Your First (or Best) Colorado Camping Trip Starts Here

Colorado has 43 state parks managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, with over 4,000 campsites spread across them. That's a lot of options, and the range is real. You can sleep in a cabin, rent a yurt, pull in with an RV, or find a walk-in tent site tucked away from the road. Nearly 300 of those sites are ADA-accessible, which matters if you're camping with someone who needs that consideration. The point is, this state is set up for campers at almost every comfort level.

For folks who want even more options, recreation.gov lists over 1,400 bookable Colorado camping results, covering national forests, recreation areas, and dispersed sites across the Rockies. Reservations can be made up to 160 days in advance, and they must be placed at least four days before your arrival date. Book early. Popular spots fill fast, especially from June through August. Getting your dates locked in early is the single best thing you can do for a smooth trip.

What Colorado's Camping Scene Actually Looks Like

Oh Be Joyful Campground near Gunnison is a 30-unit site that was recently renovated, and it shows. It has 14 RV campsites and 15 walk-in tent sites, plus one group site if you're heading out with a crew. Three vault restrooms are on site. The name alone is worth something, but the location near Gunnison backs it up with access to the kind of scenery that makes you put your phone away on purpose.

Arapaho National Forest draws campers who want curated trails paired with solid camping areas. It's a well-organized destination for people who want their days to feel full, with hiking in the morning and a campfire by evening. Sites like Spruce Grove Campground, Happy Meadows, and Goose Creek Campground are all bookable through recreation.gov and offer that classic Colorado forest camping feel. Twin Eagle Lost Park is another one worth searching on recreation.gov if you want something a little more off the beaten path.

For groups, Pulver Mountain Group Site is a bookable option through recreation.gov that works well for friend trips or multigenerational outings. If you're planning a trip with your daughter or a group of women, having a dedicated group site keeps things simpler. You get space without the chaos of trying to claim adjacent individual sites.

Permits and Reservations: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Colorado camping reservations go through recreation.gov for most federal sites, and the state parks system has its own booking process as well. The 160-day advance window sounds like a lot, but for summer weekends at popular campgrounds, that window fills up. Set a calendar reminder and book the day your window opens. It's a small step that saves a lot of frustration.

Some areas have additional entry requirements. Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area, for example, requires timed entry tickets that you book through recreation.gov separately from your campsite reservation. Double-check the specific requirements for wherever you're headed. A quick read-through on recreation.gov before your trip will tell you exactly what you need. Missing a timed ticket requirement is the kind of thing that ruins the start of an otherwise good trip.

Gear Tips for Camping in Colorado

Colorado's elevation changes everything about how you pack. Even in summer, temperatures at higher elevations can drop into the low 40s or below at night, sometimes in July. A sleeping bag rated for 20 degrees Fahrenheit will cover you in most conditions. Layer your sleep system the same way you'd layer your clothing: a liner inside a bag gives you flexibility.

Layering your clothing matters just as much during the day. Mornings start cold, afternoons can get warm, and afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast at elevation, often between noon and 3 p.m. A lightweight rain jacket is not optional in Colorado. It's the one thing you'll reach for every single trip. Pack it at the top of your bag where you can grab it without digging.

If you're camping with a daughter or a friend who's new to this, keep the setup simple. A four-season tent is overkill for most Colorado summer camping, but a three-season tent with a good rain fly is the right call. Bring a headlamp for every person in your group, not one to share. And drink more water than you think you need. Altitude dehydration is real, and it sneaks up on people who aren't used to it.