The best camping near St. Vrain State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next St. Vrain State Park adventure.

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Get outdoors without driving far at this state park between Denver and Fort Collins.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near St. Vrain State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in St. Vrain State Park

Bald Eagle Point

10 sites · RVs, Tents In St. Vrain State Park

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Pelican

17 sites · RVs, Tents In St. Vrain State Park

Red Tail Pond

7 sites · RVs, Tents In St. Vrain State Park

Sandpiper

4 sites · RVs, Tents In St. Vrain State Park

Kestrel

11 sites · RVs, Tents In St. Vrain State Park

Tail Feathers

3 sites · RVs, Tents In St. Vrain State Park

Coot Pond

11 sites · RVs, Tents In St. Vrain State Park

Mallard

15 sites · RVs, Tents In St. Vrain State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near St. Vrain State Park

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Prospector’s Rush

7 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Central City, CO

Welcome to Prospector’s Rush campground located on a 5-acre old mining claim near Idaho Springs, Colorado. This unique rustic campground offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature while experiencing the rich history of the area. 4WD is necessary to access our property!!! As you arrive, you'll be greeted by the untouched beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the sound of a nearby stream. The campground is surrounded by towering pine trees and a variety of wildlife (moose, deer, elk, turkeys and black bear), providing a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Prospector’s Rush campground offers tent sites and RV sites, each with plenty of space for campers to spread out and enjoy the natural surroundings. While we do not have running water on site, we do have a pit toilet. This is a true camping experience, allowing you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in the simplicity of nature. As you explore the area, you'll discover remnants of the old mining operation, including abandoned mineshafts. You can also hike the nearby trails, or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of the starry night sky. At Prospector’s Rush campground, we pride ourselves on offering a true wilderness experience, with limited amenities to ensure that you can fully appreciate the natural beauty of the area. Come visit Prospector’s Rush campground and discover a piece of Colorado's rich history while immersing yourself in the peace and tranquility of pure nature. 4WD is mandatory!!

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Arapaho Valley Ranch

68 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Granby, CO

Arapaho Valley Ranch is a gorgeous, family-owned guest ranch in Colorado’s beautiful Grand County. Our ranch is surrounded by the Arapaho National Forest and is nestled in one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This area features hiking trails, waterfalls, and historic steam engines from the old town of Monarch. We have a private hiking trail that leads to our “kissing swing” overlooking the headwaters of the Colorado River Valley.

Clear Creek Getaway

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · CO

Welcome to Clear Creek Getaway! NOTE: Absolutely no smoking in the A-frames Bedding: A-Frame-3 and 7 provide a bed and bedding only all others you will need to bring your own For the glam dome: file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/cd/13/3781DC46-F036-428E-BFC5-447B16E14D54/Image-1.jpeg Roads : This is a mountain getaway so the roads are dirt. If you have Awd and keep your speed up you will make it fine. The road is a loop the backside can have rocks so please drive up in high clearance vehicles no need for crazy lifted just SUV-Trucks type We are available all year round. No power in units. All A-Frames come with a grill and propane (see photos), and there is also a solar motion light on the deck. All A-frames have heat for the winter months (propane heaters). Located 10 minutes by car from historic gold town Idaho Springs. River rafting when in season. We also have some of Colorado’s best fly fishing. Awesome hikes nearby (Gray's Peak). We are also close to st Mary’s Glacier, gold mine tours, great small-town restaurants (Marion’s pizza, Beau Joe’s) Hot springs within miles. We have portable toilets located close to the units Great views and there is an old mining cabin at the top if you find it please post your pictures! Georgetown lake 5 miles west I 70 Paddle boarding , train ride through the hills Grays Peak Fourteener 7 miles west I 70 St. Mary’s glacier 2 miles east I70 Hot Springs 2 miles east I70 All mining roads can be used for off-road purposes at your own risk. Be careful, very steep and rocky. ( Please note ) after tremendous amounts of work on the road, it seems 2wd cars cannot make it and this place is not suitable for those campers. Please do not block the road going up or the residence in the mobile home park on the front of the road. When coming from east exit 234 Dumont go left over I 70 to Stanley and then left behind the mobile home. Come from the west 235 go left under I70 at Starbucks turn right go 1/2 mile first right go back over I 70 to Stanley and harvest moon trail go left up behind mobile homes NOTE THIS IS LOOP DONT TAKE STEEP ROAD (GO TO THE LEFT).

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Uncle Charlie’s Ranch

10 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Black Hawk, CO

Uncle Charlie’s Ranch is an escape from the big city, we are only 45 minutes from Denver. Our property hosts the experience of Colorado’s nature and so much more; we offer therapeutic spring water soaks, warmed via our wood burning stove, fresh mountain spring drinking water and easy access to local trails and fun. Our lake is paddle board friendly, and while we do not offer fishing on the property, there are several locations nearby to fish. Message us for more information regarding camp sites and things to do!

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Creekside Paradise

5 sites · Lodging, Tents42 acres · CO

Located perfectly between Boulder, Nederland, and Rocky Mountain National Park, and very close to other stunning hikes, this spot is a great landing pad to have easy access to some of the most beautiful places in the Rockies as well as offering it's own breathtaking scenery. This land is the sacred land of the Arapaho tribe. Chief Niwot and his tribe spent winters here. It is a very special place. The property is a mile long so there is plenty of space with the tent sites being 1/2 mile from the yurt and separate entries for each. There are currently 2 tents sites available, a bell tent, and a yurt.

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North Shore RV Park & General Store

20 sites · Lodging, RVs3 acres · Loveland, CO

Located in Loveland, Colorado, North Shore RV Park & General Store offers full 20/30 amp water and sewer sites along with cabin rentals for those seeking something a little more different. One may enjoy the many amenities offered that include laundry facilities, fire ring/grill, trash services, general store and a fire pit to name a few. Spend the day outside enjoying outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, canoeing, stargazing, waterskiing and wildlife viewing. Whether its for a night or two, we hope to see you soon!

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Mountaintop Serenity

6 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Conifer, CO

500 acres of mountaintop land, aspen and evergreen forests, rocky outcroppings, 180deg views, serenity, room to roam, all this just an easy 35min drive from downtown Denver!

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A-Lodge Boulder

7 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Boulder, CO

A-Lodge Boulder is a 30 room lodge just 2 miles above downtown Boulder, Colorado. We are located in a wilderness area of Boulder Canyon, right at the junction with Fourmile Canyon. We have three #vanlife sites and four tentsites for offer on Hipcamp. We have a hot tub [CURRENTLY DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE 05/02-05/15], grills, seasonal pool (Memorial Day to Labor Day), meeting space, outdoor beer garden, bathrooms and showers for campers and a wonderful trail to Betasso Preserve right from our property. The Fourmile Creek runs through our property along our large lawn area. Great views and you might see bear, deer, elk, moose, foxes, or even a mountain lion! Tent sites are just a short walk, about 100 feet, up to our platforms. We provide the platform for your tent as well as access to all of our lodge's amenities; front desk, lobby, bar & beer garden, fire pits, grills, bathrooms, shower, outdoor common areas, free wifi, etc. Our guests love us too! "First time Hipcamper and A-Lodge visitor here, I’d definitely recommend checking this place out if you’re traveling to the Boulder area. The tent platforms were easy to get to and spaced far enough apart for privacy and generally a nice break from setting up a tent on a gravel pad. WiFi was stable throughout my visit and I was able to get some work done before heading home."

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Boulder Tintype Ranch

7 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Valmont, CO

Welcome to our charming 2-acre farm nestled in East Boulder, just minutes from town - near walking trails, a bike park, shopping, restaurants. Personally, I consider our field a pitstop on your way to or from the mountains… a good place to pause and restock. Plenty of folks stay for multiple nights, but I don’t think it’s a “destination” so to speak. We don’t have any amenities / facilities, save for a fire ring and all the wood you can burn. We don’t have much shade, WiFi, water, a toilet, or electricity… so please keep that in mind BEFORE you make a reservation. But we do have chickens! Eyes only please… Fresh eggs available every morning. First come first serve at the coop. THE GOOD: *Easy in and out location *Most affordable rates in all of Boulder. *Beautiful view of the mountains. *Summertime creek on the property. *Fresh eggs!!! *Tintypes! *Community campfire with free firewood THE BAD: *Daytime road noise (pretend ocean waves??). *Limited shade. *Maximum stay of 4 nights. *Total RV length 35-40 feet - Truck AND Trailer - due to a steep and winding entrance and exit. *No amenities / facilities. We can handle RVs up to 35-40 feet in TOTAL LENGTH - TRUCK PLUS TRAILER. This is important. It’s a big field, but a narrow, winding and steep ramp to get in and out. If you are a nervous driver, perhaps choose another place to rest your head. If you are an amazing driver with tons of experience, you can probably even go bigger. No designated spots. Please feel free to park anywhere you’d like, while leaving enough room for other campers. It is flattest along the fence by the pond - leveling boards are stacked up in the field to borrow. Please note there is no access to the pond itself. It’s our neighbor’s property. We've got Tintype Portraits! I am a Wet Plate Photographer specializing in 1800’s antique metal portraits made of silver. A free night stay is included in the price of every portrait. Check out: TheTintypeCompany.com if you get the chance. Please be aware that our chickens often roam freely during the day. Non-aggressive dogs are welcome but must be leashed if they pose a nuisance or danger to the chickens. We are indeed the cheapest Hipcamp in the area, and our goal is to remain as affordable as we possible can for Boulder. Alternatively, there is a $22 place up near Loveland, a $36 farm in Longmont, and a van-only spot in Evergreen for $33… The local homeless shelter is also an option if you are car camping. No joke, it is wonderful. More like an hostel than a homeless shelter. And they have facilities!! Folks do it all the time if the shelter has the space that night. Showers, WiFi, even food. Their contact info is: 4869 N Broadway Boulder, CO 80304 bouldershelter.org +1 (303) 442-4646 If you are in a van and just looking for a place to park for a night, 33rd north of Arapahoe is your best bet. It’s right next to the Police station, so fairly safe. The streets aren’t level, but neither is our field! Great for vans, not so great for larger RVs or trailers. All that said, we would love to be your host. Our place is clean, safe, and quiet at night. It’s super convenient to town. Please reach out with any questions you may have. I’ll do my level best to help in any way I can. Safe travels! Sincerely, Patrick

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Camp Wilder

5 sites · Lodging, Tents7 acres · Nederland, CO

Welcome to Camp Wilder! We are an off-the-beaten-path camp offering peace and solitude. The main cabin is very special to my family and me. It was passed down as a mining claim from my grandmother who founded it in the '60s. The vision for the land was simply perfect. A small 10 x 10 cabin with the whole mountain to explore and whoever they wished to bring with them. The town of Nederland is 10 minutes down the road where you can fish at Baker Reservoir. Lots of fun little stores in town to keep the family busy. Wildlife is everywhere up by the cabin/campsite with lots of great things to look for around the magical town of Nederland! The cabin sleeps up to 8 with the futon downstairs being very comfortable and cots upstairs in the loft for more sleeping area. Bring your sleeping bags to stay cozy at night. There are lanterns inside to light up your night with a wood stove to keep you warm at night. The ground around it is sloped so you may have a hard time setting up any tents around the cabin. The grocery store is in Nederland where you can buy food, Coleman green propane bottles and wood. Don't forget to take some water with you. There is a 3 burner Coleman stove to cook on with limited pots & pans as well as silverware Road disclaimer, the road to the cabin is one lane dirt road. The drive up to the cabin is pretty good but the turn onto the single dirt road to the cabin has a slight dip, if you have a low-clearance car it may bottom out when you are turning so be careful. No Trailers. They will not be able to turn around once there. Recommend vehicles with AWD. We are @ 10,000 feet and it is a slight hike to the cabin. When leaving please make sure both door locks are locked, put the key in the lock box and mix the code for the next camper.

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Rocky Mountain Glamping

5 sites · Lodging, RVs5 acres · Lyons, CO

A Rocky Mountain Glamping Experience! *** Bliss Camp awarded Runner-Up for Best Glamping in Colorado for 2023 and 2024 *** We are excited to announce that Spring has at last arrived with Summer moments occurring with warmth and lots of clear skies. Wildflowers are going off at lower elevations and some above. With all of the late Sprin g moisture this shoule become a spectacular Wild Flower year! Additionally, with a new Starlink booster we mow have internet at all camps. Welcome to Bliss Canyon! Relax stream side in your private camp overlooking lush nature and towering rock outcroppings. Stroll along a rushing stream or head up challenging Moose Track trail to Balancing Rock. After your day of adventure or kicking back enjoy a hot shower. Share your revelations of the day around the campfire, roast marshmallows, or relish your favorite beverage or special treat as you unwind. The open air, covered Kitchens have sinks, fresh, potable hot water, kitchenware, gas stove —pots, pans, dishes, utensils, etc, BBQ with side burner, critter-resistant food safe, bear-proof trash can, and picnic table outside. We provide a convenient propane campfire for safety since our climate is dry and often windy. No candles or open flames please. There are easy trails on property along the lush stream (the original riverbed of the Middle Saint Vrain Stream), fishing or swimming in the pond (no lifeguard on duty), or challenging trails into Roosevelt National Forest from the property. (Ask Hiker Dot for guidance.) Several National Forest access points, where you can enjoy peaceful walks away from crowds, are a short drive. Bliss Canyon is a spur off of breathtaking, picturesque South Saint Vrain Canyon. Stroll on over to the South or Middle for renowned fly fishing. For climbers, there are over 50 climbs in South Saint Vrain Canyon! Dark Skies, if you like to watch the stars and meteor showers Bliss Canyon is blessed with dark skies with little light from the plains. Bring you telescopes and explore the Universe. Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the five Crown Jewels of the National Park Service, is nearby. The closest trailhead in RMNP is 10 miles, the next trailhead at Wild Basin entrance to the park is 13 miles, and the Beaver Meadows entrance (main entrance) is 36 miles. Rocky Mountain National Park has breathtaking drives, easy strolls with interpretive signs, and 360 miles of trails. (Advance reservation required for entry 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for main park, or 5:00 am to 6:00 pm for Bear Lake corridor.) Indian Peaks Wilderness also has several nearby access points and trailheads. Ask Dot for details. Spring and Summer, 2023 has supplied tremendous rainfall providing amazing wildflowers all over Bliss Canyon and way beyond. Fall Colors are forecasted to be over the top this year starting in September to late October. This years moisture should produce colors like we rarely see. Bliss Canyon explodes with color and is a great base camp for Aspen viewing along Peak to Peak Highway, Rocky Mountain National Park and all the surrounding areas. The famous Fall Elk Rut starts the beginning of September. According to Byron, the Elf Rut is one of the best National Geographic Moments on the Planet! This is a must experience event! We are located near Rocky Mountain National Park which typically provides the best opportunities to view the Rut, as well as other areas near the Park. During the Fall we provide "Little Buddy" propane heaters for the Gypsy Wagons and the Frontier Tent to help you warm up during cold evenings. Let the world melt away; there is no wifi or cell service, (Unless you really want it! Starlink signal now reaches each camp.) the world will survive without your input. In the event of urgent need, come to our home up the hill and ring the bell and we can get you connected. The charming town of Lyons is 20 minutes away with coffee shops, restaurants, bars, lots of great live music, library with free wifi, and quaint shops*. Also, Spirit Hound Distillery received the award for the #1, Best Whiskey in the World in 2022, hmmm, it might be worth a tasting! Dot and Byron look forward to hosting you in our spectacular Rocky Mountain Paradise. Wir sprechen auch Deutsch!

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Shady Grove at OwlTree Farm

2 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Fort Collins, CO

We are the FIRST Farmhouse on the right (south side of road) heading east from I-25! Look for the red road stand and big greenhouse tunnel. Enjoy shady, sheltered sites under mature trees on a working Permaculture/regenerative agriculture farm. The sites are fairly flat and level, and offer nice privacy, set well away from the road and our house and barn area. Each site has a patio table and four chairs, as well as gas and charcoal grill for our guests to use. Unfortunately we can not allow open bonfires at this time. Plenty of space for cars, tents, and RVs. We are located approximately 3 minutes from Wellington and 12 minutes from downtown Fort Collins. Can you say BREWERIES!?!? Tour the farm and gardens, check out nearby Pawnee National Grasslands, or head into the mountains for epic adventures! Savor meals made with eggs and produce raised right here on the farm. Easy access from I-25 north of Fort Collins, a gorgeous agricultural setting with mountain views just a few steps away from the campsites. Farm-fresh produce, eggs, and frozen chickens are available for purchase at our self-serve road stand 24/7 during the growing season. 420 Friendly!

The best camping near St. Vrain State Park guide

Overview

About

Midway between Denver and Fort Collins, St. Vrain State Park (formerly known as Barbour Ponds) offers year-round camping plus plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, no matter the season. The park is situated on 604 acres of land with an additional 152 acres of waterways that can be used for boating and fishing, but not swimming and there are around seven miles of flat, interconnected trails for walking and jogging. For those who want to spend the night, St. Vrain has eight campgrounds, roughly half of which have full hook-ups, plus coin-operated showers, restrooms, and a dump station.

Notable campgrounds

Best for anglers: Mallard Campground is conveniently close to three of the park’s well-stocked ponds.
Best for RV campers: Kestrel Campground offers full hook-ups for a lush RV camping experience.
Best for a quiet experience: Red Tail Pond Campground has only seven campsites, ideal for those wanting to avoid the crowds.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Campsites are available to reserve up to six months in advance and can be booked using the Colorado Parks and Wildlife online reservation system or over the phone. 
If you’re flexible with your arrival and departure dates, you can check availability for a period of up to four weeks using the online system.
Same-day walk-in reservations are sometimes available on a first-come, first-served basis.
While campsites are likely to book up fast during the summer season, note that only 40 of the 87 campsites are open for winter use, so booking ahead is still a good idea.

When to go

St. Vrain State Park is open for year-round day use and camping, though it’s at its most popular during the warm summer months. Fall is ideal for birdwatching, trout-fishing is best from fall through spring. Ice-fishing is an option during winter months. The park also holds special events focusing on subjects such as fishing and migratory birds; check with the park for up-to-date details.

Know before you go

The closest place to get gas, groceries, and other supplies is the town of Firestone, about a 10-minute drive away, or the city of Longmont, a 15-minute drive from the park.
Showers here are coin-operated. There's no coin changer on site, so remember to bring quarters.
Dogs are welcome, provided they stay on a six-foot-long or shorter leash.
Swimming in the park’s ponds and reservoirs is prohibited.
All campers need to purchase daily or annual parking passes in addition to paying for campground reservations. Parking passes can be purchased online or in person.

Nearby attractions

Experience the beauty of camping in Poudre Canyon, a picturesque mountain getaway. Set up camp amidst towering cliffs, hike scenic trails, and listen to the soothing sounds of the Poudre River. Enjoy fishing, spot wildlife, and create lasting memories in this tranquil natural paradise.