The best camping near Boulder, Colorado.

Tucked amidst Colorado’s grand landscapes, Boulder is an outdoor lover’s dream. Hike the trails in the craggy Flatirons, or bike through tallgrass prairies. To the west, the Roosevelt National Forest and the rugged Rocky Mountains rise high above the plains. All of this, plus 245 sunny days per year, makes for world-class camping.

In the summer, head west into the mountains for high-elevation camping. Paddle or fish in Brainard Lake from your Pawnee Campground site. At Camp Dick, pitch a tent in a glacial valley and hike or bike the Buchanan Pass Trail. Or, drive toward Nederland and Estes Park to reach the camping areas in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Get off-grid in Golden Gate Canyon State Park—there’s no cell service so you can disconnect. Camp year-round at Reverend’s Ridge, which offers electrical hookups and hot showers. Dine on a private picnic table at the tents-only Aspen Meadows, or hike to one of 20 backcountry camping spots.

Near Boulder campgrounds, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails wind through the Roosevelt National Forest. From spring to fall, join the locals in rock climbing at Boulder Canyon. Keep in mind that the weather is cooler in the mountains; warm layers are a must. When the high-elevation sites close for the winter, park your RV at the Boulder County Fairgrounds.