Chatfield State Park 

With 26 miles of multiple hiking and biking trails, you won’t get bored at Chatfield State Park. Denver, Colorado is only a thirty-minute drive away, and yet visiting Chatfield State Park is like being in paradise with large rolling hills and lots of space. Most of the state park is near the big water reservoirs, a favorite for fishers. You can find walleye, bass, perch, crappie, catfish, carp, and yellow perch. Fish are not the only common wildlife that calls Chatfield State Park home. Always watch your surroundings while on the trails as you can run into coyotes. Although not as common, black bears and mountain lions ‌call the state park home.

Cold Springs Campground

Cold Springs Campground knows how to take your breath away, especially since it is located within the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest. Inside this national forest, are dozens of hiking paths ranging in level. Even if you are a beginner, you can take a lovely and scenic hike through the national park. Vista Trail is a gorgeous trail that is short, but steep. Wear appropriate shoes when hiking to protect your body. Once you reach the end of this trail, to the very top, you will find spectacular views of the vast Mount Evans Wilderness and the valley below. In the valley are creeks with plenty of fishing opportunities. Your furry friend can also join you on your adventure but must be kept on a leash.

 Rainbow Lakes Campground

Check out Rainbow Lakes Campground before it closes for the winter. This beautiful campground is only open between mid-June and mid-September. It is located nearly 10,000 feet at the end of Rainbow Lakes road and is a small campsite on a first-come-first-serve basis. There are also only 18 campsites which accommodate tents. Also, be aware when walking since Rainbow Lakes Campground is near Indian Peaks Wilderness, a forest with many bears. If you want to pitch a tent and enjoy the stars, this is the best place to do it! The large trail even leads to freshwater ponds perfect for freshwater fishing. Just an hour away from Denver, you can see spectacular mountain views from a gorgeous outlook.

 Carter Lake Campground

Carter Lake is a recreational dream. With horseback riding, mountain biking, boat launches, swimming beaches, and much more, you’ll have no shortage of activities at this campground! Located within an hour of Denver, you also won’t be far from amenities too. One of the great things about Carter Lake is that it is open year-round, with plenty of water activities for you to pursue. The entire reservoir is over 1,000 acres, all public lands, and you can even sail and scuba dive here! Definitely worth checking out.

Parry Peak Campground

Parry Peak Campground is one of the only campgrounds in Colorado that does not require campers to register for a reservation. There is so much to do at Parry Peak Campground that you won’t know where to start. This campground offers creek-side camping with refreshing sights and sounds. Imagine walking outside of your tent in the early mornings and immediately looking at crystal clear glistening water. This is definitely a campground for lovers of the outdoors. Adventurers will sigh at the breathtaking views throughout the campground. Riverside fishing is also available and RVs can camp in designated areas. Dogs are also allowed but should be kept leashed as wildlife like Black Bears, Cougars, and Elk are common in the area. For those with the strength to do so, you can climb Mount Elbert. The summit sits at 14,433 feet. Always be careful when visiting these campgrounds as they are prone to wildfires. The heat during the Summer is intense. If you are unsure about the risk, Parry Peak Campground’s online website states the risk daily.

 

title: “The Absolute Best Camping Near Denver " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-25” author: “Judy Mullan”

1) Indian Paintbrush Campground: Bear Creek Lake Park

One of the closest campgrounds to downtown Denver has RV sites, tent camping, and yurts! The Indian Paintbrush Campground at Bear Creek Lake Park has 47 campsites as well as 3 yurts and 2 cabins. Enjoy the swimming beach, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and archery range. You can take a kayak out on the lake or try some fishing with anglers catching good-sized walleye, bass, and rainbow trout. With a campground so close to Denver, you can catch a game at Coor’s Field, visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (don’t miss the “Wildlife Hall” with 90 wildlife and habitat exhibits) or the Denver Aquarium (including stingrays, sea turtles, and sharks). You should plan a multi-day trip to be sure to experience everything Denver offers while also enjoying peaceful camping. You can see why this is one of the absolute best places to camp near Denver!

2) Standley Lake Regional Park and Wildlife Refuge

Located NE of Downtown Denver on the third largest reservoir in Denver is the Standley Lake Regional Park and Wildlife Refuge. The 3,000-acre park is a refuge for many birds like herons, red-tailed hawks, and the largest of owls, the Great Horned Owls. There is also a prairie dog town in the park! One of the nicest things about the lake is that it is a “paddle only” lake, so you can imagine how quiet the park and campground are. Bring your kayak, paddleboard, or canoe to explore the lake yourself or try some fishing. The campground has 66 campsites for RV’s and tents and 6 Deluxe Bell Tents (similar to yurts). Each campsite has its own picnic table and fire ring with restrooms and outdoor showers nearby. Nice to be able to stay right in the park to enjoy the lake and wildlife.

3) Denver West / Central City KOA Holiday

Do you want to camp in the mountains but still be about a half-hour away from the city? The Denver West/Central City KOA is in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 8,490 feet, but only 38 miles from downtown Denver. As you can imagine, the campground has amazing views of the mountains as well as a great home base for backpacking in the surrounding mountains and parks like Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The campground has RV sites, tent sites, and cabins for rent with a fun playground, two hot tubs, and activities during the summer months. Some RV sites are all set for “Big Rigs” and can accommodate up to 80′ long trailers. You may enjoy planning all your camping meals, but the KOA has “All You Can Eat Pancakes” every morning during the summer months, so cross off Breakfast on your to-do list. Sitting at your picnic table eating pancakes with a view of the Rocky Mountains sounds like a good way to start any day!

4) Cherry Creek State Park

One of the absolute best places to camp near Denver is Cherry Creek State Park. The large Cherry Creek Reservoir has a sandy swimming beach and boat ramp for kayaks, paddle boards, motorized boats, and jet skis. A few unique activities are available at the park, like an area for flying model airplanes, horseback riding trails, and a shooting range. You can also imagine that fishing on Cherry Creek Lake is a popular activity, with walleye being a favorite catch and the lake stocked with rainbow trout by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The campground has 152 campsites with one loop designated as “tent only” camping. The RV sites all have full hookups and are situated in 5 different loops, all with access to restrooms and showers nearby. The beach is just a short walk from the campground, less than a ¼ of a mile. It is hard to believe that this oasis of a park is just outside the downtown Denver area.

5) Chatfield State Park

If you have a weekend off and want to get out of Denver for a bit, you can spend the weekend camping at Chatfield State Park. The large state park on the Chatfield Reservoir is just south of Denver, about 50 minutes away. There is a marina at the campground, so bring your boat or rent one for the weekend. You can enjoy sailing, water skiing, paddle boarding, or fishing (warm and cold water fish like walleye, rainbow trout, blue catfish, and channel cats.) The campground has four camping loops with a total of 197 campsites for RV’s and tents. Each campsite has a picnic table and grill, so if you catch some good-sized walleye, you can fry up your own dinner! If you are unlucky on the lake, no worries, you can enjoy dinner at the floating restaurant just off the marina. The campground is within walking distance of the marina, boat ramps, and swimming beach. For a day trip, you can visit the Denver Botanical Garden, which is only 10 miles away. You can see why Chatfield is one of the absolute best places to camp near Denver.

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