The best camping near Mueller State Park

Set among 5,100 acres of forest and meadows, this state park offers tons of recreation opportunities throughout the year. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding on the 44-mile long tail system in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. There are also a number of stocked ponds in the park as well as a visitor center offering interpretive exhibits. Camping options abound at the park, with a variety of loops offering everything from quiet walk-in sites for tent campers to RV sites with electric hook-ups. The park also has three cabins for those who would prefer a few more creature comforts.

• Best for hikers: the northernmost loop at the park, Grouse Mountain offers direct access to the Grouse Mountain Trailhead.
• Best for RV camping: Revenuers Ridge offers electrical hook-up sites and easy access to the seasonal comfort station.
• Best for quiet time: Turkey Meadows offers quiet walk-in sites among the trees

1. You can reserve cabins and campsites through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife online reservation system or over the phone.
2. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Same-day reservations are also available, online or over the phone.
3. Only a handful of campsites are available during the winter season, which normally starts in October and runs through April.
4. If you are having trouble securing a site for your preferred dates, your best bet is to look into RV parks, Hipcamps, and private campgrounds.

Camping season at Mueller State Park is between May and September, although there are generally a few sites available for winter camping during the off season. The park is at its most busy during July and August (though these months also get the most rainfall). Special educational programs also take place in the summer months at the park’s amphitheater. Temperatures start to dip in late September and sub-freezing temperatures are the norm from December through February.

• The nearest town to pick up supplies is Midland, about a 10-minute drive south of the park.
• Campsites 12 and 22 are ADA accessible, as is the Ponderosa Cabin.
• There are a lot of opportunistic black bears in the park, and it's not unusual to spot the creatures in spring through fall. Food must be secured in hard-sided vehicles and campers are advised not to sleep in the same clothes that they cook in.
• Camper service buildings are closed during the winter season, which usually starts in early October and runs through April.