I’m going to attempt to pin down just five places that made me fall in love with camping in Colorado. This was a difficult task, and I’m probably going to spend the next few days kicking myself for not cheating and including a half dozen other campgrounds along with these.
Because, really, you can just head to the mountains here and find an amazing place to camp. When I’m driving to a hike, or for a weekend in the mountains, I constantly marvel at the good luck I have to live here.
When I camp, I look for a few things. I’m a sucker for a gorgeous location, which isn’t hard to find around here! I’m also a mom of four, so I look for family-friendly amenities, or nearby activities for people of all abilities from toddlers on up. We don’t mind roughing it, but I’m not generally a completely primitive camper (I like a bathroom!). I’ve done both tent camping and RV camping at different places around the state.
So here are five places to get you started on exploring Colorado. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, it’s just a jumping-off point. I also included some nearby campgrounds for each, to give you some choices and backups.
Also, it seems like more and more people are discovering the joy of camping in Colorado. If your campground of choice offers reservations, I’d grab them. You don’t want to wing it and show up to discover all the spots are full, although we do have dispersed camping in many areas as well.
YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch
YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch helped me recapture the feel of being a kid at summer camp, but I got to experience it with my own kids! Snow Mountain Ranch is in Granby, Colorado, just to the west of Rocky Mountain National Park. In fact, you can drive to the park in about 20 minutes. The ranch is in a valley, with sweeping views of the Rockies in the distance. You might spot elk, deer, and even moose in the area. It’s what people who’ve never visited the state imagine when they picture Colorado.
Our family first discovered Granby and the surrounding area when we were looking for smaller, less expensive places to take our four kids skiing. The Granby Ranch ski resort has lift tickets that are much more affordable than fancier resorts like Breckenridge or Vail. Also, the resort is small enough that I felt comfortable sending my older kids off to ski without worrying about losing them in a crowd.
I’m also in love with the views, hiking, and activities around Granby in summer. But then in the fall, you get the striking bright yellow aspens and other foliage. I can’t pick a favorite season here (or anywhere in the mountains in Colorado, really!)
Snow Mountain Ranch is about a two-hour drive from the Denver area. The best route is to take I-70 West to Highway 40 West towards Winter Park. Follow 40 over Berthoud Pass, through Winter Park and Fraser, to the ranch, about 12 miles past Fraser. RVs are allowed on Berthoud Pass, but it’s a winding, steep road with lots of switchbacks. I’ve had to make several stops for carsick people on the drive! Take it slow, and check weather reports ahead of time during winter and spring to avoid snowstorms. There is an alternative route through Silverthorne, but it adds an extra hour to the drive.
Why I Love It
This is one of my favorite places to take my family. There’s so much to do on-site at the YMCA that you could spend your entire stay just on the grounds. But Granby is also close to Grand Lake with its boating and water activities. It’s also close to RMNP, and you could make this camp your home base to explore the park.
Why It Stands Out
The YMCA has camp activities, including archery, an aerial challenge course, arts & crafts, mini-golf, hiking, roller skating, horseback riding, and planned activities. In winter, you can go dogsledding and ice skating. You can make meals at your campsite, but there’s also a cafeteria and a restaurant with burgers and other grill items. This is also a great option for family reunions or larger groups.
Best Time to Go
Like I said, I love every season in the mountains! However, summer or early fall are the best times to go and enjoy all of the outdoor activities in the area. If you can go after Labor Day Weekend, you’ll miss a lot of the summer crowds since kids are back at school.
Camping Options
Snow Mountain Ranch has pet-friendly RV and tent campsites. Some sites have full hookups, while some have electric and water hookups. There are laundry facilities and showers available. Campsites can accommodate RVs or trailers up to 40 feet in length, and have a picnic table, a fire ring, and free WiFi.
Responsible Camping
Although this is a privately-owned, well-maintained campground, you should still leave no trace when you pack up at the end. Don’t forget to do one last sweep to clean up any pet waste or trash. Make sure to pack away any food after meals so you don’t attract wildlife.
Pro Tips
The waterfall hike is a fairly short hike with a good-sized waterfall at the end. I also enjoyed the arts and crafts because everyone could spend an afternoon creating, and they each had a unique souvenir at the end of our trip! Some activities, like crafts and horseback riding, have an extra fee on top of your campground fees, while others, like hiking, are free.
Runners Up
The campgrounds inside Rocky Mountain National Park have more basic amenities. Moraine Park Campground is the only one with electric hookups, and the rest of the campgrounds do not have any hookups. These are beautiful campgrounds that put you close to RMNP attractions, but they do fill up quickly.
If you can’t get a reservation inside the park, you can also look for campgrounds in Grand Lake to the west of the park, or Estes Park to the east.
Piñon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park
This ranks as one of the top most-scenic campgrounds I’ve ever had the good luck to visit.
Piñon Flats is the only developed campground inside Great Sand Dunes National Park, and I still remember when we first pulled up to our campsite there. I didn’t realize until we arrived that you can see the dunes looming right in front of you from your site. They’re very close – in fact, you can walk over to the dunes pretty easily from the campground. The Rocky Mountains tower in the background behind the barren-looking sand dunes, which are the tallest dunes in North America.
Why I Love It
The landscape here is so unique, and this is a view of the Rockies that you won’t get anywhere else.
Why It Stands Out
Because these are sand dunes, they’re constantly moving and changing. There aren’t any marked hikes or trails – you can just start wandering. You can also go sand sledding or sandboarding down the dunes – there are several places nearby that rent sleds and boards. You can try your own sled or snowboard, but they don’t work as well as those made especially for sand.
In late May and early June, Medano Creek runs through the bottom of the dunes. Kids love splashing in the water and riding the surge waves that roll through pretty frequently. If you want to get to the dunes while the creek is flowing, be ready to remove your shoes and wade the creek, or wear water shoes like Tevas or Chacos. This unique beach area has even been named one of the best beaches in the U.S. by Travel & Leisure … not bad for a landlocked state like Colorado!
Best Time to Go
Late May and early June are the best times to visit and enjoy the creek as well as the dunes. You’ll also be there before the heat of summer. However, the tradeoff is that this is the busiest time at the park, and you may experience long lines and crowds. You’ll need to make campground reservations well in advance.
Late fall is also a good time to visit – you’ll find fewer crowds, but the creek will likely be dry.
Camping Options
Piñon Flats has tent and RV camping. There are no hookups, showers, or other amenities. Sites have a tent pad, a fire ring, and a picnic table. There are bathrooms available with flush toilets, and there is a dishwashing sink and potable water. There are outdoor rinse showers at the Dunes Parking Lot during the summer months.
Responsible Camping
As with any camping, be sure to deposit all your trash and leave your site clean before you leave. Also, be sure any campfires are completely extinguished before going to bed, or before leaving your campsite. There are bear boxes at each campsite, so be sure to pack up and store food or other smellables before going to bed or leaving your site.
Pro Tip
One of the strangest tips we got before going was to hike in socks…and it worked surprisingly well! The socks provide some protection for your feet – the dunes can get hot. But the sand doesn’t get in them in that annoying way it does when it fills up your shoes. Give it a try!
Also, get to the dunes as early as possible, especially in warmer months. We explored at about 8 am, and by the time we were headed back to our campsite for lunch, the sand was already heating up. Go early, and relax at your campsite, or head to the Visitor Center, or hike to Zapata Falls later in the day when it’s hotter.
Runners Up
If you can’t get a reservation inside the national park, Oasis Campground is right ouside the park. It has full hookups, showers, a playground, a restaurant, and sand sled and board rentals. You can also try campgrounds in Mosca and Alamosa.
Morefield Campground, Mesa Verde National Park
It’s true, I have another national park on this list. But Colorado’s national parks are incredibly unique and each is well worth a visit! The cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park are startling the first time you see them – kivas and buildings with windows and entire communities that seem to spring out of the cliffs themselves.
Mesa Verde is about 30 miles from Durango and roughly a 7-1/2 hour drive from Denver, in southwestern Colorado. It’s part of the Colorado Plateau, and there are several overlooks where you can look across the valley to the La Plata Mountains. While the main focus of the park is the cliff dwellings, take some time to stop and look at these views!
Why I Love It
You’ll learn about the history and ingenuity of the Ancestral Pueblo people, and how they carved out a living in this part of Colorado. My kids found this park just as fascinating as the adults did, and getting up close to these dwellings made history and culture come alive for them.
Why It Stands Out
This UNESCO World Heritage site has more than 5,000 archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, pit houses, kivas, and towers. You can see many of these sites from stops along a driving tour, so people with mobility issues can still see many of the structures without needing to hike.
Best Time to Go
Mid-fall, after Labor Day, is a great time to visit. Temperatures begin cooling down after the heat of summer, and crowds fall off as kids go back to school. And while kids from all over can appreciate this park, my Colorado kids got even more out of it after learning about the Ancestral Puebloan people in 4th grade when they studied the state’s history. If I could, I’d send every Colorado 4th grader here to bring their textbook alive.
Camping Options
You can camp in a tent or RV at Morefield Campground, which has electric hookups. There is a well-stocked camp store, a restaurant that serves pancake breakfasts, laundry, showers, and a gas station. There is also a kennel in the camp village – a great option if you want to do a lot of hiking or explore the dwellings, because pets aren’t allowed in most of those areas.
Responsible Camping
Be sure to leave a clean campsite behind you and that any campfires are fully out before you leave your site or go to bed. There are wild animals, including bears, in the region, so be sure to secure all food and other smelly items when you’re not at your campsite.
Pro Tip
Sign up for a tour to get an even closer look at the cliff dwellings and make the most of your visit. Tours are ranger-led, for a nominal fee. The Cliff Palace Tour is best for families – you’ll be climbing short ladders and walking uneven steps.
Runners-Up
If you can’t get a reservation inside the park, there are lots of campgrounds in Durango to check out. Actually, even if you do camp inside the park, set aside some time to explore this historic town!
Clear Creek RV Park, Golden
I’ll be honest – I haven’t personally camped at Clear Creek RV Park because it’s close to my home. But we’ve had guests visit us who stay here, and I’ve spent time in the park with them. It’s a great option because it offers year-round RV camping and seasonal tent camping. It’s a 20-minute drive from Denver, so this makes a good home base to explore the city and the Front Range. You’re also close to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, and you can walk into Golden from the campground.
Why I Love It
This isn’t a secluded campground. You’re right on a popular walking path, next to Clear Creek. But if you want to be closer to urban adventures and Denver, this is your spot! In the summer, you can rent tubes a short walk away and hop into Clear Creek to cool off (this was a popular activity with my kids). During the holidays, the walking path and nearby Golden Welcome Center twinkle with lights. You’re also close to the Golden History Museum and to the shops and restaurants in downtown Golden. The Coors brewery is just a short drive away as well.
Why It Stands Out
This campground is next to a creek so you get a little taste of nature. But mostly, it’s close to Denver and about half an hour from Boulder. If you want to explore these Colorado cities, this is a strategic spot.
Best Time to Go
As with many Colorado destinations, early fall is a good time to visit! The heat begins to die down, and crowds head back to school. However, if you want to take advantage of tubing in the creek, summer is better.
Camping Options
There is tent camping here during the summer, and RV camping all year. The campground has full hookups, showers, and laundry and is close to a pool, playground, walking trails, and downtown Golden.
Responsible Camping
Because everyone is close together in this park, be ready to be a good neighbor! Observe quiet hours from 10 pm to 8 am each day, and be mindful of your pet (and their barking).
Pro Tip
The Colorado School of Mines has a free Museum of Earth Science with gem and mineral exhibits and. a scavenger hunt for kids. It’s a lesser-known museum that’s a fun, free place to explore for an hour or two.
Runners up
The Dakota Ridge RV Resort is another of our RVing guests’ favorite spots. It has full hookups, a pool, and a clubhouse with fitness equipment and a game library. The resort is available for camping year-round. Chatfield State Park is also a nice option that puts you a little closer to nature, but still just 20 minutes from Denver.
Turquoise Lake, Leadville
I love the town of Leadville! It’s a mountain town, but not a resort-style town like Vail or Breckenridge. You’ll still feel a lot of the town’s mining history when you walk the streets of downtown. It’s also close to Turquoise Lake, a beautiful mountain lake with fishing and boating (although I like to just sit in my beach chair and read there!). The view of the lake, with the soaring, snowy mountains beyond, is just perfect.
Turquoise Lake is about two hours from Denver. Take I-70 west and exit at Copper Mountain. Follow Highway 91 into Leadville, and then follow signs for Turquoise Lake Road (County Road 4).
Why I Love It
I love this area for the scenery, full stop. You can walk the Turquoise Lake Nature Trail, which is an easy, flat 1.2 miles to the lake and back. When you reach the lake, you can connect with the Turquoise Lake Trail, that goes 6.4 miles along the shore.
Why It Stands Out
Watch for wildflowers in summer, and changing leaves in fall. If you’re fishing, you’ll likely catch mackinaw or rainbow trout. Also, while you’re in the area, check out the Leadville National Fish Hatchery and the trails that begin there. Twin Lakes is also a fun stop, about half an hour away. You’ll find a small downtown with some shops, and more hiking and fishing at these lakes. The Interlaken Trail near Twin Lakes is one of our family favorites.
Best Time to Go
Because the lake is so high, early summer may still be cold and even snowy. July and August are perfect, and the elevation keeps the area from getting too hot. Early fall is also beautiful with striking fall foliage.
Camping Options
There is tent and RV camping available at developed campgrounds around the lake. There are several, similar campgrounds around Turquoise Lake, so nab any one of them that’s available! Start with Molly Brown, but if those are booked, you can click the other campgrounds on the map. These are primitive sites, with no hookups, vault toilets, a fire ring, and a picnic table. Dispersed camping is also allowed in the nearby Mount Massive Wilderness.
Responsible Camping
Make sure to leave no trace when you pack up camp. Pick up trash and any pet waste, and make sure your campfire is completely extinguished. There are wild animals in the area, so be sure to keep food and other smellable items like sunscreen and lotion secured.
Pro Tip
Because this is a nice getaway from the Denver area, weekends tend to be busier than weekdays. For fewer crowds, camp during the week or after Labor Day when school is in session. There are also several popular events during the summer, including the Leadville 100 and Leadville Boom Days. If you’re not planning to attend those events, pick a different time to visit to avoid the crowds from these popular days.
It was really hard to narrow my favorite camping spots down to just five! In my opinion, you can go just about anywhere in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and find camping among some of the most amazing scenery in the world. Just be sure to help us keep it amazing – pick up after yourself, be aware of any fire restrictions, and make absolutely sure any fires are completely out before leaving. I stick my hand into the ashes – if it’s too hot to do that, my fire’s not all the way out! We’ve had some devastating fires in this state, so being careful of that is really important.
Fortunately, Colorado is a place that practically begs you to get outside and do stuff! Whether you’re heading to the mountains to hike, raft, fish, or try another outdoor activity or whether you’re headed to Denver or Boulder for fun, you’ll find a campground and an RVshare vehicle that’s suitable for you!
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