Best Campgrounds near Pueblo, CO
Lake Pueblo State Park serves as the primary camping destination near Pueblo, Colorado, with three campgrounds—Arkansas Point, Northern Plains, and Juniper Breaks—offering electric hookups for RVs and tent sites with views of Pueblo Reservoir. The region includes both state park campgrounds and privately managed facilities such as Pueblo KOA and Pueblo West Campground, where cabins and RV sites provide varying levels of amenities. Most established campgrounds feature water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, though tent camping options are more limited at some RV-focused properties. For dispersed camping options, travelers need to venture to nearby Bureau of Land Management areas like those along Phantom Canyon Road near Penrose.
Reservations are required at Lake Pueblo State Park campgrounds, with a daily entrance fee in addition to camping fees. "This is a beautiful state park. The only negative was we had to pay to get in the park after we paid to camp," noted one visitor about Arkansas Point Campground. The concrete pads at Arkansas Point are generally level with electric hookups, but lack of tree cover means limited shade beyond the covered picnic tables provided at each site. Water is available at fill stations throughout the campgrounds rather than at individual sites. Summer temperatures can be quite hot with little natural shade, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though amenities may be reduced during winter months.
Several visitors mention the quality of facilities at Lake Pueblo State Park campgrounds, particularly the cleanliness of the bathhouses with hot showers. "The bathrooms were very clean with no smell. Very little trees so no shade. They do provide a shade screen at every site," reported one camper. Sites toward the back of Arkansas Point Campground offer direct access to hiking and biking trails, with views of the lake and surrounding mountains. While the state park campgrounds can be crowded on weekends, particularly during summer boating season, midweek stays typically offer more solitude. Private campgrounds like Pueblo KOA provide additional amenities including market services and full hookups, though they typically have less scenic settings than the state park options.
