Idlewild, St. Louis and Robber's Roost campgrounds open June 27, 2008. Campground openings were delayed by a combination of snow and hazard trees which required removal. St Louis will open (without a host on-site)and will remain open until the end of September.  In 2008 we will again be taking reservations for the Midland Campground. Details will be posted here as they are made available. We promise to get the campgrounds open as soon as the Forest Service determines it is safe!

Here is our article from the spring of 2006 for general information about  local Forest Service campgrounds.

Lions have Campgrounds Ready

By Jancie Hughes, as printed in the Winter Park Manifest, May 31, 2006

Five beautiful overnight campgrounds and a picnic site, operated by the Fraser River Valley Lions Club on a special use permit from the USDA Forest Service, are being readied for summer season campers to enjoy the outdoor life of the Fraser River Valley and the Continental Divide in the Arapaho National Forest

Currently open are Idlewild and St. Louis Campgrounds, with the opening of Byers Peak, Midland and Robbers Roost Campgrounds to follow on June 17. Neither electricity nor sewer hookups are available at any of the campsites.

Idlewild Campground, on the east side of Highway 40 one and a half miles south of the Town of Winter Park, offers 24 campsites, water, three toilets and bear-proof dumpsters. The Fraser River runs through it, as does the Fraser River Trail for an easy walk to town or a bicycle ride to the Winter Park Resort. Campground hosts Charles and Sandra Bartts will be on site to answer campers’ questions and direct them to available campsites. There is a $14 per site per night fee. Five dollar firewood bundles are available for purchase.

St. Louis Campground, located four miles southwest of Fraser on St. Louis Creek Road (County Road 73) along St. Louis Creek, provides 19 campsites with a hand water pump, two toilets, and bear proof dumpsters. Jerry and Katherine Childress will be hosting at this lovely site. Again, there is a $14 per site per night fee and $5 firewood bundles are available for purchase. This site is especially convenient to a number of mountain biking and hiking trails.

New this year, Midland Campground will be a reservation only area for groups not to exceed 36 campers with a maximum of 10 vehicles. The cost is $75 per group. Ideal for family parties or reunions, Midland is on the beautiful Fraser River, located on the east side of Highway 40 four and a half miles south of the Town of Winter Park. It offers five campsites, one toilet and a dumpster. Water is available from the Idlewild Campground if you do not have your own. Make reservations through the Idlewild hosts at 970-726-0889.

Robbers Roost, located on the east side of Highway 40 six and a half miles south of the Town Of Winter Park near the first switchback on the west side of Berthoud Pass, is also adjacent to the Fraser River and offers 11 campsites, a toilet and dumpster. Water is available at Idlewild Campground or make sure to take your own. There is a $14 fee per campsite per night.

Byers Peak Campground, the most remote of the five, is located seven miles southwest of Fraser on St. Louis Creek Road (County Road 73), offers six campsites with a hand water pump, one toilet and a bear-proof trash dumpster. St Louis Creek is within 200 yards of the campground. There is a $14 fee per campsite per night.

The Blue Star Memorial Picnic Area, on the west side of Highway 40 one mile south of the Town of Winter Park, is currently available at no charge with six picnic sites, one toilet and a trash dumpster. Great for picnics, there is no overnight camping allowed, and pets must be on a leash.

Idlewild, Midland, Robbers Roost and Byers Peak Campgrounds will close on September 9, 2006. St Louis Campground will remain open for campers and hunters through September 29, 2006, though there will be no hosts on site.

Call the Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce at 726-4118, where a Forest Service Ranger will be available to answer questions and offer maps. Or you may direct your questions to the Forest Service office in Granby at 887-4100, or to Lions Kent Hughes at 726-1132 or Don Sawyer at 726-5778.