The best waterside camping near Leadville

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Leadville draws waterside campers with its high-altitude lakes and rivers framed by mountain views. Dive into over 2,600 waterside spots where you can pitch a tent or park up close to the water’s edge—options start as low as $5 a night, with an average of $62. You’ll find campsites along the Arkansas River, next to quiet trout ponds, or beside fast-flowing creeks. Hot picks include Rustic Creek Ranch (827 reviews), Glen Isle Resort (598 reviews), and Rustic Glamorous Artist's Cabin (298 reviews). Expect basic toilets, fire rings, and pet-friendly policies. Bring your fishing rod, keep an eye out for elk and osprey, and don’t forget snow gear if you’re coming outside summer—Leadville’s weather changes fast.

96% (3.2K) 3 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Leadville

Lodge pole forest

1. Lodge pole forest

94%
(47)
13mi from Leadville · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
This property was once a Gold mining encampment in the turn of the last century, just out of view nestled in a pine forest, Learn more about this land: It’s like a national park setting in the trees, you should be very aware that wildlife wanders through here 24/7, near several national forests and gold medal fishing as well as beautiful hot springs within 40-45 minutes
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Water hookup
from 
$80
 / night
Gondola Village at Holy Cross

2. Gondola Village at Holy Cross

93%
(160)
15mi from Leadville · 4 sites · Lodging
Gondola Village at Holy Cross is a little sanctuary in the mountains between Vail, Leadville, and Aspen. There is little nearby except for the next door Holy Cross Wilderness, with a lifetime worth of trails, lakes, and peaks to explore -- all only two hours from Denver. Gondola Village at Holy Cross has direct access that many dream of to Colorado's water wilderness, and some of the best backcountry skiing, hiking, scrambling, backpacking, and fly fishing in the Summit Vail Eagle Aspen area. Our modern alpine cabins are some of the cutest cabins you'll step foot in, complete with a mix of amenities to make your wilderness stay a bit more comfortable. Gondola Village at Holy Cross is at 11.5k feet above sea level (believed to be the highest altitude Hipcamp in the world). Gondola Village at Holy Cross has been featured on Discovery Channel’s Reclaimed, Airbnb's OMG! Fund, Arch Digest, and the site of many product shoots. The managers of this property have worked in yurt, ADU, and cabin construction and hospitality for many years and have brought together some of the best Scandinavian and modern design with a mining town aesthetic. The trip up can be challenging (only off-road, winch / locker equipped vehicles dare try the 759 Holy Cross City jeep road, others will need to hike in at least 2.5 miles), but the views and cabins are well worth the trek. Snow free season tends to be June 15 an October 30 annually, and outside of this guests should be prepared for up to 11 miles of over-snow travel with no cars allowed (a bit less depending on snow coverage in the shoulder seasons from May 21 - early June and late October - November 21)
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$6
 / night

Leadville draws waterside campers with its high-altitude lakes and rivers framed by mountain views. Dive into over 2,600 waterside spots where you can pitch a tent or park up close to the water’s edge—options start as low as $5 a night, with an average of $62. You’ll find campsites along the Arkansas River, next to quiet trout ponds, or beside fast-flowing creeks. Hot picks include Rustic Creek Ranch (827 reviews), Glen Isle Resort (598 reviews), and Rustic Glamorous Artist's Cabin (298 reviews). Expect basic toilets, fire rings, and pet-friendly policies. Bring your fishing rod, keep an eye out for elk and osprey, and don’t forget snow gear if you’re coming outside summer—Leadville’s weather changes fast.

96% (3.2K) 3 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Leadville

Lodge pole forest

1. Lodge pole forest

94%
(47)
13mi from Leadville · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
This property was once a Gold mining encampment in the turn of the last century, just out of view nestled in a pine forest, Learn more about this land: It’s like a national park setting in the trees, you should be very aware that wildlife wanders through here 24/7, near several national forests and gold medal fishing as well as beautiful hot springs within 40-45 minutes
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Water hookup
from 
$80
 / night
Gondola Village at Holy Cross

2. Gondola Village at Holy Cross

93%
(160)
15mi from Leadville · 4 sites · Lodging
Gondola Village at Holy Cross is a little sanctuary in the mountains between Vail, Leadville, and Aspen. There is little nearby except for the next door Holy Cross Wilderness, with a lifetime worth of trails, lakes, and peaks to explore -- all only two hours from Denver. Gondola Village at Holy Cross has direct access that many dream of to Colorado's water wilderness, and some of the best backcountry skiing, hiking, scrambling, backpacking, and fly fishing in the Summit Vail Eagle Aspen area. Our modern alpine cabins are some of the cutest cabins you'll step foot in, complete with a mix of amenities to make your wilderness stay a bit more comfortable. Gondola Village at Holy Cross is at 11.5k feet above sea level (believed to be the highest altitude Hipcamp in the world). Gondola Village at Holy Cross has been featured on Discovery Channel’s Reclaimed, Airbnb's OMG! Fund, Arch Digest, and the site of many product shoots. The managers of this property have worked in yurt, ADU, and cabin construction and hospitality for many years and have brought together some of the best Scandinavian and modern design with a mining town aesthetic. The trip up can be challenging (only off-road, winch / locker equipped vehicles dare try the 759 Holy Cross City jeep road, others will need to hike in at least 2.5 miles), but the views and cabins are well worth the trek. Snow free season tends to be June 15 an October 30 annually, and outside of this guests should be prepared for up to 11 miles of over-snow travel with no cars allowed (a bit less depending on snow coverage in the shoulder seasons from May 21 - early June and late October - November 21)
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$6
 / night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field