Tucked right along the rushing waters of the Arkansas River, Ruby Mountain Campground is one of Chaffee County’s best-kept secrets for a quick mountain getaway. Perfectly positioned between the vibrant mountain towns of Buena Vista and Salida, this scenic spot offers front-row seats to world-class rafting and stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks. Whether you are pitching a tent in a sheltered walk-in site or parking a camper on the upper terraces, finding the right spot can make or break your experience with the afternoon winds. From sunset ridge hikes to morning coffee by the boat ramp, here is what it is really like to spend a weekend at Ruby Mountain.
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At A Glance: Ruby Mountain Campground@ AHRA State Park
Vibe: Fantastic for families and rafters; great for campers and RVs on the upper tiers, with sheltered “hike-in” sites well-suited for tents.
Elevation: ~7,640 feet
Location: Located near Nathrop, Colorado, tucked right between Buena Vista and Salida along the Arkansas River
Reservations: Required and available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) website on a 6-month rolling calendar
Cost: $28/night + Colorado State Park Pass (or a $10 daily vehicle pass per vehicle)
Season: Year-round
Vehicle Accessibility: Accessed via narrow dirt/gravel roads with some single-lane sections. The raft companies come through with buses and trailers so it is accessible, just be aware of tighter turns.
Maximum Vehicle Length: Most sites accommodate standard vehicles and mid-sized trailers (up to roughly 35–40 feet), but a few select sites are longer.
Water Access (Drinking): None! This is a dry campground with no potable drinking water or dishwashing sinks available. You must pack in all of your water.
Water Access (Fishing/Play): Phenomenal, direct access to the Arkansas River, featuring a major boat ramp and put-in for rafts and kayakers.
Restroom Type: Vault (pit) toilets and changing facilities; no flush toilets or showers are available on-site.
Campfire Regulations: Campfires are allowed in designated metal rings only. You must pack in your own firewood and use water to completely extinguish fires (always check Chaffee County for active local fire restrictions).
Wildlife Considerations: Located in a critical winter wildlife habitat zone. Bighorn sheep and mule deer are frequently spotted on the ridges, but mountain lions also inhabit the area. Always secure and store food properly.
Cell Service: Spotty but available. Many campers report getting a usable signal (often 2 bars of Verizon or AT&T 4G) depending on your exact location within the campground loops.
Finding a Piece of Riverfront Paradise at Ruby Mountain Campground
If you’re planning a camping trip to Chaffee County, you already know the draw: world-class rafting, stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks, and that distinct, laid-back vibe that connects Buena Vista and Salida. Tucked right along the Arkansas River within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, Ruby Mountain Campground makes the perfect base camp.
It was a short 2-day, 1-night trip, but the weather was fantastic, so we were truly able to make the most of it. Here is what it’s really like to camp here, plus a few insider tips to help you choose the right site.
The “Impulse” Site: RV Heaven vs. Tent Reality
My initial plan for this mini camping getaway was to snag a “hike-in” campsite right next to the river. When I logged in to make the reservation, I noticed that site 1307 was available for just Friday night. It was labeled as a “prime” condition rating and showed photos with the river nearby, so I made an impulse decision.
I am happy with our experience at site 1307 and it would be a fantastic site for a camper or RV. However, we were in our tent, and the “hike-in” sites were more protected from the afternoon wind that blew into the evening.
Because of that breeze, we ended up taking our small cook stove and dinner fixings down to the day-use area. This space was near the hike-in sites, and the added tree protection helped made cooking much easier. Pip played by the water while I prepped dinner, and it ended up being the perfect solution for us.
Sunsets, Cactus Buds, and Ridge Views
After dinner, we ventured out on a sunset “dog croc walk” around the campground. We found a trail leading up the hillside between sites 1301 and 1302.
The trail took us up to the top of the ridge and provided stunning views of the sunset setting behind the Collegiate Peaks. We saw a lot of prickly pear cactus and mountain ball cactus. In early May, they both had plenty of buds but no blooms yet, teasing a spectacular late-spring show for anyone visiting a few weeks later.
Second Breakfast While Watching Rafters
The next morning at camp, we noticed a lot of vehicles arriving with rafts. We ate breakfast, packed up, then headed over to the day-use area, which was right next to the river put-in.
We ate second breakfast while watching guides and individuals prep rafts for Brown’s Canyon. It turned out to be the ultimate morning entertainment. I’ve only been on a river raft a handful of times, but Pip was full of questions. I answered the best I could… then texted a rafting friend with a request to put a kid-friendly rafting trip on our summer calendar.
A Tale of Two Towns
One of the best reasons to camp at Ruby Mountain Campground is its location—it sits almost perfectly right in the middle of Chaffee County’s best mountain stops. We book-ended our trip to Ruby Mountain with a day in Buena Vista (playground, bike park, and Chocolatte ice cream treats) and a day in Salida (playground, river watching, picnic lunch).
Whether you’re bringing a family, towing a trailer, or pitching a tent for a quick weekend escape, Ruby Mountain Campground serves up a quintessential Arkansas River experience. Just pack a wind jacket, enjoy second breakfast by the boat ramp, and don’t skip that ridge trail at sunset!
Meals We Cooked: Ramen Noodles, Cheese Quesadillas, Brown Sugar Oatmeal, Tortilla Roll Ups
Gear We Used: Marmot Tungsten 4P Tent, Hikenture 4″ Sleeping Pad, Folding Camp Seat, Kid-Sized Camp Chair, 4ft Folding Table, Collapsible Camp Chair, Ozark Trails Butane Camp Stove
Places We Visited: Chocolatte Ice Cream & Coffee Shop, Buena Vista River Park, Salida Riverview Park
**Find more details on the camping gear, kids’ activities, and adventure gear recommendations here**
