long Draw | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Long Draw Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Grand View | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Mirror Lake 1 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Desolation -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River Ditch At La Poudre Pass | 105 cfs | → |
| Michigan River Near Cameron Pass | 7 cfs | → |
| Joe Wright Creek Below Joe Wright Reservoir | 30 cfs | → |
| Joe Wright Creek Above Joe Wright Reservoir | 3 cfs | → |
| Colorado R Below Baker Gulch | 179 cfs | → |
| Grand Lake Outlet Blw Chipmunk Ln At Grand Lk | 212 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Desolation -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Draw Resv | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Long Draw Resvr Snotel | 1.0 in | -1.0 in | → |
| Willow Park | 1.0 in | 1.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Willow Park | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Hourglass Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Hourglass Lake | 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
- Neota Wilderness
- State Forest State Park
- Rawah Wilderness
- Comanche Peak Wilderness
- Cache La Poudre Wilderness
- Wilderness Never Summer
Boat launches
- Chambers Lake Boating Site
- Hilltop Boating Site
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
- Dowdy Drive 2, Larimer County
- Grand County
- Nowata Drive 875, Larimer County
Fishing spots
- Long Draw #1 Fishing Site
- Mirror Lake - Rmnp
- Long Draw #2 Fishing Site
- Long Draw #3 Fishing Site
- Trap Lake
- Comanche Lake
Points of interest
- Alpine Visitor Center
- Fall River Visitor Center
- Moraine Park Discovery Center
- Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
- Kawuneeche Visitor Center
- Deadman Lookout
Paddle runs
- Big South
- Headwaters To Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
- Headwaters To Fan Lake
- Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of Fern Lake Road
- Begins 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road To Ends Where River Segment Exits Rocky Mountain National Park
- Spencer Heights
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 Desolation as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Desolation
Can I make reservations at Desolation?
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 Desolation?
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 Desolation.