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Camping In Colorado With Kids

Why Youll Love Shady Grove Campground

SCAMP TRAILER | Family camp trip in Colorado with toddler and baby

Shady Grove is a small, but well kept, park thats perfect for relaxing. It has many other Colorado RV parks beat when it comes to pricing, offering amazing deals on monthly rental rates. The large, full hookup sites provide privacy and can accommodate even the largest of RVs. You can visit the Flagler Reservoir area for a picnic and a chance to see some local wildlife or head to the Old Town Museum in Burlington for some local history and heritage.

Green Mountain Reservoir Campgrounds

If your kids are a couple of water guppies, Green Mountain Reservoir is the ideal campground for first-timers to try their hand at camping and stay cool while doing it.

At Green Mountain, you can alternate between classic camp activities, like hiking, biking, and picnicking, with fun on the water including boating, stand-up paddle-boarding, and swimming at the beach.

Day hikes around Green Mountain Reservoir include:

The 8 Best Campgrounds In Colorado

By Contributor | August 11, 2021

Things are changing rapidly – please double check what’s open before your trip and follow all local guidelines to keep yourself and others safe! Also, ads are how we pay our bills and keep our blog free for you to enjoy. We also use affiliate links if you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Grand mountains. Rustling plains. Towering sand dunes. Spectacular lakes. Nope, were not talking about the entire United States: you can find absolutely all of this stunning scenery right in Colorado! From the grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park to the winding roads of the Million Dollar Highway and the breathtaking expanse of theBlue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado is a stunning outdoor playground. And the best way to get to know its vast expanses of wilderness is to go camping!

Whether youre a casual camper or a seasoned backcountry lover, there are limitless opportunities for camping spots in Colorado. Which is, honestly, a little overwhelming.

So, weve teamed up with Lyndsie, a Colorado native who has lived and camped her whole life in this beautiful state, to create this list of the 8 best places to camp in Colorado, plus all the tips you need to plan a fun, safe camping trip! Because a safe camper is a happy camper, as I have never said before in my life but will definitely start saying now because I love me a terrible Dad joke.

Take it away, Lyndsie!

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What To Pack For Camping In Colorado

We have a comprehensive list of what to pack for a camping trip, but below weve included some specific suggestions for camping in Colorado.

  • Water, water, and more water!Dont underestimate the amount of water youll need. Staying hydrated not only helps keep your temperature regulated but can also prevent altitude sickness. We recommend bringing a hydration daypack with 100oz of water for hikes, and sipping constantly from a water bottle back at camp.
  • Sun Protection: Youll need plenty of environmentally-friendly sunscreen, as well as a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and sunglasses. The Colorado sun is scorching, especially. at high altitude or in the desert.
  • Moisturizer & Lip Balm: Colorado air is DRY, especially in higher altitudes and in the desert! Bring more than you think youll need and apply regularly.
  • Layers: Regardless of the weather forecast but especially if rain or snow is predicted pack some warm clothing, even if it seems hot. A lightweight rain jacket is always a good idea, as is a packable down jacket or fleece jacket and a warm hat. Additionally, if you have space, it never hurts to pack extra blankets for an overnight in case the temperature plummets.

Weve also got more suggestions on what to pack for hiking in Colorado in our guide to the best hikes near Denver, and of course, a detailed camping packing guide!

Arrowhead Point Campground Buena Vista

Base Camp Family Campground

Arrowhead Point is a great base for adventures in the Arkansas River Headwaters area. The biggest draw of this campground is its location, which is convenient for exploring numerous attractions around, such as Royal Gorge, Colorado Springs, and Pikes Peaks.

You should choose this campground if youre an active family looking for an active camping trip. Theres so much you can do around here, from fishing and rafting to horseback riding and ATV touring.

Its another privately owned campground that offers all the amenities you may need for a comfortable stay in nature with your kids.

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Dolores River Campground Dolores

Dolores River is a privately owned campground, and the family that runs it the Beyhans are dedicated to making everyones stay as fun and comfortable as possible. The Dolores River runs through the campground, and theres also a fishing pond.

The best thing about this campground is that it offers several quite unique lodging options. They include cabins and yurts, but also vintage trailers and Conestoga wagons for a genuine Wild West feel.

Of course, there are also sites where you can pitch your own tent or park your RV. The campground is equipped with all the amenities, and it offers all the standard camping activities.

We Have Selected What We Think Are The 10 Best Campgrounds In Colorado For Rvers Just In Time For Your Fall Camping Getaway Colorado Is Awesome During The Fall

With such incredible destinations as Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, the Colorado National Monument, and Mesa Verde, Colorado has a surprising variety of landscapes that will take your breath away! It is tailor-made for RV exploring

Colorado is a spectacular, wide-open state. You will no doubt clock in a lot of traveling time, both in getting here and traveling around the area. If you havent already heard, we like to tout our 330 Rule. This is when you are traveling, always stop for the day when you have either, 1) driven 330 miles, or it is 3:30 in the afternoon. That way, you have time to relax for the evening and do some exploring, and you will be less exhausted from driving.

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Take The Free Gondola Into Telluride

A worthy day trip from Ouray, drive 50 miles to the Free Gondola Parking Lot in Mountain Village. Hop on the gondola up the mountain, take a short hike about, then hop back on a second gondola descending into Telluride. If youre into downhill mountain biking, bring your bikes along for an exhilarating ride.

Fantastic views all around.

Adventures In Toddler Camping

Kenosha East Campground – Pike National Forest, CO

Living in Colorado affords some amazing opportunities to go camping. Theres nothing quite like packing up the car, driving to the mountains, cooking over a fire, and sleeping under the stars.

Reserving a campsite or forging out on your own will determine your proximity to civilization and amenities. The best part is camping can be an inexpensive getaway, of which you need relatively little gear perhaps just a sleeping bag and a tent

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Oh Be Joyful Campground

Located not far from Crested Butte, the Oh Be Joyful campsite doesn’t just have a great name, but is a fantastic location too. The camping area serves as a gateway into a massive region known as the Raggeds Wilderness. Spanning more than 65,000 acres, this national forest ranges in altitude from 7,000 to 13,000 feet. In addition to soaking up the wonderful views of the towering mountains that prominently line the horizon, campers can hike, fish, or mountain bike within the Raggeds too. Reserve a campsite online and use the filters to find available accessible locations. Oh Be Joyful features 13 options for wheelchair and mobility aid users.

For a small slice of civilization amidst this remote location, be sure to drop by Crested Butte while you’re in the area. There, you’ll find plenty of excellent restaurants, pubs, and shops to explore, each oozing with mountain-town charm.

Vasquez Ridge Temporarily Closed To Camping

Free camping only a few miles from downtown Winter Park.

Enjoy Winter Parks beautiful setting in the Rocky Mountains and Vasquez Ridge. Dispersed camping is the main draw, with hiking, fishing, and off-highway-vehicles other common activities.

There arent any campgrounds back at Vasquez Ridge, but there are some in the area. Nearby Saint Louis Creek offers two, and they connect with Vasquez via forest service roads. Theres also one right on Highway 40 before town, near Berthoud Pass.

Best Camping Sites:Dispersed camping is all thats available back at Vasquez Ridge. Its everywhere once you reach the Arapaho N.F.

  • Saint Louis Creek CG a few miles north in Fraser, 16 sites, basic, non-reservable
  • Idlewild on Hwy 40 south of Winter Park, 23 sites, basic, non-reservable

Activities: Biking, Fishing, Hiking, OHV

Nearby Town:

  • Winter Park This town is fun year-round. The resort features a summer alpine slide and bike park. Lake Granby and Grand Lake are also easy trips north.

Getting There:

Dispersed camping and three campgrounds on this national scenic byway.

This stunning byway summits at 11,669 feet, twelve miles outside of Georgetown. The views are incredible, especially during autumn. There is lots to do, including fishing at Clear Lake near Georgetown, and a chance to hike an easier 14er, Mount Bierstadt.

Dispersed camping places are readily available on both sides of the pass. There are also three reservable campgrounds.

Activities: Biking, Fishing, Hiking

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What People Are Saying About Shady Grove Campground

The staff here could not be friendlier or more helpful. We were stuck without a reservation at a name brand campground and were turned away. We found this place using google maps and were quite happy with accommodations here. Its small and quiet. A good place to rest after driving all day. John, Google reviews

Location

  • Discounts: N/A

Best Campgrounds In Colorado: Glacier Basin Campground

Camping with kids in Colorado is big FUN!

Glacier Basin Campground. Here is a gorgeous National Park campground with well-spaced sites, with several walking trails for all levels. This is a dry campground, so no hookups are available, with loops A and B having the most tree cover. The 150 sites all have a picnic table and fire grate. There are flush toilets, potable water, a dump station, and firewood for sale. Nightly rates are $26, with a park pass of $9.

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Turquoise Lake Recreation Area Leadville

Turquoise Lake near Leadville is a beautiful man-made reservoir, and its quite popular among families. No dispersed camping is available around it, but there are around 300 campsites with all the necessary amenities, including drinkable water, toilets, and tables.

You can bike, hike, ride a horse, do water activities, and much more here. The campsites on this lake are quite popular, so make sure to make a reservation a couple of days in advance.

Turquoise Lake is also great for those who like fishing. Theres a variety of trout species you can roast on your campfire. The crystal clear water will induce a sense of calm and help you reset from everyday life.

Pion Flats Campground Mosca Co

Located in the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Piñon Flats Campground is located only a mile from the parks visitors center. This campground has flushable toilets and running-water sinks. The main attraction at this park, which continues to draw families here year-round, is the massive sand dunes. Take the kids sandboarding, which is like snowboarding but on the sand. If youre not interested in boarding the dunes, take a hike on them or even visit Medano Creek for some summertime fun.

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Best Campgrounds In Colorado: Monument Rv Resort

Monument RV Resort. With easy access from the highway, this is located near the Colorado National Monument at Fruita, CO. The staff is friendly and the grounds are quiet, with more shade around the perimeter of the campground. There are lots of great trails around, and all sites have a picnic table, some with full hookups. The resort has laundry rooms, showers and toilets, free WiFi and cable TV, a dump station, and a pool. Nightly rates are $33-$52.

Load Up On Antibacterial Wipes And Baby Wipes

Video of Colorado River RV Campground, TX from Sabrina T.

You may not be able to take your showers as usual due to insufficient water or if it is too cold. Its inevitable that you and your kids will get dirty so youll need several packs of antibacterial wipes and baby wipes just in case. Wipes are great for cleaning your hands and feet before crawling into sleeping bags. They do make solar shower pouches that hear up in the sun.

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Dolores River Campground & Cabins

If you find yourself hanging out in Dolores, Colorado, check out the Dolores River Campground & Cabins. You can enjoy the experience while relaxing right by the Dolores River. The welcoming space is known for its cleanliness.

There are multiple restrooms on the premises, along with a laundry facility for washing clothes and accessories. You can visit the recreation hall to grab breakfast in the morning, too. If you want to have a one-of-a-kind camping experience, this is a great place to park your RV and hang out for a bit. Youll get to make memories while enjoying nature at its finest.

Essential Gear Checklist For Family Camping

May 25, 2020

Gone are the days when kids used to spend almost all their free time outside playing and engaging in other fun outdoor activities. Nowadays, most kids would rather spend their time indoors browsing through social media, watching Netflix, never-ending YouTube videos, or playing video games.

As a parent, there is little you can do to change your childs hobbies. However, there is a way to give your kids a thrilling outdoor experience every once in a while through camping. Going camping with your kids is a great way to bond with them and teach them some vital survival skills that theyll use forever. Its also a lot of fun, but only if you plan well. Here are some tips to make your camping trip a success, along with the items you should consider taking with you.

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Why Youll Love The Views Rv Park & Campground

Youll be able to watch the sun rise and set from the comfort of your roomy RV site, then head into town to see the sights during the day. Explore the many historic sites and museums, head to local wineries for some wine tastings, or spend the day hitting balls at a golf course. Or you can simply explore the Colorado trails in the 42 acres at the campgrounds!

Mogote Meadows Cabins & Rv Park

Camping with kids near Colorado Springs

Situated in the Conejos County area of Colorado, the Mogote Meadows Cabins & RV Park is a highly-rated spot. The acres at this park are surrounded by rivers that you can visit when you want to soak your feet or go fishing. Many people come to the area specifically to fish for trout. The atmosphere is welcoming and peaceful, and guests have nothing but positive things to say about the customer service at this local hot spot. If youre looking for a spot to hang out and relax, this is the right RV park for you.

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Little Molas Lake Campground

Primitive camping in Colorado just doesnt get much better than Little Molas Lake.

The campground and, of course, the lake are very popular with the fishing community thanks to the rainbow and brook trout.

Other nearby activities include rock climbing and hiking. The waterfall in Cascade Canyon is worth a stop for all campers.

But get ready to do some real camping as hail, snow, and sudden rain are all common.

Learn more about Little Molas Lake Campground.

Pion Flats Campground At Great Sand Dunes National Park

Pitch your tent at Piñon Flats Campground to gain access to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of the great wonders of Colorado! Nestled on the edge of the San Luis Valley in the embrace of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this field of brilliant yellow sand stretches as far as the eye can see. Home to the tallest dunes in North America, this iconic landmark is a must-see.

Whats so cool about this place? Theres evidence that humans were active in this area as far back as 11,000 years ago. Today, 19 Native American tribes maintain active cultural affiliation to the Park and surrounding area. For instance, the Navajo hold the area as sacred and part of the boundary of The Navajo Nation nearby Blanca Peak, or Sisnaajini, the White Shell Mountain, play a prominent role in the Navajo origin story.

Because of its unique landscape, NASA used the park to test rovers, including two Viking spacecraft that first landed on Mars. And Bing Crosby was inspired by the parks singing sands phenomenon that he wrote his 1940 hit love song The Singing Sands of Alamosa in honor of the place. Its definitely a fascinating area.

General Notes

What to Do Nearby

How to Get There

This campground is easily accessible from major roadways. Take I-25 from the north or south to Walsenburg . From there, head west on US-160 past Fort Garland. Turn north on CO-150 in Alamosa County.

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Carbondale / Crystal River Koa Holiday

Location: 7202 CO-133, Carbondale, CO 81623

  • Pool, hot tub, and sauna
  • Whitewater rafting, hiking, and fishing
  • Skiing

Carbondale / Crystal River KOA is located just miles from Glenwood Springs and the worldwide known town of Aspen. It is the ultimate holiday destination for those who like mountain settings with breathtaking views and search for fine amenities and activities.

Engage in hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, and skiing, or visit the picturesque town of Redstone with its castle, the mining town of Marble, and the wineries of Paonia. There are so many options that you will not want to leave.

Pitch a tent, sleep in your RV, or rent one of their authentic old-west log cabins. Should you wish to stay and relax in the campground, there is a pool, hot tub, and sauna. This camping resort will not disappoint you.

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