Painted Rocks Campground

There are several nice campgrounds in the mellow country north of the town of Wooodland Park in the Pike National Forest. One of the smaller ones, but one that is very much worth considering, is Painted Rocks Campground. Just a short drive, walk or bike ride from the excellent Manitou Lake Recreation Area, Painted Rocks is a quintessential small national forest campground.

The sites are set along two short loops that wind among the thinly-spaced ponderosa pines. With vault toilets and potable water as the only amenities, this campground offers a quiet and remote-feeling camping experience while being a short drive from the amenities of town. The sites along the meadow with views of the red rock formations are the best, but the more-shaded sites closer to the road are very nice, too.