Reporting by Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
What Aspen Glen Campground in the upper Poudre Canyon lacks in size and frills, it makes up for in aspen glory and as a hub for drives, hikes and fishing in the fall.
The campground, not to be confused with Aspenglen Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park, is located in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of Roosevelt National Forest.
The campground is open until Sept. 27.
What to know about camping at Aspen Glen in Poudre Canyon
- Location: Drive 11 miles north of Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287. Turn left on Colorado Highway 14 and drive approximately 49 miles up the Poudre River Canyon. The campground is on the north side of the highway, along Joe Wright Creek.
- Campsites: Nine for tents or RVs and trailers 25 to 35 feet. Each site contains a tent pad, fire grate and picnic table. Restrooms and water are available in the campground. There are no electrical hookups.
- Reservations: No. This is one of the few Poudre Canyon campgrounds that is first come, first served.
- Cost: $23 per night
- Fire restrictions: Stage 1 restrictions are in place for the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, as of Sept. 14.
- Pets: Dogs allowed on hand-held leash.
- Pros of camping here: Aspen abound in the campground and surrounding area, making it ideal for fall color drives on Colorado 14, Laramie River Road and Long Draw Road. Nearby fishing includes the creek, Poudre River, Joe Wright Reservoir, Barnes Meadow and Chambers Lake. Nearby hiking options include the Dadd Gulch, Big South, Corral Creek, Zimmerman Lake and Blue Lake trails.
- Cons of camping here: Colorado Highway 14 is busy with vehicle noise prevalent in the campground. To avoid the noise, secure a site away from the highway and along Joe Wright Creek, which mostly drowns out the traffic sound. Facilities are fine but nothing fancy here.
- Alternatives: If Aspen Glen is full, other nearby campgrounds that are first come, first served include Big South, Sleeping Elephant and Big Bend.
- Forget something? Trading Post Resort and Sporstmen’s Lodge are located nearby and offer an assortment of goods.
- Information: Visit the Aspen Glen Campground page of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland website.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan.
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