Can you reserve a site at West Chicago Creek?

Yes, West Chicago Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does West Chicago Creek have?

16 sites in total, of which 14 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at West Chicago Creek?

40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at West Chicago Creek?

Yes, pets are allowed at West Chicago Creek.

West Chicago Creek, Colorado — 14 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

West Chicago Creek Campground sits along its namesake creek at the base of Mount Blue Sky and is located off Highway 103 on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in central Colorado. It is a popular facility for hiking and fishing enthusiasts.

Recreation

The area provides easy access to many hiking trails that lead into the Mount Evans Wilderness. West Chicago Creek offers good fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout.

Facilities

There are 15 sites available all suitable for RV and tent camping. Each site contains a tent pad, picnic table, charcoal grill and fire ring. Other amenities include a vault toilet, water spigot and trash dumpster. There are no RV hook-ups. Firewood is available for sale during peak season at the campground.

Natural Features

The campground sits at an elevation of 9,600 feet in an aspen and lodgepole pine forest.

The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland are located in the foothills and slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The forests and grassland cover 1.5 million acres and extend north to the Wyoming border, south to Mount Evans and west across the Continental Divide.

The area encompasses mountains, lakes and five scenic byways, designated by Congress for their scenery, wildlife or history, including the highest road in North America. Mount Evans Road, also known as Colorado Highway 5, allows visitors to drive from 10,500' to 14,130' above sea level in just 14 miles.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Idaho Springs, a former mining town, makes for a nice outing. History buffs will appreciate the Argo Gold Mine and Mill Museum.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 529-0578.

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 – 9/17 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
14 bookable sites
16 sites in total, including non-bookable
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: WEST

Site types

11 Standard Nonelectric
2 Management
2 Tent Only Nonelectric
1 RV Nonelectric

Amenities

Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

16 campsites at West Chicago Creek

Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
001	WEST	Management	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
002	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
003	WEST	Management	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
004	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
005	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
006	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
007	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
008	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
009	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
010	WEST	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	8	🐾
011	WEST	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	8	🐾
012	WEST	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	8	🐾
013	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	8	🐾
014	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	8	🐾
015	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
016	WEST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. Go south for 6.5 miles and turn right on southwest Forest Service Road 188 (West Chicago Creek Road). Go 3 miles to campground. The last mile of dirt/gravel road is one lane with pull over's and contains two sharp switchbacks.

39.67904, -105.65742 · 39°40'44.5"N 105°39'26.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 77°F in Jul, down to 36°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	36	38	45	50	60	72	77	75	68	57	44	36
Low °F	16	15	21	26	35	42	49	47	39	30	22	15
Precip in	0.8	0.9	1.4	2.3	2.1	1.5	2.5	2.2	1.5	1.3	0.9	0.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about West Chicago Creek

Can you reserve a site at West Chicago Creek?: Yes, West Chicago Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does West Chicago Creek have?: 16 sites in total, of which 14 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at West Chicago Creek?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at West Chicago Creek?: Yes, pets are allowed at West Chicago Creek.

Also listed by

West Chicago Creek also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by West Chicago Creek'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:

A single site may hold up to eight people.
Tents must fit on the pads provided.
RVs, trailers or other vehicles must fit on the parking spur. Driving or parking off road is not permitted.
The parking length ranges from 30 to 45 feet.
Dogs must be on leash.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near West Chicago Creek

Echo Lake 3.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Guanella Pass 5.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout 8.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Clear Creek Picnic Site Day Use 2.5 mi · Activity pass
Saxon Mountain 3.3 mi · Facility
Clear Lake Picnic Site 3.3 mi · Facility
Echo Lake Trailhead 3.6 mi · Facility
Devils Nose Target Range Day Use 4 mi · Activity pass
Mount Evans Wilderness: Arapaho & Roosevelt 6.3 mi · Facility
Mount Evans Summit / Interpretive Site 6.4 mi · Facility
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway 6.5 mi · Facility
Clear Creek Picnic Site 8.8 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 801-226-3564
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.

West Chicago Creek