Spillway Campground

By denver-gazette September 14, 2016 | updated 10 years ago

Spillway Campground – Elevenmile Canyon. Photo Credit: Stewart M Green – OutThere Colorado.
Stewart M Green

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Things To Do

Camping Hiking

Spillway Campground sprawls along the north bank of the South Platte River after it empties out of Elevenmile Reservoir at the western end of Elevenmile Canyon in Pike National Forest. The 23 campsites, lying along two loops, have picnic tables and fire rings. Most sites accommodate either tents or RVs and trailers, with a maximum length of 25 feet. Vault toilets, drinking water, and dumpsters are available. The campsites are in open meadows with scattered ponderosa pines offering shade. The river makes a couple bends next to the campground with clear water reflecting sky, clouds, and towering rock formations. Spillway, located at 8,500 feet, is a fine camping place for fishermen, climbers, and hikers.

Pro Tips

Spillway Campground, 49 miles west of Colorado Springs, is southwest of Lake George and U.S. 24. Reach the campground by driving west from Colorado Springs on U.S. 24 for 39 miles to Lake George. Turn left or south on Park County Road 96 and drive a mile to a junction with County Road 244. Keep right on gravel road 96 and drive 11 miles up Elevenmile Canyon to the campground. Just before the dam, turn right on a signed road that leads 0.2 miles to the campground.

Spillway is very busy on summer weekends and holidays so it’s essential to reserve a site from four to 180 days in advance. An additional fee is charged for advance bookings. There is a two-night minimum stay on weekends and three-night minimum stay on holidays if you reserve. A day-use fee is charged at the Elevenmile Canyon entrance.

Up to eight campers can stay at each site. All vehicles must be parked on designated parking spurs, with a maximum of two vehicles per site. No off-road parking is allowed. Fires are allowed unless restrictions are in place. Dead and downed wood can be picked up for fuel, otherwise purchase firewood from the campground host.

The South Platte River is a great tailwater fishery after it exits Elevenmile Reservoir above the campground. The river’s upper two miles in the canyon is a gold medal catch-and-release area for fly fisherman. Climbers come to the campground area to scale numerous routes on Pine Cone Dome and Icebox Wall down the canyon. A good hike from Spillway is Overlook Trail, an out-and-back hike to a scenic viewpoint above the canyon. The trailhead is opposite the campground pay station.

Recommended season(s): Mid-May to mid-October.

—Stewart M. Green

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