The best waterside campgrounds near Leadville, Colorado

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.

97% (3.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Lodge pole forest

94%

(47)

13mi from Leadville · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Fairplay, CO

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

2. Gondola Village at Holy Cross

93%

(160)

15mi from Leadville · 4 sites · Lodging · Red Cliff, CO

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)

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.

97% (3.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Lodge pole forest

94%

(47)

13mi from Leadville · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Fairplay, CO

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

2. Gondola Village at Holy Cross

93%

(160)

15mi from Leadville · 4 sites · Lodging · Red Cliff, CO

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)

Stories from the community

C

Chris

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lodge pole forest

Don was super responsive and helpful! Nice spot that has a beautiful mountain view when you wake up!

F

Frasier

October 2025

2 nights at Gondola Village at Holy Cross

Relaxing cabin in the mountains! Make sure not to over pack so you can actually enjoy the hike up to the cabin!

Jessica

September 2025

2 nights at Gondola Village at Holy Cross

We loved this special little village. It's a very well-kept cabin and has everything you could need. The hike in was a bit tough, but well worth it and very straightforward! We were able to see lots of wildlife and enjoy time at the nearby lake. There's a marmot that runs around the abandoned town and plenty of pika in the surrounding area. Will remember this trip for a while.

L

Laura

September 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Lodge pole forest

We booked Don's place last minute and he was a lifesaver. Super nice and relaxed. Would recommend!

Whitney

August 2025

1 night at Gondola Village at Holy Cross

What an absolute GEM of a spot! Went up for a little solo retreat, and the cabin had absolutely everything I needed for a cozy camping experience but with a roof over my head and all camping basics provided plus a little more! I hiked over to Cleveland Lake, enjoyed the cozy cabin at night, and woke up to a stunning sunrise. It’s a relatively accessible spot, meaning you don’t have to hike very many miles to get there, but you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere in only the best way. Would absolutely come again!!!

W

Wesley

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Lodge pole forest

Amazing, thanks don! We really enjoyed our stay. Great location, do mount sherman!

R

Ruth

June 2025

2 nights at Gondola Village at Holy Cross

Such a cozy and peaceful cabin! Perfect for a quiet getaway—remote enough to feel like an escape, but still super comfortable and well equipped with everything you need. The host was incredibly responsive and helpful, which made the whole experience seamless. Would absolutely come back!