Jack Fletcher| Campground | Miles from Mueller State Park | Managed by | Sites | Fee per night | Booking | Max RV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mueller State Park | 0.0 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife | - | - | Park website | - |
| The Crags | 6.0 | Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands | 4 | $27 | Recreation.gov | - |
| Blue Mountain | 16.9 | Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands | 20 | $24 | Recreation.gov | 35 ft |
| Springdale | 18.0 | Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands | 4 | $27 | Recreation.gov | - |
| Meadow Ridge | 19.7 | Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands | 18 | $30 | Recreation.gov | 70 ft |
| Thunder Ridge | 19.8 | Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands | 20 | $30 | Recreation.gov | 60 ft |
Sources: Recreation.gov, National Park Service, state and county park pages. "-" means the operator does not publish it.
Mueller Camps and Nearby Forests
Start inside Mueller State Park when your plans center on the park and simple travel days. Colorado Parks and Wildlife gives you 138 campsites and year-round camping, with 44.3 miles of trails for your day plan.
The Crags and Springdale suit your smallest national forest options, because each campground keeps the site count low. The Crags sits 6 miles from Mueller State Park and lists 4 campsites. Springdale sits 18 miles from Mueller State Park and lists 4 campsites.
Blue Mountain gives your trip a larger option with 20 campsites at 17 miles from Mueller State Park. Your site costs $24 per site, and the campground gives you drinking water from a water pump. Choose it if two vault toilets and no RV hookups fit your setup.
Rampart Reservoir Camp Choices
Choose the Rampart Reservoir side when your trip needs water at camp and you accept a longer drive. Meadow Ridge sits 20 miles from Mueller State Park. Recreation.gov lists 18 campsites there, and your site costs $30 per site.
Use Thunder Ridge when your plan includes the same reservoir area with a slightly larger campground. Thunder Ridge sits 20 miles from Mueller State Park. It lists 20 campsites, and your site costs $30 per site.
Match the Rampart choice to your day use and access needs. Meadow Ridge puts your camp at 9,200 feet overlooking Rampart Reservoir. Thunder Ridge puts your camp above Rampart Reservoir in a ponderosa pine forest at 9,200 feet.
Long Trailers Around Rampart Reservoir
Measure your full vehicle setup before you choose a site around Mueller. Blue Mountain sets maximum vehicle length at 35 feet. Meadow Ridge lists 70 feet, and Thunder Ridge lists 60 feet.
Treat the Rampart lengths as site data, since the campground roads add a second constraint. Recreation.gov says your RV or trailer over 36 feet will have a very tough time at Meadow Ridge and Thunder Ridge because of tight corners and trees.
Plan your mobility needs before you choose Thunder Ridge. Three campsites and two vault toilets meet current accessibility standards there.
Divide Normals Shape Mueller Nights
Use Divide 4Nw for your weather check, since the NOAA station sits 4.8 miles away. July brings an average high of 74°F and an average low of 47°F.
Your shoulder season plan should separate afternoon comfort from overnight cold. June reaches an average high of 68°F and an average low of 41°F. September has an average high of 65°F and an average low of 38°F.
Your winter kit needs real insulation before you choose dates. January has an average high of 33°F and an average low of 9°F. October has an average high of 54°F and an average low of 27°F.
Recreation.gov Timing Near Mueller
Set your booking plan by campground, because nearby federal sites use two systems. You can reserve Blue Mountain, Meadow Ridge, and Thunder Ridge on Recreation.gov. For Blue Mountain, Recreation.gov accepts reservations up to 5 days prior to arrival, and unreserved sites become first come, first served.
For The Crags and Springdale, you must physically arrive to purchase and claim a site. Download the free Recreation.gov mobile app before Springdale trips, because some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. The Recreation.gov app may support Scan and Pay at The Crags.
Keep longer stays at the larger national forest campgrounds within the posted rules. Blue Mountain, Meadow Ridge, and Thunder Ridge set a maximum consecutive stay of 14 nights. You check in at 2 p.m. and check out at 12 p.m. at Meadow Ridge and Thunder Ridge.
Mueller Entry and Pet Rules
Plan your drive through Divide if you arrive from I-25. Take exit 141 from I-25. Then follow US 24 West for 25 miles to Divide. Highway 67 South carries you 3.5 miles to the park.
Use staffed hours if your arrival depends on questions or charging. Mueller State Park opens daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The office/visitor center opens daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Mueller Visitor Center sits 1.5 miles from the park entrance on Wapiti Road.
Bring a leash plan if your pet joins your trip. Colorado Parks and Wildlife allows pets in campsites, picnic areas, and on paved roads, but keeps pets off all trails and the backcountry. The Visitor Center parking lot has two electric vehicle charging stations.
Average daily high and low, °F, NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Divide 4Nw station.
Gear That Earns Its Space at Mueller State Park
An insulated sleeping padYour sleeping pad needs insulation because December has an average low of 12°F.
A camping fanYour camping fan helps on August afternoons with an average high of 71°F.
A tent heaterYour tent heater plan must account for February's average low of 10°F.Mueller State Park Camping Questions
Can you camp inside Mueller State Park?
Yes, you can camp inside Mueller State Park. Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists 138 campsites, and the park offers year-round camping.
Does Mueller State Park allow dogs on trails?
No. Your dog can join you in campsites, picnic areas, and on paved roads. Colorado Parks and Wildlife keeps pets off all trails and the backcountry.
Which campground near Mueller State Park fits a longer RV?
Meadow Ridge lists 70 feet, and Thunder Ridge lists 60 feet. You should still plan carefully, because Recreation.gov says your RV or trailer over 36 feet will have a very tough time at both campgrounds.
How do you book camping near Mueller State Park?
You can reserve Blue Mountain, Meadow Ridge, and Thunder Ridge on Recreation.gov. You must physically arrive at The Crags and Springdale to purchase and claim a site.
How cold are nights at Mueller State Park?
Your night plan should expect cold temperatures at Mueller State Park. January has an average low of 9°F, and July has an average low of 47°F.
More Camping in Colorado
Sources
- Recreation.gov: The Crags: sites, fees, vehicle length
- Recreation.gov: Blue Mountain: sites, fees, vehicle length
- Recreation.gov: Springdale: sites, fees, vehicle length
- Recreation.gov: Meadow Ridge: sites, fees, vehicle length
- Recreation.gov: Thunder Ridge: sites, fees, vehicle length
- cpw.state.co.us: mueller state park: official page
- NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020: monthly temperatures
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service: elevation
- OpenStreetMap: roads and rivers