8 Stunning Camping Destinations in Colorado

Colorado is renowned for its remarkable outdoor access, featuring 4 national parks, 42 state parks, and 11 national forests that provide countless opportunities to embrace nature.

For those eager to leave the urban hustle behind for a weekend, Colorado boasts some amazing spots to set up a tent (or park an RV), whether in the grassy plains of the east, the rugged Rockies, or the desert canyons to the west.

Whether you're a backcountry adventurer or a glamper, here are some of the best places to enjoy a night under the stars in Colorado.

1. Glacier Basin Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park

Nestled among the towering Rocky Mountain peaks that reach nearly 14,000 feet, Glacier Basin presents an idyllic camping experience within Rocky Mountain National Park, featuring meadows adorned with alpine wildflowers and crystal-clear lakes. Situated in the park's northeastern region, it's conveniently close to well-known routes like Bear Lake and Trail Ridge. The campground includes a stop for the park's free shuttle bus, allowing visitors easy access to numerous trails.

Each campsite comes with a picnic table, firepit, and tent pad, alongside flush toilets and drinking water facilities. Keep in mind that Rocky Mountain is one of the eight national parks that require advance permits for entry.

How to reserve a campsite

Campsites can be booked online for $35 per night. All 150 sites must be reserved in advance, with some available for booking up to six months ahead, while others are released a week before.

2. Silver Bar Campground, White River National Forest

The Maroon Bells are known as some of the most picturesque mountains in North America—these twin, bell-shaped peaks rise over 14,000 feet, creating a dramatic backdrop for the pristine Maroon Lake near Aspen. One of the nearest camping options to Maroon Lake is the basic, walk-in-only Silver Bar Campground, which offers just four tent sites and a vault toilet, providing campers with near-private views of the iconic peaks at dawn.

How to reserve a campsite

Campsites can be reserved online; the fee is $15.

3. Campfire Ranch, Almont

Located along the Taylor River in Almont, Campfire Ranch serves as an excellent base camp for mountain biking enthusiasts, with additional outposts at Red Mountain Pass in Silverton and Wash Gulch in Crested Butte. The site features breathtaking views of sheer granite cliffs, towering pine and spruce trees, and the flowing Taylor River. There are 10 campsites, each accommodating up to six people, and equipped with tent pads, picnic tables, a firepit, a charcoal grill, and an ample supply of firewood. Additionally, there’s a cozy two-person micro cabin with twin beds, along with vault toilets and a well-water pump on site.

How to reserve a campsite

Reservations can be made on the Campfire Ranch website. Bookings for Summer 2024 at Campfire Ranch in Almont will open on May 3, with rates starting at $67.

4. Harding Spur Campground, Stagecoach State Park

Located near Steamboat Springs in the Yampa Valley, Stagecoach State Park encompasses a 765-acre reservoir and is renowned for its fishing: rainbow trout and northern pike thrive in the tailwaters of the Yampa River. The park features a full-service marina, making it ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Harding Spur offers 18 non-electric campsites that are basic, with only tent pads, but the access to water is exceptional.

How to reserve a campsite

You can make reservations online or by calling 1-800-244-5613. Camping fees range from $18 to $36 per night, and you can book up to six months in advance.

5. Bright Star Campground, Cortez

Situated on 40 acres of arid desert near Mesa Verde National Park and Canyon of the Ancients, this former church camp provides stunning mountain views along with a range of amenities, such as filtered drinking water, restrooms with hot showers, a community kitchen offering complimentary coffee, a hammock and table tennis area, and even free Wi-Fi. Guests have the option to pitch their own tent, connect their RV, or rent a tepee, cabin, or yurt.

How to reserve a campsite

Reservations for Bright Star Campground can be made on Hipcamp.com; rates begin at $35 per night.

6. South Rim Campground, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is famous for its towering cliffs, some reaching heights of 2,700 feet, forming one of North America’s steepest canyons. This park offers a wealth of opportunities for adventurers and nature lovers, including hiking, rock climbing, wildlife viewing (such as elk, coyotes, black bears, and bobcats), and camping.

Situated near the visitor center, the South Rim Campground is the largest option in the park, featuring 88 campsites nestled among gambel oak and serviceberry bushes. Each site is equipped with a firepit and a food storage locker, with 23 sites also offering electric hookups.

How to reserve a campsite

Individual sites can be reserved online; nightly rates begin at $20.

7. Ramble Camp at Great Sand Dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Covering 640 acres, Ramble Camp provides a unique dune-side camping experience with stunning views of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. Each of the 25 campsites is situated at least 100 feet apart and features dark sky–compliant lighting. The simplest hike-in sites offer just a tent pad, while the more luxurious options include Solo Stove smokeless firepits, Adirondack chairs, and a personal outdoor kitchen equipped with a Camp Chef two-burner stove, gas grill, sink, prep area, solar-powered outlets, café lights, and a picnic table.

How to reserve a campsite

Reservations can be made on Ramble Camp’s website. Rates start at $59 for standard sites and can go up to $499 for a 12-person group site.

8. Kinship Landing, Colorado Springs

Kinship Landing, a boutique hotel located in downtown Colorado Springs, provides a distinctive urban camping experience—guests can set up a tent on its turf-covered rooftop Camp Deck. This site accommodates groups of up to six and includes access to a private heated bathroom with a sink, shower, toilet, and Brooklinen towels. There are also areas to hang your hammock and a Bluetooth speaker system. The first floor features a bar and restaurant, with local favorites like White Pie Pizza and Shuga’s just two blocks away—you'll be right in the heart of downtown. While you won't be roughing it, you'll enjoy fantastic views of Pikes Peak.

How to reserve a campsite

The Camp Deck can be booked on Kinship Landing’s website for $89 per night, plus tax.