Camping near Westcliffe with wildlife watching
Freshwater fun amid desert dunes and mountain terrain makes camping near Westcliffe unrivaled.
93% (2163 reviews)
- Westcliffe
93% (2163 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Westcliffe
Under $50
Dog-friendly getaways
12 top campgrounds near Westcliffe with wildlife watching
82%
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Dreamweaver's Sanctuary
21 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Crestone, CO
Dreamweaver’s Sanctuary is an evolving artist collaborative project and homestead that focuses on sustainability, creativity, spiritual growth, with mindful community values. We host events and workshops, prepare meals, and we are now offering Usui-Tibetan/Holy Fire and Crystal Reiki for those looking to balance and replenish the Mind, Body and Soul. Expect surprises as we are always incorporating new and fun ideas to enhance your experience and bring unity to the locals of Crestone. In addition to this project, we invite you to join us for Hip Camp. A rustic camping experience in Crestone, Colorado with the most majestic views.
About the land:
Imagine setting up camp in the high desert of Colorado, resting in the quiet of nature, and awakening to birds singing to you as you lay nestled in an ancient Cottonwood Grove. Next you open your eyes to the Majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, overlooking the Great Sand Dunes. Enjoy a fresh and power packed smoothie to break your overnight fast or join us in our off-grid rustic zen community kitchen and prepare what you so choose. Find yourself a comfortable spot and spend some time in meditation or join others in our Meditation Tent, engage in a peaceful and mindful conversation with other campers, enjoy a garden walk or book a Crystal or Holy Fire Reiki Session. Did we mention the sunsets!? In the evening stargazing is a favorite, as Crestone is a Dark Sky Community. And all of that is just here at the sanctuary! Venture out and find hiking trails, take a short drive and enjoy your day at the sand dunes, enjoy local Hot Springs or visit one of Crestone’s many spiritual centers or temples. While we hope you will choose to stay with us, keep in mind that this is a family friendly environment and we welcome pets. Note that we are 4:20 friendly, but kindly discourage the use of non-recreational or illegal substances and the misuse of alcohol on the premises. We have outdoor solar shower amenities and composting toilets and outhouses. There is a water and tea station available. Wifi is available near our Tech Deck.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga 11:30 am in Vimana
- Sacred Fire Offering @ Sunset Daily in Vimana
Crestone is a very special place and we look forward to meeting you here!
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$28
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High Peaks Campground
22 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Moffat, CO
Welcome to the San Luis Valley; the highest Alpine Valley in the world!
This campground sits close to the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. You can also see the San Juan mountain range to the east in the distance. San Juans are part of the NW rim of the Continental Divide.
Great Sand Dunes are visible from every site. With unlimited mountain views, beautiful starry night skies, come see the Milky Way, Eclipse, Meteor showers!!!
Previously known as High Desert Ranch Campground, this land was originally part of a large ranch in the 1980s. The main ranch is still up and running but this parcel was used for many purposes over the years.
In 2021, we were featured in USA Todays Ten Best for star gazing!
My property has 360 degree mountains views with the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range as our back yard. Nearby you can find many different trail systems for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking to jeeping, ATV or dirt biking and equestrians - you can find it all!
You will be surrounded by ranch land and state land with Wildlife Refuge just two miles away.
Accommodations for those with livestock, just make sure you chat in advance your initial message.
Close to BLM, and National Forest as well as 3 hot springs within 20 miles and the Great Sand Dunes.
We are still under construction and making changes often so bear with us while we continue to add and change things for the better!
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$38
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95%
(127)
Hummingbird Ranch
12 sites · RVs, Tents360 acres · Rye, CO
Learn more about this land:
Hummingbird Ranch is a gorgeous sprawling ranch in Colorado's Spanish Peaks Country with panoramic views of the Wet Mountains and across the plains to the Spanish Peaks. Location is only 12 easy driving minutes from I25. Come experience the dark Colorado skies and quiet secluded campsites with scenery all around...
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$33
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94%
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Rabbit Hole Ranch
102 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Alamosa East, CO
The Rabbit Hole Ranch offers beautiful unobstructed views of the majestic Blanca Massif and the Great Sand Dunes and is just a (gorgeous) 35 minute drive from both to include Zapata Falls. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is a must-see, and I am grateful for the opportunity to offer you a place nearby to set up camp and go exploring.
Alamosa, the largest town in the SLV, is just 20 minutes away. With a population of around 9,800 Alamosa has that small town feel and has the goods and services you will need.
Camping here at the Rabbit Hole Ranch is primitive and dispersed (no numbered sites) and there 30 acres available for you to use. Typically, you will experience a rare kind of solitude and silence that feels…. other-worldly, with incredible sunrises and sunsets filling the enormous skies.
On holidays, however, expect it to be busy.
Our two Great Pyrenees are here to help keep you and your pets (and our chickens) safe. Please help make their jobs easier by not leaving any food or trash in or around tents.
Please keep your pets on leash or under control until you’re comfortably certain they get along with all four of our dogs. This year we have a new Great Pyrenees to greet you, his name is TheoVon and he is huge! Returning this season is KayLee also a GP and and Finn, who is a little Benji lookin rescue from Alaska who just LOVES everybody. And then we have our latest addition, Kya, Shes a rescue as well and spent way too much time in an apartment before coming to stay with us, This will be her first season with us and she is 1 1/2 years old. A more energetic dog than what were used to around here but so far so good! Hopefully you happy campers can help us socialize the new dogs!
Quiet time begins at 10:00 pm.
Note: Holidays still offer the excellent location and spectacular views, but are likely to be less quiet and far more busy. We do not strictly enforce quiet time during holidays.
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$48
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Mountain Bird Alpine Desert
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Moffat, CO
Our land is out away from all the noise and lights. You can see the milky way and the stars at night are amazing. then to have the view of the Sangre de Christo mountain range is amazing to enjoy. The surrounding valley has lots to offer from the quant little towns and coffee shops to the home style meals at the restaurants. and all the hot springs are amazing.Your site is overlooking the Sangre de Christo mountain range. The land is Alpine desert with sagebrush and ground cactus and incredible star gazing. There are 2 great hiking trails within a couple miles. There are 3 hot springs within 30 minutes. The Great sand dunes national park is within 1hr. The San Luis valley offers, hiking, mountain biking, ATV trail, Horse back riding, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, rafting, refuges for wildlife watching.
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$25
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Rollin Boles RV Ranch
1 site · RV, Tent36 acres · Moffat, CO
36 Acres all to yourself below the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. Hotsprings right across the street, along with many others near by. Amazing hiking all around you! If you're into offroading, check out Marshall pass rd/Poncha creek Rd. Medano pass is another one of our favorites and is an amazing way to finish out a day in Sand Dunes National Park.
Joyful Journey hot springs is 3 mins away and for $15 you can soak all day long and enjoy a hot shower before returning back to camp.
An hour to Great Sand Dunes National Park. 3 hours from Durango, 3 hours to Denver, 2 hours from colorado springs. 30 mins from Salida.
Mailbox available to get whatever packages you need!
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$20
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Cliffs Edge campsite
3 sites · Tents150 acres · CO
Welcome to cliffs edge campsites.
Almost glamping, you will have a fantastic experience while staying in our spacious and comfortable bell tents. Sitting by the provided gas fire pit and watching the clouds pass over the Pikes Peak range is a time to remember forever. This extremely unique space allows campers to enjoy city lights below, and incredible stars lighting the sky above.
Enjoy over 160 acres of unspoiled Colorado front range wilderness. Backed up against billions of acres of national forest, these woods have had little human contact until the campsites were erected in 2022.
End of the road privacy for these Rugged cliff top campsites with awesome views of Pikes Peak and surrounding areas. Behind locked gates, enjoy privacy and piece of mind Within the Locke Mountain Vineyards private ranch. Rarely used Private access to San Isabel national forest, groups can follow an old mining road, perfect for miles of mountain hiking and sure adventure for all.
Less than one hour drive to the Royal Gorge, Pueblo reservoir, and other local attractions. Endless hiking and exploring of the canyons on the 160 acres of private property. Bring your binoculars to to enhance the vistas from camp, or even a spotting scope for long range game viewing.
Golfers Driving range is great fun. Feel free to smack the provided golf balls into the abyss for max distance. Also the golf ball scavenger hunting in the canyon below can keep the kids busy for hours.
Truly a destination campsite, worth a few nights stay. This place is Sweet!!!
Notes
-No fires what so ever! Fire danger is extremely high in this area.
- Although we are only forty miles from the Sand Dunes park, it is a four hour drive to get there, so maybe not the best area to stay if the dunes are on your list.
- Days in the summer can get pretty hot and shade is hard to come by, so plan a day trip to Florence river park, (about 30 minutes drive)and hop in the Arkansas river and cool off.
- this is a wilderness area and all Colorado wildlife is present.
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$88.88
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Camp Penguin at WPR
5 sites · RVs, Tents35 acres · Cañon City, CO
Learn more about this land:
Note: NO FIREWORKS or GUNS are allowed to be used on the property.
#WanderingPenguinRanch #CampPenguin #LifeOnTheMountain #2024
Don't forget we're at over 9,000 feet elevation and temperatures and weather conditions can vary greatly. Be prepared for all seasons!!!
Camp fire usage depends on current weather conditions at the time of visits in addition to any state/county restrictions that may be in place (host approval required)!!! IF there are no restrictions and fires are allowed, we have firewood bundles and/or starter packs for purchase at $10/bundle/pack. We also have two propane fire pits available for rent (see "extras"), or you are welcome to bring your own. If you have purchased wood and there are restrictions/bans, we will gladly apply your wood purchase the rental of a propane pit. Propane fire pit usage may also be restricted by current conditions or state/county restrictions!
We got a few more chickens last Fall and all seem to be doing great. We are hoping they will start laying sometime in March. They should lay several dozen eggs a week. Fresh eggs are available for purchase (when the girls are cooperating) by the dozen, or half dozen (see "extras"). You and/or your children are welcome to accompany us to gather the eggs in the evening, or we can just have them bundled and ready for you when you arrive.
*UPON ARRIVAL at the property, please WAIT INSIDE our main gate (unless otherwise directed via prior communication with host). The host(s) will meet you there shortly after passing through the gate and direct you to your site.
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Camp Penguin at Wandering Penguin Ranch (facebook.com/CampPenguin) in southern Colorado is about a 3 hour drive from the Denver metro area, 90 minutes west from Colorado Springs and just under an hour north west from Canon City. We provide a variety of site options to choose from including tent sites, car/van/truck sites, and rustic trailer site options - all with NO amenities (NO electric/septic/water, etc). Additional vehicle parking on the property can be accommodated for groups with more than one vehicle. Please provide type of camper/tent and number of vehicles at booking so hosts can help direct you to the best site option available.
Upon arrival campers will be greeted by Hosts and together can choose the site that works best for them from the currently available sites. Several sites are available next to our quaint little pond, or on the ridge overlooking the pond. Campers can also choose to camp in one of the nearby aspen groves, or even in the towering pines on the upper side of the property (the pine sites require HIKING to access). Each site provides its own unique beauty, mostly with an amazing view of the west side of Pikes Peak in the distance.
Guests can relax around our small pond or roam freely around our 35-acre property. There is both hiking and fishing at Badger Creek only a short drive away. Waugh Mountain State Trust Land is another hiking option and is also just a short drive up the road (*NOTE: the State of Colorado now requires a valid hunting/fishing license to access state trust lands)! Additionally, we are about 45-90 minutes away from a variety of alternative adventures! Some of these include Salida, Cripple Creek, Eleven Mile Reservoir, Paradise Cove Swimming Hole, Florissant Fossil Beds, Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, Manitou Incline, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Cave of the Winds, Seven Falls, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience, several rafting/zipline and Jeep tour companies, Westcliffe, Bishop Castle and Canon City including Skyline Drive, Tunnel Drive, Royal Gorge Train, Museum of Colorado Prisons and The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey. Any of these can be done as a day trip or visited while on your way here, or home. (*NOTE: some of these attractions are free, some require a fee and some are seasonal. To avoid disappointment, PLEASE do your own research prior to arrival)!
Guests need to be self-sustaining to camp here as there are no facilities nearby (gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.)! But, if you are looking for a peaceful, quiet getaway to commune with nature, a chance to see wildlife and simply relax.... We're your place - book your visit now!!!
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$34
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Glamping at the Ranch
5 sites · Lodging15 acres · Cañon City, CO
Enjoy the lovely setting of this romantic spot in nature. Kiowa Kabin is a peaceful spot to relax after a day of adventure. It's about 2 miles to several trails for dirt biking, ATV, hiking, & mountain biking in the San Isabella Forest. Trailer Parking so bring your ATVs and dirt bikes. A Short drive to the Royal Gorge train and park, St Abby's winery, Arkansas rafting and fishing, restaurants and shops. Comes with almost everything for your off grid in nature experience, even an outhouse / shower enclosure.
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$127
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Cactus Gilled Ranch
3 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Silver Cliff, CO
Nestled in a pine forest in Colorado’s first named dark sky community, this 16 acre property is the perfect mountain get-away for a weekend or extended stay. Come for the mountains and stay for the stars. Camp or park an RV and enjoy the fresh air at 8500 ft elevation in this breathtaking valley.
Rainbows and lush green grass in the spring, stunning sunsets in the summer and fall, and of course winters so quiet and tranquil you can finally feel the peace you have been missing. Our lot is located 20 minutes from the town of Westcliffe, where there is access to a laundromat, shower, groceries, and other amenities. Bike or hike in the surrounding BLM land, surf the Great Sand Dunes, or take a trip to Bishops Castle and San Isabel Lake, located only 45 minutes from the site. Also located nearby is Canon City, which boats the Royal Gorge, plenty of antique shops, and other fun attractions.
This property is home to a small hobby farm. Farm fresh eggs are available to you in the morning. Be greeted by the sounds of woodland birds and of course our silly little goat bleats. All of the animals on site are friendly, though we do ask you to not bring animals as they may interfere with our working dogs or livestock. Bears, bobcats, mountain lions, and coyotes have all been spotted in the surrounding areas as this location is very remote. However, due to our livestock guardian dogs, your chances of seeing these predators is low. Please reach out with any questions! We hope you can unplug and visit soon :)
BEFORE YOU VISIT:
If you would like to what the road looks like before you visit, please visit our ig @fungusamongusco and look at the highlight titled "Road to Home". In the past we have informed hip campers that they needed a more "rugged" vehicle to access the site, but we've had everything from RV's to vans to Nissans visit our home. So long as you take it slow, you will be fine :)
ABOUT US:
We have called the Wet Mountain Valley home for the past 3 years. During the summer and fall, we operate a small-scale organic mushroom farm, selling fresh produce, tinctures, and body care products to our local community. Self-sufficiency, supporting local business, and honoring and connecting to nature are very important to us and we're so glad others find the same solace as we have in one of Colorado's last small towns! If you would like to learn more, please visit our website fungusamongusmedicinals.com or find us on instagram @ fungusamongusco.
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Little Owl Canyon Campground
5 sites · RVs, Tents120 acres · Beulah Valley, CO
We have 120 acres of hiking, biking and 4 wheeling just 30 minutes west of Pueblo. Experience the mountains from the gentle acreage with a beautiful canyon.
Lake Pueblo is nearby, and just an hour or so to the Sandia Christos, Canyon City, Royal Gorge, Bishops Castle, Pueblo State Park and Greenhorn Mountain.
Much of the campground is fenced providing safety for pets and children while also protecting the campers from wondering wildlife.
We provide an outhouse area next to the campsites. We have a barn with kitchen, beds and bath that can be used under negotiations.
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$35
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Mountains, Trains, and Sand Dunes
3 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Fort Garland, CO
As the Scenic Passenger Train is heard in the distance you'll look up towards Mount Blanca and imagine your next adventure living among the wildflowers of this High Desert Mountain Hipcamp. After recovering from a wildfire, the ancient sage brushes that had previously made the land harsh and unwelcoming are gone, replaced with an abundance of grasses and wildflowers. Open Land as far as you can go to the East you'll follow the Coyote canyon to high mountain lookouts. There are old logging maintenance roads you should take advantage of. Hike, Bike or Motor around the local area. Fort Garland and Blanca have a community center (pool), septic dump and water fill and can provide groceries. The Great Sand dunes are about 45 minutes away. The Sand Dunes swimming pool, fed by a very hot artisan well is about an hour away. Mountain Home Lake is also within 1/2 an hour or so for fishing/water sports with a nice boat ramp. Escape from light pollution like never before, a clear night sky will make the whole trip worthwhile! Lots of wild life and you will most likely see some deer, hear the coyotes, and count the different colors of the humming birds. You can book a train ride out of Alamosa, and visit the local historic towns. The views will make it hard to leave the campsite, but there are tons of experiences and things to do in the area so make sure to do some research before you arrive. The weather and wind can be unpredictable in the mountains, so be prepared. There are two entrances onto the property, one at the bottom and one at the top. You can avoid some wind by camping near Lewis-Smith Rd at the lowest part of the land. Also, the site can accommodate large trailers/RV's but just make sure to plan your entrance/exit carefully and don't go to far down the hills. Just choose a wise spot to park if in a big rig. There are some small tires around that you can use to sit on or if you dig a hole that you fill in before leaving you can make a temporary toilet. Make sure to haul out all your trash and leave the site cleaner than it was when you arrived and respect the land. If you do come across a mess from the previous camper and clean it up, just let us know and we will give you a refund for the night. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
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Star Hosts in Westcliffe
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Camping near Westcliffe with wildlife watching guide
Overview
If you're craving a wild adventure near Westcliffe, Colorado and love wildlife watching, Hipcamp has got you covered. With over 2700 options specifically tailored to your preferences, you'll find the perfect campsite to immerse yourself in nature. Whether you're a seasoned camper or new to the game, there's something for everyone. Check out top campsites like Glen Isle Resort (461 reviews), Rustic Creek Ranch (363 reviews), and Serenity in the Foothills (295 reviews) to learn more. Prices range from as low as $5 per night to an average of $40 per night. Popular amenities include pet-friendly sites, clean toilets, and refreshing showers. Plus, you can enjoy exciting activities like whitewater paddling, biking, and boating. Get ready to experience the great outdoors like never before!
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.