Heads up – while your favorite Colorado campground might typically have water available, that might not be the case this summer.

Another week has passed and for the second week in a row, drought severity has ticked upward in the Centennial State. After a few weeks of relief amid a wet start to spring, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that 97.57 percent of the state is experiencing drought – a level not seen since the end of April and prior to this year, not seen since December of 2021.

The ongoing effects of the drought are already far-reaching and as peak summer camping season hits, those planning on spending a night under the stars can expect some impacts.

Aside from how fire bans will likely be widespread, water availability may be impacted, as well. This dilemma is perhaps previewed in a May report from the U.S. Forest Service, which indicates that Lowry, Prospector, Windy Point, and Marvine campgrounds will not have water available for campers for the foreseeable future. Lowry, Prospector, and Windy Point campgrounds are located along the edge of Dillon Reservoir, which has been notably dry, while Marvine is located near Meeker.

Whether or not a lack of water amid extreme dryness will impact additional campgrounds around the Centennial State is to be determined, but it’s probably best to bring your own water for camping this year either way. This will help to reduce the strain on water in some of the state’s most remote – and most fire prone – spots. Additionally, hikers used to gathering water along the way should plan for natural sources to be dry.

Healthy adult males should plan to drink about 124 ounces of water daily, with healthy adult females needing to drink about 92. Of course, that can vary greatly per person and depending on what you’re doing and if you’ve got an active camping trip planned, you’ll probably need more than you typically do. A good water storage option for camping is a container like this – the largest option holds up to 640 ounces of water (five gallons) and with two openings, it’s easy to fill and drain. The spigot is also hugely helpful when it comes to filling up a glass or a smaller bottle. You can find similar containers at most stores with camping supplies. Five gallons is enough for a male and female camping pair to have water for about three days, but it’s always better to bring more than you’re planning to need. Plus, don’t forget about the water you’ll need to douse a fire if not fire ban is in place – and don’t forget about water for the pets you might have in tow, too.

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