Camping in Arapaho National Forest

94% (41 reviews)

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Top-rated campgrounds near Arapaho National Forest

89%
(265)

Prospector’s Rush

10 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Central City, CO
Welcome to Prospector’s Rush campground located on a 5-acre old mining claim near Idaho Springs, Colorado. This unique rustic campground offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature while experiencing the rich history of the area. 4WD or AWD is necessary and mandatory to access our property!!! Accessing the campsite is an off-road adventure. Please only book if you are comfortable with off-road driving. As you arrive, you'll be greeted by the untouched beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the sound of a nearby stream. The campground is surrounded by towering pine trees and a variety of wildlife (moose, deer, elk, turkeys and black bear), providing a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Prospector’s Rush campground offers tent sites and RV sites, each with plenty of space for campers to spread out and enjoy the natural surroundings. While we do not have running water on site, we do have a pit toilet. This is a true camping experience, allowing you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in the simplicity of nature. As you explore the area, you'll discover remnants of the old mining operation, including abandoned mineshafts. You can also hike the nearby trails, or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of the starry night sky. At Prospector’s Rush campground, we pride ourselves on offering a true wilderness experience, with limited amenities to ensure that you can fully appreciate the natural beauty of the area. Come visit Prospector’s Rush campground and discover a piece of Colorado's rich history while immersing yourself in the peace and tranquility of pure nature. 4WD / AWD is mandatory!!
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$34.30
 / night
92%
(172)

Wideawake Ranch and Waterhouse

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Black Hawk, CO
Wideawake Ranch and Waterhouse (formerly known as Uncle Charlie's Ranch) is an escape from the big city being only a 50 minute drive from Denver. Our property hosts the experience of Colorado’s nature and so much more! Our larger pond is paddleboard and swimming friendly, the property has easy access to National Forest trails, and we are a short drive from additional hiking/biking trails. While we do not offer fishing in our ponds, there are several locations nearby to fish. **We also offer on-site natural spring water hot soaks (or cold plunges), warmed via our traditional wood burning stove, and fresh mountain spring drinking water available for sale. Check out our website for additional details on our Waterhouse. We look forward to hosting yourself, your family and friends, and your fur babies for a fun camping trip! Check us out on Instagram! We would love to be tagged in your fun camping trip posts! @Wideawakeranchwaterhouse **Hot soaks coming soon! We are currently remodeling our soaks, so please stay tuned! They should be available in August of 2025
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$63
 / night
91%
(305)

Arapaho Valley Ranch

68 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Granby, CO
Arapaho Valley Ranch is a gorgeous, family-owned guest ranch in Colorado’s beautiful Grand County. Our ranch is surrounded by the Arapaho National Forest and is nestled in one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This area features hiking trails, waterfalls, and historic steam engines from the old town of Monarch. We have a private hiking trail that leads to our “kissing swing” overlooking the headwaters of the Colorado River Valley. Property Description Disclaimer: The amenities, features, and services displayed in photos on our website or promotional materials are for illustration purposes only. AVR does not guarantee the availability, condition, or quality of these amenities at the time of your visit, and they are subject to change. AVR reserves the right to change, modify, or discontinue any feature or service without notice at any time. Guests must be at least 18 years of age or older to book and stay at Arapaho Valley Ranch.
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$65
 / night
96%
(177)

Boulder Chicken Ranch

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Boulder, CO
Welcome to our charming 2-acre farm nestled in East Boulder. Just minutes from town - near road biking trails, shopping and restaurants. A great pitstop on your way to the mountains - or base camp for the Front Range. We aren't fancy, but we are convenient, cozy and safe. Gate code will be provided 48 hours before arrival. NOTE: MOSQUITOES ARE BAD COME SUNSET - Nothing a campfire can't fix. We have spots in the meadow for RVs, Vans, Trailers, Rooftops and Tents. The grounds are a bit sloped but I provide leveling boards (please leave them behind). You may have neighbors, as it is literally an open meadow. We have a 4 meter canvas tent complete with a queen sized bed, fans, chairs, and a wood burning stove. We can handle RVs around 45 feet - truck and trailer. It’s a big field, but a narrow, winding and steep ramp to get in and out. If you are a nervous driver, perhaps choose another place to rest your head. We have a community fire pit with a pile of free burn wood, though the big logs are getting few and far between; bringing your own firewood is recommended, as well as an ax or saw If it's windy, please skip the fire... the BFD is very strict about this!! We have well water feeding a solar shower (only hot when the sun shines) and sink - non potable. We have a cold water plunge pool continually refreshed from the creek. I just built a new filter!! It’s a saving grace in the summertime. We have a community gas grill - please donate to the propane fund. We have fresh eggs up at the coop. Please help yourself. Watch out for the rooster. The chickens free range during the day, so KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR DOGS; leash if necessary. Our toilet is a porta john, pumped clean every Thursday. THE GOOD: *Easy in and out location close to town *Lots of sun *Outdoor solar shower *Cold creek water plunge pool *Fresh eggs *Good view of small airplanes *Community fire ring *Community gas grill THE BAD: *Mosquitoes!!! (bad right now - come evening they will carry your firstborn away) *Daytime road noise *Small airport nearby *No Generators *Almost zero shade *Shower only hot when the sun shines - almost zero privacy *Good Morning Rooster *5 day max stay Please reach out with any questions you may have. Safe travels! Sincerely, Patrick and Brooke
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$35
 / night
99%
(48)

Crystal Ranch

8 sites · Lodging, Tents3 acres · Golden, CO
Hello campers, wanderers, and travelers alike! We are nestled in the Coal Creek Valley up here at 8,000 ft. Gorgeous views with stunning sunrises and sunsets. We have two adorable tiny A-frames for rent with a seasonal outdoor shower and Porta Potty. We share this family home and love welcoming travelers into our little world we've created. Thank you for stopping by and we can't wait to meet you! A few Notes: - Quiet Hours between: 10pm - 8am - Wifi close to the home (password given on arrival) - BYOB (Bring your own bedding, sleeping bags, pillow) - You are responsible for packing in/out...all respectful land stewards welcomed - Bring your own towels if you're planning on using the outdoor shower. - Keep all food locked up appropriately. This is bear country, and while we've never had an incident, they are curious little guys. - No Kitchen. bring your own supplies if you'd like to cook in the fire pit. - Bring your own wood for the fire pit. All local fire ban laws apply when appropriate. ** No Smoking on the property **Outdoor Shower; Water is Turned off for the Season when Temps drop. ** Hot Tub is private and not available for use.
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$40
 / night
99%
(1210)

Serenity in the Foothills

12 sites · RVs, Tents3600 acres · Conifer, CO
We now offer disc golf to our guests for a $5 fee per person, course open in the morning to our guests and afternoons to public, ask about this when you check in. It is seperate from Hipcamp ***NO BOOKINGS ACCEPTED UNTIL YOUR CAR INFORMATION IS PROVIDED*** Basic car information will help us ensure you and your party have no issues driving on our forest roads. If you are looking to plan an outdoor event, send us a message. We would love to host your event! YEAR LONG FIRE BAN- propane fire rings are allowed. Propane fire rings and gas tanks available for rent. Welcome to Serenity in the Foothills. Located an hour west of Denver, this 3600 acre ranch features 12 spaced out campsites that offer quite a bit of privacy. There are tons of trails/ roads to hike and bike around on, as well as many amazing views. Resort Valley Ranch was combined from around 15 homesteads by the Corbin family. You will see lots of relics and evidence related to those homesteads across our property! Please do not disturb any artifacts or relics on our property, we are very conservation minded with the history as well as the natural beauty of the area. Come enjoy this hidden private jewel in the pines of Jefferson County, Colorado! We want to ensure your vehicle and trailer won't get damaged while commuting to your campsite. Please read about our campsites and make sure the one you pick works for your car/trailer. -NO fifth wheels (ALL sites). -Maximum length of trailers is 22ft(Select campsites) -Trailers must have adequate clearance: 8 inches or higher with no low hanging plumbing. -Sites 1, 2 : 4WD/ SUV- Short camper trailers only (12 foot max) -Sites 3 and 7 : 4WD/SUV vehicles only -Sites 4-12(excluding sites 7 and 11): 4WD/SUV with good clearance are recommended as well as trailers (22 foot max) -Site 11 : 4WD vehicles only. If your trailer is bigger than 22 feet, our sister camp-site Resort Valley Ranch may be able to accommodate you. (Also located on Hipcamp) **When booking, please include basic information about your car/ trailer clearance to ensure that your campsite you've selected will accommodate it!**
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$32
 / night
99%
(313)

Rocky Mountain Glamping

6 sites · Lodging, RVs5 acres · Lyons, CO
A Rocky Mountain Glamping Experience! Relax streamside in our private camp overlooking lush nature and towering rock outcroppings. Stroll along a rushing stream or head up challenging Moose Track trail to Balancing Rock. After your day of adventure or kicking back enjoy a hot shower. Share your revelations of the day around the campfire, roast marshmallows, or relish your favorite treat as you unwind. Bliss Canyon features 4 accommodations: 2 Gypsy Wagon Campers and 2 spacious Tent Cabins and a boondocking RV site. Teardrop camper sleeps 2 as an addition to any accommodation. The open-air, covered Kitchens have sinks, fresh, potable hot water, kitchenware, gas stove —pots, pans, dishes, utensils, etc, BBQ with side burner, critter-resistant food safe, bear-proof trash can, and picnic table outside. We provide a convenient propane campfire for safety since our climate is dry and often windy. No candles or open flames please. Limited WIFI available. There are easy trails on property along the lush stream (the original riverbed of the Middle Saint Vrain Stream), fishing or swimming in the pond (no lifeguard on duty), or challenging trails into Roosevelt National Forest from the property. (Ask Hiker Dot for guidance.) Several National Forest access points, where you can enjoy peaceful walks away from crowds, are a short drive. New this year Bliss Camp is adding a 12' x 14' Glamping Tent Cabin. Bliss Canyon is a spur off of breathtaking, picturesque South Saint Vrain Canyon. Stroll on over to the South or Middle for renowned fly fishing. For climbers, there are over 50 climbs in South Saint Vrain Canyon! Dark Skies:  If you like to watch the stars and meteor showers, Bliss Canyon is blessed with dark skies with little light from the plains. Bring your telescopes and explore the Universe. Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the five Crown Jewels of the National Park Service, is nearby. The closest trailhead in RMNP is 10 miles, the next trailhead at Wild Basin entrance to the park is 13 miles, and the Beaver Meadows entrance (main entrance) is 36 miles. Rocky Mountain National Park has breathtaking drives, easy strolls with interpretive signs, and 360 miles of trails. (Advance reservation required for entry 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for main park, or 5:00 am to 6:00 pm for Bear Lake corridor.) Indian Peaks Wilderness also has several nearby access points and trailheads. Ask Dot for details. The charming town of Lyons is 20 minutes away with coffee shops, restaurants, bars, lots of great live music, and quaint shops. Also, Spirit Hound Distillery received the award for the #1, Best Whiskey in the World in 2022, hmmm, it might be worth a tasting! Due to our popularity reservations often fill up quickly. We suggest you make your reservations in advance especially if you have a group to rent the entire camp. At times there are last minute cancelations which allows for last minute openings. Dot and Byron look forward to hosting you in our spectacular Rocky Mountain Paradise.
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$55
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90%
(54)

Camp Always Choose Adventures

29 sites · Lodging, Tents5 acres · Central City, CO
Please: Must text or call your ETA!!! Welcome to Camp Always Choose Adventures, the nation's first off-grid outdoor educational campground. Situated at an elevation of 9,300 feet in Central City, Colorado, we're just a 15-minute drive from Idaho Springs. Our unique campground offers a Tipi and dispersed camping sites amidst the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, where you can often spot elk, moose, deer, and bears in their natural habitat. No RVs or Campers. We have one on site, but cannot accommodate an additional one unless you call us first. Our driveway is the gateway to Yankee Hill, the largest Off-Road Highway Vehicle area in the Front Range of Colorado, with numerous hiking trails nearby. For your convenience, we offer rental options for outdoor gear, including tents, sleeping bags, and almost anything else you might need. You can arrive empty-handed and still enjoy a full camping experience in the Rockies. We offer a one-stop-shop for all of your Colorado bucket-lists! Camping in The Rocky Mountains WITH premier outdoor gear provided, 4x4 adventures, and everything in-between! Accessibility: At Camp Always Choose Adventures, we are thrilled to offer Extreme Motus wheelchairs to our guests, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest. These all-terrain wheelchairs are designed to navigate the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains, providing unparalleled mobility and freedom. Whether you're exploring our scenic trails, joining an off-road adventure, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of our campground, the Extreme Motus wheelchairs empower individuals with disabilities to participate fully in all our outdoor activities. We are committed to making outdoor adventures accessible to all, breaking barriers, and fostering an inclusive environment for everyone. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to break barriers in the outdoors for youth and individuals with disabilities. Funds raised from our campground directly benefit underserved youth and those with disabilities, supporting our goal to make the great outdoors accessible to all. We thank you for your donation. For more information about us please visit: AlwaysChooseAdventures.org
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$27.50
 / night
94%
(167)

Sherwood Creek Camp and Glamp

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents24 acres · Nederland, CO
This forested and open meadow property is located on a seasonal creek 2 miles from the quaint mountain town of Nederland, Colorado. A short drive to both Boulder & Denver and situated in the picturesque Front Range, Nederland has convenient access to skiing, mountain biking, hiking & camping, including many points of access to the Continental Divide. The property is within walking distance of Boulder County Open Space and Indian Peaks Wilderness trails for endless biking and hiking adventures. Sites are private and secluded. There is a 20-foot tipi, a quaint treehouse, and a tent site camp that can be rented separately or together for larger groups. Toilet, picnic table, and potable water all available onsite. We have endless hiking, biking, and mountain fun activities onsite and nearby! Space for camper vans as well! We look forward to hosting you soon.
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$58
 / night

Camping in Arapaho National Forest guide

Overview

About

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.

Notable campgrounds

  • 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. 

Tips for snagging a campsite

  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.

When to go

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. 

Know before you go

  • 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.
94%
41 ratings · 19 reviews
  1. Arapaho National Forest