For $11, six people can fit in one campsite, or you can opt for a group site for just $20 per night! You just have to get a little creative. Check for “reservation-only” sites at the following state parks: The new “reservation-only” program launched at five state parks on July 1, 2018. Last minute destination near the Colorado River Our first outing with our travel trailer was to the Colorado River Oasis Resort. Understandably so, spots fill up quickly on the weekend. Ridgway State Park will join the pilot program on September 15, 2018. If you fit in the latter category of folks who have spent the summer stargazing rather than calling around to Colorado campgrounds to make your reservations, this guide is for you. In addition to adult weeks offered August through October, Home Ranch in Clarkalso hosts yoga and horse­back-riding retreats, pe… It’s no secret that one of the most beloved pastimes in Colorado is camping. Colorado safari tentalows take glamping on a budget to a whole new level. With a variety of campers in mind, we found a campground to suit your every need – whether that’s basic primitive camping … To see a full list of the area’s available campgrounds, click here. Lincoln Gulch Campground is situated in a lodgepole pine forest and offers daytime activities like hiking, biking, four wheeling and fishing. So now you have your car packed but you have no idea where you’re headed. Not premier spots with pick nick tables and fire pits but a place to put a tent or park the camper, maybe no shade and right next to the road but a place to sleep none the less. It’s first-come, first-served, so I call the park to see what the weekend situation usually looks like. There are those fortunate people who plan their summertime camping adventure months in advance — clearing their schedules, making campsite reservations, checking the air mattress and tent for damage, preparing their campfire menus, and packing the Suburban with the utmost care and organization. Avalanche Campground is adjacent to one of the major trailheads into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Below you will find a list of all the free campgrounds I’ve found in Colorado. The average daily budget for a Colorado road trip is between $150-$200 – this includes gas, a rental car, lodging, food, drink, and entry fees.. Thankfully, Colorado has some of the cheapest … This region offers more than 40 first come, first serve campgrounds. Camping is a quintessential way to spend your Colorado summer, but with hoards of tourists and the number of “locals” that seem to double by the minute, sometimes it feels like when you… As of 2018, this area offers 44 no-reservation campgrounds. The campground hosts 27 sites on two loops, each providing a different view of Ward Lake among a forest of spruce trees. Video tips and tactics that will help you develop a plan to safely head out on the ice and fish for everything from bass to walleye. Located near the Elk River, Hinman Park Campground offers trout fishing in the river, hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. To see a full list of available sites, click here. Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon. That way, you’ll beat the Saturday morning rush to the hills and you’ll have a little extra time to enjoy nature’s beauty. I’ll see if I can book us a campsite. Blue River Campground is located along the Blue River between Silverthorne and Green Mountain Reservoir. Ridgway State Park will join the pilot program on September 15, 2018, Updates from the Northwest Region Sportsperson Caucus, Colorado Ice Fishing – From Tournaments to Lake Trout. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. If you prefer dispersed camping instead of campground camping, click here to check out a full list of dispersed camping options in this National Forest. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Explore a nearby cave and other amazing trails winding around Fulford Cave Campground in Basalt. Book Zion View Camping & enjoy no hotel booking fees and the lowest price guaranteed! Cement Creek Campground is a relatively undiscovered campground in Gunnison National Forest with spectacular views! Book now and live last minute. are equally as important while attempting a last-minute camping adventure. Adjacent to the South Fork Cache la Poudre River in a lodgepole pine forest setting, Tom Bennett Campground offers ten, quiet, primitive sites, each with a picnic table and fire grate. Arizona Designated Campgrounds. Penitente Canyon Campground is located at Penitente Canyon, one of the state’s best rock climbing destinations! At Michigan Creek Campground, you can pay $15 per night to camp or grab side-by-side buddy sites for just $20 per night! If your work schedule allows, escape the crowds completely by going on a weekday camping trip. Dispersed camping offers sites located outside of official campgrounds but still inside state and national lands. The campground is located in a mature aspen and spruce grove along the banks of Embargo Creek with a beautiful view of Cathedral Rock. Relax on-site along South Mineral Creek, take on the Ice Lake Basin Trail, or cast a line at Clear Lake, just a 3-mile hike from camp. A quiet, hidden gem near Salida, Hayden Creek Campground costs just $18/night which includes two cars or one RV per site. In each section, you’ll also find links to get more information on dispersed camping. Located on the banks of Avalanche Creek, you can also fish from camp our hike 3 miles downstream to the jaw-dropping Crystal River. Experience the perfect blend of camping & luxury. Rio Grande National Forest is in the southwest corner of Colorado. … While you can set your GPS on all the amazing campsites in the world, if you show up to a site on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend — you’ll be in trouble. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Millions of acres of scenic beauty with countless natural wonders are waiting to be explored on your next Colorado camping … Consider arriving at your campground on a Thursday night or early on a Friday. is conveniently located near lots of amenities. Nearby, you’ll also find Lost Lake and Dollar Lake! Sitting at 9,700 feet in elevation, Stunner Campground is just west of the ghost town Stunner, CO. From camp, you can explore the banks of the Alamosa River and the lands of this failed mining town. CPW aquatic biologists studying Bear Creek after survey shows troubling decline in population of greenback cutthroat, Colorado’s state fish. The area offers 24 camping sites, vault toilets, picnic tables and a fire pit! If you’re one of the lucky folks who can take off on a Tuesday, take advantage of this luxury! Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. That way, you’ll beat the Saturday morning rush to the hills and you’ll have a little extra time to enjoy nature’s beauty. To the west through Crested Butte and Gunnison, you’ll enter Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Uncompahgre National Forest near Ouray and Telluride. On the south side of McClure Pass, McClure Campground is just up the mountain from the historic town of Marble, CO where you’ll find quaint art galleries, a general store, and fishing on multiple lakes or the Crystal River. Check with the campground office to see if your chances look good that day. Lost Man Campground is located just outside of Aspen near Independence Pass, at an elevation of about 10,500 feet. Twin Peaks Campground… But, sometimes campgrounds … Landmark towns include Durango, Telluride and Ouray. Never miss a post! We write about local events & home inspiration. Suitable for car camping and tent camping, Elk Wallow Campground is a quiet, primitive option near Basalt. - See 25 traveler reviews, 6 candid photos, and great deals for Colorado Heights Camping Resort at Tripadvisor. As of 2018, this area offers 33 no-reservation campgrounds. These meetings are designed to be a chance for Colorado hunters and anglers to interact directly with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff. Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests circle Rocky Mountain National Park. About 1.5 hours from Denver, Ouzel Campground is a year-round tent camping option with a picnic table and fire ring at every site. This post was updated June 12, 2018 to include current information and recommendations. Close to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, Meeker Park Overflow Campground is a rustic option and all 29 sites are first-come, first served! Ward Lake Campground is the perfect destination for those in search of lakeside camping. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 … If you prefer dispersed camping instead of campground camping, click here to check out a full list of dispersed camping options in this region. Just to the east, you can also access Great Sand Dunes National Park. Don’t worry! Answer 1 of 11: My wife, toddler and I are thinking about driving down I-70 from Kansas for July 4th-7th (probably driving through the night on the 3rd). Colorado is home to dozens of campgrounds that are first come, first serve, and allow you to soak up all the fresh air you can handle in some of the most beautiful spots around the state. Article from last-minute-adventures.com. The changing aspens, cool nights, potential for fresh snowfall and abundant outdoor daytime activities ranging from hiking and mountain … Just 3.5 miles from the Rampart Reservoir Recreation area, Springdale Campground is a quiet campground and the camping fee includes two vehicles or one RV. Colorado Heights Camping Resort: Last minute camping trip....a blast!! If you’re one of the lucky folks who can take off on a Tuesday, take advantage of this luxury! Colorado Outdoors, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s magazine, features a wealth of information for hunters, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts. Always Photograph Wildlife from a Safe Distance. At 10,200 feet in elevation, Little Bear Campground is on the shores of Island Lake and has 36 campsites, two of which are handicapped-accessible. . Want to head up to Eleven Mile State Park, go fishing, and camp on Saturday? Yeoman Park Campground hosts 24 campsites, two of which have immediate access to Brush Creek. To see a list of all the available campgrounds, click here. On the northern end, landmark cities include Fort Collins, Estes Park and Loveland. This region covers northwest Colorado and crosses the border into southern Wyoming. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. My dad sends me a text on Friday: Hey, let’s go camping … But for the rest of us, a little security about where you’ll be pitching your tent this weekend is just a phone call away. You’ll find an expansive wetland meadow, a mature spruce forest, and exceptional views of Craig Peak at this lovely campground on the edge of Holy Cross Wilderness. San Juan National Forest does not currently offer any dispersed camping grounds. At first glance, the name might sound more restrictive, but actually, “reservation-only” frees up campers to plan more easily by being able to book and pay for a campsite up to the last minute, whether you’re coming in from out of state in an RV or you’re a local trying to plan a weekend camping trip on a Friday. Of the Colorado campgrounds, more than 20 that are first come, first serve. Backyard Science: What Is So Cool About Snow. The trees overhead provide ample shade during the hot summer days and you can access the trailhead for Mt. However, there are 37 sites, including one double site and several which can accommodate RVs, so if you leave at the right time, you’re likely to snag a spot! And even if you enjoy the thrill of wondering whether you’ll have a spot when you arrive tonight, you could still drive to the park and see if anything is available before you pay for your campsite, as long as no one called in and booked it before you got there. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If you prefer dispersed camping instead of campground camping, click here to check out a full list of dispersed camping options in this region. Fourmile Campground is conveniently located near lots of amenities. Sometimes sites will become available at the last minute if you wait in line for them. Maybe I’ll look at private campgrounds or a trip closer to home. Park Campground check-out time is noon, and check-in is 1 pm. Woods Lake Campground features three loops with 41 campsites adjacent to Woods Lake in a thick aspen forest. Camping in or near Northern Colorado isn't hard to do without long-held reservations. Set amongst lodgepole pine trees, Lynx Pass Campground facilities include vault toilets, fire grates and picnic tables in each campsite. “Dispersed camping is a great way to get outdoors for those who prefer to go car camping outside established areas, or for backpackers who want to hike into a remote spot,” Stockbridge said. To see a full list of campgrounds in Rio Grande National Forest, click here. Due to its location, size, offerings and price, Deep Lake Campground is the most popular campground on the Eagle Ranger District. About 38 miles southwest of Creede, Lost Trail Campground is an isolated spot near Rio Grande Reservoir. Consider arriving at your campground on a. . When we haven’t slept outside for a while, our senses long for it. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. As we continue to monitor the latest guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DEP is taking proactive measures and preventative actions to protect visitors, staff and volunteers. To see a full list of San Juan National Forest’s campgrounds, click here. Once you’re on the grounds and have selected your site out of the 14 available, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to an outdoor oasis. Because it’s secluded its still a bit of a hidden gem and often has open spots when surrounding campgrounds are full! The where and when are equally as important while attempting a last-minute camping adventure. Fun + Obscure Holidays You Should Celebrate This Year in Fort ... 8 Dreamy Winter Drives in Colorado to Explore This Season. These cookies do not store any personal information. This is a fantastic campsite with unparalleled views! Claim one of the 10 campsites available and make plans to go on a hike via the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness just across the road. Camp Colorado is provided by the Colorado Campground & Lodging Owners Association (CCLOA) to assist camping enthusiasts in locating some of the finest of Colorado’s campgrounds, glamping, RV … ©2021 The Group, Inc. All rights reserved, While you can set your GPS on all the amazing campsites in the world, if you show up to a site on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend — you’ll be in trouble. Learn how your comment data is processed. Adjacent to the Cache La Poudre River, Big Bend Campground offers eight sites — including three walk-in tent sites — and a tent pad, fire grate and picnic table at each one. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Dip into Sylvan Lake, duck into Fulford Cave, or take a hike along the Ironedge Trail — all of which surround Yeoman Park Campground! There are three campgrounds set within the woods by West Maroon Creek: Silver Queen, Silver Bar and Silver Bell – Silver Bell offers walk-in sites that are great for tent camping… Yes, yes, I do. Understandably so, spots fill up quickly on the weekend. To see a full list of the area’s campgrounds, click here. The Home Ranch Colorado’s only Relais & Chateaux dude ranch offers a seemingly endless list of things to do, but creature comforts abound, too — from the elegant Western accommodations nestled in aspen groves to the haute mountain cuisine that has been hailed by Bon Appétit and Gourmet.