The 15 best campgrounds you’ll find in Colorado’s state parks
Did you know that there are more than 4,000 campsites found in Colorado’s 42 state parks? While there are many great options to be discovered, here are fifteen campgrounds that many love.
Author’s Note: As of January 2020, reservations are required for campgrounds at all state parks in Colorado. Entry fees (separate from camping fees) are also collected at state parks to help fund efforts to preserve Colorado’s natural environments.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park (Photo) Credit Miguel Vieira (flickr)
1. Cheyenne Mountain State Park – Colorado Springs
For those looking for the best of both worlds between nature and city, Cheyenne Mountain State Park is a prime spot to camp. Camping is open year-round at its 51 full hookup sites and 10 tent sites across the park’s four campgrounds. The Swift Puma Heights campground offers 16 sites with water, sewer, and electric hookups. Choose from sites situated at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, overlooking the city lights of Colorado Springs and beyond.
Photo credit: Miguel Vieira (flickr).
Cherry Creek State Park (Photo) Credit Michael W Murphy (iStock)
2. Cherry Creek State Park – Aurora
Cherry Creek State Park is situated around an 880-surface-acre reservoir that provides campers with a complete outdoor experience. The 152-site campground is available for individual site reservations as well as group bookings. From the campground, visitors can access the Swim Beach and boat ramps at the reservoir in the summer. Cherry Creek State Park offers plenty of options for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, picnicking, volleyball, and much more – all just 20 minutes from Denver. Plus, there’s even an off-leash dog park.
Photo Credit: Michael W Murphy (iStock).
Colorado State Park Camping (Photo) Credit Colorado Parks and Wildlife
3. Steamboat Lake State Park – Steamboat Springs
Most of the 188 campsites at Steamboat Lake State Park offer incredible views and are provided shade by aspen and evergreen trees, with some are near the shoreline of the lake. The Dutch Hill Campground features the Steamboat Lake Marina with the convenience store, swim beach, showers, and more.
Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Mueller State Park (Photo) Credit Christian Murdock
4. Mueller State Park – Divide
Mueller State Park in Divide is nestled at the base of Pikes Peak. The campground is situated within groves of aspens and forests of spruce and fir trees, perfect for an iconic Colorado fall camping trip. The 134 campsites offer picnic tables and a fire ring.
Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette.
Alyssa Liddick and Zach Hankins of Colorado Springs, Colorado, set up their tent at Mueller State Park Thursday, May 14, 2020, while Lorelei Ponce, 9, sitting, and Karmen Ponce, 5, play in the backcountry.
Ridgway State Park (Photo) Credit Colorado Parks and Wildlife
5. Ridgway State Park – Ridgway
All campgrounds at Ridgway State Park offer showers, a playground, restrooms, and hiking and biking trails across 258 campsites during the high season. The Dakota Terraces Campground provides the best mountain views and is within walking distance of the reservoir and swim beach.
Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park (Photo) Credit Brian Dearth (flickr)
6. Golden Gate Canyon State Park - Golden
Home to 97 camping sites at Reverend’s Ridge, Golden Gate Canyon State Park campers will find accommodations for trailers, campers, and tents. Enjoy biking, fishing, hiking, hunting, horseback riding, rock climbing, and more at Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Photo Credit: Brian Dearth (flickr).
Camping Site (Photo) Credit MariuszBlach (iStock)
7. State Forest State Park – Walden
Biking, hiking, off-highway vehicle riding, and much more are offered at State Forest State Park. Set up camp at the Ranger Lakes Campground for a short walk to the Ranger Lakes fishing area. Also accessible from this campground are the Gould Loop Trail and more nature trails for scenic wilderness experiences.
Author’s Note: Construction is expected through Fall of 2022 at North Michigan Reservoir Dam, causing low water levels in the reservoir.
Photo Credit: MariuszBlach (iStock).
Rifle Falls State Park (Photo) Credit Stephen Martin
8. Rifle Falls State Park – Rifle
A camping experience at Rifle Falls State Park is unlike any other with the area’s lush, green environment and the trio of waterfalls the park is named after. Campsites are available year-round, including the drive-in and tent campsites situated along Rifle Creek. A fire ring, picnic table, and electrical outlets are offered at the sites.
Photo Credit: Stephen Martin, OutThere Colorado.
Paonia State Park (Photo) Credit Colorado Parks and Wildlife
9. Paonia State Park – Paonia
Located west of Kebler Pass, Paonia State Park is nested in forests of towering spruce trees, featuring a long reservoir popular with water skiers. Camp at Hawsapple Campground if water skiing the reservoir, which offers skiers up to two miles of skiing before having to turn back.
Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Chatfield State Park (Photo) Credit Steve Harbula (flickr)
10. Chatfield State Park – Littleton
The campground at Chatfield State Park extends along the reservoir where a wide variety of watercraft, including motorized boats, paddleboards, kayaks, and more, are welcome. Flying model airplanes and taking hot balloon rides are also popular activities found at Chatfield State Park. Guests can also enjoy recreation trails and a swim beach.
Photo Credit: Steve Harbula (flickr).
Sylvan Lake State Park (Photo) Credit Colorado Parks and Wildlife
11. Sylvan Lake State Park – Eagle
Camp in the Rocky Mountains at Sylvan Lake State Park where forests of aspen, pine, and fir provide shade and lush meadows offer pleasant views. Fisherman’s Paradise Campground is renowned for its sites that have vantage points overlooking the gorgeous lake.
Photo Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Staunton State Park (Photo) Credit Ken Papaleo, High Country Coloring
12. Staunton State Park – Pine
Embark on a primitive camping experience at Colorado’s Staunton State Park where walk-in tent sites are offered. Explore the park’s grassy meadows, towering rock cliffs, waterfalls, and more, just 40 miles southwest of Denver.
Author’s Note: Campfires are not permitted in Staunton State Park.
Photos by Ken Papaleo, High Country Coloring.
Yampa River State Park (Photo) Credit Victor Schendel
13. Yampa River State Park – Hayden
Excellent camping is offered at Yampa River State Park. The park’s 50 campsites accommodate 35 RV electric sites, 10 tent sites, and five sites for group camping. Enjoy hunting, fishing, off-highway vehicle riding, and more at Yampa River State Park.
Photo Credit: Victor Schendel.
Highline Lake State Park (Photo) Credit Patty Hedrick
14. Highline State Park – Loma
Campsites at Highline State Park offer sunshine, shade, and amenities, like a grill, fire ring, and picnic table. When open for boating, Highline Lake allows gas and electric motor boats, paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks.
Photo Credit: Patty Hedrick- OutThere Colorado.
Trinidad Lake (Photo) Credit Christian Murdock, The Gazette
15. Trinidad Lake State Park – Trinidad
Trinidad Lake State Park offers two campgrounds with 73 sites combined. The South Shore Campground provides access to Trinidad Lake within walking distance, as well as panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette.
(1) comment
Great post except that at Ridgway, the upper campground loop known as Elk Ridge is superior to the terraces, more room, more shade, better lake views and trails!
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