Painted Rocks
Campground · Colorado · 18 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Pike National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 18
- Bookable sites
- 59 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 7,846 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Painted Rocks Campground is located a short distance from Manitou Lake Picnic Area and the Centennial Bike Trail in central Colorado. The rustic campground is named for the sandstone outcroppings in the area that resemble colorful streaks from an artist's paintbrush.Recreation
The paved, accessible Centennial Bike Trail is a half-mile from the campground. It connects to nearby Colorado and South Meadows Campgrounds, and leads to 5-acre Manitou Lake. Visitors enjoy riding bicycles on this trail to Manitou Lake for fishing and bird watching. Waterfowl and songbirds are often seen in the area.The nearby Rainbow Falls OHV Trail System and North Divide OHV Trail System are recommended for off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family sites on two loops. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.Natural Features
The campground is nestled on the edge of a grassy meadow at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Most sites on the west loop are shaded by ponderosa pines, while sites on the east loop are more open and less shady.Nearby Attractions
The town of Woodland Park is located approximately 7 1/2 miles south of Painted Rocks Campground, where campers can find gas, groceries, dining and shopping. Colorado Springs is about 30 miles southeast of the campground and offers many services. Garden of the Gods is a popular attraction just outside of town. This free City of Colorado Springs park offers hiking trails, rock climbing routes, a visitor center and cafe. Pikes Peak lies west of Manitou Springs, which is about 25 miles from the campground. Visitors can hike, bike, or drive to the summit of this beautiful mountain.Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations
Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
No-Shows
A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Refunds
Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.
Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.
In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
The facts
- 18 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 59 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: PAIN
Site types
- 13 Standard Nonelectric
- 5 Tent Only Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
- Sewer hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, fire pits, shade.
18 campsites at Painted Rocks
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | PAIN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | 26 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 48 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 39 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | PAIN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 38 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | PAIN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 46 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | PAIN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | PAIN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 46 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 59 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 48 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | PAIN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
39.08444, -105.10528 · 39°5'4.0"N 105°6'19.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Painted Rocks
- Can you reserve a site at Painted Rocks?
- Yes, Painted Rocks is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Painted Rocks have?
- 18 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Painted Rocks?
- 59 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Painted Rocks?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Painted Rocks.
- Does Painted Rocks have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Painted Rocks?
- Campfires are allowed at Painted Rocks. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Painted Rocks also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Painted Rocks's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $28 fee per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $11.00 for a third vehicle. $11.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight. Fees are payable by cash, check, or money order. Self-service fee tube is available. First-come, first-served sites mus
Restrictions:
- Dogs must be leashed at all times.
- No discharge of firearms or fireworks.
- Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground.
- Camping is not allowed behind a locked gate.
Accessibility:
- null
Camping near Painted Rocks
- Manitou Lake Pavilion 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Colorado Campground 0.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pike Community 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Meadows - Pike San Isabel NF (CO) 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Red Rocks Group Campground 3.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Springdale 7.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Meadow Ridge 9.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Thunder Ridge 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Meadows Campground 1.6 mi · Campground
- Rainbow Falls Motorized Routes 3.6 mi · Facility
- Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area 10.3 mi · Facility
- Dikeside Boating Site 10.8 mi · Facility
Contact
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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