• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Arapaho Bay Campground ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Accommodations
Arapaho Bay Campground
© cenchild/stock.adobe.com

2. Aspen Glade Campground ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Accommodations
Aspen Glade Campground
© Robin Nolan/stock.adobe.com

3. Camp Dick

Camp Dick
© Juan Llauro/stock.adobe.com

4. Cascade Campground

Category: Accommodations
Cascade Campground
© cherryandbees/stock.adobe.com

5. Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Category: Activities
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

6. Crawford State Park

Category: Activities
Crawford State Park
© Uwalthie Pic Project/stock.adobe.com

7. Difficult Campground

Category: Accommodations
Difficult Campground
© esmehelit/stock.adobe.com

8. Jefferson Creek Campground

Category: Accommodations
Jefferson Creek Campground
© Jacob Lund/stock.adobe.com

9. Lathrop State Park

Category: Activities
Lathrop State Park
© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

10. May Queen

May Queen
© Andrey Armyagov/stock.adobe.com

11. Mountain Park Recreation Area

Category: Activities
Mountain Park Recreation Area
© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

12. Mueller State Park

Category: Activities
Mueller State Park
© moodboard/stock.adobe.com

13. Painted Rocks Campground

Category: Accommodations
Painted Rocks Campground
© evannovostro/stock.adobe.com

14. Pawnee Campground

Category: Accommodations
Pawnee Campground
© kikovic/stock.adobe.com

15. Platte River Campground

Category: Accommodations
Platte River Campground
© Shutter2U/stock.adobe.com

16. Rainbow Lakes Campground

Category: Accommodations
Rainbow Lakes Campground
© Soloviova Liudmyla/stock.adobe.com

17. Redstone Campground

Category: Accommodations
Redstone Campground
© wavebreak3/stock.adobe.com

18. Reverends Ridge Campground

Category: Accommodations
Reverends Ridge Campground
© YY&L/stock.adobe.com

19. Ridgway State Park

Category: Activities
Ridgway State Park
© Andrey Armyagov/stock.adobe.com

20. Rim Rock Campground

Category: Accommodations
Rim Rock Campground
© Tomasz Zajda/stock.adobe.com

21. Rocky Mountain National Park

Category: Activities
Rocky Mountain National Park
© Photo-maxx/stock.adobe.com

22. Saddlehorn Campground

Category: Accommodations
Saddlehorn Campground
© Elena/stock.adobe.com

23. State Forest State Park

Category: Activities
State Forest State Park
© Juan Llauro/stock.adobe.com

24. Sylvan Lake State Park

Category: Activities
Sylvan Lake State Park
© kaninstudio/stock.adobe.com

25. Tunnel Campground

Category: Accommodations
Tunnel Campground
© stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

  • There are more than 13,000 campsites in Colorado, run by private and public enterprises.
  • They range from 'primitive', with no water or other basics, to full service, including electrical hookups, laundry, and shower facilities.
  • There are 14 million acres of state-run parks covering mountains, lakes, rivers, and valleys.
  • Most public campgrounds are located at high altitudes and offer minimal support during the winter off-season, which is usually from mid-October to mid-May.
  • Pets are allowed at some venues but not where they are likely to impact the local wildlife.
  • The ethos of all campers in these conservation areas should be to leave no trace of their visits.

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