Best Places To Go Camping In Colorado

The landscape of this area is nothing short of stunning! Some of the largest aspen groves in the state surround the lake and nearby mountains, making this a gorgeous area to camp in the early fall and spring. To escalate the view even more, Lost Lake is situated in a large cirque at the base of East Beckwith Mountain. Pets are not allowed in the backcountry campsites at Rocky Mountain National Park, and you cannot stay at one camp area for more than three consecutive nights. Anyone can submit a feedback of any area so there are plenty of free and dispersed camping sites in there as well.

But it’s a lovely location for an easy and hassle-free camping experience, whether you’re in a tent or an RV. With three campsites to choose from, Silver Bar, Silver Bell and Silver Queen, it’s hard to go wrong. But the walk-in sites at Silver Bell and Silver Bar are ideal for tent camping.

Sacred White Shell Mountain Dispersed Camping

Head to the 100 Mile Overlook campsite at 105 West Ranch, just 15 minutes from town. The Maroon Bells, two peaks in the Elk Mountains, are purported to be the most photographed scene in Colorado, and potentially in all of North America. So it’s no wonder that the campsites in this area are incredibly popular. In addition to hiking, fishing, and mountain biking, you can sign up for a guided raft tour of the river.

The privately owned ranch offers secluded sites for bare-bones camping beneath the spectacular night sky with plenty of wildlife, sunsets and mountain views. It’s just a short drive from the mighty Dolores River, where you can rent paddleboards and kayaks, or try your hand at fly-fishing. Campkeeper Don is an avid fisherman who can share his local knowledge. There’s also a vast trail system on-site for hiking and mountain biking. Bear Lake is another scenic campsite located inside Rocky Mountain National Park that is sure to please outdoor enthusiasts. This locale is perfect for anglers looking to reel in some Colorado trout.

There are more campsites at the South Rim, but the tent camping on the North Rim can’t be beaten. Artificial lure/fly-fishing can be accessed from the South Rim, with a road down to the Gunnison River at the bottom of the canyon. Rocky Mountain National Park – One of Colorado’s most popular attractions, with 5 campgrounds and 1 group campground.

Garden Of The Gods Rv Resort

Vallecito Lake – In the San Juan National Forest, 20 miles northwest of town. National Forests – Telluride is surrounded by national forest land. There are numerous opportunities along the San Juan Skyway, which is a scenic byway around Southwest Colorado. Silver Tread Scenic Byway – A fantastic drive through the remote Rockies. This byway passes by waterfalls, lakes, mines, and wilderness, on its way from Hwy 50 to Hwy 160.

A quaint and charming spot for vacation, Dunton Hot Springs features beautifully furnished cabins. When it comes to activities, there is something for everyone – from fly fishing to river rafting. There are even archeological day tours for the history buffs. This camping location offers spaces for tents and RVs as well as cabins and tiny homes for those who would rather not sleep in either of those first two options. When you want to explore this site, you can do so with a golf cart, but note that golf carts may not be driven into the adjacent neighborhoods. However, do take into account that the sites are relatively close together, which may be bothersome during the year’s busier times.

Mile Overlook At 105 West Ranch

The trickiest part about dispersed camping is finding out exactly where it’s legal to camp. National Forest boundaries are not clearly marked from the road. None of the camping sites listed in our roundup will leave you disappointed. They provide a fantastic way to experience the breathtaking scenery of the American West. The state of Colorado has quite a lot to offer when it comes to scenic camping spots. Twin Lakes is a particularly great choice for camping and hiking enthusiasts.

A number of kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are available. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a great spot for kids (and adults!) to take a cool dip in the summertime. And for those looking for a real thrill, it’s even possible to go sandboarding or sand sledding here.

Turquoise Lake Recreation Area San Isabel National Forest

Many of the Colorado ruins are located around ruins from the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Mancos State Park – A secluded state park, centered around Mancos Lake. It’s a great place to base when visiting the Southwest, including Mesa Verde and Durango. The picturesque, 217-acre lake is open to fishing and wakeless boating, with rentals available.

And the feedbacks are not limited to paid campgrounds only. In Colorado, this means that you can’t camp in the same spot for more than 14 days within a 28 day timeframe. The rules for dispersed camping are pretty similar for all National Forests in the US.

There are 25 non-electric sites that accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, all with plenty of shade to stay out of the hot sun. Each site comes with a tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring for all of your camp cooking. Lake Granby offers various water activities including boating, swimming, fishing, and canoeing.

You can relax, undertake several activities, or gaze at the beautiful natural beauty all around. There are as many as 188 campsites that can accommodate tents, motor homes, trailers, and RVs as well. ​Renowned for its camping, biking, hiking, and off-roading activities, the Rabbit Valley is located in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. You can have the most adventurous camping experience here amidst nature.

Theres evidence that humans were active in this area as far back as 11,000 years ago. Today, 19 Native American tribes maintain active cultural affiliation to the Park and surrounding area. Many Colorado State Parks provide campers with the option to rent a yurt. The southern lake basin is where youll find the best angling, with people saying theyve been able to catch greenback walleyes that weighed in at over 10lbs. For more information, check out our full Harvest Hosts analysis.

Public Campgrounds Book Externally

When we first started living in a van, Google Maps was our main way of researching dispersed camping areas. After you’ve reached the 14 day maximum, you must move your campsite outside of a 25 mile radius. Campers often refer to dispersed camping as dry camping, or boondocking. Dispersed camping is free, private, and does not require any permits. Colorado is a great place to go dispersed camping because the National Forests cover millions of acres.

​If you want to enjoy the beauty and adventures of sand dunes then head straight to Great Sand Dunes Oasis. The Great Sand Dunes are located on the eastern side of remote San Luis Valley and are the tallest in North America. ​The presence of the City and County of Denver Mountain Park and Echo Lake around the campground allows you to undertake many activities. This includes hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and so on. ​Escape into the valleys of Colorado at the Estes Park campground.

Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. All Hosts should analyze and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. There are different camping rates for night stay and day picnic. Named after the natural rock Amphitheater that stands over Ouray, this campground is surrounded by a forest of Gambel oak trees and mixed conifers. The Great Sand Dunes Oasis offers a variety of facilities that include 20 level pull-thru RV sites, tent sites, 30/50 amp electric hookups and much more. ​Enjoy the scenic view of the Crystal River at the Bogan Flats Campgrounds.