8/12/24

The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best RV Campgrounds in Colorado

So, you’re thinking about taking your RV to Colorado? EXCELLENT choice. Honestly, it’s one of those places that seems like it was made for RV travel. We're talking epic mountain views, wildflowers for days, and more hiking trails than you could explore in a lifetime. But here's the thing about Colorado: with so much incredible scenery, it can be kinda overwhelming to figure out where to actually park your home-on-wheels.
You’ve got everything from super fancy resorts with all the bells & whistles to rugged, off-the-grid spots where it’s just you & the stars. And that’s what this guide is all about. I'm going to break down everything you need to know to find the perfect RV campground in Colorado for YOUR style of travel. We'll cover the different types of campgrounds, the best spots near the must-see national parks, and even how to tackle RVing in the winter.
Let’s get into it.

The Lay of the Land: Understanding Your Colorado Camping Options

First things first, not all campgrounds are created equal. In Colorado, you’ve got a few main categories of places to park your rig.

State Parks & National Forest Campgrounds: The Classic Choice

This is your quintessential Colorado camping experience. Think spacious sites, picnic tables, fire rings, & stunning natural surroundings. These campgrounds are usually run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) or the U.S. Forest Service.
They offer a great balance of amenities & nature. You'll often find flush toilets, running water, and sometimes even showers & laundry facilities, especially at the state parks. Chatfield State Park near Denver, for instance, has over 40 full hookup sites & is a popular spot for hot air balloon launching. Sylvan Lake State Park, surrounded by the White River National Forest, offers incredible views & has 44 sites for tents & RVs.
  • What to Expect: Basic to full hookups (electric, water, sewer), designated sites, fire rings, picnic tables, access to hiking trails & other recreation.
  • Cost: Generally in the $20-$40 per night range.
  • Booking: You NEED to book these in advance, especially for summer weekends. Reservations for state parks can be made up to six months ahead of time on the CPWshop.com website. For national forests, Recreation.gov is your go-to.

Luxury RV Resorts: For When You Want to "Glamp"

If your idea of roughing it involves a heated pool & a clubhouse, then a luxury RV resort is where you want to be. These places are less about a rustic experience & more about comfort & convenience. They're perfect for longer stays or for when you just want to be pampered.
Think oversized concrete pads, high-speed Wi-Fi, cable TV, and resort-style amenities like hot tubs, fitness centers, and organized activities. For example, Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains in Granby has a pool, a sports complex, and even a ballroom. Canyon View RV Resort in Grand Junction boasts private lawns, a splash pad, pickleball courts, and even fiber optic internet at each site.
  • What to Expect: Full hookups (50-amp), concrete pads, Wi-Fi, cable, pools, hot tubs, clubhouses, laundry facilities, dog parks, and sometimes even on-site restaurants.
  • Cost: Can range from $60 to well over $100 per night.
  • Booking: Direct booking through their websites is usually the way to go.

Dispersed Camping (Boondocking): For the Truly Adventurous (& Free!)

This is the holy grail for budget-conscious & adventurous RVers. Dispersed camping, or boondocking, means camping for free on public lands, typically in National Forests or on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. There are no amenities—no water, no electricity, no bathrooms. It's just you, your rig, & the wild.
Colorado has a TON of land open for dispersed camping. The key is to be self-sufficient & to follow the Leave No Trace principles religiously. This means packing out everything you pack in, using existing campsites whenever possible (look for pre-existing fire rings), and being super mindful of your impact.
  • What to Expect: No amenities whatsoever. You'll need to have your own power source (solar or generator), fresh water tanks filled, and a plan for your waste.
  • Cost: FREE!
  • Finding Spots: This is part of the adventure. Apps like The Dyrt and iOverlander are great resources. You can also find spots by simply exploring Forest Service roads. A good rule of thumb is that if you see an existing rock fire ring, it's likely a dispersed site. Keep in mind, you typically can't stay in one spot for more than 14 days.

Camping Near Colorado's Crown Jewels: The National Parks

Let's be real, a big reason you're coming to Colorado is for the national parks. Camping inside the parks can be tough to book, but there are tons of amazing campgrounds right outside the gates that make for perfect basecamps.

Near Rocky Mountain National Park

RMNP is the big one, and the towns of Estes Park (east side) & Grand Lake (west side) are your main hubs.
  • For the Family: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Estes Park is a kid's paradise. They've got everything from mini-golf & a pool to planned activities. It’s just minutes from the park entrance.
  • For the Views: Elk Meadows Lodge & RV Resort in Estes Park gets you close to the action with easy access to hiking & wildlife viewing.
  • For a Quieter Vibe: Winding River Resort in Grand Lake is on the less-crowded west side of the park. They offer horseback riding & you’re almost guaranteed to see moose.
  • Insider Tip: Rocky Mountain National Park often requires a timed entry permit to get into the park during peak season. However, if you have a camping reservation inside the park, that often serves as your entry permit. If you're staying outside, make sure to check the latest reservation requirements on the official NPS website.

Near Mesa Verde National Park

This UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwestern Colorado is all about ancient history. The nearby towns of Cortez & Dolores are great places to set up camp.
  • Riverside Relaxation: Dolores River Campground is a peaceful spot right on the river, about 20 miles from the park. You can fish & kayak right from the campground.
  • Modern & Scenic: The Views RV Park & Campground in Dolores lives up to its name with amazing panoramic views. It's a modern park with great amenities.
  • Classic Comfort: Mesa Verde RV Resort is a popular choice with full hookups, a pool, & easy access to the park.

Near Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, this park is a unique & unforgettable experience.
  • Right at the Base: Piñon Flats Campground is inside the park, giving you incredible access to the dunes. It’s a must-do if you can snag a reservation.
  • Off-the-Grid Gem: Zapata Falls Campground is a first-come, first-served campground just outside the park that offers stunning views of the dunes & the San Luis Valley.
  • A Unique Stay: Great Sand Dunes Oasis is open year-round & offers a different perspective on the park, especially in winter when the dunes might be dusted with snow.

The "I Need Amenities" Guide: Top-Rated RV Resorts

Sometimes you just want it all. Here are a few more top-tier RV resorts around the state that consistently get rave reviews.
  • Tiger Run RV Resort (Breckenridge): Nestled in the heart of ski country, Tiger Run is a high-end, year-round resort. It’s perfect for accessing the mountain towns of Breckenridge & Frisco. It’s also a fantastic base for winter RVing if you want to hit the slopes.
  • Palisade Basecamp RV Resort (Palisade): Located in Colorado's wine country, this resort is right on the Colorado River. You can float the river, bike to wineries, & enjoy the famous Palisade peaches.
  • Mountain Views at Rivers Edge RV Resort (Creede): This spot in southern Colorado offers luxury amenities with incredible access to fishing, hiking, and ATV trails in the Rocky Mountains.
  • Dakota Ridge RV Park (Golden): If you want to be close to Denver but still feel like you’re getting away, Dakota Ridge is a great option. It’s a clean, well-maintained park with easy access to the city & the mountains.
And here's a thought: many of these luxury resorts are in high-demand areas where finding a place to park an extra vehicle or store your gear can be a real headache. If you're traveling with a tow vehicle or just have extra stuff you don't want to clutter up your site with, using a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. You can find a local homeowner renting out a driveway spot for your car or some extra garage space for your bikes & kayaks. It’s a pretty clever solution to a common RVer problem.

The Freedom of Free Camping: A Deeper Dive into Boondocking

Okay, let's talk more about free camping because it’s one of the best parts of RVing in Colorado. It takes a bit more effort, but the payoff is HUGE. We're talking million-dollar views for zero dollars.
Where to Look:
  1. National Forests: Colorado has 11 National Forests, and most of them allow dispersed camping. Look for Forest Service roads on a map (like a Motor Vehicle Use Map or MVUM). Drive down these roads, and you'll start to see pull-offs with stone fire rings. These are your spots.
  2. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land: The BLM manages huge swaths of land, particularly in the western & southern parts of the state. These areas are often more desert-like and offer incredible boondocking opportunities.
Essential Rules & Etiquette:
  • 14-Day Limit: Most national forests have a 14-day stay limit in one spot within a 28 or 30-day period. After that, you need to move to a new location, usually a certain number of miles away.
  • Leave No Trace: This is the golden rule. Pack it in, pack it out. ALL of it. Leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.
  • Fire Safety: ALWAYS check for local fire bans. Colorado is often under fire restrictions, especially in the summer. If you can have a fire, use an existing fire ring. Never create a new one.
  • Be Self-Contained: This is critical. You must have a way to manage your own trash, and your black & grey water tanks must be sealed. No dumping on the ground, ever.
Some popular areas for dispersed camping include the Gunnison National Forest, the San Isabel National Forest, & the areas around Crested Butte & Twin Lakes.

RVing in a Winter Wonderland: A Different Kind of Colorado Adventure

Most people think of Colorado as a summer destination, but RVing in the winter is a truly magical experience. The crowds are gone, the landscapes are covered in a beautiful blanket of snow, & you can have popular spots all to yourself. But it requires some serious preparation.
Year-Round Campgrounds:
Not all campgrounds stay open in the winter, and many that do offer limited services (like no running water to the sites to prevent frozen pipes). But there are some great options:
  • Tiger Run RV Resort (Breckenridge): As mentioned, this is a top choice for winter, with full hookups & easy access to world-class skiing.
  • Garden of the Gods RV Resort (Colorado Springs): This resort stays open year-round & lets you explore the stunning red rock formations without the summer crowds.
  • Palisade Basecamp RV Resort (Palisade): The milder climate on the Western Slope makes Palisade a good winter option.
  • Snowy Peaks RV Park (Buena Vista): A great basecamp for skiing at Monarch or Cooper Mountain, plus you're close to some fantastic hot springs.
Winter RV Prep is NON-NEGOTIABLE:
  • Insulation: You need to add extra insulation to your windows, vents, & any drafty areas. Some people use reflective foil insulation or even heavy curtains.
  • Skirting: An RV skirt is essential to keep the underside of your rig from freezing. This protects your pipes & tanks.
  • Heated Water Hose: If you have a water hookup, you MUST use a heated hose to prevent it from turning into a giant icicle.
  • Propane: You will go through a LOT of propane for heating. Make sure your tanks are full & you know where you can get them refilled.
  • Be Prepared for Anything: Have emergency supplies, including extra blankets, food, water, and a reliable heat source that doesn't depend on shore power.
Let's be honest, winter RVing also means bringing a lot more gear—skis, snowboards, bulky winter clothes. If you're staying in one spot for a while, your RV can get cramped FAST. This is another area where a service like Prked can come in clutch. Imagine renting a nearby homeowner's garage for a month to store all your winter sports gear. It keeps your living space clear & your expensive equipment secure. Pretty cool, right?

Pro Tips for Your Colorado RV Trip

Before you hit the road, here are a few final tips from someone who's spent a lot of time exploring the Centennial State.
  • Acclimatize: The high elevation is no joke. Take it easy for the first day or two. Drink TONS of water—more than you think you need.
  • Mountain Driving is Different: Roads can be steep, winding, & narrow. Use lower gears on descents to save your brakes. Be aware of your RV's length, especially on mountain passes like Independence Pass, which has a 35-foot length restriction.
  • Weather Changes in a Flash: It can be sunny one minute & hailing the next, especially in the mountains. Always have layers, including a waterproof jacket, ready to go.
  • Book WAY in Advance: I can't stress this enough. For popular campgrounds in the summer, you need to book 6 months out, the day they become available.
  • Don't Forget about Income Opportunities: If you're a Colorado resident with an RV, you know how valuable parking & storage space is. On the flip side, you could be earning passive income with Prked. If you have an empty driveway, garage, or even a side yard that could fit an RV, you can list it on Prked & help out fellow travelers while making some extra cash. It’s a great way to monetize that unused space.
Colorado is an RVer's dream, plain & simple. From the rugged beauty of the San Juan Mountains to the rolling vineyards of the Western Slope, there’s a perfect campsite waiting for you. Whether you're looking for five-star luxury or five-billion-star nights in the backcountry, you'll find it here.
I hope this guide was helpful in getting you started on planning your epic Colorado RV adventure. Let me know what you think, and happy camping
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