Camping in Chatfield State Park

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Top-rated campgrounds near Chatfield State Park

89%
(270)

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
94%
(737)

Little Scraggy Camp

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents95 acres · Pine, CO
Little Scraggy Camp is located on 95 acres of an historic 160-acre ranch that was homesteaded by our family in the 1890’s, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. This totally off-grid ranch is surrounded by Pike National Forest, yet has easy access from a paved road. We offer several accommodations and glamping sites, as well as sites for moderate sized RVs, travel trailers, truck campers, vans, tents, and hammocks. Additionally, we have sites for small groups (up to 16 people) and large groups (35-200 people). NEW FOR 2025 - two separate, professionally designed 18-hole disc golf courses with PDGA regulation baskets, and a Pro Shop with a free 9-hole putting course, which is great for those who have never played disc golf and want to try it out, (we have free loaner discs). Check out: https://littlescraggydiscgolf.com/. Our Hipcamp guests get a 10% discount on player fees, their children play free. Portable toilets are only a short walk away from sites. We also have several cornhole toss games set up. Friendly, well-mannered dogs are welcome to enjoy YOUR campsite off leash, but please clean up after your dog. We are an ideal basecamp for hiking or biking trail enthusiasts,with direct access to the Little Scraggy Trail and Segment #3 of the Colorado Trail. Little Scraggy Trailhead is 3.5 miles away, with easy access for biking, hiking, or horseback riding on the many other trails of the Buffalo Creek area. You might prefer rock climbing Little Scraggy or fishing the gold-medal waters of the South Platte River canyon below Cheesman Dam and the waters near Deckers. For a day trip, Wellington Lake is only 30 minutes away for no-wake water sports. Many people enjoy kayaking on the North Fork of the South Platte downstream from nearby Buffalo Creek. This is a working ranch where we raise and train Shire draft horses and also ponies. Our particular interest is in carriage driving, and we offer driving experiences upon request.
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$25
 / night
96%
(185)

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
98%
(1180)

Rustic Creek Ranch

38 sites · RVs, Tents160 acres · Bailey, CO
The 160 acre ranch was homesteaded by my grandfather over 100 years ago. He was an engineer. The plan was to use this property as summer grazing for his cattle. The cattle were wintered at the other ranch about 10 miles away, which was homesteaded by my great grandfather. Because my grandfather could survey, he made sure the property lines zigzaged up the valley so the small creek was in the middle to provide water for the animals. He chose well. It is a beautiful, quiet place with elk, deer and wild turkeys. There are tons of wild flowers in the summer. Columbines, the Colorado state flower, wild roses, paintbrushes and lots of wild chokecherries. With nice views of nearby mountains, open pastures, evergreen forests and aspen groves, it looks like it did 100 years ago. Plus, there are a couple of ponds for your dogs to cool off in. Since the first cattle, the ranch has also been home to goats, chickens, horses, and now more goats, alpacas and llamas. And of course the Great Pyrenees ranch dogs. I had a house built a few years ago and live on the property full time. The ranch is surrounded by Pike National Forest with the Colorado Trail connecting the property in a number of places. Some of the highest ranked mountain bike trails are nearby. There are lots of places on and off the property to hike, mountain bike and ride your horse. On a clear night you can see thousands of stars and hear coyotes howl. For a drone video of the ranch check out: YouTube's Midsummer 2020 Flyover. Elevation 8,000 feet, Average Summer Temperatures: Days 60-80 f, Nights 45-60 f, Sunshine Average 73-80%, Colorado Trail Segment 3, USGS Maps: Windy Peak; Green Mountain quadrangles. This is the official info. Basically, the weather is usually similar to the Denver area - just 10 degrees cooler. About 8 miles away is the small town of Bailey. It has just about everything you might need: small grocery store, coffee shops, gas, laundry, a dollar store, hardware store, camping and sports equipment, brew pub, winery, a few restaurants, potable water station and more.
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$27
 / night
92%
(177)

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
99%
(50)

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. - Outdoor Shower: Water is Turned off for the Season when Temps drop. RULES FOR THE FIRE PIT: ** Bring your own wood ** NEVER leave a fire unattended ** NATURAL FIRES ONLY -- NO LIGHTER FLUID or GASOLINE. ** All local fire ban laws apply when appropriate. ** No Smoking on the property ** Hot Tub is private and not available for use.
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$40
 / night
99%
(1220)

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
89%
(55)

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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from 
$27.50
 / night

Other options near Chatfield State Park

Camping in Chatfield State Park guide

Overview

About

Forested creeks and sloping foothills line the shores of the Chatfield Reservoir in this state park, providing a natural playground for land and water activities. Cruise the lake by boat or jet ski, fish for trout and bass, or go kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding in the no-wake area. The fun doesn’t stop when you hit dry land—enjoy bird-watching along Plum Creek, join a horseback trail ride, or explore 26 miles of hiking and biking trails. There’s even an off-leash dog area, swim beach, and hot air balloon tours. Campers can check into one of the four adjoining campgrounds, all with electric or full hookups.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve one of the park’s 197 campsites or 10 group campsites via the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. 
  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

Chatfield State Park gets busiest from mid-April to mid-October, when the weather is ideal for swimming and water sports. Outside of the main season, the swim beach and full hookup campsites are closed, but the C-Loop campsites stay open year-round. Off-season visits are equally recommended—the park’s oak groves are bathed in reds, yellows, and oranges throughout fall, and winter visitors can enjoy snowshoeing excursions or go ice fishing on the lake. 

Know before you go

  • Chatfield State Park is located 17 miles south of Denver, or about a 30-minute drive.  
  • A park pass is payable in addition to camping fees. Fishing permits and passes for the off-leash dog area are also required. 
  • Facilities in the park include two boat ramps, a fishing pier, restrooms, picnic areas with grills, stables, and a dump station. There’s also a floating restaurant and snack bar at the marina. 
  • You can bring your own boat or watercraft to Chatfield State Park, but all are subject to a pre-launch boat inspection. Rentals are also available from the marina.  
  • Campsites at Chatfield have either electric or full hookups, and all campgrounds have restrooms, coin-operated showers and laundry, water, and picnic tables. 
  • There are wheelchair-accessible trails and campsites at Chatfield State Park.
92%
13 ratings · 1 review
  1. Chatfield State Park