The best waterside camping near Cañon City

Skip the crowds and pitch your tent by the water in Cañon City. With over 1,200 waterside campsites, you’ll find sites along the Arkansas River, tucked below limestone cliffs, or right at the edge of quiet fishing ponds. Expect to pay around $50 a night, though you can snag a spot for as little as $15 if you plan ahead. Top picks like High Peaks Campground (335 reviews), Sweetwater River Resort (155 reviews), and Camp Penguin at WPR (135 reviews) get high marks for easy river access and laid-back vibes. Bring your dog, light a campfire, and cool off with a swim or cast a line after a day on the trails. Most sites offer showers, and you’ll rarely be far from a good fishing hole or a quiet patch of riverbank to call your own.