Top-rated campgrounds
Top-rated campgrounds
Stories from the community
The best safari tents near Golden guide
Where to go
Rocky Mountain National Park
Dreaming of a camping trip in the Rockies? Golden is just over one hour from Estes Park, a popular eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, and approximately two hours from Grand Lake, the primary western entrance. Inside the park, several campgrounds offer sublime views and access to adventures. While full hookup RV parks are not found directly in the national park, the gateway cities are home to private and public campgrounds offering a range of amenities.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Your best bet for finding free camping is to look for dispersed camping areas in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, which offers 1.5 million acres of open space in the Rocky Mountain wilderness, stretching north and south of I-70. Over 50 public campgrounds are available, with tent camping being more common than RV camping. Amenities like picnic tables, dump stations, and potable water are sometimes found.
Denver
Though Denver is a city, a surprising number of state park campgrounds and RV parks can be found, offering easy access to the vibrant downtown, museums, and shopping in the Mile High City. Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek State Park are two year-round public camping options, offering a mix of full hookup, electric, and basic sites. Amenities include hiking trails, laundry facilities, and free wifi at the visitor centers.
When to go
Summer is primetime for camping, as evening temperatures stay comfortable for tent camping and daytime temperatures are perfect for outdoor adventures. Spring is cooler, with variable weather. Fall brings the changing of the aspen trees, an annual celebration in the Colorado Rockies. Winter weather is always a possibility in both fall and spring, however. Winter brings unique recreational opportunities, but freezing temperatures and heavy snows are regular occurrences campers need to be prepared to handle.