Sleeping Elephant campground
Sleeping Elephant
The campground provides numerous amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. It offers clean restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings for campfires. Additionally, there are designated areas for tents and RVs, making it suitable for all types of campers. However, it is important to note that Sleeping Elephant camping area does not provide electrical hookups or showers, so campers should plan accordingly.
Reservations are not accepted at Sleeping Elephant camping area, and sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is advisable to arrive early, especially during peak seasons, to secure a spot. The best time to visit this camping area is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant, and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing are at their prime. However, it can get crowded during weekends and holidays, so planning a midweek trip might be beneficial.
While visiting Sleeping Elephant camping area, there are some things to be cautious of. Wildlife, including bears and mountain lions, inhabit the area, so campers should practice proper food storage and be aware of their surroundings. It is also crucial to follow all fire regulations and restrictions to prevent wildfires, as the campground is situated in a forested area. Overall, Sleeping Elephant camping area offers a serene and enjoyable camping experience for nature lovers seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Colorado.
What's on-site at Sleeping Elephant
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 Sleeping Elephant, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping Elephant Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Big Bend | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Big South | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Big South Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Tunnel Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Sleeping Elephant -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Wright Creek Below Joe Wright Reservoir | 30 cfs | → |
| Laramie River Near Glendevey | 73 cfs | → |
| Joe Wright Creek Above Joe Wright Reservoir | 3 cfs | → |
| Michigan River Near Cameron Pass | 7 cfs | → |
| Grand River Ditch At La Poudre Pass | 101 cfs | → |
| Sand Creek At Colorado-Wyoming State Line | 3 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Sleeping Elephant -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadman Hill | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Deadman Hill | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Hourglass Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Hourglass Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Long Draw Resv | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Joe Wright | 1.0 in | -1.0 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
- Rawah Wilderness
- Neota Wilderness
- State Forest State Park
- Cache La Poudre Wilderness
- Comanche Peak Wilderness
- Wilderness Never Summer
Boat launches
- Chambers Lake Boating Site
- Nowata Drive 597, Larimer County
- Nowata Drive 875, Larimer County
- Nowata Drive 407, Larimer County
- Dowdy Drive 2, Larimer County
Fishing spots
- Freewater Bridge Fishing Site
- Laramie Lake
- Lost Lake (Cameron Pass)
- Barnes Meadow Reservoir
- Chambers Lake
- Browns Lake
Points of interest
- Deadman Lookout
- Alpine Visitor Center
- Fall River Visitor Center
- Moraine Park Discovery Center
- Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
- Mccallum - Auto Tour Site
Paddle runs
- Spencer Heights
- Rustic (Upper)
- Big South
- Source In Se 1/4 Sec 25, T10n, R75w To End Of The Four-Wheel Drive Road East Of The Nf Poudre Campground (Nw 1/4 Of Sec 21, T10n, R74w
- End Of Four-Wheel Drive Road To Pearl Creek In Se 1/4 Sec 21, T10n, R74w
- Headwaters To Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
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 Sleeping Elephant as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Sleeping Elephant
Can I make reservations at Sleeping Elephant?
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 Sleeping Elephant?
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 Sleeping Elephant.