Pickle Gulch
Campground · Colorado · 7 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Arapaho National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 7
- Bookable sites
- up to 150
- People per site
- 9,093 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Pickle Gulch is a group picnic and camping facility located just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119. Visitors enjoy the area for its scenic and off-road driving, and nearby hiking and fishing opportunities.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
Pickle Gulch is an area that offers day-use picnic sites and six campsites to accommodate large groups. The picnic site can accommodate up to 150 people and is equipped with picnic tables and campfire circles. A parking area, vault toilets and a playground are provided. The group campsites are all walk-to sites for tent camping only. Each campsite is equipped with picnic tables, a campfire circle and tent pads. Vault toilets and drinking water spigots are shared between sites. A separate day-use area contains two volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, picnic tables and a vault toilet. Firewood may be gathered from the surrounding forest, if available, or purchased from the host.
Natural Features
The site offers many scenic views of the surrounding area. It is set among a fairly level forest of lodgepole pine trees, dotted with aspens.Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and removal of hazardous trees, there may be little to no shade at these sites.
Nearby Attractions
The historic mining town of Central City is nearby. The town hosts various popular events, including 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 more than 35 miles of hiking trails. Mountain biking and horseback riding are also allowed on some trails. Every stream and pond within the park is open to fishing.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (970) 234-1110.Charges & Cancellations
Modifications for this campground must be made through Recreation.gov or by calling the call center at 1-877-444-6777 PRIOR to your reservation start date. Customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date.
The facts
- Season: 5/19 – 10/9 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 7 bookable sites
- 1 site for day use only
- Up to 150 people per site
- Loops: Day Use Only Picnic Site, Grp 1, Grp 2, Grp 3, Grp 4, Grp 5, Grp 6
Site types
- 6 Group Walk To
- 1 Group Picnic Area
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, shade.
7 campsites at Pickle Gulch
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001A Day Use | Day Use Only Picnic Site | Group Picnic Area | — | Gravel | — | 150 | 🐾 |
| 001 | Grp 1 | Group Walk To | — | Gravel | — | 30 | 🐾 |
| 002 | Grp 2 | Group Walk To | — | Gravel | — | 30 | 🐾 |
| 003 | Grp 3 | Group Walk To | — | Gravel | — | 30 | 🐾 |
| 004 | Grp 4 | Group Walk To | — | Gravel | — | 30 | 🐾 |
| 005 | Grp 5 | Group Walk To | — | Gravel | — | 30 | 🐾 |
| 006 | Grp 6 | Group Walk To | — | Gravel | — | 15 | 🐾 |
Getting there
39.84320, -105.52261 · 39°50'35.5"N 105°31'21.4"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 0.9 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.2 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 Pickle Gulch
- Can you reserve a site at Pickle Gulch?
- Yes, Pickle Gulch is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Pickle Gulch have?
- 7 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Pickle Gulch?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Pickle Gulch.
- Are campfires allowed at Pickle Gulch?
- Campfires are allowed at Pickle Gulch. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Pickle Gulch also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Pickle Gulch's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Check detailed information on www.recreation.gov or see general fees on the campground table .
Restrictions:
- Tents only. No campers or trailers past parking area.
- Dogs must be on leash.
Camping near Pickle Gulch
- Cold Springs - Arapaho Roosevelt NF (CO) 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Columbine Campground 2.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Kelly Dahl 6.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cold Springs Campground 1.5 mi · Campground
- West Magnolia Trailhead 7.5 mi · Campground
- Caribou Dispersed Camping Area 9.9 mi · Campground
- Bill Moore Lake/Empire Loop 10.4 mi · Facility
- Gordon Gulch Dispersed Camping Area 11.7 mi · Campground
- Saxon Mountain 11.7 mi · Facility
- Rainbow Lakes Campground 11.7 mi · Campground
- Rainbow Lakes Trailhead Day Pass 11.8 mi · Activity pass
Contact
- Phone 801-226-3564
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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