Castle Rock Campground

We needed place to camp in our van in between Laguna Beach, CA, and Boulder, CO. This place was perfect. Hardly anyone there, camp hosts Dot and George could not have been any friendlier, and it was beautiful and quiet. And no big, noisy RVs—which apparently were across highway at Sam Stowe campground lined up in a parking lot setting. If you don’t need hook-ups or tent camping, and actually like nature and being outside, go here!!! They had plentiful water spigots and clean bathrooms. Highly recommend.

We stayed here with a 39’ motorhome towing a 22’ flatbed with a UTV on it. Rented site 23 and had what I felt was the most space in the entire campground. The hoodoos behind the site were fun to explore in the morning after breakfast and then we rode trails and visited the Fremont Indian State Park museum. We had two picnic tables, firewood can be purchased if you need, and there were water pumps near the site as well. Quiet hours are 10 pm - 7 am (no generators!) pets are allowed, and the cooler temps made sleeping pleasant even on Pioneer Day weekend (July 24). The host has a placard at the site with our name on it so we were positive we had the right site. We can’t wait to come back!

Totally agree with other reviewers! Really nice little campground tucked into a north facing canyon with lots of large vegetation for privacy. Awesome rock formations! A small stream flows through the middle of the campground. The photos do not do it justice.

We stayed here on November 21st. Had the place to ourselves. Water and flush toilets were shut off for the season but a very clean vault toilet was available (located at about site 21). As the campground faces north it gets dark and cold early in winter (campground is open weather/snow permitting). However, this would be a good feature in summer.

We were headed south on I-15 but well worth the 12 mile detour to stay here right off of I-70.

- Some road noise when outside but didn't notice it at night in the trailer
- Most sites private and mostly level
- A variety of sites - pull-through and various sized back-in sites
- Good gravel road about a mile in and all sites were nice
- Several double sites (double the price) and one site that could accommodate a larger trailer / RV (site 14?)
- Your campground tag gets you into the park museum and trails (bring the tag with you to show at front desk)
- Good Verizon coverage

When I first arrived at Fremont Indian State Park, I went to the Sam Stowe Campground, as Reserve America doesn't clearly differentiate the two different campgrounds. At 7:30 PM, I knocked on the campground host's trailer door when I didn't see the advertised walk-in sites. He was extremely annoyed and rudely stated that he didn't know about any $15 primitive sites. After researching the park's website, I learned that the sites I sought were at the Castle Rock Campground, just a few miles away. Why didn't a camp host know that?
Fast forward to Castle Rock: Just a short drive down Canyon Creek and Kimberly Roads to the the opposite side of I-70, is the turn off to the campground. The short, unpaved road leads into a noise-deadening and beautiful canyon. While this is primitive camping - no hookups at the individual sites - there is running water/flush toilets in the bathroom facility. It was infinitely nicer than Sam Stowe! The sites were unpaved, but mostly level, and many of a decent size to park larger RV's and trailers. Leafy vegetation provides a privacy screen between sites and a stream gurgled happily behind my location. There were potable water spigots scattered throughout the campground loop. It was already dark when I set up camp, so I was surprised with a lovely view of red canyon walls when I awoke. Although it's close to the interstate highway, I didn't notice any noise and slept peacefully.
Would love to return and explore the park, especially the hiking trails and historic sites!

We stayed at Castle Rock for 2 nights in late September 2021. The campground has very large sites and are easy to get into. The hosts were very helpful and friendly. The Joe Lott trail is at the back of the CG and was full of yellow aspens this time of year. Across I-70, there's Fremont Indian State Park. There are loads of petroglyphs to discover along easy walking trails. The bathrooms were immaculate, flush toilets. They ahve coin operated showers Sam Stowe CG in the State Park. Definitely a nice 2 or 3 night stay.

My husband and I were just looking for an overnight on our way from LA to Flaming Gorge and happened upon this campground. We chose a double site (didn't need it, but got entrenched before I paid - this is what happens when you're tired). The sites were gorgeous and private. The bathrooms were pristine. The setting was magical because of the rock formations right next to the campground. We didn't get a real hike in, but we enjoyed a little exploration of the pinnacles next to the campground. We have decided we will go back, again, and use this campground as a destination instead of a stopover. Really lovely.

We chose site 1, with the little wooden bridge, because it is set back and very spacious. The views were awesome, looking out at a rocky ledge and another behind us. The smell of juniper is beautiful and there was lots of shade. Picnic tables and fire rings provided and wood for sale for $5. It was quiet for the most part. There’s a nice trail toward the back of the park that winds through the woods to a little stream (that’s as far as we went), and you can walk up into the rock castles right through the park! Across from site 11, I think it was. Beautiful scenery, well maintained and peaceful spot. There’s a grocery store about seven miles away.

Amazing rock formations visible from most sites on both sides of the campground. Sites very private and with some shade. An excellent choice.
Note: If you drive up the hill from the park, it's steep and narrow but pretty, be aware that there can be kamikaze ATVs headed down the hill at warp speed and sometimes on your side of the road. I almost collided with one. :-O