83% (43 reviews)
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K
Kat
1 day ago
15 ft travel trailer
With pets
What a lovely surprise! Chas helped me park my little trailer as well. The landscape was stunning. It was a clear night and the stars did not disappoint. Sunset and sunrise were beautiful. Camp site was clean. Loved having a shelter w picnic table!! My cat went back packing to see the cows w me and then did a walkabout in the morning. I am traveling cross country and finding this gem of a spot a welcome surprise. Chas and his wife were gracious hosts.
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Bonnie
2 days ago
Group trip
We had 4 adults for 2 nights and had a wonderful time! The grill and all of the items were great quality and condition. The WiFi was super fast!
The outdoor fire stove was even better than a traditional open campfire.
They just opened a new cabin down the road that looks like it’d be great if you had a larger group.
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Annette
3 days ago
10 ft pop-up camper
We loved camping on the well cared for land. The owners are wonderful.
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Christine
5 days ago
1 night at Buford Canyon
Amazing view and an awesome cabin. Chas is a great host and makes staying on the property very easy.
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Laura
5 days ago
With kids
One of our favorite hipcamps ever. Gorgeous site, very private with access to hiking right on the property. Well appointed cabins and friendly, welcoming host. Thank you!
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Dan
1 week ago
Weekend Trip to Rocky Mountain Glamping
Dot & Byron were super hospitable and friendly and the frontier tent was even better than the pictures indicated. Highly recommend checking out this spot if you’re traveling and don’t want to lug out all of your camping gear or for any other reason!
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Rachele
1 week ago
Tent
With pets
Chas and his wife were so incredibly nice! We had a wonderful stay on their beautiful land.
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Eric
1 week ago
Weekend Trip to Buford Canyon
Great spot, with an amazing view. Very clean and well kept. Chas was very flexible with arrival and extremely kind and helpful.
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Jennifer
1 week ago
Tent
With kids
Our family really enjoyed learning about local history and current agriculture operations while staying on her farm! The setting was very peaceful with views of the mountains and pastures from our site. Bonnie met us on arrival and made sure every need we had was met. She even covered our firewood before a storm rolled through earlier in the day so it would be dry for us that evening when we arrived. In the morning, we took a short drive to Louisville for some pastries from a local bakery. We will definitely be back the next time we are in the area!
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Taylor
1 week ago
2 nights at Rocky Mountain Glamping
I would highly recommend this glamp site. It was very well equipped and the amenities like a warm shower, fully stocked kitchen, and comfortable mattress made the stay wonderful. Also, the location is great for exploring the surrounding area, and Dot and Byron are so friendly and helpful. The grounds themselves also have several beautiful, peaceful common areas, and their on site trail was lovely. I will definitely stay here again in the future!
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Candice
2 weeks ago
25 ft travel trailer
When we arrived we were escorted to our site, shown where all hookups were, explained camp rules, told where to find bathhouses and office hours, if we needed extra help. Completely welcomed and felt quite comfortable on our FIRST camping adventure!
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Jordann
2 weeks ago
Tent
Absolutely beautiful campsite! I really enjoyed the wild flowers and creek. Very easy to find the campsite, and easy to hike in and out! Really happy to experience this camp!
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Katie
2 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
We adored the creek side camp site! Very cozy camp with beautiful nature all around. Highly recommend Shawn’s land! Tranquil and private. Our dog loved the environment.
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Trip
2 weeks ago
32 ft pop-up camper
With pets
Site is clean, well organized, and well maintained. There's a very calm, peaceful vibe here.
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David
2 weeks ago
34 ft Class C
With pets
Beautiful, private and secluded. Highly recommended!
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debra
2 weeks ago
Weekend Trip to Basecamp On The Poudre
Super chill. Nice layout. Firepit is epic. Great view. Love hearing the river all night
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Kathryn
2 weeks ago
Tent
We really enjoyed the east of this spot. The river access was wonderful for fishing and for the dogs to swim and roam without bothering other campers. The site was great with lots of space for 3 tents and 3 SUVs. The porta potty was really clean and the dumper was emptied.
There was an old run down house on the campsite which scared the kids in our group a little—thinking it was haunted. I didn’t realize that was there. It ended up not being an issue, but was caught off guard by it. The mosquitos were terrible so be prepared, to be expected when you’re in the woods and near water!! We went through 5 cans of bug spray and still left with lots of bites. The highway was a little louder than we had expected so if you’re looking for peace and quiet, this may not be the spot for you.
Overall, we had a really great time and our two year old had the best time on his first camping trip! The host and the information he provided was very clear and helpful. Ted’s place was stocked with everything we needed.
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Rebeca
2 weeks ago
Tent
We really loved our weekend in Canyonland Bliss! It's absolutely beautiful and so nice to have a little creek closeby. We could hear it all night and it was so peaceful. Definitely take the notes about the bug spray and distance from the parking seriously. It's a good trek to and from the car, about 250 steps each way. And the bugs don't come to play, so bring bug spray! The spot is close to the road but it wasn't disruptive to us since this spot is a little further in. We saw our neighbors but mostly couldn't hear them. The path to another spot intersects the path for this one so you will see your neighbors somewhat but we didn't have any issues with that. We loved this place and recommend it!
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Top public campgrounds in the park
Stay at a public campground in Roosevelt National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds near Roosevelt National Forest
Camping in Roosevelt National Forest guide
Overview
About
Administered in conjunction with the Arapaho National Forest and the Pawnee National Grassland, the Roosevelt National Forest is a popular getaway from nearby Fort Collins, attracting campers and day trippers alike throughout the year. The Cache la Poudre River, the only designated Wild and Scenic River in Colorado, winds through the forest, and attracts experienced white-water rafters and kayakers in search of thrills as well as its fair share of anglers, particularly in spring and summer. The greater Arapaho-Roosevelt-Pawnee area offers 53 designated campgrounds plus 10 wilderness areas ideal for backcountry adventures.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for RV camping: North Fork Poudre Campground can accommodate RVs measuring up to 35 feet in length.
- Best for short breaks from the city: Sleeping Elephant Campground is just over an hour from Fort Collins.
- Best for planning ahead: about half of the sites at the Peaceful Valley Campground can be reserved during high season
Tips for snagging a campsite
- The Roosevelt National Forest offers a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served (FCFS) campsites. If you’re looking for an FCFS site, it’s usually best to arrive early in the morning to beat crowds or to nab a site from a departing camper.
- Arrive mid-week for the best shot of securing a good site, particularly if you want to camp in the busy summer season.
- Reservable sites open for bookings at 8am Mountain Time, six months in advance. If you’re trying to book a popular spot or a cabin, try to reserve as soon as it’s released.
When to go
The Roosevelt National Forest is a year-round destination, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure no matter the season. Popular wintertime activities include ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing. Early spring and summer are popular for white-water rafting along the Cache la Poudre River, while July and August see the biggest crowds when it comes to camping and hiking; if you want a bit more forest to yourself, September is a great alternative.
Know before you go
- Cell service can be spotty at best in the Roosevelt National Forest. Be sure to download offline maps before heading out. Having a paper map as a backup is wise, too.
- Forest fires are an issue in Colorado, particularly in the summertime. Be prepared for burn bans and potential road and campground closures.
- Check ahead for the latest information on snow-related road closures if you’re visiting during the wintertime. It’s a good idea to also pack chains or get snow tires if driving in higher altitudes during the cooler months.
- Bicycles are not allowed in wilderness areas, and dogs must be kept leashed at all times.
Nearby attractions
Experience the beauty of camping in Poudre Canyon, a picturesque mountain getaway. Set up camp amidst towering cliffs, hike scenic trails, and listen to the soothing sounds of the Poudre River. Enjoy fishing, spot wildlife, and create lasting memories in this tranquil natural paradise.
83%
43 ratings · 21 reviews
Not recommend
· January 2021
This is a small campground that offers little hiking without trespassing on private property! There is a twenty acre active mine above this campground. Trespassing is not only illegal it's dangerous! New fencing & signs will be going up this summer.
Kim S.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2019
Beautiful lake. Very peaceful. Campground host was wonderful. Campground is clean.
The Free Birds- #livefree
www.livefreebirds.com
IG: thefreebirdsrv
G
Gwendolyn M.
5 years on Hipcamp
September 2019
Small campground by creek. Lots of room between sites. Very pretty location.
-The Free Birds RV-
https://livefreebirds.com
IG: thefreebirdsrv
G
Gwendolyn M.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2019
Open camping. arrive early in the week
S
Sunni M.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2019
A very nice campground with electric hookups and a easy hiking trail around the camp.
J
Jackie S.
6 years on Hipcamp
June 2018
If you are a straight couple/family etc.. you will have a great time. Rick will be warm and welcoming, friendly, and inform you how to deal with bears and moose nearby. My girlfriend and I (two women in our 20s) on the other hand had the worst experience. One of the first lines out of his mouth was homophobic, so luckily we both ‘pass’ as straight. He asked us if we were together in which we had no other choice but to say no. He came back multiple times throughout the night, telling us ironic/suggestive stories of “young women” trying to get his money. I am exhausted having to protect myself from men who treat women this way. If one of us had been a boy, he wouldn’t have given us a second glance. I am so sad a man like this has authority.
A
Anonymous A.
7 years on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· January 2018
The better campground is Camp Dick which you access by driving through Peaceful Valley. All fill up fast in the summer months due to the proximity to Boulder and Denver.
Terry G.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2017
Large area is designated for a boy scout summer camp program. There are other spots near and around that are for the public and it has incredible views with little light pollution.
Spencer T.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2017
Great campsites and the camp host, Rick, is a great guy who will go to great lengths to make sure your stay is pleasant.
R
Ralph I.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2017
Bring cash to pay for the site
Abby S.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2017
The camping we found was dispersed and you could bring your car up to the sites.
Z
Zak L.
7 years on Hipcamp
August 2016
Nice small campground with only 9 sites. The tent sites are in a cluster of cottonwood trees, and the RV sites have "some" trees at the back of the sites.
Each site has a path to the river, which is nice! There were a lot of people launching tubes right out of camp and going down half a mile, walking up, and doing it again. Fishing was good with flies and worms, nothing big, but that may have been me. This is a good site where you won't be overwhelmed with people since it's small.
It's on our return to list for Cache la Poudre camping.
G S.
9 years on Hipcamp
October 2015
Wonderful campground though not all sites are created equal - some are fully exposed (ie no tree canopy) and are very close to each other. I would highly recommend reserving the walk-in sites as the are more secluded and surrounded by trees.
The area around the campground is beautiful, and chock-full of hiking trails. Wildlife can often be spotted, whether a fox crossing the road, or a moose drinking water by Brainard Lake.
Elena E.
9 years on Hipcamp
October 2015
If Peaceful Valley is full, try Camp Dick. Terrible name, but it is right behind Peaceful Valley. For an even better experience, go into the backcountry, permit required. This is a great jumping off point for crossing the continental divide...although its a bit of a hike, so be prepared!
Jody C.
5 reviews
October 2015
The road to Brainard Lake is only open in the summer. Mid-June through early fall. If the road is blocked/locked, there is no fee, but there is a 2 mile hike from the parking lot at the fee station, so be prepared for that. Also, this is a very popular area, so be prepared for lots of people. No backcountry camping in this area.
Jody C.
5 reviews
October 2015
Love this place! Brainard Lake is a great place enjoy the great outdoors in the quintessential Colorado setting. Glacier fed lakes, soaring mountain peaks, and babbling brooks make this the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Also, this place is a known hot spot for the growing Colorado moose population, so keep your eyes out. There is a entrance fee ($10 per passenger car, good for three days), so make sure you have cash, but trust me, it's worth it!
Johnathan V.
10 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
This might be the nicest campground in Colorado, at least in the loop that did not suffer the blow down from high winds. The campground itself is all newly redone. Sites are huge and clean with a bear box in each site. Accommodations from walk in tent sites to sites that have a 75 foot long parking spot. It is only a few hundred yards to Brainard Lake and the jewel that is the Indian Peaks Wilderness just past that. There is near endless hiking here with pristine alpine lakes and even access to the continental divide. You can't go wrong.
Tom N.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
The staff was so friendly and helped us get paid and oriented. Our site was quiet and clean and the previous campers left us some firewood. They did not sell any wood at the campground so pick some up in Ward. Access to Brainard Lake and the lakes beyond for hiking was the highlight for us.
Evan W.
10 years on Hipcamp
August 2015
This is a great smaller campground when you want a quick escape from Denver but still close to fun Ned and great trails. Vault toilets and campsites very clean. Don't be fooled by the description, the small playground is old and our kids didn't stay very long.
M
Mary Jane V.
9 years on Hipcamp
June 2015
A nearby lake called Creedmore Lake is a bit quieter than Dowdy and offers a more secluded environment for fishing, hiking or tent camping (you don't need to reserve a spot, just be ready to carry your things for .5 miles) Definitely worth checking out!
Amy B.
2 reviews
May 2015
We stayed here the night before attempting Meeker and Longs (meaning 2:30-3:00 AM departure from camp). Super convenient for that, but also super busy...and therefore loud! The caretaker is awesome, though! Just a friendly old lady who lives there
Mitch W.
10 years on Hipcamp
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- Roosevelt National Forest