Camping near Pueblo
A quiet water sports destination at the base of the Rocky Mountains.
- Pueblo
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Camping near Pueblo guide
Overview
Pueblo sits in the high desert area in southern Colorado on the edge of the Great Plains. It’s one of Colorado’s most culturally diverse towns and offers year-round outdoor recreation opportunities, namely water sports. The one-mile Historic Arkansas Riverwalk is a downtown highlight, where you can not only enjoy the beauty of the river along the path but also watch kayakers paddling the rapids at the Pueblo Whitewater Park. Campers will find overnight options outside of town at Lake Pueblo and in the surrounding national forest.
Where to go
Downtown Pueblo
Downtown Pueblo is filled with restaurants and museums. It’s also a popular destination for kayakers, considering one of Colorado’s best whitewater rivers flows right through town. The park spans nearly a half-mile of the Arkansas River and features man-made rapids and drops. You can find several RV parks on the outskirts of town.
Lake Pueblo State Park
Located just west of town, Lake Pueblo State Park is a popular spot for water sports. When the reservoir is full, there are some 60 miles of shoreline and over 4,600 surface acres of water, meaning that despite the lake’s popularity, it never feels overwhelmingly crowded. Two full-service marinas rent jet skis, motor boats, and paddleboards, and the campground offers nearly 400 campsites for both tents and RVs.
Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway
The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway is a 131-mile scenic drive between Canon City and Cripple Creek, Colorado. The route passes numerous mining ruins, historic sites, and outdoor recreation areas as it retraces the old supply routes between some of Colorado’s biggest gold rush towns including Florissant, Victor, Cañon City, and Florence. It’s a great option for history buffs and campers will find overnight options along the byway.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Set two hours southwest of Pueblo, Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of America’s newest national parks, home to the highest sand dunes in North America, where visitors come to hike and sled. Campers can stay at the park’s Pinon Flats Campground and wake up right at the base of the dunes.
When to go
Pueblo’s mild year-round climate makes it an excellent destination any time of the year. The town is often overlooked as a Colorado outdoor destination, so it’s a great option in summer when crowds flock to more popular mountain towns. That being said, Lake Pueblo does see its share of visitors in summer, so campground reservations are strongly recommended. Pueblo is also home to the Colorado State Fair, which runs for two weeks in late August and early September.
Know before you go
- Pueblo is known for its Mexican food, so make sure to try the city’s signature dish: the slopper, an open-faced cheeseburger smothered in spicy green chile sauce.
- Head to the city’s Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center for pleasant hiking trails along the Arkansas River.
- The Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River is one of the most scenic stretches of the river, and rafting trips are offered from outfitters in Pueblo.