A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

Columbine Campground

Forest Service campground in Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG, Gilpin County, Colorado. About 9,200 feet. 2.6 miles from Central.

Managed by
Forest Service Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
Elevation
About 9,200 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
46 41 standard non-electric, 5 walk to
Longest rig
55 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Gilpin County

Overview

Columbine Campground is located just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119, west of Denver, in north central Colorado. This campground is popular with off-road enthusiasts and many jeep roads can be reached from the campground.

Recreation

Many hiking and biking trails are found nearby. Scenic driving is available along Highways 119 and 72, which is also known as the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Numerous creeks, rivers and lakes in the area provide fishing opportunities. Off-road enthusiasts will find many jeep roads in the vicinity.

Facilities

This campground has 46 sites on two loops. Five of these sites are suitable for tents only; the others are suitable for both RV and/or tents. Each site has a picnic table and campfire ring. Other amenities include vault toilets, water spigots and trash service. Bundled firewood is for sale by the onsite campground manager. RV units are not permitted to fill tanks from the water spigots. All of the sites are non-electric.

Natural Features

The campground's two loops are situated in a grove of aspen and lodgepole pine, at an elevation of 9,200 feet.

Nearby Attractions

The historic mining town of Central City is nearby. Popular events there include Lou Bunch Day and the Central City Opera and Jazz festivals. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a short drive from the campground. This scenic park offers over 35 miles of hiking trails. Mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed on some trails. Every stream and pond in the park is open to fishing.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • scenic drive

The land around Columbine Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated September 2, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.