Colorado is known for its sweeping mountain vistas, glittering alpine lakes, and unrivaled hiking trails. While this sets the stage for a camping paradise, Colorado's beauty isn't exactly a secret. Scoring a campsite in peak summer season can feel as impossible as winning the lottery, especially on holiday weekends or on short notice.
For example, Piñon Flats near Great Sand Dunes National Park, Moraine Park Campground at Rocky Mountain National Park, and Pawnee Campground near Brainard Lake are some of the most stunning campgrounds in Colorado—but can seem impossible to snag.
Though this can be discouraging, it shouldn't dissuade you. A little bit of strategy, foresight, and a willingness to get dirty are all you need to experience Colorado camping at its finest. In fact, there's likely a whole bunch of bookable and dispersed campsites, available for the taking year-round—especially if you don't mind primitive, first-come-first-serve spots without hookups or amenities on-site.
For a chance to actually explore all that the Rocky Mountains have to offer, put these campgrounds in Colorado on your list for an epic camping trip.
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Golden Gate Canyon State Park
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Golden Gate Canyon houses coveted campgrounds in a Colorado state park that's known for its family-friendly hiking, camping, and fishing. The greatness of camping there also makes it hard to book a spot, which is why we suggest reserving a site at Golden Gate on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website about four months in advance. Unlike dispersed campsites, which are first-come-first-served and can fill up early on a weekend, bookable sites like Golden Gate offer peace of mind with the ability to reserve a spot.
There are two campsites, Reverend's Ridge and Aspen Meadows, as well as options for backcountry camping (with the required permit). Even if the grounds are fully booked, it's worth checking back throughout the week before you want to go to see if anything has opened up, as people often cancel their bookings close to their reservations.
Ridgway State Park
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Nestled in the mountains just 15 minutes from the town of Ouray and an hour and a half from Grand Junction, Ridgway State Park is an often overlooked gem. Once you see the snow-capped alpine peaks and stunning blue reservoir, you'll see why this park is referred to as "The Switzerland of America." Like Golden Gate, you can book campsites at Ridgway through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
Because the drive to this park from Denver or Colorado Springs takes over five hours, it tends to be less crowded and there's a better chance of finding a spot in peak season. The supply is also bigger: Ridgway has 258 campsites here, plus 25 walk-in tent sites and a few yurts.
READ MORE: The Best 13ers to Hike in Colorado, All Close to Denver
Zapata Falls Campground
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Zapata Falls Campground is the ideal home base for exploring the Great Sand Dunes National Park and seeing an unfettered view of the night sky. Bookable on Recreation.gov, this campground in Colorado is just a short walk from Zapata Falls and offers great views of the San Luis Valley and the San Juan mountains.
This is a smaller campground with just 23 sites, so it can book up fast, but it's another one to check for cancellations. It's far enough from Denver—about four hours—that you can find openings if you look in the early spring for summer months and check back throughout the fall for last-minute cancellations.
Fourmile Travel Management Area
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An increasingly popular camping and ATV riding area with dozens of dispersed camping sites available, Fourmile Travel Management Area is just a few minutes' drive from the adorable town of Buena Vista, and within 30 minutes of a few of Colorado's 14ers, including Mount Yale and Mount Columbia.
Many people bring their mountain bikes to this area, too, with biking trails winding throughout the recreation area. Heading up to this area on a Friday before rush hour is the best way to secure a campsite at this Colorado campground, either with a stunning view of the mountains or down near the river.
Red Feather Lakes Dispersed Camping
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Red Feather Lakes is a beautiful camping area that's roughly a 45-minute drive from Fort Collins. This area has opportunities for hiking, boating, and fishing, plus numerous dispersed camping areas. For example, North Fork Poudre Campground on Deadman Road is a highly-rated, dispersed spot near a river.
You can also find a waterside camp at Lost Lake, one of the less popular—but no less beautiful—lakes in the area. Near Lost Lake are a few other smaller ponds and sites with designated fire rings. Just be aware that the road to these can be rougher and is best traveled with four-wheel drive.
White River National Forest
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The White River National Forest provides a number of beautiful dispersed campgrounds in Colorado that don't see a ton of foot traffic from Denverites, despite being less than a 3.5-hour drive. Your best bet is to travel Homestake Reservoir Road, which has a number of secluded camping options with hiking nearby. This camping area is close to the town of Red Cliff, where you can stock up on ice, water, and other supplies you might need at this primitive site.
Another area for camping in White River National Forest is Mirror Lake Trailhead near Meeker, Colorado—a first-come, first-serve spot with fewer people but a whole lot of beauty.
Pike National Forest
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Camping in Pike National Forest allows you to sleep near some of the most popular hikes in the state, including Pikes Peak, The Crags Trail, and Devil's Playground Trail. The Crags Campground, near Walden, Colorado, has 17 sites and is accessible down a long dirt road that's best with four-wheel drive.
During peak season months, campers can enjoy the benefit of a camp host to help with questions and running water to drink, but there are no trash amenities. The town of Divide, Colorado, is also nearby, so you can stock up on everything you need. Like most dispersed sites, it's best to arrive during the afternoon (at least) on a Friday to score a spot here.
Boyd Lake State Park
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Just a 60-minute drive from Denver, Boyd Lake State Park is a great campground in Colorado for people seeking accessible recreation. This water sports mecca offers everything from swimming and paddling to jet skiing and sailing. With 140 sites that can accommodate either tents or vehicles up to 40 feet long, Boyd Lake doesn't fill up as much as other sites that are within an hour's drive from the Mile High City.
This is also a family-friendly campground with amenities like a shower and a playground. Book your stay at Boyd Lake State Park at least two months in advance at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
Kenosha Pass Campground
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Kenosha Pass is known for having beautiful aspen trees in the fall, colorful wildflowers in the spring, and tree-covered hiking in the summer. By staying at Kenosha Pass campground, you can get up close and personal with any number of these attractions. There are 25 sites, fire rings, vault toilets, and water, offering the basics of creature comforts while still being far enough from urban life, with Denver being just over an hour away.
This campground is extra special because it's situated on a section of the Colorado Trail, so you can try hiking a section for yourself (or simply cheer on the thru-hikers passing by).
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