North Shore Campground: Your Eleven Mile State Park Adventure Hub in Colorado

North Shore Campground Introduce

For Coloradans seeking an engaging and amenity-rich outdoor experience, North Shore Campground at Eleven Mile State Park stands out as a premier destination. Located near Lake George, in the beautiful high country of Colorado, this campground offers a fantastic base for enjoying the vast Eleven Mile Reservoir and the surrounding natural splendor. Unlike more primitive sites, North Shore provides a comfortable and convenient setting, making it suitable for a wide range of campers, from those with large RVs to families with tents. It’s a place where the grandeur of the Colorado landscape meets the ease of modern camping, ensuring a memorable escape from the everyday.

Eleven Mile State Park is a jewel in Colorado's park system, primarily known for its expansive, clear reservoir. This reservoir is a magnet for anglers, famous for its trophy-sized trout and kokanee salmon, and equally popular with boaters, windsurfers, and kayakers. North Shore Campground, true to its name, is situated directly on the reservoir's edge, offering campers unparalleled access to these water-based activities and stunning panoramic views. Imagine waking up to the sun glinting off the water, with the sounds of nature as your soundtrack – this is the experience North Shore delivers.

The campground itself is designed with the camper's comfort in mind, offering a balance of natural immersion and practical facilities. It caters to those who appreciate a more developed camping experience with access to services, while still providing the awe-inspiring beauty of a Colorado state park. Whether your idea of a perfect day involves reeling in a big catch, paddling across the serene lake, or simply relaxing by a campfire and watching the diverse birdlife, North Shore Campground serves as an ideal hub for countless Colorado adventures, making it a highly desirable spot for locals to revisit time and again.

North Shore Campground is precisely located within Eleven Mile State Park, with the main park address being 4229 County Road 92, Lake George, CO 80827, USA. This places it approximately 38 miles west of Colorado Springs, making it a relatively easy and scenic drive for residents of the Front Range and other parts of Colorado. Access to the park involves taking Highway 24 west through Lake George, then turning south onto County Road 90, and continuing onto County Road 92 for several miles to the park entrance.

Once inside Eleven Mile State Park, North Shore Campground is clearly signposted. Its position on the northern edge of the Eleven Mile Reservoir provides direct, convenient access to the water. This is a significant advantage for campers bringing boats, kayaks, or those who simply wish to be steps away from fishing or enjoying the lakeside atmosphere. While the roads within the park leading to the campground are typically well-maintained, as with many state park roads, they can be unpaved in sections, so a vigilant approach to driving is always recommended.

The campground's location not only offers direct access to the reservoir but also serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the wider area. Nearby attractions include other loops within Eleven Mile State Park, additional fishing opportunities along the South Platte River, and scenic drives through the surrounding national forests. The balance of its remote, natural setting with relatively straightforward accessibility from major population centers makes North Shore Campground an exceptionally convenient and appealing choice for Coloradans looking for a robust outdoor experience without an overly arduous journey.

North Shore Campground, as part of Eleven Mile State Park, offers a range of services and amenities designed to enhance the camping experience, particularly for those with RVs and those seeking more comfort.

Campsites with Amenities: North Shore Campground features 80 individual campsites, many of which are designed to accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Each site typically includes a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill grate.
Water Availability: Drinking water spigots are available throughout the campground, ensuring campers have access to potable water for their needs.
Restrooms: Clean restroom facilities, including flush toilets and vault toilets, are strategically located for convenience. Flush toilets are generally available during the peak season (approximately May 1 through Labor Day).
Showers: Hot showers are available, typically from May 1 through Labor Day, allowing campers to refresh after a day of outdoor activities.
Dump Station: A convenient dump station is available within Eleven Mile State Park for RVers to dispose of black and gray water. It operates seasonally, generally from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with off-season access by request for registered campers.
Laundry Facilities: Laundry facilities are provided in the park, usually open during the peak season (May 1 through Labor Day).
Reservations: Campsites at North Shore are reservable online up to six months in advance, which is highly recommended due to the popularity of the park.
Park Office and Store: The park office is available for assistance and information, and a park store or marina often offers essentials, fishing supplies, and sometimes boat rentals.
Pet-Friendly: Pets are welcome in the campground and on trails within the park, provided they are kept on a leash no longer than six feet and owners clean up after them.

North Shore Campground at Eleven Mile State Park boasts several features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for campers in Colorado.

Direct Lakefront Access: Many sites are located directly along the shore of the vast Eleven Mile Reservoir, offering immediate access for fishing, boating, and stunning water views.
Excellent Fishing Opportunities: The reservoir is famous for its large trout (rainbow, cutthroat, brown, cutbow) and kokanee salmon, making North Shore an ideal base for anglers. Both shore fishing and boat fishing are highly popular.
Boating and Water Sports: With boat ramps easily accessible, campers can enjoy a variety of water activities including powerboating, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and canoeing on the expansive reservoir.
Open and Spacious Sites: The campground generally offers wide-open sites, providing a sense of space and allowing for clear views of the lake and the vast Colorado sky. While this means less natural shade, it contributes to the expansive feeling.
Spectacular Views: Campers consistently praise the incredible views of the reservoir and the surrounding natural landscape, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Wildlife Viewing: The park's diverse ecosystem offers opportunities to spot various wildlife, including numerous bird species, pronghorn antelope, and smaller mammals. It's a great spot for birdwatching.
Proximity to Hiking Trails: While the campground itself is relatively flat, the wider Eleven Mile State Park offers nearly five miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, including the Coyote Ridge Interpretive Trail.
Dark Skies for Stargazing: The relatively remote location and open nature of the campground provide excellent conditions for stargazing, with minimal light pollution allowing for clear views of the night sky.
Family-Friendly Environment: The combination of activities, amenities, and accessible sites makes North Shore a fantastic destination for families seeking an outdoor adventure.

For more information or to make a reservation at North Shore Campground within Eleven Mile State Park, please use the contact details provided below.

Address: Eleven Mile State Park, 4229 County Road 92, Lake George, CO 80827, USA

Park Office Phone: (719) 748-3401

Reservations for campsites at North Shore Campground are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons (summer weekends and holidays), and can typically be made up to six months in advance through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website (cpwshop.com) or ReserveAmerica. It is always a good practice to check the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for Eleven Mile State Park for the most current information regarding campsite availability, specific site details, any fire restrictions (which are common in Colorado's arid environment and can change quickly), and park alerts or closures. A daily vehicle pass is required for entry into the state park, in addition to the nightly camping fees.

For Coloradans, North Shore Campground at Eleven Mile State Park offers an exceptionally suitable and appealing outdoor retreat that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of our state. We value convenience balanced with stunning natural beauty, and this campground delivers on both. Its relatively easy driving distance from major Colorado cities like Colorado Springs means that a significant escape into the mountains and lake country is always within reach, whether for a spontaneous weekend or a planned family vacation. This accessibility is a huge draw for locals looking to maximize their outdoor time without lengthy travel.

The amenities offered at North Shore, including water and restrooms, make it a comfortable choice, especially for families or those with RVs who appreciate a few more conveniences than primitive camping provides. This blend of comfort and nature allows more Coloradans to enjoy the outdoors, catering to a wider range of camping styles. The fact that flush toilets and showers are available during peak season further enhances the appeal, making multi-day stays more enjoyable and refreshing. Plus, being pet-friendly means our beloved canine companions can join in on the adventure, which is often a key consideration for Colorado families.

Most importantly, North Shore Campground provides direct access to the crown jewel of the park: the Eleven Mile Reservoir. For us Coloradans, this means world-class fishing for trophy trout and kokanee salmon is literally at our doorstep. The opportunity for boating, sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing on such an expansive and beautiful lake is unparalleled. The open, spacious sites, while offering less shade, provide magnificent views of the water and the vast Colorado sky, perfect for breathtaking sunrises and unparalleled stargazing – experiences that define our connection to the landscape. North Shore isn't just a place to camp; it's a gateway to our favorite outdoor pursuits, a serene escape, and a place where cherished Colorado memories are made, all within the convenience of our remarkable state park system.