Chief Hosa Campground

Chief Hosa campground opened in 1918 as “America’s first motor-camping area.” The campground spans 58 acres within the 2,400 acres of Denver’s Genesee Mountain Park, which is home to a city-owned bison herd and provides a unique opportunity to view these animals in a natural habitat. The nearby historic Chief Hosa Lodge is available for event rentals.

Campground Reservations

RV and Campground facilities are open the third week of May through the third week of September each year.  Reservation for the 2024 season (May 17 – September 20) will be available at 8:00 am on February 14, 2024.

Chief Hosa Campground requires a camping reservation. No in-person or phone payments for reservations will be accepted. Same-day reservations will be based on availability and must be booked by guests through our online reservation system. Guests may access our reservation system at the campground office during open hours for those who cannot make reservations on their own device. Same-day reservations will be available until 8:00 p.m. 

Campers: Please note that our tent sites were designed for TENT CAMPING only. The parking areas are not level and rocks and landscape materials may not be used to level a vehicle or pop up trailer. Vehicle Campers (Vans, trucks, pop up trailers and roof top tents) should utilize the RV sites for camping.

Make a Reservation

Campsite Descriptions

RV Site Descriptions

Please review the RV site descriptions before submitting an online reservation request. 

Camping Unit:

  • Option 1: one passenger vehicle and two tents if space allows; or
  • Option 2: one motorized vehicle towing a camping trailer and one tent if space allows.
Site Type Max. RV Length Amps Camping Units Allowed Utilities

R4

back-in, small

25'

50

1

full

R5

Pull-through

35'

30

1

Water/Electric

R6

Back-in, small

24'

30

1

Water/Electric

R7

Back-in, small

32'

30

1

Water/Electric

R8

Back-in, small

27'

30

1

Water/Electric

R9

Back-in, small

32

30

1

Water/Electric

R10

Back-in, small

24'

30

1

Water/Electric

R11

Pull-through

30'

50

1

Water/Electric

R12

Pull-through

30'

50

1

Water/Electric

R13

Back-in, medium

32'

50

1

Water/Electric

R14

Back-in, medium

32'

50

1

Water/Electric

R15

Back-in, medium

32'

30

1

Water/Electric

R16

Back-in, medium

27'

30

1

Water/Electric

R17

Back-in, medium

27'

30

1

Water/Electric

R18

Back-in, medium

32'

30

1

Water/Electric

R19

Pull-through

35'

50

1

Water/Electric

R20

Pull-through

35'

50

1

Water/Electric

R21

Back-in, medium

27'

30

1

Water/Electric

R22

Back-in, medium

27'

30

1

Water/Electric

R23

Back-in, medium

27'

30

1

Water/Electric

R24

Back-in, medium

27'

30

1

Water/Electric

 

Tent Site Descriptions

Please review tent site descriptions below before submitting a reservation request online.

Campers: Please note that our tent sites were designed for TENT CAMPING only. The parking areas are not level and rocks and landscape materials may not be used to level a vehicle or pop up trailer. Vehicle Campers (Vans, trucks, pop up trailers and roof top tents) should utilize the RV sites for camping.

Camping Unit:

  • One passenger vehicle and two tents if space allows
Site Picnic Table Camping Units Allowed Pad Size

T1

1

1

10'x15'

T2

1

1

10'x15'

T3

1

1

10'x15'

T4

1

1

10'x15'

T5

1

1

10'x15'

T6

1

1

10'x15'

T7

1

1

10'x14'

T8

1

1

10'x14'

T9

1

1

10'x15'

T10

1

1

10'x14'

T11

1

1

10'x14'

T12

1

1

10'x15'

T13

1

1

10'x15'

T14

1

1

10'x14'

T15

1

1

10'x14'

T16

1

1

10'x14'

T17

1

1

10'x14'

T18

1

1

10'x14'

T19

1

1

10'x14'

T20

1

1

10'x14'

T21

1

1

10'x14'

T22

1

1

10'x14'

T23

1

1

10'x14'

T24

1

1

10'x14'

 

 

More Information

Camping Fees & Terms

Site Type Nightly Rate
 RV with 30 amp service
(includes 2 parking passes)
$32.50
 RV with sewer
(includes 2 parking passes)
$40.00
 RV with 50 amp service
(includes 2 parking passes)
$35.00
Tent
(includes 1 parking pass)
$23.00


Miscellaneous Fees  Total
Extra vehicle $5 per night
Shower $0.25 per two minutes
(4 minutes max.)
  • Taxes and charges: All prices listed above do not include sales tax and are subject to change without notice
  • Campers are responsible for cleanup, reasonable care of equipment and trash removal. Campers who fail to comply will be assessed a cleaning/repair fee of $75.00 per hour.

Reservation Terms

  • Please review site descriptions (above) to determine how much space is necessary for your RV or tent
  • $5.00 service charge issued for all cancellations
  • Service charge of one nightly rate issued for cancellations made within seven (7) days of reservation date
  • Must be 18 years old to make reservation
  • No refunds will be issued after reservation begins
  • Check-in time: 1:00 p.m. | Check-out time: 11:00 a.m.

Follow these steps to make your reservation:

  1. Review site descriptions to determine which types will meet your needs
  2. View campground map(PDF, 279KB) and select the site you'd like to reserve
  3. Log-in or create an account with our Online Service Center
  4. Follow on-screen instructions to complete your reservation

Need assistance? View online reservation instructions(PDF, 690KB).

Campground Rules

Permits
A valid camping permit is required to camp overnight. All motor vehicles/trailers are required to display a parking pass. Exclusively towed vehicles/trailers will be given a pass at no charge.

Camping Units Allowed

  • Option 1: one passenger vehicle and two tents if space allows; or
  • Option 2: one motorized vehicle towing a camping trailer and one tent if space allows.

Campfires
No campfires permitted.  

Cooking Grills
No Charcoal/wood. Gas grills are allowed at individual campsites in approved containers. Please see camp hosts for a list of approved devices.

Littering
Littering, including cigarette butts, is unlawful and harmful to wildlife and the environment. Cigarettes and all trash must be disposed of properly.

Tree/Fence/Structure Attachments
No hammock, clotheslines or anything attached to trees, fencing or park structures. 

Dumping 
No dumping of grey water or black water. Leaky connections are strictly prohibited.

Speed Limit
Five (5) miles per hour throughout the campground.

Pets
Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash no longer than six (6) feet. Pets must be kept under control and cannot be left unattended. Dog waste must be promptly cleaned up and disposed of properly.

Payment
Payment by Visa, MasterCard or Discover only. Camping fees must be paid in advance.

Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are enforced every day from 10:00pm to 7am.

Hunting
No hunting or shooting of any kind is allowed.

Weapons/Fireworks
Weapons and fireworks of any kind are prohibited.

Vehicle Maintenance
No vehicle maintenance, repair or washing of RVs or vehicles is allowed within the campground. 

Parking
Parking is allowed in designated spaces or in campsite. All additional motor vehicles must park at overflow lots.

Glass
No glass bottles or containers are allowed within the campground at any time.

Alcohol
No liquor allowed.

Marijuana
Chief Hosa Campground is a public facility and the consumption, use, display, transfer, sale or growth of marijuana is prohibited.

Motorized Scooters
No motorized scooters or toy cars are allowed within the campground or any roadway or trail.

Length of Stay
Maximum length of stay allowed is 14 days within any 28-day period of time.

Tents
Tents are required to be placed on tent/RV pads. RVs and Trailers are not allowed in tent sites.

Rates
See pricing information above.

Vehicles
Additional vehicles are $5.00 per day, per vehicle.

Registered Campers 
Registered campers are responsible for all monetary costs, including legal fees incurred by Chief Hosa Campground as a result of unauthorized actions or failure to use appropriate precautions.

Office Hours 
As posted on-site. Campground open May through September.

Amenities

Campground:

  • Horseshoe pits
  • Basketball court and tetherball
  • Hiking trails
  • Mountain biking
  • Coin-operated showers
  • Dump station (for campers only)
  • WiFi

 
There are NO laundry facilities or swimming pool available at the campground.

Genesee Park:

  • Picnic tables
  • Historic stone shelter
  • Access road to Genesee Mountain summit
  • Buffalo herd viewing areas


Services:
 Full city amenities are available nearby- groceries; restaurants; supplies; golf; movies; shopping; libraries and more.



Volunteer Camp Host Opportunity

Each year we look for friendly and engaging volunteer camps hosts for the summer camping season, which runs from May 1st - the 3rd Sunday in September. Camp hosts generally begin in mid-April to complete training and help prepare for opening and remain for one to two weeks after the campground closes to help close up the campground for the winter. Camp hosts provide their own well-maintained motorhome or trailer and camping fees are waived for the host site. We will accept applications beginning January 1st for the following season. 

Download the full volunteer host description(PDF, 241KB)

Download the volunteer host application(PDF, 168KB)