The best camping near Estes Park, Colorado.

Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, where 415 square miles of adventure awaits. Hike and ski across windswept ridges, bike down winding trails, or relax and enjoy the view. Do it all from your dream campsite, whether that’s a park campground or a backcountry spot in the Colorado Rockies.

Inside the national park, five campgrounds sit close to 355 miles of hiking trails. Wake up to flowering meadows at Glacier Basin, or enjoy the mountain views at Moraine Park. Aspenglen provides shaded campsites, and Timber Creek offers access to the west side of the park. For a high-elevation experience, head to the tents-only Longs Peak.

From May through September, the park’s campgrounds fill up fast; reservations are a must. If you can’t book a spot, Longs Peak and Timber Creek are first-come, first served. There’s no cell reception inside the park, so it’s an excellent opportunity to get off the grid. You’ll find RV parks with Wi-Fi and full hookups closer to the town of Estes Park.

If you’re bringing little ones, the swimming pool at Estes Park Campground at Mary’s Lake is sure to be a hit. Wildlife-spotting is a favorite activity at the city’s East Portal campground. For wild camping, get a permit and backpack out into the national park. Nearby, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests also allow dispersed camping.

Estes Park sits at 7,522 feet; many local campsites are even higher, which means cold weather and occasional storms. Above 9,400 feet, you might even see snow in July. Pack layers of clothing to keep you warm and dry year-round.