Dexter Point Campground — Attraction in Colorado

I just wanted to inform everyone about an incident that occurred on 8/17 with the camp ground host, Victoria. I was with my two dogs and my two friends on the shore of the lake between Dexter Point Campground and the boat launch ramp.

I had my dogs on a leash and also attached to my camping chair near the shoreline. The campground host dog ran down the beach off leash. At first her dog was cautious to approach my dogs and the host was calling her dog to her (which did not listen to her). I stood up and had control over my dogs, seeing how she did not have control over hers, however, my dogs are very nervous when off leash dogs approach them, and they start barking and freaking out when her dog came closer. I tried to stay calm and talk to my dogs and hers to make the best of the situation- assuming the host would see how my dogs were reacting. She made little to no attempt to get her dog from the water and near us physically and kept trying - and failing- to use voice commands to control him. This went on for about 5 minutes.

Finally, she was able to get her dog away from the water and my dogs. I told her she should really have her dog on a leash, as not all dogs are approachable. She then berated me with multiple disrespectful and outright outlandish comments like:

"Your dogs wont play with mine" "They don't want to play"- speaking the her dog in a disappointment manner "I should let my dogs off leash because they will learn how to behave better" "I am projecting my anxiety onto my dogs" "This is an off leash dog beach"

I was trying to explain to her that my dogs are sheltered dogs and my one dog was highly abused, therefore, she needed to stop talking and assuming she knew my dogs. I also questioned her if this was an off leash dog beach, why are there no signs stating that? All of the signs I have seen around the beach either do not specifically indicate an off leash dog beach OR in fact state multiple times that your dog needs to be leashed. She did not like me questioning her and continued her rude comments to me.

Eventually she gained control of her dog and went back up the beach. At this point I thought the situation had ended. I calmed my dogs down and then attempted to enjoy our stay at the beach.

About 20 minutes to a half hour later she decided to come back to the shore and harass me and my friends. She told me comments like: "This is federal land. There are no laws here. There are no leash laws here. Dogs can do whatever they want."

"20 dogs can be off leash on this beach at one time. My dog comes down here everyday to run and play on the beach"

She then proceeded to insist that I leave the beach with my friends and dogs because I "want to keep my dogs on a leash" and then brought $22 down to the beach to give to us to "ensure" we left.

I also asked for her name, in a very polite way, thanking her for the information she provided. To which she responded "I'm not giving you my name. I haven't been helpful, I've been annoying"

I did not say much at this point over pure shock, frustration, and disgust at her behavior and quite frankly abuse of her power as campground host. I NEVER in my life of owning dogs and being an avid camper and hiker, have been confronted in this manner about it being an issue that I want to keep my dogs leashed.

Call the Leadville Ranger station and ask for the contact information for her supervisor to complain.

BTW upon my complaint discussion (which was extremally pleasant), I was informed that the area is NOT an off leash dog beach! So all of her "knowledge information" was completely inaccurate and her behavior was highly inappropriate and embarrassing.

Also NOTE the other negative comments about this site all deals with specifically her.... the site itself is gorgeous and well maintained, even though the camp ground...

This was my first stop when I arrived at Twin lakes, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a forest service employee on site actively talking to visitors and answering questions they might have about the location. He was very friendly and polite and had a lot of information to share. From the parking area there are several paths that can be taking to either scale the small hill leading to a half dozen picnic tables and park grills, or that lead down to the shoreline. The grills seemed to be moderately maintained with a couple of them overflowing with charred debris, but the tables looked to be maintained fairly well. The best viewing spot was at the crest of the hill which let you see out over the entire lake and into the small valley leading to the adjoining lake. There is also a small boat ramp with its own parking area separate from the campground area that is obscured from view helping with the seclusion of the campground. The actual grounds in the non parking area are completely natural and unaltered being left up to natures choices, which is mostly covered in rocks and sparse patches of high mountain grasses. Also at the parking entrance is a small building with restrooms, that are mildly maintained and cleaned, although they were adequate for a camping environment. Overall, this is a nice little camping area with access to some incredible lake views, park grills, and...

Beautiful spot, but the host here really put a damper on our weekend. I came up here for my birthday and some friends were joining me separately. I paid $93 for 3 nights, which the host told me included parking for 1 vehicle and a campsite. I have a self converted camper van less than 20 ft long. My friend paid an extra $11 for her car when she got there and the host asked what campsite we were in that night. The next day I came back from a hike to see my tent torn down and belongings to the side of the site. The host was rude and said she “told me yesterday” that my van was an RV and my payment did not include a campsite. I asked why she asked what campsite we were in and why my friend paid $11 for a second vehicle if that were the case and she continued to be rude even after she seemingly realized she miscommunicated. She continued to be aggressive towards my other friends that showed up and paid for parking their cars in the big lot, and we saw similar situations with other campers as well. This is a place people want to relax, enjoy nature and chill with friends and the host really took away from that environment. Plenty of dispersed camping around where you don’t have to deal with that, that’s what I’ll be doing next time I camp...