12 Best Places to Go Camping in Colorado

Whether you’re driving up with an RV or pitching a tent, camping is a rewarding way to experience Colorado’s vast landscapes. The best places to sleep under the stars range from well-equipped campgrounds in national parks to picturesque lakeside spots and remote wilderness areas that trade frills for dramatic surroundings. No matter what type of overnight adventure you choose, camping in Colorado requires advance planning.

Summer offers the best weather for camping in Colorado, and campgrounds fill up fast in June, July, and August. Most campgrounds allow you to reserve six months out, and all state parks require reservations. You can’t legally camp wherever you want beyond designated lands, though some parks allow dispersed camping (camping in undeveloped areas). Ready to book a site? Here are 12 of the best places to camp in Colorado.

Glacier Basin Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park

Glacier Basin Campground, located in one of the state’s most famous national parks, is a fantastic home base for classic Colorado activities such as fishing, horseback riding, and hiking. Rocky Mountain National Park has more than 350 miles of trails that range from entry-level lakeside walks to steep, rocky summits, some of which you can access from a trailhead near the campground. With Glacier Basin as your base, you won't have hot water or showers, but you will have some of the most fantastic snow-capped mountain views of all of the park's campgrounds. Each site — with options for tent-only, groups, and RV without hookups — offers its own picnic table and fire pit.

South Rim Campground, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Spectacular canyon views? Check. Year-round campsites? You bet. South Rim Campground is the only campground in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park that’s open in any season, which means you can explore the dramatic gorge when the mood strikes. Just know that potable water is only available in the summer months, as is the ability to reserve sites and electric hookups for RVs in advance. 

Piñon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park

There are a few reasons why Piñon Flats Campground is the best place to camp in the state, the first one being its proximity to gargantuan mountains of sand. Indeed, these dunes are massive — and quite the sight to behold from inside your tent. Other more practical reasons include a dishwashing sink, toilets that flush, restrooms with sinks, and plenty of potable water spigots. Each site has a picnic table and a fire grate, too.

Comanche National Grassland

These flat southeastern grasslands showcase unexpected topography in a state known for its mountains. The area offers dispersed camping near the Picket Wire Corrals Interpretive Site and Arch Rock Trail, so set up wherever you feel called, as long as your campsite is at least 100 feet from any water source. As for hiking, follow the 17.6-mile Picket Wire Canyon Trail to see 150 million-year-old dinosaur footprints.

Fisherman’s Paradise Loop, Sylvan Lake State Park

There are several prime spots to camp in this remote 1,550-acre state park, but few can beat the lake views at Fisherman’s Paradise. Plus, sites here are open year-round and are big enough to accommodate RVs. Ice fish, Nordic ski, and snowmobile from your home base in cold temperatures; canoe, kayak, and hike when the weather’s warm. 

Silver Bell Campground, Maroon Bells Scenic Area

At 8,460 feet, amid aspen groves and subalpine forest, Silver Bell Campground might only be 20 minutes from Aspen, but it feels a world away. The sites have campfire rings and picnic tables, proffering a classic landing spot after a day spent hiking around mountain lakes and wildflower meadows. 

Morefield Campground, Mesa Verde National Park

Southwest Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park is an archeological wonder, as over 600 cliff dwellings built by Ancestral Puebloans exist across the park’s 52,000-plus acres. Add in the fact that it’s one of the best places in the U.S. for stargazing, and you’ll be surprised to learn that Morefield rarely fills up, even during peak seasons. The whopping 267 sites might have something to do with that.

Chatfield State Park Campground

You don’t need to venture far from Denver for first-rate camping, hiking, and fishing. Chatfield is an urban park on steroids and a fantastic place for entry-level campers to escape the city and get their bearings without roughing it too much. 

Angel of Shavano Campground, Pike-San Isabel National Forest

Fun fact: Colorado has 53 fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 feet high), and 19 are in Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Camp at first-come, first-served Angel of Shavano Campground to get acquainted with Salida’s trails, including portions of the Colorado Trail.

Mueller State Park Campground

Some campgrounds stand alone because of their amenities; others are perfectly fine in the facility department (clean pit toilets, electric sites, fire rings, etc.), but their locations are what really make them stand out. The campground at Mueller State Park is the latter. Simply put, this park west of Colorado Springs is a beauty. Think stunning mountain and meadow views, gorgeous woodlands, and quiet seclusion. 

Oasis RV Resort & Cottages, Curecanti National Recreation Area

Sure, this RV resort next to the Blue Mesa Reservoir (Colorado’s largest body of water) might not be a traditional campsite, but the beauty of Colorado camping is that there’s no one way to do it. Park your RV or rent a tent site and get access to extra-special amenities like a dog park, movies, karaoke nights, and Wi-Fi. 

Twin Peaks Campground, Twin Lakes

Stay at the quiet Twin Peaks Campground, between Twin Lake Reservoir and Independence Pass if you’re into fly-fishing, fantastic views, and large campsites with plentiful privacy. If you’re collecting fourteeners, Mt. Elbert, the Rocky Mountains’ highest summit, is close by.