Mountain Park Campground

I was excited that I had actually obtained a "riverside" site with electric hook-up. However, I was disappointed to learn that the river was down a steep cliff way back behind the campsite. The campsite map on Recreation.gov is deceiving. The road noise was also a problem during the daytime even with the loud river flowing between the campground and the highway. There is absolutely no Verizon coverage here. When I went to ask the campground host about where I could get coverage (for necessary work purposes), he wasn't too friendly but told me to drive 5 miles west to the next town. Sporadic coverage could be obtained close to the general store there. My son, my dog, and I did hike to the top of Mt. McConnel where there was 4G coverage at the very top! It was a nice hike. Recommend it. Other than fishing and hiking, there wasn't much else around to see/do. The Poudre River is gorgeous though. We all loved wading in the cool water. So 2 nights was plenty of time to spend here (just a quick weekend get-away). The shower and bathroom facilities were well kept and clean. Firepits and picnic tables at each site. Campsites were all full this August weekend.

We went here as our first shake down trip in our 31-ft 5th wheel. The park is very well kept and immaculate for a US Forest Service park. It's the only one in the Cache La Poudre river canyon with electric service. There are several other camps up and down the canyon without electric, though some can fit bigger RVs, and some can't. This canyon is very popular—we didn't have reservations, and there are only 2 "walk up" sites that would fit us.

We arrived at 1:30 and both of these were nabbed as we got there. We lucked out though and got a cancelation site. With our Senior National Parks pass we paid only $20 per night. Regular fee currently $32. with electric. (Cheaper if you don't want that.) There is a very clean shower house (50¢ for 10n minute hot shower.) Hosts were on the ball and friendly to us.

We didn't have a problem with road noise but we weren't right on the river/road. Camp was quiet at night. There is a single lane bridge to cross to get in the park and a turn right after, but we didn't have any trouble, and the sites are pretty easy to back in, even for newbs.

We hiked the McConell peak trail, fun, but somewhat strenuous. There are many other trailheads in this canyon and all the way up to Cameron Pass. So this made a good home base for exploring. Beautiful drive too.

Note there are really no services in the canyon—gas/diesel can only be purchased at the bottom (near Fort Collins) or over the pass 60 miles to Walden.

No cell signal at the park or really anywhere else in the canyon. We didn't mind this as we were taking time off. In mid-August temps at the camp were 75-80 in the day and 50-60 at night. No AC needed.

The Cache La Poudre seems popular with fly-fishermen, kayakers, rafters (further east) but is too swift for swimming. There's not much else to do at the camp, but there is a nice playground for the kids. Camp roadways are flat enough for bike riding, and strolls.