The ultimate 'camping road trip' around Colorado
Skip the luxury nights at expensive hotels and opt for a dirt-filled road trip that visits nine epic spots in Colorado, starting from Denver. Don’t have the time to spend a night under stars at every destination? Mix and match to build your own perfect camping trip.
Editor’s Note: Make sure you plan ahead. Reservations will need to be made for some camping spots. Read more about how to do that here.
Lake Dillon Reservoir (Photo) Credit jimmy thomas (flickr)
1. Breckenridge-Frisco area
Camp near Lake Dillon Reservoir at one of the five campgrounds near Frisco or find a dispersed camping site near Breckenridge up Georgia Pass Road. From Denver, Breckenridge is about 80 miles via Interstate 70 to CO-9.
Photo Credit: jimmy thomas (flickr).
Aspen Campground (Photo) Credit Tony Webster (flickr)
2. Aspen
From Summit County, head toward Aspen for more iconic Colorado sights, like the Maroon Bells, located about 135 miles away. The Aspen side of Independence Pass offers several options for camping. Drive up Lincoln Creek Road in a high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicle to reach one of 22 dispersed camping sites or opt for a more developed campgrounds with bathrooms, picnic tables, and other amenities at Weller Campground, Difficult Campground, or Silver Bell Campground.
Photo Credit: Tony Webster (flickr).
Rifle Gap State Park (Photo) Credit Jeffrey Beall (flickr)
3. Rifle
Perhaps one of the greener parts of the state during the summer, Rifle Gap State Park has 5 campgrounds – Cottonwood, Lakeview, Cedar, Sage, and Pinion. Together, they offer 89 campsites. Don’t forget to swing by the nearby Rifle Falls State Park during your visit to this area. Rifle is about 85 miles northwest from Aspen.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Beall (flickr).
Palisade (Photo) Credit RondaKimbrow (iStock)
4. Palisade
About 50 miles southwest of Rifle, Palisade offers a wide range of camping opportunities. At the eastern part of James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, Island Acres is a campground with full hook-ups for RVs and tent camping sites. There are five sections of this state park along the Colorado River and popular recreation activities include swimming, mountain biking, and fishing. Wild horses and Big Horn Sheep are among wildlife often seen here.
Photo Credit: RondaKimbrow (iStock).
Ouray (Photo) Credit Spencer McKee
5. Ouray
Just over 100 miles south of Palisade, reach the “Switzerland of America” for more rugged camping with spectacular views. Ouray and its surrounding mountains offer developed campgrounds such as Amphitheatre Campground, as well as dispersed camping along Red Mountain Pass - U.S. 550 - in National Forest land. Discover remnants of the area’s rich mining past, incredible waterfalls, and expansive mountain views in and around Ouray.
Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado
Lizard Head Pass (Photo) Credit CampPhoto (iStock)
6. Telluride
Meander 50 miles around the San Juans from Ouray to reach Telluride. This charming mountain town features Bridal Veil Falls, spectacular hikes such as Blue Lake and Silver Lake, and an alluring main street lined with boutique shops and eateries. Find camping on Lizard Head Pass, just outside of town up Colorado Highway 145. Many of these campsites are above 10,000 feet in meadows and valleys, so it’s worth checking the weather forecast before setting up camp.
Editor’s Note: Obviously you should always check the weather forecast before setting up camp, but be especially aware of changing skies when in exposed areas and at a higher elevation.
Photo Credit: CampPhoto (iStock).
Lake Irwin Campground (Photo) Credit Marie (flickr)
7. Crested Butte
About 160 driving miles northeast of Telluride is Colorado’s wildflower capital, which is a perfect camping spot for the summer. It’s also worth noting that during the fall, the slopes of Kebler Pass, just outside of Crested Butte, glow in golden hues as the aspens change with colder weather. Pack the kayak or paddleboard for some fun on the water at Lake Irwin and camp on the west end of the lake at Lake Irwin Campground. Find views of the lake to the east and of the gleaming Ruby Mountain Range to the west. The reservation-only site features 25 campsites, vault toilets, and picnic tables.
Photo Credit: Marie (Flickr).
Fourmile Buena Vista (Photo) Credit Brycen McCright
8. Buena Vista
From Crested Butte, drive a little over 110 miles to reach Buena Vista for campsites near the Arkansas River. The Fourmile area can be accessed from several points in Buena Vista and is popular among ATV riders. Fourmile features 100,000 acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, so bathrooms and other amenities are not included here. Outdoor activities include motorcycle riding, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Photo Credit: Brycen McCright.
Buffalo Creek (Photo) Credit Jeffrey Beall (Wikipedia Creative Commons)
9. Buffalo Creek, Pine
Buffalo Creek near Pine is about 93 miles from Buena Vista and features campsites for both tents and RVs. The Buffalo Creek Campground is one of four areas to camp within the recreation area renowned for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Continue northbound on U.S. 285 for about 50 miles back to Denver.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Beall (Wikipedia Creative Commons).
Camping Road Trip
Leave No Trace
While enjoying the beauty of Colorado's mountains and natural settings, play a part in protecting it. Become familiar with the seven Leave No Trace principles to learn how to minimize the human impact in the wilderness.
Be sure to check with all local fire bans and restrictions of the area you're setting up camp. Remember, fireworks are illegal in Colorado.
Map Credit: @2021 Google Maps.
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