Overview Ansel Watrous Campground is located on the Cache la Poudre River, 22 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colo., along Highway 14. Visitors enjoy the area for its great rafting, fishing and hiking opportunities. Recreation The Cache la Poudre River offers whitewater rafting and fishing. Anglers cast for brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout, among other species of fish. Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are in the surrounding area, including the 4-mile Young Gulch Trail. Other popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the campground include birding and wildlife viewing. Facilities The campground offers accessible single-family sites, each equipped with a 12-by-15 tent pad, a picnic table and a campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Dead and downed firewood may be gathered in the forest or purchased from the campground host. Natural Features The canyon's vegetation varies from dense forests to open meadows and the campground is surrounded by steep mountains. The campground is situated among Ponderosa pines on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado's first river designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.
Source: rec_gov · last verified 2026-05-14