The best camping in Routt National Forest, CO

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83% (9)

Explore the beauty of nature from mounts to the Thunder Basin National grassland.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Routt National Forest

Williams Fork Lodging

100%
(131)
48mi from Routt National Forest · 5 sites · Lodging
Plan a self care weekend with our Luxury spa amenities away from the crowds and immersed in wilderness. Close enough to visit Rocky Mountain national Park Hot Springs in winter park ski area perfect for the couples and their dog. Hot tub, sauna, ropes, slippers and herbal teas. Hike, bike or snowshoe our 80 acres of trails abundant with wildflowers hummingbirds and wildlife beautiful fall colors to dark sky nights great for stargazing, fresh farm eggs and cinnamon rolls are available to pre-order. We are located at the end of a private road, we value or peace and serenity here and hope you do as well Adjacent to state national public lands, just for miles to the Williams fork reservoir a few more miles will take it to the Colorado river and many other lakes and reservoirs to fish in recreate Ask Dale for references a fun things to do in the area, such as rafting, horseback, riding or zip lining All wheel drive, or 4 x 4 with high clearance is recommended for the best experience We are approximately a half hour to kremmling Hot Sulphur Springs and the closest restaurant We are a little over an hour to Granby in Rocky Mountain national Park. Two hours to any summit county, ski areas, and steamboat. The lodge is basically a triplex building with a common area and three condos within. Bill’s cabin is our fourth lodging option that sits out on our Ridge about a half mile from the lodge building. Bill‘s cabin is off grid and has an out house. It also requires all wheel drive. The common area, houses the sauna, games, washer and dryer, and it’s just basically extra room to spread out. It also includes Wi-Fi and a refrigerator, for bills cabin guests to use. The lodge can be rented as one unit to sleep up to 10 guests. Please note: rates are for two guests only additional guests will be charged Per person per night Or The lodge can also be rented as individual units: Each unit is individually named, has private entrances, and is completely private. There is the Copper Peak, which is a studio. The Williams Peak. and The Byers Peak. The shared areas include the hot tub and sauna which are located in common area. Each unit is filled with luxury and everyday amenities you need for a complete stay. We allow dogs too! Williams Peak and Copper Peak unit has a doggie door leading to a six-foot tall kennel run! NOTE: dogs cannot be left alone when you leave. Bills Cabin is our separate off grid, rental cabin, which offers luxury camping in a forested environment with numerous foot and bike trails right out your door! The total darkness provides a spectacular night time sky full of stars and constellations perfect for viewing from the deck. Expect to see wild life in our exclusive off grid cabin, while you enjoy an Ecco friendly vacation! Bill’s cabin has a primitive road to it and therefore some foresight is required for travel, a 4x4 vehicle is required in any seasonal weather. We recommend a conversation about your means of travel. Alternative methods such as Bike or hike, we just highly recommend that no one hikes at night. Bills cabin is built out of concrete including the "log" siding. The power comes from solar panels and propane to cook and heat. Your kitchen and bathroom include instant hot water and are just outside the door..enjoy an alfresco shower out side! Alternatively the lodge office guest bathroom/shower is also provided for Bill’s Cabin Guests. This unique lodging experience is an opportunity to enjoy a camping vacation with a loved one or a friend without all the cost and hassle of setting up camp. Enjoy a deck complete with a gas grill and fire place. Water is provided for washing dishes, hands and drinking. You need to bring food, ice cubes. Bill’s cabin is available for the summer and fall beginning Memorial Day weekend or earlier as weather permits. All lodging includes bed linens as well as towels, dishes, coffee pot, coffee, grill, within the lodge, all rooms have full kitchens, including microwaves Bills cabin provides a cooler including ice blocks, everything you need to cook with, including a grill burners, and a camp oven! We provide split wood and propane for all guests. bathrooms are supplied with shampoo, lotion, hair dryers and other small necessities! The common area as well as the buyers peak offer a Washer/dryer for guests to use Wifi, smart TV with Netflix, Hulu and pandora various crafts, games, puzzles and corn hole. A large deck for yoga, gathering with other guests or just relaxing over looks the valley and is perfect for wildlife viewing is also located at the lodge. Sorry but our zoning does not allow for any camping of any sort on our property. Come experience the Old West as it was and still is as you meander along the road through working ranches that were homesteaded back in the early 1900’s...their weathered log cabins still standing and often still occupied...others are close enough for a great “back in time” photo opportunity. As Colorado's open range law permits ranchers to graze their cattle without borders, you will often find them on the roadways or you may even get caught up in a cattle drive as the ranchers move their cattle from one pasture or paddock to another. Springtime brings all the calves and branding time! Observing the rancher, his horse, and dog working together is a genuine treat. Look along the roadside for sage grouse, in the open fields for pronghorn, down in the willows and streams for the bull moose, in the trees for the mule deer, and on top of the ridge lines for the elk. There are also bald eagle and osprey nests, alpacas, horses, sheep, and goats. All this just on the ride into Williams Fork Lodging! Our residence sits above this scenic panorama at the end of the road and adjacent to public lands tucked beneath Copper Peak on the Williams Fork Range. The elevation is roughly 8,500 feet and the 180 degree view is breathtaking...encompassing three mountain ranges, many peaks, pastures/meadows, forest, and ponds. Soak in everything from the glorious sunrises to enchanting full moons to brilliant stars that truly seem closer than they are…the view of the Milky Way is unobstructed by light pollution for outstanding celestial shows…and meteor showers are spectacular from the hot tub! We live on the same property as the Lodge and are quite self sustainable: hunting, fishing, gardening, gathering wild berries, and raising our own poultry meat. The Lodge and cabin are constructed of concrete and rock as well as high efficiency windows and takes full advantage of passive solar heat; backup heat and the hot water are provided by wood via an outside boiler maintained by us. if interested, Dale offers fresh baked caramel rolls and other enticing breads and/or meals. Every season has its own special beauty: Spring brings abundant wild flowers, contrasting greens of pine, aspen and sage. Newborn livestock and wildlife. Thunderstorms and brilliant double rainbows. Birds singing, chickens crowing and warm, quiet evenings are welcomed in summer. Our view of the fall colors are hard to match ~ the changing yellow, gold and reds quaking in the valley are quite beautiful. Winter brings diamond-sparkling white snow untouched by humans and cobalt blue skies and picture-perfect post card and right out your
Pets
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from 
$115
 / night

Little Cabin with a view

100%
(204)
49mi from Routt National Forest · 3 sites · Lodging
Step out the door of this cozy little rustic, dry, one room mountainside cabin, to disconnect from Wi-Fi (none) and chaos to view sunsets, wide open, star filled, and moon lit night skies with the Milky Way and a few satellites as a bonus. The Little Cabin offers a mountainside basecamp, getaway, vacation or a more scenic overnight travel stop to allow you and your fur baby to enjoy some Wyoming open space. A microwave, insta pot, mini fridge and propane grill allow for simple meals to be prepared for inside or outside dining or stop for a meal in any of the communities along your way here. Bring water, cabin is dry and snacks. I do keep some basics in the cabin so if you are traveling grab a meal, snacks and some water, the cabin is stocked with the rest of what you'll need for a night's stay without having to unpack the vehicle. If you're traveling I80, the Little Cabin is a great place to enjoy the sunset or just a peaceful night's sleep after enjoying the Snowy Range Scenic byway in the summer and a possible work around if the interstate is closed in the winter. If you're coming in from Denver/Ft Collins, Co area, Poudre Canyon is a beautiful drive and can take you thru Walden, Co or bring you in on Wyo 10. Feel free to reach out if you have questions on the routes, scenic stops, cut overs or short cuts. There is Hiking, Fishing, Snow Shoeing, Cross Country skiing, Downhill skiing, (Snowy Range Ski Area) Hot Springs, Mountain Lakes, Plains Lakes, the Big Laramie River, all with in a 5-to-90-mile radius. There is public access, dogs allowed, to the Big Laramie River across the highway where you can fish or walk the public access path that runs alongside it. Watching the wildlife is an experience of its own. From Chipmunks to deer, we see an assortment. If you enjoy birds and their sounds, you can pick a spot and enjoy. If you are a weather watcher, you may see 3-4 seasons in one day depending on the time of year. It's a great place to snuggle in, read a book, write a book, watch a downloaded movie or just sleep, but disconnect from the chaos and the alerts.
Pets
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from 
$125
 / night

Mystic Valley Farm

15mi from Routt National Forest · 1 site · Tent, RV
Horse Ranch RV Site Near Steamboat Springs & Ski Resort Description: Park your RV on our peaceful horse ranch just outside Steamboat Springs, Colorado. We’re tucked away next to Sleeping Giant Mountain, near the private airport on the west side of town off Hwy 129 — only 12 miles from the world-famous Steamboat Ski Resort (the second largest in the U.S.). You’ll have a private, level, finished site with an electric hookup, gray water disposal, and access to a toilet in the heated barn. Wake up to mountain views, watch horses graze, and enjoy the tranquility of ranch life while still being minutes from skiing, hot springs, hiking and biking trails, and downtown Steamboat. Just north of this location is Clark, Colorado — a popular outdoor recreation area known for hiking, mountain biking, gravel riding, hunting, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, and more. There are three state parks in the area, all with lakes, and the Elk River runs down from the Zirkel Mountain region — a popular destination for fly fishing. What We Offer: • Level, finished RV pad with electric hookup • Gray water disposal • Toilet access in the heated barn • Beautiful ranch setting with horses on site • Easy access on plowed roads Perfect For: • Ski season adventurers looking for a unique base • RV travelers seeking peace and a quiet setting • Anyone who loves wide-open views, dark skies, and a ranch lifestyle • Longer stays — monthly rates available
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Electrical hookup
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from 
$75
 / night

Rabbit Ears Basecamp Near Steamboat

16mi from Routt National Forest · 3 sites · Lodging
Tucked at the base of Rabbit Ears Pass and just 30 minutes from Steamboat Springs, Rabbit Ears Basecamp is your jumping-off point for alpine adventure and cozy mountain stays. Set on 21 private acres with big sky views and aspen-covered hills, our property is home to three unique cabins, a welcoming Ranch House, and plenty of space to explore, unwind, and reconnect. THE STAYS 🏡 The Boondocker Cabin (sleeps 8) Perfect for bigger crews who don’t mind sharing space. This cabin features 1 queen bedroom, a roomy loft with 3 queen beds, a cozy living room with a gas fireplace, and a “hidden” Little Tracks Loft play area just for kids. 🏕️ The Trapper Cabin (sleeps 2 + 1) Rustic and peaceful, this studio is great for solo travelers or couples who want to unplug. Small but mighty, with everything you need for a quiet mountain escape. 🏠 The Ranch House (sleeps 7) A full-sized home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchen made for coffee lovers. It’s got western flair, plenty of room to spread out, and sweeping views from every window. 🌄 The Valleyview Cabin (coming late summer 2025) Still under construction, but we’re already in love. This two-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin may just have the best views on the property. Stay tuned! THE HITCHIN’ POST All guests are welcome to kick back at our communal hangout space, The Hitchin’ Post. Here you’ll find a hot tub, grill, fireplace, pool table, darts, horseshoes, and enough mountain charm to end your day just right. WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ⛰️ Quick access to Rabbit Ears Pass, just a 5-minute drive to parking and trails 🚡 30 minutes to Steamboat Springs for hot springs, food, shopping, and skiing 🏞️ Lakes, rivers, hiking and off-road trails all close by 🌌 Stargazing and wildlife sightings right from your porch 🐶 Dog-friendly! 🚤 Plenty of trailer parking for snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, or horses 📶 Wi-Fi throughout the property PERFECT FOR: - Family getaways and reunions - Small retreats or creative workshops - Elopements and microweddings - Hikers, bikers, sledders, paddlers, hunters and peace-and-quiet seekers We’ve put our hearts into creating a stay that feels like home, with space to roam and plenty of mountain magic to go around. Come stay wild with us. We can’t wait to host you!
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Toilets
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from 
$189
 / night

Sagebrush Solitude

100%
(1)
33mi from Routt National Forest · 1 site · Tent, RV
🌿 Sagebrush Solitude Where the Sky is Wide and the Silence is Sacred ⸻ 📝 Overview Welcome to Sagebrush Solitude, your off-grid escape in the heart of Colorado’s high country. Perched on open land with sweeping views, rugged sagebrush, and rolling hills, this peaceful retreat invites you to unplug, slow down, and reconnect with nature’s rhythm. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking a small camper, this site offers privacy, stillness, and the kind of wide-open space that’s hard to come by. Please note: We live on this land and care deeply for it. While your campsite is private and peaceful, this is also our home. We kindly ask that all guests respect the land, the space, and our presence here. Getting here takes a little effort — the rough dirt road is best suited for high-clearance vehicles — but the reward is pure Colorado quiet, just minutes from Hayden. ⸻ 🌟 What’s Included • Expansive views and serene surroundings • Incredible stargazing — no light pollution • Room for tents, vans, and small RVs • Wildlife sightings (elk, deer, coyotes, hawks) • Fully off-grid: no hookups, no water, no toilet ⸻ 🚙 Know Before You Go • Rough road access — high-clearance vehicle strongly recommended • Located about 15 minutes from Hayden (exact directions sent after booking) • High winds are common, especially in the afternoons — please secure your tent and gear • Bring your own water, food, and supplies • 4WD is suggested, especially in wet conditions • Pack in, pack out — follow Leave No Trace principles • We live on-site — please be mindful and respectful • Pets are welcome, but must be kept under control (wildlife nearby)
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from 
$30
 / night

Ripple Creek Pass Overlook Yurt

47mi from Routt National Forest · 1 site · Lodging
Embark on an unparalleled winter journey at the Ripple Creek Yurt, Nestled 12 miles deep in the wilderness at a breathtaking altitude of 10,000 feet, this yurt offers not only staggering panoramic views but also positions itself as the ultimate hub for your winter escapades. Enveloped by vast, awe-inspiring snowmobile terrain, you can choose to immerse yourself for a day or extend your adventure overnight in this secluded paradise. With the capacity to comfortably host up to five, the yurt features two bunk beds. A woodstove, with an ample supply of firewood, promises to keep you warm. Cook a hearty meal in the equipped basic kitchen. This is not just any getaway; it's a self-sufficient, off-grid haven designed for those seasoned in navigating winter conditions. Don't just witness the winter; live it at Ripple Creek Yurt. Overnight use : Arrive - 2:30pm / Check out – 10:30am Rate: $150/ night Day Use: 11:00am – 2:00pm Rate: $50 Discounted snowmobile rentals through Paragon Snowmobile Adventures for overnight guests. $275/day – 850cc Snowmobiles $200/day 600cc Snowmobiles What you need to bring when staying at the yurt: Yurt door lock combination, Yurt confirmation packet, Sleeping Bag, Pillowcase Phone, Phone charger, Food ,Water (If you do not want to melt snow for water), Head lamp or flashlight Amenities: Kitchen: The yurt comes equipped with a two-burner propane cook stove. ( Pot, Pans, Dishes, Silverware, Measuring cups, cooking utensils, water and coffee cups, coffee percolator and filters, paper towels and trash bags, soap, scrub pads, and cook Spices). Lighting: The yurt comes with a solar light system and USB charge ports. Power is limited and lighting takes priority. Sleeping: The yurt is equipped with 2 bunk beds. 2 twins. 1 twin xl and 1 full size. Heat: A wood stove and firewood is provided Water: Water is by snowmelt. There is 1 large pot, to put on the woodstove to melt snow for cooking, drinking, and doing dishes. It is recommended that water is boiled before ingestion. This is a self-sufficient overnight trip. In order to keep prices down, guests are responsible for cleaning up before they leave. Please be sure dishes are washed and put away. firewood and kindling is stocked. And the floor is swept. Ready for the next guests
Toilets
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Cooking equipment
from 
$135
 / night

The best camping in Routt National Forest, CO guide

Overview

About

Make sure that camera of yours is charged, because you're gonna need it. Covering 1,125,438 acres, this forest stretches from northwestern Colorado to northeastern Wyoming. This Forest is a scenic powerhouse that includes the well-known Steamboat Ski Resort (champagne powder, anyone?). In the summer, you can kayak or canoe on one of the eight mountain lakes or fish for your supper.

Many outdoor enthusiasts consider these parts of Colorado to be the prettiest in the entire state. There's clearly no shortage of fun ways to play outside. Revel in the plentiful hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and off-roading. The forest includes 10 designated Wilderness Areas. Bring binoculars for some birdwatching and to spot some of the shier animals.

You won't find developed campgrounds in the Thunder Basin National Grassland area. However, the ranger district allows camping. When camping in the wilderness for a few days, check in with the local forest service office.

83%
9 ratings · 6 reviews