ashenWe’ve talked about camping in the east coast before, today, let’s move over to the west. Colorado is known for its stunning natural landscapes and offers a wide variety of camping experiences, from alpine forests and mountain vistas to desert landscapes and river valleys. We’ve named it best camping in Colorado because we are including the spots where you can experience stunning sceneries and engage yourself in plenty of activities. These locations are also famous as gear testing grounds due to the wind and hail prevailing almost all the time. We will be covering tent, RV camping, best locations to camp at different times of the year, gear to equip yourself with and the overall tips. So stick with us till the end and let us know of any other recommendations you may have!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Popular sites here are the Moraine Park Campground which is located near Estes Park, this campground offers stunning views of the mountains and easy access to hiking trails. It has 244 sites, including walk-in tent sites and RV sites. Next we’ve got Glacier Basin Campground which is on Bear Lake Road, about 6 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Known for its proximity to popular hiking trails, including those leading to Bear Lake and other alpine lakes. It has 150 sites, including group sites. If you prefer a quieter camping experience, head over to Aspenglen Campground which is near the Fall River entrance, 5 miles from Estes Park. Starts at $26 per night and you need the vehicle day pass as well.
It consists of 53 sites, including walk-in tent sites. Finally, you can check out Timber Creek Campground which is along the Colorado River, about 10 miles from the Grand Lake Entrance. It is the only campground on the west side of the park, offering 98 sites. Most of the sites consist of restrooms, water, picnic tables, and fire grates. The park also has over 355 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs. Popular hikes include the Bear Lake Loop, Emerald Lake, and the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak. If you are into wildlife observation, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and many other species. Moraine Park is a great spot for wildlife watching. Camping in the Rockies is one of the best camping experiences in Colorado and will give you the opportunity to explore one of the most iconic national parks in the US.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Here’s the spot if you are into stargazing. Camping at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve offers a unique experience with its vast sand dunes, diverse ecosystems, and stunning night skies. Piñon Flats Campground is the official camping location here. Located about a mile from the visitor center, it offers 88 campsites with views of the dunes and mountains. Amenities include restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers. No hookups for RVs. You can choose to camp in the dunes backcountry or in the mountainous areas of the park.
Either way permits are required and can be obtained at the visitor center. There are more campgrounds that you can explore. Oasis and Zapata Falls campgrounds are also good campgrounds that offer primitive camping with spectacular views. Sandboarding and sledding are popular activities here and so is hiking. Make sure to check out the Mosca Pass Trail and the Medano Creek which provides a unique beach-like experience in spring and early summer. It’s $20 per night and along with the park entrance. Group sites can go up to $80.
Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
With its rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and dense forests, the wilderness offers a range of camping opportunities, from established campgrounds to backcountry sites. Popular campgrounds include Silver Bell, Silver Bar and Silver Queen. The Silver Bell campground has 14 campsites and is located along Maroon Creek Road, about 5 miles from Aspen. No water and no RV hookups. Silver Bar and Silver Queen offer tent only campsites. Popular trails include the Four Pass Loop which is a challenging 26-mile loop that includes West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider, and Buckskin Passes. It offers stunning views and access to beautiful alpine scenery. Adventure is all around you if you are camping in the Maroon bells wilderness. So make sure to experience as much as you can.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Another location that doesn’t go unnoticed in Colorado. Camping at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park provides a unique opportunity to experience the park’s dramatic cliffs, steep canyon walls, and rugged wilderness. Famous campgrounds include South Rim and North Rim and East Portal Campground. South Rim Campground has 88 campsites to offer which includes RV sites as well while the North Rim is more remote and offers only tent campsites, 13 of them to be specific and it is a bit more remote. East Portal Campground is at the bottom of the canyon, accessed via the East Portal Road from the South Rim. Camping fees begin from $16 per night up to $22 per night with hookups and don’t forget about the vehicle fees too. A private vehicle is $30 (valid for 7 days).
It has 15 sites along the Gunnison River, suitable for tents and small trailers. The usual amenities are available in each of the sites except for water. Popular trails include the Rim Rock Trail, Warner Point Nature Trail, and the Gunnison Route. Gunnison River, known for its Gold Medal waters is a well recommended location for trout fishing. If you are an experienced and seasoned climber, might as well attempt the challenging routes on the canyon walls. Just make sure you’ve got the right gear. Overall, it’s a great outdoor experience if you decide to try out Black Canyon.
Mesa Verde National Park
You want to include a bit of historical exploration in your camping experience, here is a spot. Camping at Mesa Verde National Park provides an opportunity to experience the stunning landscapes and rich history of the Ancestral Puebloans. Morefield Campground is the designated camping spot here. Consists of 267 campsites accommodating tents and RVs and it is open from late April to mid-October. The usual and more facilities are here to make your stay comfortable. Full hookup RV sites start at $56 and tent only sites cost $39 per night. Make sure to venture Petroglyph Point Trail which is a moderately challenging trail offering views of petroglyphs and the surrounding landscape.
You can also enjoy scenic views of Spruce Canyon if you hop on the Farquhar Loop Trail. The history lovers can visit Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum which has exhibits on Ancestral Puebloan culture, artifacts, and dioramas. If time permits, explore the Mesa Top Loop Road which is a 6-mile driving tour with overlooks and short walks to view archeological sites. Adventurers can participate in the Cliff Dwellings Tours such as the Balcony House and Cliff Palace. To enjoy all this, make the early bird reservations at https://www.visitmesaverde.com/.
San Juan National Forest
Lake campers assemble! No other perfect spot in Colorado for lake camping other than the area surrounding San Juan Forest. The experience here is actually pretty diversified from high mountain meadows and alpine lakes to lush forests and rugged wilderness. The forest covers nearly 1.8 million acres in southwestern Colorado, providing numerous camping opportunities for all types of adventurers. We actually should have put this up in the number one spot. First stop is actually before the forest itself and that is Dolores River RV Resort. There are 78 tent or RV sites for you to choose from beginning at $29. One of the prominent campsites in the forest is Vallecito Campground near Vallecito Lake, about 22 miles northeast of Durango.
It has 80 campsites suitable for tents and RVs and provides quick access to the lake. There is also Junction Creek Campground closer to the Colorado trail and it has 26 campsites. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the forest if you are looking for a more adventurous experience. Top things to do include hiking the extensive network of trails. Some of them include parts of the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail. Popular hikes include the Ice Lakes Basin, Highland Mary Lakes, and Engineer Mountain. Many other activities such as fishing, biking and wildlife viewing are available here to keep you occupied. This is a venue we definitely encourage you to not miss out on.
Gunnison National Forest
Another free camping location in Colorado. Camping in Gunnison National Forest offers a wide range of experiences, from developed campgrounds to dispersed camping in pristine wilderness areas. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout Gunnison National Forest, with popular areas including Kebler Pass, Washington Gulch, and along many forest service roads. If you are looking for developed campgrounds, you can check out Lake Irwin Campground, Rivers End Campground and Cement Creek Campground. We’d recommend the Lake Irwin Campground as it is nestled among spruce and aspen trees, with stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains consisting of 32 sites with all the facilities.
Rivers end has 12 sites all offering easy access to fishing and kayaking on the Taylor River. Cement creek is more of a forest camping type experience. There’s also Silver Jack Campground near Silver Jack Reservoir, about 20 miles east of Ridgway and this location has 60 campsites in total. As usual, you can engage yourself in hiking, fishing, biking and kayaking. The forest offers a range of trails for all skill levels and some famous trails include the West Maroon Pass Trail, Oh Be Joyful Trail, and Three Lakes Loop. You can also check out the Campfire Ranch on the Taylor . You can rent camping gear and they offer van and car camping as well. It’s about 15 minutes from Gunnison. The cost starts from $67 per night for campsites to $130 per night for a micro cabin.
Summary
You can make most reservations for these campsites through https://www.recreation.gov/. The best time to camp depends on your preferences, the region you plan to visit, and the activities you want to do. April to June is the best time to visit places like the Arkansas River Valley and Great Sand Dunes National Park. Because of the mild temperatures in lower elevations and low traffic compared to summer. Best time to visit the Rocky Mountain National Park is Summer (July to August) mostly due to the stable weather, ease of access and ideal for aquatic stuff. Places like San Juan Mountains and the Kebler Pass are best visited during the Fall season, the reason being the stunning fall foliage, especially in aspen groves. Always make sure to make campground reservations well in advance, drink enough water to keep hydrated and please follow Leave No Trace principles to prevent environmental pollution.
