Search routes & places


Log in and send us updates, images and resources

BPX 3-Day: Green Mountain Reservoir North or South Cow Creek Campground

Outside of Silverthorne, Green Mountain Reservoir camping at North or South Cow Creek Campground offers multiple trail head destinations, including Gore Range trail system. Lake, Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat Trout, as well as Kokanee Salmon offer anglers challenging opportunities.

Cow Creek Campgrounds are touted as the two best along Green Mountain Reservoir in the CMC Press Guidebook, "Colorado Campgrounds - The 100 Best and All the Rest" authored by Gil Folsom.  Many sites are along the shore; although camp sites have few trees the sites are spaced farther apart then many other campgrounds.  

Cow Creek South has 44 sites with 2 vehicles per site allowed;  Cow  Creek North has 5 Group sites with 3 vehicles per site allowed

Nearest towns:  Dillion, Kremmling, Silverthorne

Amenities:  Picnic tables, fire ring, vault toilets.  NO POTABLE WATER IN EITHER COW CRK NORTH OR SOUTH 

RV/Tents:  Both Cow Creek North & South allow RV's or Tents in each site

Reservations: 6 months in advance for individual campsites; Group sites 12 months

DRIVING:  From Golden 77 miles/ 1 1/2 hrs  From Golden - take I-70 W to Exit 205.  Turn North (right), travel thru Silverthorne 22.4 miles on Hwy 9.  South Campground is near highpoint of Green Mountain Reservoir.  Entrance is on left prior to Mile Marker 124.  Cow Creek North (Group Campground) is about half-mile past Cow Creek South.

Fees:  Cow Creek South - $39 per site with $4 upcharge for holidays excludes taxes and service fees.  Leaders must pay for advance reservations; reimbursement due date by participants is set by the leader.  Baseline carpool fees 154 miles x $.30/3 = $15; additional mileage to trailheads can be added at conclusion of trip.

Reservation website:  Recreation.gov, 877 444 6777 or Fs.usda.gov/whiteriver 970 468 5400

Dillion Ranger District:  970 468 7681

Nearest 24/7 ER:  Kremmling - Middle Park Health, 214 4th St, 970 724 3442 OR Dillion Health Center, 365 Dillion Range Rd

County Sheriff:  Summit County 970 453 2232

Suggested Backpacking Section (BPX) itinerary for 3-day trip to be used for CMC trips led by BPX leaders for BPX members.

Day 1 - Drive to Ptarmigan Trail TH, hike trail 4.6 miles Out & Back, 1140' gain; drive to campground and set up camp

Day 2 - Fish, kayak, boat, relax in camp or hike in Eagles Nest Wilderness which will require you drive to the suggested trail heads

Challenging - Buffalo Mountain Trail 6.4 miles, 3000' gain, boulder field about 1/3 distance up trail

Moderate to Challenging - Gore Range Lost Lake Loop, 7.0 miles, 1355' gain.  To access the TH a 4WD vehicle and knowledgeable driver are required for the steep, chuck-holed 2.5 miles on FDR 1695  This will be a Challenging hike if you opt to hike the road by parking at the old cemetery across from the start of the trail which will add 5 miles

Moderate - Boulder Lake, 6.1 miles Out & Back with 1500' gain

Day 3 - Break camp and hike before returning to metro area

Moderate - Willow Creek Falls, 7.1 miles Out & Back with 1100' gain

  • Suitable Activities: Camping
  • Seasons: May, June, July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: varies
  • Length: 20.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 4,000 ft
  • 8,000 ft
Map
  • Trails Illustrated 107
Activities
Trip Reports
Resources

There are no resources for this route/place. Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.