Lakeside camping near Cortez

Discover and reserve the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.

98% (560 reviews)

United States
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Colorado
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Cortez

98% (560 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Cortez

7 top lakeside campgrounds near Cortez

Bright Star Campground

33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Cortez, CO

We have COMPLIMENTARY Wifi, Drinking Water, Ice, Hot Showers, Bathrooms, Shade, and an equipped Camper's Kitchen for our guests to enjoy from April 15 - Oct 15! There are TIPIS, CAMPING CABINS, TENT and BOONDOCK SITES. WE ALSO HAVE A NAVAJO HOGAN (wood yurt) OPEN-YEAR ROUND. All of our sites are not listed here. We can also accommodate groups and small events but not public events. We have a private covered group site as well. Bright Star Campground: Once used as a church camp, it is now a Campground for all to enjoy! We are a perfectly located vacation campground on 40 acres with amenities and wide-open spaces. Amenities include hot showers, an equipped community kitchen, a pavilion with hammocks, tables, ping pong, etc. Enjoy complimentary coffee, eggs, filtered drinking water and more. Bright Star Campground is located in the Great Sage Plain in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park with panoramic mountain/mesa views of the Four Corners region, all only 5 miles southeast of Cortez. We are in an arid desert climate. Water is scarce, stored in cisterns for use in camp. Because of this we ask that you be conservative with water use in camp. We are a cannabis-friendly destination but ask that Cannabis use stay at your campsite, cabin or tipi. There are many things to do/see nearby: Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients, Hovenweep National Monument and Phil's World Mountain Biking. Raft down the Dolores river, maybe rent a SUP or kayak and chill on a quiet reservoir. There are museums and cultural centers in the area as well. Durango is 45 min, Telluride is 1.5 hrs away, and Moab is about 2.5 hours away-including Arches and Canyonlands National parks. The best/nearest airport is in Durango. Cortez has Denver Air (Key Lime Air) with connections to Denver and Phoenix. The nearest large international airport is in Salt Lake City or Albuquerque.

Camping in the Mesas

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Dolores, CO

This land was inhabited by the Ancient Anasazi and Pueblo people. The Anasazi Heritage Museum and archeological ruins are two miles away. There are ruins and sites on this land that have yet to be excavated. Many different ancient people came through this land, left and sites were inhabited by other people. One group of people would come and build upon the sites of another group, and taking part of their culture with them.

Canyon Trails Ranch

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents250 acres · Cortez, CO

The homestead was built in 1911 and was one of the original postal pickups in the area. The ranch is located between Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and backs up to Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. Our family has lived in McElmo Canyon for over 40 years and the campground has hosted camping and outdoor educational groups since 1965. We are a family run ranch with an operating hay farm, horseback riding business, and carriage shop.

Mountain View Lodge

1 site · Lodging15 acres · Dolores, CO

The lodge was built by Cecil & Brenda Dunn in the 80's. They used it as an assisted living facility and their family lived in part of it. They later turned it into a bed and breakfast. We bought it in January 2017 and started renovations. We hosted our first Mountain View Lodge guests in July of 2018. My wife JanElle and I really enjoy hosting guests and helping them make good memories while here in SW Colorado. We are a family of 7 and live in a separate home on this 15 acre property. We really enjoy the diversity of wildlife that we have, as well as the stream, woods, and views that make up this property. We think you will enjoy it too. So come visit SW Colorado and Mountain View Lodge!Learn more about this land:Enjoy pastoral views of Mesa Verde and wonderful sunsets behind Sleeping Ute Mountain while staying at the Wrangler's Roost at Mountain View Lodge. You will be 12 miles from the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park and close to Canyon of the Ancients, Four Corners Monument, McPhee Reservoir, the Dolores River, the Durango-Silverton Railroad, the San Juan National Forest, and many other sites. Explore ancient ruins, enjoy the wildlife and beautiful mountain scenery while you are here.

Animas River Valley red cliffs

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Durango, CO

Pitch your tent or park in the upper pasture and enjoy the view of the Animas Valley. Just 8 miles north of Durango off of the million dollar highway. Across the road from Honeyville and across the river from fun at the Bar D Ranch or James Ranch Harvest Grille. Durango Mountain Resort is just up the road. Horses and cattle grazing in the pasture below and the apple trees and the honey bees are in full production this year. No other view like it of the Mission Ridge red cliffs with the silhouettes and glow at sunset. At night you may hear the Animas River below or some animal sounds. Name the constellations among the amazing view of the stars! Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent or park in the "sloped" pasture and enjoy the view of the Animas Valley. Just 8 miles north of Durango off of the million dollar highway. Across the highway from Honeyville and across the river from fun at the Bar D Ranch or James Ranch Harvest Grille. Durango Mountain Resort is just up the road. Horses and cattle grazing in the pasture below and the apple trees and the honey bees are in full production. Mission Ridge red cliffs with the mysterious silhouettes and glow at sunset. At night you may hear the Animas River below or some animal sounds. Name the constellations among the amazing view of the stars! Please provide what you will be driving and camping in, along with guesstimate of your arrival time for a quick booking response. Safe travels.

100 year old Homestead

1 site · Lodging500 acres · Hesperus, CO

Learn more about this land:Our Fall Big Game hunting cabin is a summer Adult summer camp ! It is a bunk style cabin, We have multi age board games, including bingo and poker , tv to watch movies . Outdoor, includes corn hole, frisbee golf, an awesome rock painting station, oh , and of course hiking, multiple terrain ! There is internet service, and cell service up or down the road a mile or so . we do have a local landline phone . The night sky is an event of its own, pick a full moon stay for or new moon night full of amazing stars and wishes. Enjoy chilling together or at separate areas here and get your peace on! Agritourism , sharing Agriculture and Nature !

Ponderosa Palisades

1 site · Lodging3 acres · Durango, CO

Solar-powered, off-grid cabin boasting a rustic layout and lovely patio. 12 minutes from Downtown Durango, 5 minutes to Lake Nighthorse, 15 minutes to Hesperus Ski Mountain, 30 minutes to Durango Airport, 40 minutes to Purgatory Ski Resort and 50 minutes to Mesa Verde NP. Fantastic mountain biking, hiking, boating and camping within a thirty-mile radius. Durango Narrow Gauge Railway runs to Silverton—a beautiful mountain town—during spring, summer and fall.Learn more about this land:Awesome little cabin with solar power. No plumbing, sink or shower. Access to an outdoor composting toilet and a hose water tap. Sometimes access to a bathroom, kitchen and living area in the main house is available for an additional fee. Beautiful forested land with Ponderosa, Gamble Oak, and Aspen.

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Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

San Juan National Forest

San Juan National Forest

Uncompahgre National Forest

Uncompahgre National Forest

Ophir, Colorado

Value Prop

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Lakeside camping near Cortez guide

Overview

Looking for a camping experience near Cortez, Colorado, with a lake? Look no further than Hipcamp. With over 180 available options in the area, you're sure to find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. Some of the top campsites near Cortez include Bright Star Campground (211 reviews), St Dane's Cabins & Campground (82 reviews), and Camping in the Mesas (83 reviews). With amenities like potable water, campfires, and trash disposal, and activities such as wildlife watching, boating, and exploring historic sites, your camping adventure near Cortez, Colorado, is bound to be memorable. And with an average price per night of $47, and options as low as $24, you can enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank.

Popular Cortez trips

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River, stream, or creek camping with fishing

Hot spring camping

River, stream, or creek camping

Top parks near Cortez

Canyonlands National Park

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Zion National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

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