94% (1.6K)
Top-rated campgrounds
94% (1.6K)
Top-rated campgrounds
Camper favorites near Blue River
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Stories from the community
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Nate
October 2025
4 nights at Laughing Valley Retreat
We had an awesome time at the Laughing Valley Ranch! Bill showed us around and we loved looking at the animals, he’s a very knowledgeable and kind man. The campsite was an a gorgeous outlook that made for fantastic views. We are birders, so loved all of the cool birds around. Joe also made our stay super easy and comfortable! He gave us rides to the site, made sure we had wood and water, and showed us some cool spots around the land. Big shoutout to Joe! Overall we really enjoyed our time here, great place to get away and take in the mountain view’s for a couple of days, while not being super far from Denver and the cute town of Idaho Springs. Recommend this spot for any hiking, camping, or overall nature lovers.
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Brian
October 2025
With kids
Amy and her tiny home far exceeded our expectations. The host and location could not have been a better fit. Even with my scheduling conflicts she made it happen. Highly recommended and looking forward to our next chance to reserve the tiny house.
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Sarah
October 2025
With kids
We had a fantastic stay at Laughing Valley a few weeks ago. The tent, campsite and amenities were impressive, making our experience comfortable and enjoyable. What truly stood out was our engagement with Joe, who took us on a tour and showed us all the cool ranch animals — his enthusiasm and kindness made the visit memorable. When a storm was approaching, Joe went above and beyond to ensure our tent was securely latched and that we felt safe and comfortable. Overall, we felt genuinely taken care of and already look forward to returning for another trip. Highly recommend!
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Anna
October 2025
With kids
William was great with my son showing him all the animals! Thank you!! The tent was well stocked and cozy. We had a great evening under the stars at this little slice of Heaven.
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Hannah
October 2025
With pets
Camping here was absolutely wonderful! From the drive up to the view from the porch, the scenery was gorgeous. The site itself is a bit tricky to find which was my only issue. Otherwise the location is perfect, and the lodging was stocked with a multitude of useful resources. I would definitely visit again!
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Adam
September 2025
With pets
Excellent location. Friendly host. Beautiful views! And very private.
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Nicole
September 2025
With kids
Beautiful views and quite comfy. 3 burner stove works great. Plenty of firewood in the area. Hammock was very comfy as well. Deer were in the area and bearberry grows on the hill. Would definitely stay again.
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Carissa
September 2025
With kids
The views from the spot were fantastic, and I was really impressed with how attentive and proactive the host was - from texting and driving us up to being there again when we left. It’s rare to have a host physically present both on arrival and departure, and it made the stay feel extra cared for. The tent is in good repair and tall enough to stand in comfortably and we appreciated many of the extras like woodstove and drinking water. My daughter especially loved seeing the animals and getting to take a donkey ride, which was a highlight of the trip.
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Jesse
September 2025
With pets
We had the absolute best time at the canvas tents! The animals were the highlight of our stay, the walk to the river was amazing as well. While we were there, a momma cow actually had her baby, which was such a special and unforgettable experience. The setting is peaceful, the tents are cozy, and you really feel connected to nature. Todd and Belinda are truly wonderful hosts. They made us feel so welcome and went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and memorable. If you’re looking for a unique getaway with a touch of magic, this is it. We can’t wait to come back!
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Amelia
September 2025
With pets
We will definitely be back. The views were INSANE and the land was very well maintained. Our dogs loved romping around.
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Carolyn
September 2025
Group trip
Great location, cute asses, comfy yurt, possible Sasquatch sighting.
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Jerrod
September 2025
With kids
We loved our stay in Idaho Springs!! The mountain views were just breathtaking! And Bill was super welcoming, friendly, and very accommodating. (Worth the trip just to get to know this very cool human being.) He was so kind with our boys, and we got a great tour of all his animals and of course, burro rides! Also Joe helped us quickly pack up and get up to our safari tent before a big rain storm came through. He worked very hard to make sure we didn’t get soaked, which was greatly appreciated! All in all, it was a very unique and gorgeous place to stay and we felt very well taken care of. Our boys loved it and had a ton of fun building forts, exploring little caves, and hiking the land. (Speaking of forts, if you see a big hole with tons of sticks over it, that was our boys’ handy work. We’ll see how long it lasts! 🙃)
Things to note: It’s a little bit of an intimidating dirt road up the mountain to get to the property, but even without four wheel drive, we were able to make it just fine. Also it’s quite a hike up the mountain to the actual safari tent, but we were able to load our stuff and ourselves onto the ATV, and Bill came and picked us up whenever we needed a ride down, which again was super accommodating.
All in all, we loved it and would go again! It’s exactly the kind of place we are looking for when HipCamping - unique and welcoming!
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Aidan
September 2025
Group trip
Amy’s Treehouse was the perfect retreat spot. It’s 12 minutes from town, yet still feels like you’re dispersed camping with the campfire ability and seclusion amid Nederland’s forest. Would recommend this for anyone who wants a cozy, quaint stay without having to camp. Bathroom facilities were extremely clean too. We will be back!
P.S. The husky was the cherry on top!
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Katie
September 2025
With kids
My kiddo (8yo) and I loved our stay and will definitely return. The campsite feels remote but safe with the BEST 360 views. We could have just sat on the porch all weekend staring at the mountains and had a swell time.
When we arrived, Bill gave us a quick tour of his ranch and had so many interesting things to share about his life and animals. What a neat guy. Joe picked us up on our way out and was very nice to talk to. Good folks and a great space all around.
The tent and cots were cozy and we made good use of the wood burning stove on cold evenings (we got set up with plenty of firewood thankfully). The camp area has solar-powered lights that illuminate the area, so spending time outside in the evening was so pretty.
Definitely check out the hike to the abandoned mine and be sure to thoroughly wander the campsite for interesting features. The only thing we would do differently is to bring disinfecting wipes to wipe down the kitchen and remember our aluminum foil to cook on the grate over the fire pit.
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Dylan
September 2025
Group trip
I’m 100% recommending this place. Absolutely meets and exceeds expectations set by the profile. We slept 3 adults comfortably and could have fit 4. The view from the cabin is breathtaking. The cabin is well stocked with sleeping pads, furniture and kitchenware.
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Chris
September 2025
With kids
We had an absolutely wonderful stay at Arapahoe Valley. The facilities were top-notch—having a well-stocked shop on-site and clean, heated bathrooms made everything so convenient. The landscape is truly unmatched, and arriving to find coolers, camp grills/stoves, bedding, and other essentials already set up was a huge plus. The other guests were friendly and welcoming, which added to the great atmosphere.
Our four-year-old was in heaven—he fell in love with the outdoors here. It was such a special experience for our whole family, and hopefullly we'll get to come back some day... we live in Georgia!
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Nina
September 2025
With kids
What a hidden gem! We stayed here with our three kids (9, 5, and 2) and had an unforgettable experience. The burro rides were a huge hit, and although we only met him briefly, Bill was incredibly welcoming and kind. Joe drove us up to the site and we had some wonderful conversations along the way.
The campsite itself was perfect—secluded enough that even just off I-70, we felt a world away from Denver. The views were stunning, and the clear night skies made for incredible stargazing. Our kids had a blast running around, and the tent was far more stocked than we expected, which made our stay so easy and comfortable.
We would absolutely love to come back. My only regret is booking just one night—it went by way too fast, and we wish we’d stayed longer!
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Joyce
September 2025
With pets
Belinda and Todd's place is great!! Our medium tent was ample enough for 2 adults, a 1yro and our 2 dogs.
We walked down to the river to pass the time. Our tent was a short walk to the bathroom/showers, so that was a plus.
One notable thing is the camp is right off a busy road, so there is noticeable car noise, but we still had a great time!
We will definitely be back 😊
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Jillian
September 2025
With kids
Beautiful glamping tent. Large and a ton of space. There’s a small solar panel charging unit available and an overhead light. Spacious covered porch area for cooking in any weather. Really enjoyed our stay. Glamping tents were close together so noisy at times but not too distracting. More of a communal environment.
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Jennifer
August 2025
With kids
Very clean, cozy, and lovely setting. Showers were nice and convenient.
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The best family-friendly glamping near Blue River guide
Where to go
Summit County
Enjoy year-round outdoor recreation here, where you can camp in an RV park near Breckenridge or pitch a tent near Lower Crystal Lake. In winter, campers can choose from heated cabins and yurts. Further north, find the towns of Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne around Dillon Reservoir, along with lakeside campgrounds for tents and RVs. Follow the river downstream to choose from several campgrounds around the Green Mountain Reservoir or backcountry options in the Eagle’s Nest Wilderness.
Vail and Eagle County
Head west over Vail Pass and camp with your tent or RV outside the resort town of Vail. Further south, find the quaint towns of Minturn and Red Cliff, plus several developed campground options within White River National Forest. Explore history in Leadville, then camp lakeside at Turquoise Lake or opt for camping and glamping options in Sylvan Lake State Park.
South Park
Head south to explore the South Park Basin. Near Alma, pitch your tent at Kite Lake. Near Como, find dispersed camping options near Boreas Pass and campgrounds in the Pike and San Isabel national forests. To the east, Jefferson offers easy access to the Colorado Trail, the Lost Creek Wilderness, and both developed and dispersed campsites. Further south, find the high basin hub of Fairplay, with both RV parks and US Forest Service campgrounds.
Georgetown and Guanella Pass
Head northeast to the historic mining town of Georgetown and drive the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, where Forest Service campgrounds and dispersed sites offer overnight options for campers. Drive up to the summit of Mount Evans, then park at the base to camp with your tent or RV at the popular Echo Lake Campground in Arapaho National Forest. Or head north to St. Mary’s Glacier for trails, boulders, and wildflowers.
When to go
Given Blue River’s elevation above 10,000 feet, summer is the best time to go camping and hiking. Many high-elevation Forest Service campgrounds are only open seasonally, while rafting is popular on the Blue River in late spring and early summer. Parts of the Blue River remain fishable in winter, a nice time to visit Breckenridge and other area ski resorts.
Know before you go
- Fishing licenses are required for anyone over age 16. Different fishing regulations apply to different parts of the Blue River.
- Permits are required for state and national wilderness areas. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are prohibited in designated wilderness areas.
- National forest campsites are often first-come, first-served, while campsites in Colorado state parks typically require advanced reservations.
- Be bear aware, especially when camping. Store food and other attractants in a bear-proof container away from your tent.