The best places to camp in Colorado will vary for everyone. Some folks want a mellow spot next to a calm river, while others seek high-altitude yurts for backcountry skiing.
Fortunately, Colorado camping offers a little bit of everything for everyone. Whether you want designated spots at a campground or first-come-first-serve dispersed sites, we’ll cover all the best places to camp in Colorado in 2023.
What You Need to Know About Colorado Camping
Colorado camping comes in all flavors, but you need to know your basics before you hit the road. For starters, you’ll need to book some campgrounds months in advance. Don’t expect to stumble in Rocky Mountain National Park during peak season and find a spot—you’ll need to have reserved one far in advance.
Then, there’s dispersed camping. You’ll find plenty of areas around Colorado (especially in Burea of Land Management (BLM) areas) where you can pitch your tent wherever you please. However, high-trafficked areas also have designated dispersed camping, and that essentially means you can only camp (first-come-first-serve) in specific areas.
Additionally, there’s the wonderful world of backcountry camping, glamping, yurts, and more. Each has its own rules, regulations, and expectations—and it’s up to you to do all your research in advance.
For example, some camping locations might have a toilet on site, while in others, you might need to bury your waste. That’s helpful information to know when packing your bags.
Regardless of where you camp, practice Leave No Trace principles. Pack out whatever you pack in, tread lightly, and follow all fire restrictions. If a wilderness area requires bear canisters, bring a bear canister. The better you follow the rules, the longer we’ll keep these pristine venues immaculate for ourselves and future generations.
31 Best Places to Camp in Colorado
1. Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Indian Peaks Wilderness
The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is located in the stunning Indian Peaks Wilderness, just an hour’s drive from Boulder, Colorado. This alpine oasis sits at an elevation of approximately 10,300 feet, surrounded by towering peaks, pristine forests, and picturesque alpine lakes. The scenery is characterized by dramatic mountain vistas, shimmering lakes, and vibrant wildflowers, offering a true Colorado camping experience.
You’ll find camping sites and cabins near the lake. It’s a clean, well-kept area with nice bathrooms and facilities. Thus, you’ll need to get your reservations far in advance—this place sells out quickly.
Brainard Lake is basically an extension of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s no less pretty and offers plenty of hiking, biking, fishing, and peakbagging opportunities. The trails surrounding Brainard Lake get pretty busy, but you can find a bit of solitude if you’re willing to leave the beaten path and go deeper into the backcountry wilderness.
2. Echo Lake Campground, Mount Evans Recreation Area
Echo Lake Campground is the perfect spot to set up camp and bag some of Colorado’s most popular (and iconic) 14’ers (fourteen-thousand-foot mountains). You can make reservations for tent and RV camping, and the campground is surrounded by all the trails you need to access nearby lakes and peaks.
The lake sits at 10,600 feet and only has 17 campsites—so you’ll get all the remote mountain feels you need. Go climb (or drive) Mount Evans from base camp, and if you’re feeling the extra pull, cross the Class 3 Sawtooth Ridge over to Mount Bierstadt to cross another 14’er off your list.
3. Lone Duck Campground, Pikes Peak Area
Lone Duck Campground is a family-friendly camping destination at the base of Pikes Peak. It’s the perfect base camp to go and climb Pikes Peak or the surrounding trails, and it’s close enough to Colorado Springs for quick trips into town for exploring, groceries, and more.
You’ll find tents, RV sites, and cabins for rent. The site also has hot showers, dump stations, clean restrooms, and potable water.
Here are just a handful of places you can explore close to the campsite:
- Pikes Peak Highway
- Garden of the Gods
- Mueller State Park
- Rampart Reservoir
- Manitou Cliff Dwellings
4. Silver Bell Campground, Maroon Bells Wilderness
Silver Bell Campground is nestled within the renowned Maroon Bells Wilderness, located near Aspen, Colorado. The campground sits at an elevation of approximately 8,500 feet and provides a stunning backdrop of the iconic Maroon Bells, two majestic peaks that reflect in the nearby Maroon Lake.
Silver Bell Campground is a primitive campground, meaning it does not offer hookups or modern amenities. The campground provides 14 campsites and is primarily designed for tent camping. Each site features a picnic table and a fire ring, and vault toilets are available for visitor use. You’ll need to make reservations far in advance for pretty much any time of the year.
The Maroon Bells Wilderness is a hiker’s paradise, and Silver Bell Campground serves as an excellent base camp for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular trails include the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, Crater Lake Trail, and West Maroon Pass Trail. These trails lead to breathtaking destinations, including high alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, and panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains.
5. Marble Mountain Yurt, White River National Forest
Ditch the tent and stay in a cozy, fully-equipped yurt. The yurt is a circular, canvas-covered structure with a wood stove, comfortable sleeping accommodations, a kitchen area, and basic amenities. It even has off-grid solar power. It sleeps 6 and is pet-friendly.
You’ll find purified drinking water from May through September, but the rest of the year, you’ll need to bring your own water (or melt some of the snow).
The Marble Mountain Yurt sits at an elevation of approximately 8,600 feet, providing top-notch views of the White River National Forest. You’ll find dozens of nearby hiking and mountain biking trails for all skill levels. In the winter, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe straight out of your yurt.
6. Moraine Park Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park
Moraine Park Campground is a massive site within Rocky Mountain National Park, featuring over 244 sites for both tents and RVs. Despite this large number, spots fill up pretty quickly—Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular parks in the entire country.
And for good reason.
You could stay at Moraine Park Campground for an entire week and still not taste half of what the park offers. There are dozens of trails, peaks, and lakes to discover, and you can easily take the park’s shuttle to just about any place you want.
7. Piñon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Piñon Flats Campground is located within Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado. It sits at the base of the towering sand dunes, offering a unique camping experience in the midst of a desert-like landscape. The campground is an oasis of sorts with tons of piñon pine and juniper trees to give your site plenty of shade.
The campground features 88 individual sites, including tent-only sites and sites that can accommodate RVs and trailers. The sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and access to shared vault toilets. Some sites also have access to electrical hookups. Potable water is available at various locations within the campground.
Climb the sand dunes for sandboarding, sand sledding, or a simple sandy hike. While you’re there, check out all the best hikes in Great Sand Dunes National Park. You can find everything from massive peaks to alpine meadows to hidden waterfalls.
8. Amphitheater Campground, Ouray
Ouray has plenty of campgrounds and RV sites in town (and the surrounding mountains), but it’s hard to beat the views from Amphitheater Campground. These camp spots overlook town and the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains. You’ll have incredible views of Mount Abrams, Hayden, Twin Peaks, Whitehouse Mountain, and more off in the distance, and you’ll be treated to an absolutely stunning sunset.
The campground sits in between a spiderweb of hiking trails, providing easy access to jump on the Perimeter Trail or the Portland Loop. If you’re feeling really ambitious, hike up the Chief Ouray Mine Trail and check out the Upper Cascade Falls and the mine further down the trail—it’s worth the many switchbacks up, up, and up.
9. Carson Lake Recreation Area, Grand Mesa National Forest
Carson Lake Recreation Area provides free camping on the Grand Mesa. You’ll find 4 campsites (each with a picnic table and fire ring) at Carson Lake. If that’s full, find a dispersed campsite along Forest Roads 100 or 108 that lead up to the lake.
You can fish in the lake, but swimming and boating aren’t allowed. Regardless, it’s the perfect base camp to explore all the Grand Mesa’s trails, lakes, waterfalls, and forests. It’s the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, and you’ll find limitless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
10. Goose Creek Trailhead, Lost Creek Wilderness
The Goose Creek Trailhead is the gateway to exploring the Lost Creek Wilderness, a designated wilderness area in central Colorado. It provides access to a network of scenic hiking trails that wind through the rugged terrain and unique rock formations of the Lost Creek Wilderness.
The Goose Creek Trailhead provides access to several backcountry campsites and backpacking opportunities. Visitors can choose to backpack along the Goose Creek Loop or venture further into the wilderness area to discover hidden lakes, secluded campsites, and panoramic viewpoints.
Permits may be required for overnight camping, so check with the managing agency for specific regulations and guidelines.
11. Molly Brown Campground, Turquoise Lake Recreation Area
Molly Brown Campground is a fairly large site outside of Leadville, Colorado. It’s on the banks of Turquoise Lake and provides over 94 campsites for tents, RVs, and trailers. You’ll find plenty to do here: fish, boat, kayak, paddleboard (one of the best places to paddle board in Colorado).
Towering over the lake and the campground are some of the tallest peaks in the state and the entire country. You’ll likely spot Mount Massive and Mount Elbert, Colorado’s 2 tallest mountains. They’re just a day trip (or morning trip for you runners) to go and tackle.
12. Chicago Basin, Weminuche Wilderness
Chicago Basin might be one of the prettiest places on Earth. You’ll have to work to get there, though. You can either plan a long backpacking trip into the wilderness or hop aboard the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Ride to accelerate your journey into the Weminuche Wilderness.
It’s about a 6-mile hike from the railroad to the campsites in Chicago Basin, but you’ll be treated to towering peaks, wildlife, and waterfalls as you make your way up. Sites fill up quickly, so if you’re not early, you’ll likely have to choose a camp spot that’s farther away from the trailheads to the peaks.
From Chicago Basin, you can bag a handful of Colorado’s 14’ers:
- Sunlight Peak
- Windom Peak
- Eolus Peak
- North Eolus Peak
They’re all fun climbs, but they’re not for the faint-hearted. If you don’t want Class 3 climbing or heart-palpitating exposure, you can just enjoy your day(s) exploring dozens of waterfalls in the area or the majestic Twin Lakes.
Seriously, the Twin Lakes alone are worth the trip.
13. Angel of Shavano Campground, San Isabel National Forest
Angel of Shavano Campground is designed for tent camping, and it provides 20 individual sites. You can squeeze in a small trailer or RV, but only up to 30′ in length. It’s a first-come, first-serve campground, so you’ll need to arrive early to ensure you get a spot.
If you can’t find a spot, look for dispersed camping sites along the 4×4 road (240) between the Angel of Shavano and the North Fork campgrounds.
Nearby, you’ll find the Colorado Trail (which links you open to dozens of other trails) and the trail to climb Mt. Shavano (14’er). You can also connect Shavano to Mount Tabeguache, another 14’er.
14. Twin Peaks Campground, Twin Lakes
You’ll find Twin Peaks Campground tucked away in shaded pine and aspen forests just above the whitewater of Lake Creek. It sits at over 9,600 feet and has incredible views of the monolithic mountains of the Sawatch Range.
You can jump on the Colorado Trail or the Continental Divide Trail, and you can also climb Mount Elbert (Colorado’s tallest mountain). You could also spend a day on the lake for motorized and non-motorized water activities. It’s a first-come, first-served campground with no on-site water. There are 35 sites with enough room for trailers and RVs.
If you don’t find a spot at Twin Peaks Campground, check out Parry Peak, White Star, Dexter Point, or Lakeview. Some of these require reservations—others don’t.
15. South Rim Campground, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The South Rim Campground sits on the southern rim (as you guessed) of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It provides stunning views of the sheer cliffs and easy access to some of the best scenic overlooks in the park. You can use the campground as a starting place for many rim trail hikes, such as the Rock Nature Trail and the Oak Flat Loop.
The campground provides 88 individual sites for tent-only locations and RVs and trailers. You’ll need to make reservations for sites from mid-May to mid-September—everything beyond that is first-come, first-served.
There’s also a campground on the North Rim, and you can hike down to the base of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and stay at the East Portal Campground. The East Portal Campground is actually in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, but it’s only accessible from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
16. Grand Junction KOA Holiday, Grand Junction
The Grand Junction KOA Holiday is a full-service campground located between Grand Mesa and Colorado National Monument. It’s open year-round and serves as the perfect base camp for exploring the nearby outdoor activities and Palisade areas.
The KOA offers RV sites, tent sites, cabins, swimming pools, recreation center, playgrounds, and more. It’s definitely more of a glamping trip, but that might be what you need if you plan to spend your days adventuring into the nearby wildernesses.
17. South Colony Lakes, Sangre De Cristo Wilderness
South Colony Lakes is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Colorado. While it’s well-known among avid mountain climbers chasing 14’ers and trout anglers seeking alpine lake fishing, most people have yet to discover its beauty—and that means more dispersed camp spots for you.
The trail to Lower South Colony Lake spans approximately 3.6 miles with an elevation gain of nearly 2,000 feet. As you ascend, your gaze will be drawn straight up to the majestic Crestone Needle, a prominent 14’er. Cast your eyes southwest, and you’ll spot a faint trail dotted with hikers making their way to Broken Hand Pass, the primary route to reach Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak. Look northward, and you’ll be treated to a ridgeline that leads to the summit of yet another 14’er, Humboldt Peak.
During weekends in July or August, you can expect to encounter a fair number of fellow adventurers. However, venture out on a weekday, and you might just have these magnificent mountains all to yourself.
Accessing the South Colony Lakes Trailhead involves traversing a slightly challenging road, although it pales compared to the rugged off-road conditions in the San Juan Mountains. With a 4WD vehicle and a patient approach, you shouldn’t have any problems.
If you prefer to avoid the rough terrain, you can park at the South Colony Parking Area with a 2WD vehicle. However, be prepared for a longer hike along a fire road, which might leave you wishing you had ventured further in your vehicle.
18. Mirror Lake, Indian Peaks Wilderness
Mirror Lake is a stunning alpine lake located within the Indian Peaks Wilderness in Colorado. While camping is not permitted directly at Mirror Lake, there are nearby campgrounds and backcountry camping options available within the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
It’s a long hike of about 7 miles with 2,300+ feet of elevation gain, but it’s worth the trip. Mirror Lake rests under the watchful eyes of Lone Eagle Peak, one of Colorado’s most remarkable (yet, remote) mountains. Seriously, this mountain looks like one of the gnarliest things in the state. It’s beautiful.
19. Buffalo Pass, Steamboat Springs
Buffalo Pass provides plenty of dispersed camping spots outside of Steamboat Springs. The road can be a bit tricky for 2WD vehicles, but it’s doable if you take it low and slow.
Nearby, you’ll find plenty of amazing cross-country mountain biking trails in the summer and backcountry skiing in the winter. You can also enjoy a cool day at Fish Creek Reservoir for a chill day of kayaking and paddleboarding.
If you want a bit more amenities, you can stay at the nearby Dry Lake Campground or Summit Lake Campground.
20. Alpine Loop, San Juan Mountains
The Alpine Loop is a long 4×4 backcountry road that winds through the San Juan Mountains to loosely connect the towns of Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton. Some of the passes reach up to 12,8000 feet, providing exhilarating views and a summer full of adventure.
Most of the Alpine Loop is on BLM land, so you can find plenty of places for dispersed camping. Set up camp near a trailhead for access to bathrooms, then set off to fish the rivers, explore the basins (especially American Basin), and bag the many 14’ers that are short spur roads away.
21. Cottonwood Pass, Buena Vista
Cottonwood Pass, located near Buena Vista, Colorado, offers a scenic and convenient camping experience. Situated at an elevation of 12,126 feet, it provides stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks and close access to the Arkansas River.
Cottonwood Pass (along Highway 306) provides plenty of dispersed camping sites. The Colorado Trail passes close by, and you’re just a short drive from town if you need to resupply.
22. Guanella Pass, Georgetown
Guanella Pass provides plenty of top-notch camping in high-alpine terrain. It’s just a short drive out of Georgetown (with a lot of elevation gain), and you’ll have a handful of options to choose from.
You can opt for dispersed camping (which many of the 14’er hikers do). This is available right after Clear Lake Campground, or you can find spots outside of Georgetown. You can camp on either side of the pass pretty much anywhere you see that’s flat and open—or you can just camp in your car.
There are also several campgrounds in the area to choose from:
- Clear Lake Campground
- Geneve Park Campground
- Burning bear Campground
- Guanella Pass Campground
23. Mountain Park Campground, Roosevelt National Forest
Mountain Park Campground is a big family-friendly facility along the Cache La Poudre River. It has plenty of spots for RVs, trailers, and tent-only sites. You’ll find volleyball sand pits, playgrounds, bathrooms, showers, water, and more at this campground.
While the Poudre River is typically quick-moving, you can find smaller inlets where the water calms down a bit. Visiting years ago, I built a tiny little dam for my toddlers to play in, and they absolutely loved it.
There’s plenty of hiking nearby, and there are even some trails that pass right through the campground.
24. Silver Thread Campground, San Juan Mountains
Silver Thread Campground is located right next to South Clear Creek Falls outside of Creede. You can take a short hike from your campsite to see the falls and the fast-moving creek. And if you want to see one of Colorado’s largest waterfalls, you can take a short drive up the road to North Clear Creek Falls.
The campground has 11 sites. 6 are gravel pull-throughs, and the remaining 5 are dead-end spurs. The sites sit at 9,500 feet, so while it might not look like a high-elevation area, you’re chilling almost 2 miles above sea level. Sites are first-come, first-served—so arrive early.
25. Arapaho Bay Campground, Arapaho National Forest
The Arapaho Bay Campground sits along the shores of Lake Granby, and it’s a fantastic base camp for exploring the nearby Indian Peaks Wilderness, venturing into Rocky Mountain National Park’s western side, or enjoying water activities out on the lake.
The campground offers single and double-family sites with vault toilets, drinking water, and trash collection. There’s not a whole lot of shade at the campground, but you can cool off in the water or on the high-altitude trails.
The expansive lake provides opportunities for boating, sailing, swimming, and fishing. Anglers can cast their lines for kokanee salmon and various trout species. Surrounding the lake, adventurers can explore numerous hiking and horseback riding trails in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, including notable routes like Roaring Fork Trail and Cascade Creek Trail.
26. Pearl Lake Campground, Steamboat Springs
Pearl Lake Campground provides a serene escape for nature lovers to relax, explore the outdoors, and create lifelong memories in the heart of the Steamboat Springs region. The campground is situated on the shores of Pearl Lake, just outside of Steamboat Springs.
Paddleboard out on Pearl Lake or enjoy some of the area’s best hiking and mountain biking trails. It’s not just a summer getaway, though. During winter, Pearl Lake transforms into a winter wonderland, offering peaceful overnight stays in cozy yurts. Try snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, and even ice fishing.
27. Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain Campground, Granby
Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain Campground is ideal for those seeking a memorable camping experience in Granby. You can find RV sites, cabins, tent sites, or vacation homes—whatever floats your boat. You’ll get access to restaurants, pools, group lessons, and plenty of other amenities to make your time outside more comfortable and glamp-worthy.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find themselves spoiled for choice with an overload of recreational activities available, including:
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Mountain biking
- Boating
- Wildlife viewing
- Scenic driving
And the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Forest offer additional opportunities for exploration.
28. Bear Lake Campground, Flat Tops Wilderness Area
The Flat Tops Wilderness Area is one of Colorado’s largest and most pristine wilderness areas, providing an authentic and untouched natural environment. Bear Lake Campground offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unspoiled beauty of nature, surrounded by towering mountains, lush forests, and tranquil lakes.
The campground provides 43 campsites, and it’s just 11 miles outside of Yampa. Campsites sit right next to Bear Lake, which is in between Stillwater and Yamcolo Reservoirs. Take a short walk out to the Bear Lake Fishing Pier, or take a hike to nearby Mandall Lakes or Smith Lake.
This is a first-come, first-served campground with no reservations. You’ll need to come with exact change or a check (no credit cards accepted).
29. Teal Campground, Pagosa Springs
Teal Campground provides campers with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks over Williams Creek Reservoir. There are 16 first-come, first-served sites available under the thick shade of large ponderosa pines.
Williams Creek Reservoir is a wake-free area, but you can take out motorized boats, paddleboards, and kayaks. Plus, it’s stocked with kokanee salmon and trout for an afternoon of top-notch fishing.
If you can’t find a spot at Teal Campground (or nearby Palisades, Williams Creek, or Cimarrona), there are dispersed camping sites available. However, these are being rotated to help the land heal—so do your research ahead of time to see what’s available.
30. Upper Slate Lake, White River National Forest
What makes Upper Slate Lake special is its remote and secluded nature. Campers can immerse themselves in a wilderness setting, surrounded by untouched forests, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking views.
However, it’s a trek.
While you can make it to Lower Slate Lake with less work, you’ll have to hike 14 miles to reach Upper Slate Lake. But it’s through some of Colorado’s most beautiful backcountry terrain—you won’t regret it.
Camp near the lake and enjoy the views of the peaks, or get up early and claim some summits for yourself. Fish the lake, paddleboard, or just relax—you’ve earned it.
31. Morefield Campground, Mesa Verde National Park
Morefield Campground is inside Mesa Verde National Park, and it provides camping in close proximity to explorable cliff dwellings. Often, people leave Mesa Verde feeling like they didn’t get to explore all it had to offer—now, with a nearby campsite, you can take your time and soak it all in.
The campground provides a range of camping options, including tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. You’ll also get restrooms, showers, a general store, and a gas station.
You can find plenty of hiking trails nearby, as well as archaeological sites. Give yourself a few days to explore—you’ll be glad you did.
Begin Your Colorado Camping Adventure
Now that you know the best places to camp in Colorado, it’s time to pack your bags and hit the trails. Do your research well in advance—you might need to start getting on the waitlist for a campground, or you may need to get a backcountry permit months before you pitch your tent.
However, don’t let all the details get in the way of your Colorado camping adventure. Finding a spot is the first (and biggest) challenge. Once you’ve got that down, it’s time to put in the work and make it happen.
And when you rest your head under the stars beneath the shadows of Colorado’s pine trees and alpine peaks, you’ll know it was all worth it. No doubt about it.
