Colorado is a stunning American state renowned for its geographical diversity, a region abundant with dramatic river gorges, majestic snow-capped mountains and arid desert terrain. Intersected in the north and south by the Rocky Mountains, Colorado boasts rich and productive soil and fresh, invigorating air; where better to set up camp and bask in the glory of nature? An ideal destination for outdoor adventurers and mountain explorers, this area offers an array of quaint camping grounds on which to pitch a tent and admire the view; here’s 10 of the best.
Jellystone Park Larkspur is a Yogi Bear themed campground providing fun for all the family. Located midway between Denver and Colorado Springs, the site provides substantial accommodations and amenities, with yurts, cabins, lodges and cottages all available for the enjoyment of visitors. The staff here do an excellent job of creating a fun-filled schedule packed with entertaining activities, and guests can enjoy a dip in the swimming pool, a relaxing round of golf or a bounce on the gigantic jumping pillow, all against the backdrop of beautiful natural cliffs and lush greenery. With over 70 RV campsites across the US and Canada, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park is a excellent choice for a family vacation.
Moraine Park is a clean, well maintained and incredibly accessible place to camp in Colorado, an ideal spot for anyone with young children. The site is a magnet for wildlife, and often is the setting for scurrying ground squirrels, chipmunks, birds and deer. Outstanding mountain vistas abound here, and large, spacious campsites are available right in the heart of the wildlife; if you’re lucky you’ll rise here to the melodic sounds of the many hummingbirds in the trees.
KOA is a site located far from the main road, a short distance up in the idyllic hills, and so boasts an incredible view of the entire valley and the majestic mountain ranges encompassing the area. At night this setting is unrivalled for stargazing, with the evening sky lit up with thousands of vividly glowing stars. More than 100 miles of the mighty Arkansas River forms the eastern boundary of the campsite, a stretch of water which provides a perfect place for rafting, fishing, floating or kayaking. Easy access to the phenomenal natural hot springs here is an absolute bonus. There’s also an abundance of well-trained horses available for trail rides.
The Fowler-Hilliard hut is a camping cottage built in honor of two fallen Aspen mountaineers. There are hundreds of miles of forest roads and trails stretching out into the surrounding high country here, with hikes up to nearby Ptarmigan Hill and Battle Mountain, and mountain bike track access to the Colorado Trail. The accommodations, which have photo-electric lighting and a roomy kitchen filled with utensils and fittings, can house up to 16 people. Choose this camping spot if you seek to stay in a homely hut, surrounded by a picturesque and snowy setting.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is an expansive and beautiful area offering guests a huge array of picnic spots, hiking trails, dramatic foothills and spacious campgrounds. More than 12,000 acres of dense forest, rocky peaks and aspen-rimmed meadows laced with miles of trails await the hiker, horseback rider, mountain biker and winter sports enthusiast here, and visitors will get to choose from 156 sites, incorporating everything from backcountry clearings to RV hookups in developed campgrounds.
Dunton Hot Springs is a luxury resort with a twist; it’s a top-rate camping destination disguised as an old mining town, and a small and exclusive resort nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies. A beautiful and quaint spot for a camping vacation, each cabin is fitted with unique and rustic furnishings, and the blue waters of the Delores River is just seconds away, providing one of the best spots for fly fishing in the region.
Located next to the largest and most magnificent mountains in Colorado, Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, Twin Lakes is a camping spot centered around the incredible natural beauty of the state’s largest glacial lakes. A wide variety of activities are available here such as biking, boating, camping, fishing and picnicking on the aqua, glass-like water, and the actual drive to get here over the Independence Pass offers sublime views over the mountainous landscape. This spot is a hiker’s dream, with the Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, a spectacular 12-mile trail around the lake, the Mount Elbert Trailhead and numerous local treks all beginning at the camping grounds.
Jack’s Gulch Campground, Roosevelt National Forest
This campground is set in a picturesque pine forest dotted with gorgeous aspens. There are lush, grassy meadows throughout the area, and popular activities for enthusiastic campers here include hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching and viewing wildlife. A nature trail circles the entire area of Jack’s Gulch, with one section providing stunning views of the Mummy Range. There are immaculately kept horse stalls here, providing the opportunity for visitors to hop on a horse and take a trot round the glorious grounds.
Located 35 miles southwest of Denver, the Rampart Range situated in the northwest of Colorado Springs is an idyllic getaway destination, a natural area providing a piece of peace away from the noise of the city. The range is almost entirely public land within the Pike National Forest, and boasts a towering peak known as Devil’s Head, a rocky wonder which reaches 9,632 ft. There are many free sites for camping around Rampart Range, and the roads, although winding and bumpy at times, are easily navigated and provide access to some of the most sublime scenery in Colorado.
Steamboat Springs boasts arguably the best hot springs in Colorado, and is a camping destination again offering a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, bike riding and stargazing. There is an excellent French restaurant here, and if visiting in summer guests will have the chance to participate in the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo, an extravaganza of the most colorful and imaginative balloon designs in the area. In summer a piece of scorching paradise and in winter a stunningly snowy destination, this resort really does have it all.
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