Exploring the Great Outdoors: 11 of Colorado’s Best Camping Spots

A camping trip in Colorado can happen in a rustic tent, a comfortable RV or a luxury cabin. Here’s where to find the best camping in Colorado, from mountains to national parks to lakefronts to river banks. This guide to camping in the Centennial State includes information on campsites, hiking trails, backpacking, RV camping and more. Bookmark this page so you can start planning your Colorado camping getaway for the cool summers and snowy winters.

And before you head off on your camping trip, check out our printable camping packing list. And, if you’re new to camping and want to see what RV camping feels like without having to actually drive an RV, check RVshare. Many of the RVs can be delivered to the campground and all set up before you arrive. All you have to do is move in.

1. Ridgway State Park

Famous for its hot springs, Ouray, Colorado, is a must-see for visitors to the state and it’s only a short road trip from Ridgway State Park. Hiking trails abound in and near Ouray, and on the way you can see wildflowers in bloom in the spring and summer, fall colors or a variety of winter sports. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit mining ghost towns or rent a Jeep and head out for an off-road drive. Other mountain towns nearby include Silverton, Telluride and Montrose, all within an hour’s drive.

Stop in Durango for a train ride, Ouray Pagosa Springs for a dip or Telluride for hot springs.

Ridgway State Park Campground Highlights

• 258 campsites for RVs, trailers, campers and motor homes are available during the high season (April through October) and 20 sites during the low season
• 25 tent sites (some with hook-ups) and several yurts are available
• All campsites include restrooms, showers, and playgrounds

2. Lone Duck Campground

Located close to Pikes Peak Highway, Garden of the Gods and Mueller State Park, Lone Duck Campground has a great family atmosphere and plenty of natural attractions to enjoy.

This site is situated at the base of Pikes Peak, so if you’d prefer to set up camp on lower ground and then explore from there, this is a terrific place to start. A heated pool and splash pad beckons every day from 10am to 8:30pm between May and October, and anglers will enjoy the stocked fish pond, which awaits a line or two on a quiet day.

For kids, there’s a playground and game room.

Lone Duck Campground Highlights

• Cabins sleep up to five people and include a firepit and picnic table at each one
• 10 full hook-up RV parking spaces are available, plus 30 more with partial hookups (water and electricity, no plumbing)
• Pet friendly; requires an additional fee

3. Mueller State Park

Stargazing, sunsets over the Continental Divide, nature programs and serene hikes are hallmarks of Mueller State Park, which is also near Pikes Peak. Inside the park, across 36 miles of mountain biking trails and 50 miles of hiking trails, you may find wildlife sightings of animals like black bears, elk, mule deer and hawks.

Equestrians will be happy to know this park allows guests to bring their own horses at two campsites that include a tent pad, RV pad and a 12′ x 24 corral. Ride your steed into the backcountry to take in the incredible views and come on back to the park for s’mores at the firepit.

Mueller State Park Campground Highlights

• Three cabins are available with a view of Pikes Peak
• Basic, primitive, electric, accessible, equestrian and RV campsites are available year-round
• Pets are welcome in the campground but not on the trails

4. Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Near Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain State Park has 28 glorious miles of trails for hikers and mountain bike riders. This is the perfect place for a family that enjoys learning; the park offers guided wildflower walks, night hikes by moonlight, family mystery hikes, animal education and campfire talks year round. Take a look at the activity guide on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife site and you’ll find classes on a variety of topics.

This is a great compromise for the family that has a mix of likes and dislikes. The city of Colorado Springs is only 10 minutes away and there is an archery facility just up the road, plus the park has easy access to 21 trailheads.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park Campground Highlights

• 51 full hook-up RV sites and 10 walk-in tent sites
• Two cabin rentals are available, both ADA compliant with ramps and other amenities to make life a little easier for people with physical disabilities
• Horses, bikers and hikers share 28 miles of trails
• An award-winning Junior Ranger Program for 7-12-year-olds; they’ll learn and stay busy.

5. Mountaindale Cabins and RV Resort

For a selection of cabin rentals and full hookup RV sites, Mountaindale Cabins and RV Resort is a scenic place to rest your head. Located near Colorado Springs, Mountaindale is a family-oriented site for campers who want a variety of activities nearby. This is an ideal spot for families with younger children, as the 45 acres are easy to traverse and the mini mountain on site has clearly-marked paths and makes for a great introduction to camping life.

A large recreation room at Mountaindale is equipped with a fireplace for cozy reading time and board games and puzzles are provided for when you want to relax. And several attractions are within a 30-minute drive of the resort, with easy access to exploring at the Garden of the Gods, Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center and Cave of the Winds.

Mountaindale Cabins and RV Resort Highlights

• 88 spacious campsites for small, medium and large RVs
• Cabins available that sleep 4-6 people, complete with fire rings and picnic tables
• Dog park on site for your furry family friends
• Flying W Ranch nearby for dinner and a musical show.

6. Eleven Mile State Park

Eleven Mile State Park is on Lake George, Colorado. Situated only about an hour northwest of Colorado Springs, Eleven Mile includes five miles of Colorado trails for hikers and bicyclists and hundreds of campsites on the lake.

Pikes Peak is 44 miles away, Royal Gorge (the world’s highest suspension bridge) is 35 miles away, and Mueller State Park is only 28 miles from the park.

Don’t count out the winter season for camping, because Eleven Mile has a variety of winter activities, including ice fishing, ice skating and hunting in season. Stop by the Visitors’ Center on your way in and get all the details.

Eleven Mile State Park Highlights

• 14 backcountry sites are accessible via 1/2 mile to 3/4-mile hikes
• 325 campsites in nine separate campgrounds
• Bring your boat! Access to the boat ramp is located at the North Shore campground and boat rentals are also available.

SheBuysTravel Tip: At Eleven Mile State Park and all over the state, don’t forget to follow the principles of Leave No Trace – leave nothing but footprints when you leave – which help conserve the parks for generations to come.

7. Jellystone Park

Jellystone Park in Larkspur, Colorado (between Denver and Colorado Springs) is a water park, RV campsite, and a comprehensive resort all in one.

With hundreds of full hookup RV spaces, Jellystone is a happening place for families who like lots of action. The park bills itself as pet-friendly and all-age-appropriate, which makes it a great choice for multigenerational groups as well.

It’s easy to stay put here for days. There are two swimming pools surrounded by chairs and umbrellas, a tangle of water slides in Yogi Bear’s Waterzone, a gem mining station and miniature golf. During inclement weather, an arcade and bowling alley is a terrific option to keep the blues away. Fans of pickleball, basketball and sand volleyball will love the sport courts.

Jellystone Park Highlights

• If you forgot to bring something like snacks, drinks, games, toys or even clothing, the park has a general store to save the day.
• Sleeping options include several pet-friendly cabins that sleep 4-6 guests or choose one of more than 300 RV campsites
• Take a drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park, which is about two hours away and offers more than 400 acres to explore
• Several owners who rent their rigs on RVShare will deliver and set it up for you at Jellystone Park. No need to drive or figure out the hookups!

8. Molly Brown Campground

Molly Brown Campground sits on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake; campsites dot the shore all around.

Each primitive (nonelectric) campsite includes a picnic table and campfire ring, and vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.

Colorado’s second highest peak, Mount Massive, is nearby within the giant 30,540-acre Mount Massive Wilderness area with trails that range from a moderate six-mile hike to a challenging 10.4-mile trek on the North Mount Elbert trail with summit views.

This campground is the place to go when you really want to get away from it all. A cute pizza place is nearby in Leadville if you want to get out, but cell service is pretty much nonexistent. It’s great opportunity to commune with nature and cherish quality family time.

Molly Brown Campground Highlights

• 48 tent sites are available along Turquoise Lake
• The 1.2-mile Turquoise Lake Nature Trail loops around the campsites for a lovely, easy walk
• Historic gold and silver mining town is nearby
• Take the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway to Independence Pass to get to Aspen, a spectacular ski resort with shops and restaurants in town

9. Sylvan Lake State Park

A 42-acre high-mountain lake within a forest of aspen glades is a highlight at Sylvan Lake State Park in Eagle, Colorado.

Only 30 minutes from Vail, a swanky ski resort in the winter and a thriving shop community in the summer, Sylvan Lake is stunningly beautiful.

White River National Forest nearby includes biking and hiking trails. Paddle boards, canoes and sit-on-top kayaks are available for rent. Off Highway Vehicles are allowed to certain campsites too.

In the summer, take advantage of Sylvan Lake State Park’s education programs to learn more about the wildlife and wildflowers in the area.

Sylvan Lake State Park Camping Highlights

• 8 small camper cabins, one large cabin and 3 yurts available for rent.
• Tent sites are available all year in the camping area and include easy access to vault toilets. Showers, a dump station, potable water spigots and flush toilets are available mid-May through mid-October.
• If you’re a fishing family, note that fishing is not allowed between the lake inlet and one-half mile upstream to allow for fish spawning between September 1 and November 30.

10. Arrowhead Point Campground & Cabins

Arrowhead Point is near Buena Vista, which means “good view” in Spanish. That’s an apt description for this gorgeous spot. It is situated between Gunnison National Forest and Pike and San Isabel National Forest. Mt. Elbert is northwest of the campground, Mt. Harvard is due West and Mt. Antero is to the South.

Buena Vista is a quick skip over to Denver if you’re craving some city life, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park is about two hours away.

Jeep and ATV rentals are available nearby for independent exploring, or you might choose a guided fishing excursion. More adventurous travelers could try whitewater rafting or kayaking the Arkansas River. Mount Shavano is due East of Gunnison and has even more hikes and vistas for your enjoyment.

One reviewer on Tripadvisor said, “The campground was very clean, bathrooms and laundry room were immaculate and easy to use. The espresso bar is a must while you stay there.”

Arrowhead Point Campground & Cabins Highlights

• Camp the way you want: tent campsites, RV spaces, cabins and comfortable yurts with beds and refrigerators inside are available.
• Zipline tours, guided fishing, horseback riding, river rafting and more
• Leashed pets are welcome
• Note the cancellation policy: a no-show will result in being billed in full, and early departure doesn’t mean a refund.

11. Tall Texan RV Park and Cabins

Does your Colorado plan include Gunnison or Crested Butte? Check out the Tall Texan RV Park and Cabins, which offers RV sites, tent campsites and even glamping in new Conestoga wagons. Tall Texan offers two retro RVs, but they’re on the small side and would be best for a pair of people. The town of Gunnison is minutes away and the campground is nestled next to the beautiful Gunnison National Forest.

On TripAdvisor, many guests raved about the friendly service. One said, “We stayed in a Conestoga Wagon for three nights with two adults and two kids (12 and 9). Had an absolute blast. Beds were super comfortable – better than our beds at home!”

Tall Texan RV Park and Cabins Highlights

• Six shaded tent campsites with restrooms nearby
• RV sites available in Premium, Standard and Value categories, determined by location. All sites have full hook-ups with 30 and 50 amp electrical connections.
• If you don’t feel like hauling your own RV, you can always have one delivered by RVShare, which makes the whole experience hassle free.
• Challenge yourself with a strenuous hike in Gunnison National Park, where each rim offers spectacular views.