Dexter Point Campground

For Colorado locals seeking an authentic and adventurous mountain camping experience, Dexter Point Campground, nestled on the scenic northern shore of Twin Lakes Reservoir, presents a compelling choice. This popular first-come, first-served campground is renowned for its truly breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding towering peaks, making it a favorite for those who prioritize stunning scenery and direct lake access. While it embraces a more rustic approach to amenities, offering a true taste of Colorado's wild beauty, its affordability and the sheer majesty of its setting consistently draw campers back year after year. If you're ready to embrace the elements for unparalleled views and immediate access to water activities, Dexter Point Campground awaits your visit.

Dexter Point Campground is strategically located on CO-82, Twin Lakes, CO 81251, USA. This prime address places it directly on the northern shore of the iconic Twin Lakes, offering spectacular views and convenient water access. For Colorado residents, reaching Dexter Point is part of the adventure, involving a scenic drive through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It's approximately 18 miles south of Leadville and about 20 miles east of Independence Pass, making it an ideal stop for those traversing Highway 82. The well-maintained highway ensures easy accessibility for all types of vehicles, from cars with tents to RVs and trailers. Despite its immersive natural setting, the campground remains within a reasonable driving distance of Leadville, providing access to any last-minute supplies or services you might need. The campground's elevation of approximately 9,300 feet above sea level means you're truly in the high country, experiencing crisp mountain air and stunning vistas from almost every vantage point.

Dexter Point Campground provides essential services designed to facilitate a comfortable, albeit rustic, camping experience. While it's important to come prepared, the campground does offer fundamental amenities:

• Vault Toilets: These are available throughout the campground. However, some past reviews suggest bringing a portable toilet as they can be "extremely dirty" and attract "lots of bugs and flys." It's best to be prepared for basic conditions.
• Picnic Tables: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, providing a convenient surface for meals and campsite organization.
• Fire Rings: Designated fire rings are available at each site for campfires, cooking, and warmth during cool mountain evenings.
• Firewood Sales: Firewood is available for purchase from the camp host, making it convenient to enjoy a campfire.
• Boat Launch/Ramp Adjacent: Located next to the campground, the Dexter Point Boating Site offers a boat ramp, providing excellent access for launching boats, kayaks, and paddleboards onto Twin Lakes.
• Self-Service Fee Tube: Fees are payable by cash, check, or money order via a self-service fee tube.
• First-Come, First-Served: The campground operates entirely on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning no reservations are taken. This requires campers to physically arrive to claim a site.
• Limited Water Availability: It's crucial to note that potable water is generally NOT available at the campground. Campers must "bring plenty" of their own water for drinking, cooking, and extinguishing campfires.
• On-site Host: A camp host is typically available, often described as "sweet" or "super helpful," and can assist with finding sites and other needs.

Dexter Point Campground shines with several key features and highlights that draw campers back repeatedly despite its basic amenities:

• Amazing Views: The campground offers "amazing views" of Twin Lakes and the surrounding mountains, providing a stunning backdrop to your camping experience. Reviewers consistently highlight the incredible scenery.
• Lake Access: Campers have "quick access to the lake" from their sites, ideal for fishing, swimming, or simply enjoying the lakeside ambiance.
• Direct Access to Twin Lakes Reservoir: Its location right on the northern shore provides easy entry points for water-based activities.
• First-Come, First-Served Camping: This policy offers flexibility for spontaneous trips, though it means arriving early, especially on weekends, to secure a spot.
• Reasonable Pricing: At $26 per night for a site (including two vehicles, with a third vehicle costing an additional $11), it's considered a very reasonable price for a lake-access campground in Colorado.
• Spacious Sites: Sites are described as having "plenty of space to spread out" and being able to "fit perfectly" even with a camper van and two tents, indicating generous sizing.
• Windy Conditions: While a factor to consider, the wind, especially in the afternoons, creates choppy waters that are great for boating but also necessitate a "sturdy tent and ways to block the sun."
• No Shade Available: Most sites are "on top of a hill" with "no shade available," which means campers should bring their own shade solutions like tarps or pop-up canopies.
• Best for Morning Boating: Mornings are ideal for taking boats out due to calmer waters; afternoons can be "a bit too choppy."
• Proximity to Twin Lakes Village: Just 4.5 miles east of Twin Lakes Village on Highway 82, offering a charming local experience nearby.
• Tent-Only and RV Sites: The campground offers 11 tent-only sites and 8 large RV sites, accommodating different camping preferences.
• No Cell Service: Many sources indicate no cell service in the area, offering a true digital detox.

For inquiries about Dexter Point Campground, especially its first-come, first-served nature, you can use the general contact numbers for the Leadville Ranger District or the federal recreation system. It's crucial to remember that you cannot reserve sites via phone for Dexter Point; you must physically arrive.

Address: CO-82, Twin Lakes, CO 81251, USA

Phone: (719) 553-1400 (This number often connects to the Recreation.gov system, which manages many federal campgrounds, but for Dexter Point, it's for general info as it's FCFS).

Mobile Phone: +1 719-553-1400

For the most current information regarding conditions, fees, or specific details about the Twin Lakes area, contacting the Leadville Ranger District directly might be helpful, as they oversee this area. However, for a first-come, first-served site, the best strategy is to arrive early, especially during peak season.

Dexter Point Campground is an exceptionally suitable destination for Colorado locals who are seeking an authentic, rugged, and visually stunning outdoor experience. Its first-come, first-served policy offers spontaneity, appealing to those who enjoy a bit of adventure in their planning, and at $26 a night for two vehicles, it's considered a very reasonable price for a lakeside spot in Colorado. While the vault toilets might require some personal preparedness (like bringing a portable toilet), the trade-off is unparalleled access to the breathtaking beauty of Twin Lakes and the surrounding mountains. The "amazing views" and direct lake access for boating, kayaking, or paddleboarding are significant draws, allowing locals to fully immerse themselves in the water activities they love. Campers who return "every year" attest to the consistent enjoyment and unique experience it offers, despite the windy conditions and lack of shade that necessitate bringing a "sturdy tent and ways to block the sun." For Colorado residents who are well-equipped, prepared for basic amenities, and eager to prioritize stunning natural vistas and direct lake recreation over luxury, Dexter Point Campground provides an ideal, memorable, and truly local mountain escape right in their own backyard.

Dexter Point Campground

CO-82, Twin Lakes, CO 81251, USA