Colorado RV Camping and Campgrounds

Recreational Vehicle Camping in Colorado

Finding the best RV camping sites in Colorado is easy. With the highest average elevation in the country, Colorado has great RV camping sites located next to mountain lakes and rushing streams. RV parks and campgrounds are located near Colorado travel destinations, and offer every type of camping from primitive to full hookup RV resorts.

Free RV camping, and public campground topographical location maps follow Colorado RV camping resources.

Colorado Resources for RV camping Information

• Private RV Parks - Research tool for finding RV parks and campgrounds in Colorado.

• National Park Service - NPS links and information to National Park Service administered lands in Colorado. Most National Parks and Monuments have RV camping facilities.
• US Forest Service - USFS information about US Forest Service administered lands in Colorado. Thousands of campsites in developed campgrounds, and for adventure, try dispersed camping (boondocking) to find great RV camping sites.
• Bureau of Land Management - BLM information about Bureau of Land Management lands in Colorado. BLM manages 8.4 million acres of land, with 50 developed recreation areas. Free dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is also allowed on BLM lands.
• US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about Corps lakes in Colorado. Five lakes have public RV camping facilities.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Colorado. Some refuges don't permit camping, so check carefully.

• Colorado State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Colorado.
• Colorado State Parks offer the RV camper a wide variety of campgrounds from the mountains to the plains. Full service RV camping sites are available in most state parks.
• Colorado Division of Wildlife - There are 240 wildlife areas in Colorado, and most of them allow camping. NEW - A Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp is required to hunt, fish, camp, and visit Colorado Wildlife Management Areas and State Trust Lands.

• Camping Reservations - Colorado Federal and State Campground reservations for your RV camping trip.

• Current Weather - From the National Weather Service
• Historical Weather - Know what to pack in your RV. Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature, GPS locations and elevation.

• RV Dump Stations

• RVDumps.com - Places to dump in Colorado.
• Sanidumps.com - Dump stations listed by town in Colorado.

RV Camping pages with more information

• USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
• BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Vast areas of the western USA are available for free RV camping on lands managed by the BLM. Rules and policies about recreation and RV camping.
• USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.
• NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.
• Boondocking has information about how to find the best dispersed camping locations. Learn the rules and regulations.
  

Free Camping and Boondocking Locations

Free RV camping is available throughout Colorado on public lands administered by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), and the USFS (US Forest Service). The following list is just a sample of free RV camping possibilities. Free RV camping locations are primitive which means there are no RV hookups.

Our Boondocking Section has great information about finding the best RV camping sites.

BUENA VISTA

RV camping is permitted at numerous locations near Buena Vista. USDA San Isabel National Forest offers the adventurous RVer unlimited boondocking opportunities near some of Colorado's famous 14,000 mountain peaks. Buena Vista offers full RV services.

CENTRAL CITY

You might strike it rich during your RV camping trip to the Central City area. Central City was known as the "Richest Square Mile On Earth" because of it's rich mineral deposits in the past, and today gambling is bringing renewed growth to this historic Colorado town.

EMPIRE

Named for New York, the Empire State, Empire offers free RV camping at their city park with permission from city hall. This historic mining town offers the RVer outdoor recreation with spectacular mountain views. The city park is quiet and has fresh water and trash available.

To find free RV camping sites in Colorado, you need a good map. We recommend Benchmark Road & Recreation Atlas for Colorado as a great paper recreation atlas. Put that together with Delorme Topo USA 6.0 National Mapsand you have a powerful set of tools to find great RV camping sites.

FORT MORGAN

Many towns in Colorado offer free RV camping, and Fort Morgan is no exception. Located in Northeast Colorado, Fort Morgan is also close to Pawnee National Grassland and numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. The city run Riverside Park has water, trash, and even electricity.

GRANT

Only an hour southwest of Denver, RV camping is available near the small mountain community of Grant. The USDA Pike National Forest administers much of the area surrounding Grant, and fabulous scenery and unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities await you.

HALE

Free RV camping is permitted near the eastern Colorado border at the small community of Hale. This area is near Bonny State Recreation Area, and in an area popular with fishermen, boaters, and upland bird hunters in the Fall. Good gravel roads access the area, and a nice rural camping location.

JEFFERSON

You will have no trouble find great free RV camping sites near Jefferson. This historic community was once on the Denver & South Park Railroad, and is nearly surrounded by the USDA Pike National Forest. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) campsites for RV's are easy to find, especially in the Lost Park area east of Jefferson.

LA JUNTA  

A few miles south of La Junta is the Comanche National Grasslands.  This wide open area is home to North Americas largest dinosaur track site.  USDA Forest Service guided tours are available, and dispersed campsites are readily available.  Our June, 2006 campsite of the month.

LEADVILLE

RV camping is available in many places around Leadville. The old Camp Hale area north of Leadville is one of many places where free dispersed camping (boondocking) is permitted. This historic area is the original home of the US Army 10th Mountain Division that trained in this area during WWII.

SILVERTON

Located in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado, Silverton offers RV camping locations with scenery that's tough to beat. This historic mining area has outdoor recreation opportunities as well as a substantial tourist facilities that should provide any RVer activities they enjoy.

Colorado Public Campgrounds

RV camping in Colorado is great for RVers looking for varied outdoor experiences. Campgrounds managed by BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and Colorado State Parks offer RV camping. Some of the Nations most visited National Parks offer RV camping in Colorado, and USFS (US Forest Service) campgrounds offer cooler locations to escape the Summer heat. Amenities range from dry RV camping with only trash and pit toilets to RV camping sites with full RV hookups. This is only a partial listing of RV camping opportunities at public campgrounds.

ALAMOSA

The largest land locked sand dunes in the USA are located at Great Sand Dunes National Park. This area offers some of Colorado's best scenery, and is off the beaten path. The campground offers 88 campsites, most suitable for RV camping.

CEDAREDGE

RV camping is permitted throughout Colorado, and a great area, especially for fishermen is the Grand Mesa area. The USDA Grand Mesa National Forest has Developed Campgrounds for a modest fee. Outdoor recreation such as fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing are only a few of the things to do on your RV camping trip to Grand Mesa.

CORTEZ

One of Colorado's most popular RV camping destinations is Mesa Verde National Park. Located near Cortez, the campground has over 400 campsites. Ancient cliff dwellings are the primary tourist draw, and there are many hiking trails to enjoy for all levels of ability.

DENVER

There are several public campgrounds in the Denver Area perfect for a quick weekend RV camping getaway. With all types of outdoor recreation, these campgrounds make an ideal place for extended RV camping trips too.

• Cherry Creek State Park is located in the southeast Denver metro area. Full RV hookups available.
• Chatfield State Park is located in the southwestern section of the Denver area. Full RV hookups available.
• Bear Creek Lake is located near Morrison on the western edge of the metro area. Electric only sites.
• Barr Lake is located on the northern edge of the metro area. Full RV hookups available.

ESTES PARK

Spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding,river rafting, wildlife viewing and much more will help make your RV camping trip memorable at Estes Park. RV camping is available near Estes Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. The town offers full tourist and recreational vehicle facilities and is a very active place during the peak summer season. Reservations are recommended.

FORT COLLINS

Great RV camping sites are available near Fort Collins in the USDA Roosevelt National Forest. This forest offers designated campgrounds as well as Dispersed Camping (boondocking).

• Ansel Watrous Campground - Located northwest of Fort Collins, this campground offers vault toilets, fire grates, picnic tables and drinking water. There are 19 campsites with a minimal fee.
• Bellaire Campground - Located northwest of Fort Collins, this USDA Forest Service campground offers flush and vault toilets, fire grates, picnic tables and drinking water are available. Electrical hookups are available at some sites.
• Roosevelt National Forest - Developed campgrounds and dispersed RV camping (boondocking) are available.

GRAND JUNCTION

Located on the "Western Slope" of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, RV camping sites are available at several nearby locations.

• Miracle Rock Recreation Site - Located southwest of Grand Junction this campground offers picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets that are handicapped accessible. Not recommended for large RVs.
• Saddlehorn Campground is located in Colorado National Monument. Offering RV camping with water and dump facilities.
• Mud Spring Recreation Area - Family campground with 14 campsites. Tables, grills, and toilets are available.
• Colorado River State Park offers full hookup RV camping sites. Located on the Colorado River.

GUNNISON

Beautiful country surrounds Gunnison, and there are many RV camping sites available. The USDA Gunnison National Forest offers Developed Campgrounds suitable for RV camping for a small fee. Gunnison is a full service town with food, fuel, RV supplies, and other RV related services.

LAS ANIMAS

RV camping is allowed 15 miles north of Las Animas Colorado in the Adobe Creek Reservoir SWA (State Wildlife Area). Once you get to the State Wildlife Web Page, use the drop down menu to access the specific SWA desired.

MONTROSE

The area around Montrose Colorado offers almost unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities. Northeast of Montrose a short distance is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This spectacular canyon is a great destination for RV camping. You can see the effects of wind and water over millions of years in this 1800 foot deep Colorado gorge.

OURAY

RV camping in the Ouray area is hard to beat as the scenery is some of the best Colorado has to offer. The USDA Uncompahgre National Forest has numerous campgrounds, and the Amphitheater Campground just outside Ouray is a great RV camping destination. The San Juan Mountains in the area are called the "Switzerland of America", and once you visit this area, you will soon see why. Specific information regarding this campground may be obtained from the Ouray Ranger District at 2505 S. Townsend, Montrose, CO 81401, telephone 970-240-5300.

RIDGWAY

This historic town on the old Rio Grande Southern Railroad has some of Colorado's best scenery. RV camping is at it's best at Ridgway State Park located just north of town. Fishing, boating, hiking, and more await you in this great Colorado State Park. The nearby San Juan mountains are called the "Switzerland of America" for good reason. Dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is permitted in national forest lands nearby.

RV Camping Information You Can Use