Best Places To Car Camp In Colorado

Please follow all National Park guidelines when camping in this area. Maintaining hydration is key to a great winter camping experience. Even when you don’t feel thirsty, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Keep water bottles upside-down, as ice forms from the top down, your water supply isn’t blocked. Melting and boiling snow will be the best way of getting fresh water, as a lot of water purifying products don’t perform as well in cold temperatures.

If you want to get extra fancy, bring a compact solar panel and rechargeable battery pack for all your electronics. Don’t depend on your car battery to charge everything, as you might end up needing a jump in the morning. I love detailed articles like this, but honestly I couldn’t even focus on the article because of the sheer number of ads on your site. This one article had over 60 ads built in, including one that is currently pinned directly below this text box. That’s excessively high and greatly detracts from your reader’s attention.

The river that feeds this, the North Fork South Arkansas River, flows right through the campground. The campground itself is named after an image of an angel that reportedly appears in the winter as Shavano Mountain’s peak is dusted with snowfall. We have a comprehensive list of what to pack for a camping trip, but below we’ve included some specific suggestions for camping in Colorado.

There is no room for RVs here, but backpackers and car campers will find ample space. Check out Silver Queen, Silver Bar, or Silver Bell campsite and choose your preferred location. The sites can accommodate tents or RVs up to 55 feet, and there are two yurts available by reservation only. Most of the sites are pull-through, but you should know that there are no hookups. Although the park is open all year round, the campsites are closed during the winter, although you can still reserve the yurts.

Spend your time tackling a few shorter gold-filled hikes like Alberta Falls and trails in the remote Wild Basin area. If you have pups in tow, go for the 7-mile Twin Sisters trail, off Highway 7, or Lily Lake, where you can picnic on boulders overlooking Estes Park. End long days of hiking and elk spotting, carousing with the locals at Rock Cut Brewing, Lumpy Ridge Brewing, or Elkins Distilling. Hikers, climbers, and well-to-do pro athletes congregate in places like Avery Brewingand Upslope, which is on the outskirts of the town on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park. The host greets you with a bundle of wood and may schedule a guided walk around the property. For car campers seeking a bit of solitude and a chance to take beautiful drives around some of the most scenic mountain passes in the nation, Lost Park is the place for you.

Best Camping Sites In Colorado To Visit In 2022

Others include paddle boarding, non-motorized boating, and hiking the state park’s trails. While Little Bear campground does not accept reservations, you can reserve a spot at its neighbor, Island Lake Campground if you are worried about getting a site. Ironically, Island Lake Campground is not directly on its namesake like Little Bear is. Dispersed camping is still car camping, just away from established campgrounds and common amenities. If, on the other hand, you want to hike off into the woods and find your own campsite, we’d call that backpacking. In that case, you’ll need to hike in with everything you need on your back, and follow state rules for building a fire outside of an established fire pit.

Campgrounds in this area are accessible by vehicle, which means less hiking to find a camp spot. Keep a close eye, as this area is known to have a large amount of moose. Driving to Twin Lakes is an adventure in itself, as it offers unforgettable views of the mountainous landscape. And once you’re there, you can engage in a number of activities. These include picnicking, fishing, camping, biking, and boating, among others.

Colorado Car Camping Gives You Easy Access To The Rockies

There are also 30 designated dispersed sites, but please note that they fill up quickly. This is an important reminder to respect the areas we all camp in. The Caribou Townsite has 11 designated camping spots that can fill up quickly – especially on the weekend. This is an exceptional location, camping next to Colorado’s famed Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. It’s just miles away from the funky mountain community of Nederland. Both Lake City and Creede are national historic districts with lots of character and fewer crowds.

There are no bear boxes at this campground; you’ll need to keep all food and toiletries in the trunk of your car. And while there are still many Indigenous communities within Colorado today, there have been many tribes with a legacy of occupation in the area. Follow the SMART rules during unexpected wildlife encounters. Sure, it’s designed for kids, but the rest of it is really important for anyone to remember! For specific tips for bears, mountain goats, and other animals that are common in Colorado, read REI’s wildlife safety guide. Paonia State Park – A quiet state park, nestled in a canyon 45 miles east of Delta.

Green Mountain Reservoir – A beautiful and often overlooked reservoir on US 9 between Silverthorne and Kremmling. One of the best aspects of these sites is that they are nicely situated close to the town of Aspen. This is extremely convenient if you need to make a supply run to collect more food or beverages, or just want to stroll around town for a bit. Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator, fact-checker and author of the thrift shopping bookLooking Fly on a Dime.

Moraine Park Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park

If you take your trip in the fall, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds and catch elk rutting season. Wildlife viewing, in general, is a great activity in the park with a wide variety of alpine creatures. In addition to elk, you may see pika, marmots, moose, mule deer, mountain goats, bald eagles, falcons, and coyotes…just to name a few!

There is a bit of private property at first, but then a few miles back there are loads of spots nearly the rest of the way to Winfield (a cool ghost town – 12 miles back). Guanella pass is closed to dispersed camping as of right now. The wife and I tried memorial day weekend and were turned away by rangers. Primitive site at Prewitt Reservoir.Prewitt Reservoir – Only dispersed lakeside camping is available in this state wildlife area.

Thunder Ridge At Rampart Reservoir

Covering more than 70,000 acres of land, State Forest State Park is by far the largest state park in Colorado. Situated in Larimer and Jackson counties, it was established in 1970 and includes 187 campsites. Located at an elevation of 10,800 feet, Upper Slate Lake is a quiet, crystal clear loch in one of the most beautiful settings you can imagine. Nestling among the peaks of the Gores, the jagged, imposing skyline that frames the lake is truly something to take your breath away. Although you’re in Summit County here, this setting couldn’t feel farther away from the ski resorts and jet-set lifestyle that you’ll find there. The Maroon Bells are one of the most famous settings in the whole of Colorado.

Large granite boulders appear as if they’ve been precisely stacked on each other to create spires and fill mountainsides. However, camping at Peregrine Pines is restricted to retired military, reserves, active duty, and cadets. Family and guests may be sponsored by someone with one of the above credentials.

Clyde Campground

Mount Shavano, which looms over the campground, is named after Chief Shavano of the Ute tribe. He was a prominent negotiator and peacekeeper of the 1800s, signing two treaties with the U.S. government and preventing further bloodshed among Native Americans and settlers. In addition to dinosaurs, the area has been inhabited by humans for at least 14,000 years.

As a general Colorado rule of thumb, it’s always best to prepare for the worst of conditions while winter camping. Twin Lakes is located right next to two of the most spectacular mountains in the state – Mount Massive and Mount Elbert. As the name suggests, it is centered around glacial lakes, the largest in Colorado. Popular activities at Jacks Gulch include viewing wildlife, bird watching, horseback riding, biking, and hiking. The horse stalls are immaculate and provide visitors with a chance to explore the grounds in a truly exciting way.

Camping at Moraine Park is another option for those with limited mobility. There are four accessible camp sites you can reserve in advance. Known for its spectacular views of the night sky, the campsite allows visitors to take stargazing to the next level. Alternatively, you can simply relax at your campsite, enjoy the company of friends, and relax in one of the best outdoor playgrounds that the state has to offer. There are no designated accessible campsites in Guanella Pass.

Located high on Colorado’s Uncompahgre Plateau, this is a killer Colorado dispersed camping area for fall aspen viewing. At times, you’ll be able to see out for endless miles over the Colorado Plateau to the west. You can also make out notable formations such as Lone Cone and the Sleeping Ute Mountain.