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General Park Regulations

You, the visitor, are responsible for knowing the rules. A complete Regulations Brochure is available at parks and open lands kiosks.

  • Park Entrance Permits are required for each vehicle and each boat for each day in the park. This is in addition to the camping fees. See Permit Prices for more information.
  • Campsite capacities: 1 camping unit and 2 tents; an additional camping unit may be placed on the campsite location if an additional fee is paid. If no camping units are used, 4 tents are allowed. Maximum number of people: 8
  • Camper cabin capacities: At Horsetooth and Flatiron Reservoirs, maximum of 5 people within the cabin and an additional 3 people in 1 tent. At Hermit Park Open Space, maximum of 8 people except at Aspen where the maximum is 4 people.
  • Quiet Hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. No generator operation during this time.
  • Alcohol: limited to 3.2% ONLY in cans - no glass containers - no kegs. No alcohol on the swimbeaches.
  • Pets: must be on a leash of not more than 10 feet at all times, may not be left unattended, and may not be on the swimbeaches. Aggressive dogs are not allowed. Only 1 pet is allowed at a camper cabin, except at Hermit Park Open Space where two are allowed.
  • Swimming is allowed only at the swimbeaches at Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir.
  • Firewood collecting is not allowed within the parks. It is available at local businesses. B.Y.O.W. (Bring your own wood!)
  • Fires & Fireworks are restricted. Campfires may be in approved fireplaces at designated campsites only. NO fireworks are allowed at any time. Check upon arrival for possible fire bans.
  • Vehicles must stay on established roads, parking lots, pads. No OHVs (off highway vehicles) are allowed. Speed limit is 10 mph in the campgrounds.

Rules for Making Campground Reservations

What Are The Rules?

  • A two-night stay is required for weekends April through October at all campsites, and at camper cabins at Hermit Park Open Space. For example, if you want to camp Friday night or Saturday night, you must make a reservation for two nights: Thursday & Friday, Friday & Saturday,or Saturday & Sunday.
  • A three-night stay is required for the holidays of Memorial Day, Labor Day, and July 4 at all campsites. For example, if you want to camp the day before Memorial Day or on Memorial Day, you must reserve 3 nights: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday; Saturday, Sunday, & Monday; or Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday. Other holiday rules: If your camping trip encompasses 1) Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of Memorial Day weekend; July 3 or July 4; or Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and 2) your reservation is made within the first 30 days of the 90-day reservation window, and 3) you subsequently want to change the arrival date to a later date, you will forfeit two camping days to Larimer County Department of Natural Resources, plus the standard change fee to the reservation company. This rule is to discourage customers from overriding the 90-day window in order to have an advantage over other customers.
  • No minimum stays November through March, or Mondays - Thursdays unless a holiday is involved.
  • 14 days in any 30-day period in the entire system is the longest you can camp.
  • 5 reservations is the maximum you can make per phone call or web session.
  • First-come, first-served sites: During the recreation season, April through October, sites are only "first-come, first-served" if they have not been reserved. From November through March, almost all sites are "first-come, first-served."

We recommend that you reserve your campsite in advance to ensure that you have a site in the park of your choice.

When Can You Make A Reservation?

  • Reservations are accepted as few as 3 days prior to arrival when using a credit card, or 15 days prior to arrival for checks and money orders. Example: If you are making a reservation online using your credit card, Tuesday at midnight is the latest you can make a reservation for Friday. If you are making a reservation through the call center using your credit card, Tuesday at 7 p.m. is the latest you can make a reservation for Friday.
  • The farthest out you can make a reservation is 90 days PRIOR TO arrival date. Use a calendar and count backwards, or use the 90-day Window Chart.
  • The reservation center is open for phone calls 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. (Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)
  • Online reservations can be made 24 hours a day.

How Do Fees Work?

  • The reservation fee is $8.25 per site, per camping trip. It is a non-refundable fee.
  • When you make your reservation, payment is required for camping permits. Use your credit card, personal check, or a money order.
  • When you arrive at the parks, payment is required for park entrance permits. Purchase daily or annual park entrance permits at the entrance stations, or you can purchase annual park entrance permits online before you get to the parks. Allow mailing time to receive permits before your trip. Check here for current permit prices.
  • If you change or cancel a reservation, you must pay an additional $6 fee. Plan ahead to save fees! If you cancel fewer than 3 full days before arrival date, or cancel any part of the reservation after arrival at the park, you will also forfeit one night's camping fees, since the site won't be available for other people to reserve.

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