The best camping in Lathrop State Park, CO

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Top-rated campgrounds

Rabbit Hole Ranch

94%
(562)
49mi from Lathrop State Park · 198 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Mosca, CO
We are closed for the season. PLEASE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY The Rabbit Hole Ranch offers beautiful night skies with little to no light pollution and unobstructed views of the majestic Blanca Massif. The Great Sand Dunes and Zapata Falls is just a (gorgeous) 35 minute drive. Camping here at the Rabbit Hole Ranch is primitive and dispersed (no numbered sites) and there 30 acres available for you to use. Just follow the signs to the designated area and pick out a spot you like. Some spots have fire rings, some don’t. We are working on getting more, but in the meantime you’re welcome to bring your own. Or feel free to dig out a little hole. It works great and is easy to extinguish when you fill it back in and bury it. Please do not bury any trash. 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 dogs are working dogs and they are more than happy to help keep you and your pets 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 our dogs. And please report any issues promptly. This year we have a new Great Pyrenees to greet you, her name is Boudicca and she’s excited to meet everyone! Returning this season is 12 year old KayLee, also a GP and and Finn, our little dude from Alaska. 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 typically do not strictly enforce quiet time during holidays.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$32
 / night

Camp Two Oasis

97%
(15)
26mi from Lathrop State Park · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Gardner, CO
A great base camp access to the Sand Dunes,Mt Lindsey, and Blanca Basin. Great biking around the camp.Close to the Huerfano River with a secret spot and trout fishing.We have nice level r.v. or tent sites in valley farm / old.orchard setting with mountain views ,electricity and well water. We provide an outdoor sink at the Pumphouse, and plenty of good well water. , 20 minutes to the top of Laveta Pass and hwy.160, 35 minutes to Lily Lake trailhead via 4wd road,and 20 minutes to the Mosca Pass trailhead to the Great Sand Dunes. A great day trip is hiking from Mosca Pass to the Visitor center at Great Sand Dunes ,explore the creek and dunes down there and then trek back up to your car at Mosca Pass.About a 8.5 mile round trip. Decent cell phone reception here at camp.We have wifi available . Easy and nice bikerides right from camp. ,Camps have fire circles and grill for firepit. .Plenty of mowed grassy areas for the kids. Well behaved pets on or.off a leash are welcome . Be mindfull that your pet does not chase or harrass potential livestock.on neighbor's property . Grassy tent site,near power and water. Pit toilet. Corner Camp or Orchard Camp. Orchard Camp has 20 amp power and fresh water hookup.. Pull through with 50 amp hookup and water hookup for the Camp 2 site for longer setups.Pull through is possible.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$25
 / night

Haven Hill

98%
(49)
22mi from Lathrop State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Rye, CO
Thirty-five private natural acres high above Scenic Byway CO165. A secluded mountain top with privacy. You will be overlooking the beautiful Greenhorn Valley, with wide open views of Greenhorn Mountain and the Spanish Peaks. The stars at night are often breathtaking. It feels like you are on an island in the sky. It’s conveniently close to lakes, hiking, outdoor activities and supplies, restaurants and gas stations. Several roundabouts exist for turning around large vehicles. RV sites are pull through. For digital Nomads, Cell phone and satellite service is good here. ATV's are welcome on designated roads and trails. Fires are allowed. But PLEASE check https://www.pueblo.us/2602/Fire-Restrictions. Fires must be in campfire circles only! PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU FULLY DROWN YOUR CAMPFIRE BEFORE YOU LEAVE. Dead wood on the property is OK to burn but please do not burn your trash. All trash and waste needs to be packed out. There are trash cans and restrooms at the rest stop at I-25 and Highway 165. Firewood is available to purchase nearby in Colorado City at Ace Hardware and others. You will have your choice of Camp site #1 and/or #2. They have flat mulched areas for an RV/Camper or for tent camping. Each has a fire ring and picnic table. Both sites allow room to turn around an RV or camper. Bring your own toilet for now. There is minimal shade available, so plan accordingly. Potable water is available at the blue ground hydrant in front of the little cabin to the west. It takes about 10 seconds to start running. Use of firearms is prohibited. No fireworks are allowed. Quiet time is after 10:00 p.m. Please be respectful of neighboring properties. remember you are on a hilltop so sound can travel :)
Pets
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from 
$36
 / night

Stars, Mountains, Wifi, Hummingbird

85%
(13)
38mi from Lathrop State Park · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · Blanca, CO
Located near the base of Mt. Blanca, a beautiful 14'er - and close to the Great Sand Dunes, wildlife and nature preserves, and reservoirs. Camp sites are located just 1 mile from the base of the mountain. The entire property is a hummingbird sanctuary, so your chances of seeing hummingbirds is quite high! We are also next to the elk migration crossing, so you could see elk, deer, pronghorns, or even get a visit from one of the wild horse packs in the valley! This is a great location if you want to be close to things, but feel like you're far away! Lots of athletes come to this area to train at the higher altitude! Visit the town of San Luis (the oldest town in Colorado), hop over to Antonito and check out the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic railroad, hit the UFO tower in Hooper, or just lounge on your campsite and get the best view of the Milky Way you've ever seen! Wifi available if you have a device that can connect at long range! Firewood, Fresh Baked Bread, Jams and other farm goodies available on site! RV dumpsite/Convenience Store/Water available at the RV park located 2 miles from the campsite!
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from 
$29
 / night

The Nomad Ranch

100%
(4)
19mi from Lathrop State Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Rye, CO
About a half mile off Highway 69 and two miles outside the tiny town of Gardner, this is the perfect retreat if you are looking for fantastic views of the Sangre de Cristos, Spanish Peaks, and Wet Mountains. Our property is close to hiking, a wolf preserve, Bishop's Castle, thousands of acres of national forest, over 800 miles of dirt roads (with jeep and ATV trails), and within 40 minutes to one of the most quaint and best kept secret towns in Colorado, Westcliffe. We are about 30 minutes northwest of Walsenburg, CO and about 40 minutes southeast of Westcliffe, CO. Maximum RV length is 30 ft. No hookups are provided for RVs so please plan to be self contained during your stay. We also offer a small dry cabin (no running water or electricity) which is perfect for those looking to not get quite as close with nature. We also offer tent camping!
Pets
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from 
$23
 / night

Sand Dune Wilderness Large Campsite

100%
(7)
37mi from Lathrop State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Blanca, CO
LOW CLEARANCE CARS MIGHT HAVE ISSUES GETTING TO CAMPSITE CURRENTLY. Stephens Campsite offers ample space for your Hight clearance Camper or tent, alongside easy parking, a large picnic table, and a cozy fire pit AND NEW CHARCOAL BBQ GRILL!! Spend your evenings basking in the glow of the fire. Due to recent heavy rainfalls, we recommend using a 4WD or AWD vehicle to access Stephens Campsite. Hidden in the heart of Blanca, Colorado, the 25ft×60ft campsite is the perfect private sanctuary for those seeking an authentic wilderness experience. Feel free to bring your RV/Camper and enjoy our spacious site. It serves as an ideal basecamp for 14er hiking adventures, only 20 mins from Lake Como Rd. Currently, it accommodates Campers/RVs and tents, operating as a "PACK IN PACK OUT large campsite." Parking is convenient, with space for one large RV/camper truck and two cars. While the road leading in might be a bit rough for about a quarter mile, it's manageable. We've personally cleared the main road for easier access. Moreover, Smith Reservoir State Wildlife Area, offering great fishing, is just 15 mins away, with the town of Blanca and the main highway a mere 10 mins away. The Alamosa recreational center, providing hot showers and full gym access for $5 with a day pass, is approximately 30 mins from the campsite. The area boasts zero light pollution, making it perfect for stargazing with views stretching up to 100 miles. We're continuously improving the site, with plans for a custom fire pit, benches, and picnic tables, ensuring it remains a special place for all to enjoy.
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from 
$34
 / night

Base Camp Family Campground

92%
(46)
50mi from Lathrop State Park · 21 sites · RVs, Lodging · Alamosa, CO
Welcome To Your Base Camp Whether your adventure brings you here for just one night, or the entire summer, this is the view you want to wake up to! We have... •Largest Pull Through Sites In The Area-100' x 40' •Big-Rig-Friendly, 60 degree angled sites •Large Private Showers •Best 360 Degree Views •Full Hookups •Free Wi-Fi •Laundry •Close To All Local Attractions •Sandboard and Sand Sled Rentals Base Camp Family Campground is owned and operated by the Baker Family. Josh Baker first lived in Southern Colorado in the early 90's as a child, but his family moved away after a short time. His desire to move back here as an adult prompted him to start bringing his own family to Colorado for vacations. They purchased land in the valley in 2014 and moved to Colorado in 2020. They are using all they've learned from years of RV adventures, to continue the park's mission of providing a clean, affordable, spacious, well-run camping facility, and to be a centrally located "base camp" and hub of information for everything this unique area has to offer. You'll be camping in the shadows of 14,000 ft. mountain peaks, in the largest high-desert alpine valley in the world, that is sprinkled with free-flowing artesian wells, hot springs and wet lands. Daily summer temperatures average 65 degrees, and it will get down into the 50's at night. That's perfect camping weather! For native American tribes, including the Utes, Apache, Navajos, and others, this valley is considered the source of life, a place where humans and spirit enter and leave this world. The valley was considered so sacred, that no war would be waged here. The ET Connection As if all of the mountains, deserts, hot springs, and sacred ground weren't enough, The San Luis Valley is also known as a UFO hot spot! UFO sightings have been reported as far back as the 1600's. • EXPRESS CHECK IN - We'll send you an email the day before your arrival, with your site number, wifi password, etc. There is no need to check in at the host site when you arrive, unless you have questions. You can follow the yellow signs straight to your camp site! • Check In Time -1:00 PM •Check Out Time -11:00 AM
Pets
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from 
$51
 / night

Wally's Woods

100%
(19)
49mi from Lathrop State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · San Luis, CO
Overlooking the San Luis Valley at 8,400 feet above sea level, Wally's Woods is a 3-acre parcel of wild Colorado land that welcomes campers from across the country. Who's Wally? He's my 30-pound terrier mix who has appointed himself protector of this land!Wally's Woods is 20 minutes (10 miles) from the town of San Luis where groceries, gas, and restaurants can be found. It's 2.5 hours from Colorado Springs, 2.5 hours from Pagosa Springs, and 1.25 hours from Taos, making it a great hub for exploring Southern CO and Northern NM. Come enjoy the breathtaking views, and take in the peace and quiet. Stay as long as you'd like, but don't forget to respect this land. Pack it in, pack it out. Don't feed or touch the wildlife. Have fun!Learn more about this land:Looking for complete privacy, magnificent views, and easy access to southern Colorado and northern NM? My High Mesa Campsite is the place for you! Sitting atop the Wild Horse Mesa in the San Luis Valley, this 3-acre campsite is perfect for tent camping and overlanding. At 8,400 feet above sea level, you'll have cool breezes, clear skies, and unparalleled views. We have plans to build a getaway cabin on this property, but for now we use it to camp and get away from the busyness of life. We hope you'll come experience it - we love to share it with fellow campers and travelers! Why we love this campsite:1. It's beautiful! Southern Colorado is where the high desert meets the mountains. There's nothing like watching the sunrise from 8,400 feet.2. Easy access to amazing sights and activities! Great Sand Dunes National Park (45 minutes), Zapata Falls (30 minutes), Mt. Blanca (30 minutes), Taos Ski Valley (1.25 hours), Colorado Springs (2.5 hours), Pagosa Springs (2.5 hours).3. Easy to find while very private! The roads are county maintained and labeled, and you will probably not see another person in the area your entire stay.Pinon, pine, and lots of shrubs cover most of the campsite. Lava rock brings some texture to the high desert dirt, and there is enough tree coverage to stay as hidden and private as you choose. The Mesa has no shortage of wildlife! Besides herds of wild horses, you may encounter coyotes, rabbits, hawks, and other beautiful native animals. Always keep your distance, and never feed wildlife.A few things to note about this campsite:1. NO electricity, NO water, NO restrooms, NO showers! 2. NO trash receptacle - pack-in, pack-out only. 3. There is only one campsite/listing on our property - you get it all to yourself!4. There is a dirt driveway for vehicle parking, but you can not drive up to the campsite. It is accessible only by foot (20 yards from parking).
Pets
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from 
$15
 / night

Other options near Lathrop State Park

The best camping in Lathrop State Park, CO guide

Overview

About

Framed by the snow-hatted mountains of the Spanish Peaks, Lathrop’s two lakes provide plenty of ways to get on the water. At Martin Lake, water-skiing and powerboating are the activities of choice, or you can cool off with a swim. Over at Horseshoe Lake, the tranquil waters are ideal for canoeing, kayaking, or wakeless boating, and both lakes are teeming with catfish, bass, and trout. Land activities are just as varied—explore the park’s trails on foot, by bike, or on horseback; go bird-watching; hit the archery range; or tee off at the only state park golf course in Colorado. 

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for mountain views: Yucca Campground has 31 sites for tents or small RVs and a backdrop of the Spanish Peaks.  
  • Best for RVs: Pinon Campground has 82 pull-through and back-in paved sites, all with electric hookups, fire pits, and picnic tables.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve one of the park’s 103 campsites or three group camping areas via the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. All campsites must be booked in advance, but same-day bookings are allowed.
  2. Campsite reservations open six months in advance. 
  3. Campsites can book up quickly, especially for holiday weekends and during peak season (June through August)—make your reservation as soon as possible.

When to go

Lathrop State Park is busiest from May through September, and this is peak season for camping, swimming, and water sports. Land activities are enjoyable through all seasons with the right clothing, and autumn is the ideal time to dodge the crowds and admire the park’s cottonwood trees with their colorful foliage. Winter campers can stay at the Pinon Campground—Loop D stays open year-round—but boating is restricted to hand-launched boats from November through February.  

Know before you go

  • Lathrop State Park is located 53 miles south of Pueblo or about a 50-minute drive.
  • Park entrance fees are payable in addition to camping fees.
  • Facilities in the park include restrooms, picnic areas, two boat ramps, and a dump station. The Visitor Centre sells fishing bait, soft drinks, and firewood. There are pay showers and a children’s playground at Pinon Campground.
  • There are wheelchair-accessible campsites available at Pinon Campground.
100%
1 ratings · 1 review