The best camping in Arapaho National Forest, CO

With a whopping 1.5 million acres of natural landscapes to explore, Arapaho National Forest is tailor-made for outdoor adventures. Five State Scenic Byways run through the forest, along with thousands of miles of hiking, biking, OHV, and horseback riding trails, leading the way to mountain lookouts, forest hideaways, and lakeside swimming spots. If that’s not enough to keep you busy, you can also enjoy boating and canoeing on the lakes, go rafting along Cache la Poudre River, or hit the slopes at the Winter Park, Loveland, and Eldora ski resorts. Campers have options, too, from lakeside recreation areas to primitive camping along the trails.

• Best for lake views: Arapaho Bay Campground has 81 campsites with swimming, boating, and fishing right on your RV doorstep.
• Best for horsey Hipcampers: South Fork Campground is one of the few Arapaho campgrounds with horse corrals and direct access to trails.
• Best for escaping the crowds: Echo Lake Campground has 18 simple sites where you can swim, fish, or hike the Mt Evans Trail. 

1. Some of the park’s 53 campgrounds can be reserved in advance online or by phone; others are first-come, first-served.
2. Campsite reservations open 180 days in advance and close four days prior to the booking date. An exception is the Arapaho National Recreation Area, where campsites must be booked a minimum of 5 days in advance. Group campsites can be booked up to 12 months in advance.
3. Campsites can book up quickly, especially for holiday weekends and during peak season (June-Aug)—make your reservations several months in advance.

Outdoor activities are enjoyable year-round in Arapaho National Forest, whether hiking amid the spring wildflowers or snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter. Peak season runs from mid-May through September, and many campgrounds close outside of this period. Crowds are common at popular recreation areas and lakes, especially in July-August, so make an early start and plan extra travel time to account for traffic. 

• Arapaho National Forest is divided into five ranger districts—Boulder, Sulphur, Canyon Lakes, Pawnee National Grassland, and Clear Creek—and adjoins the Roosevelt National Forest. It’s about a 1-hour drive from Denver or a 30-minute drive from Boulder to reach the forest.
• Many areas and trails are free to visit, but passes are required for the Mount Evans, Brainard Lake, and Arapaho National recreation areas. Fees are payable in addition to camping fees, and reservations are required.
• Dispersed camping is allowed, but be sure you are on state land and avoid free camping near trailheads, day-use car parks, and picnic sites.
• Cell phone service can be patchy in mountain and wilderness areas.
• Fire bans are common during dry periods, and some areas have permanent fire restrictions.
• There are wheelchair-accessible campsites and restrooms at Arapaho National Forest.