Glamping opportunities near Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests stretch across elevations from 6,000 to 11,400 feet, creating diverse camping conditions across seasons. Winter temperatures can drop below zero while summer days often reach the 80s with afternoon thunderstorms common from July through September. Most glamping sites operate from May through early October when overnight temperatures remain above freezing.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Green Ridge Campground, campers can hike directly into Rocky Mountain National Park without moving their vehicle. "We had a fox visit our site as well as a marmot & many other creatures. A great experience," reports one visitor. The campground's lake access provides regular moose sightings.
Horseback riding experiences: Winding River Resort offers guided horseback riding tours for glampers. According to a camper, "Loved the petting zoo and stream to swim in. Also really enjoyed the horseback riding and ATV ride." The resort maintains horses that occasionally roam the property.
Water recreation access: Lake Granby provides paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming opportunities. A camper at Stillwater Campground notes, "The beach is amazing our kiddo threw rocks and explored all day!" Many glamping sites offer direct lake access for water activities without transporting equipment.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Despite being a popular destination, some glamping sites maintain good separation between accommodations. At Hermits Hollow Campground, "The sites aren't sitting on top of each other, and some spots feel relatively secluded," according to a visitor. Tree cover varies significantly between sites.
Convenient amenities: Many glamping locations provide unexpected conveniences. Sunset Point Campground maintains "Clean facilities, friendly staff and very affordable!" A visitor to Estes Park KOA appreciated that "The facilities are excellent. There are combo shower/bathroom stations throughout the campground so you never have to walk far to clean up."
Mountain scenery: Glamping sites typically offer mountain views not found at standard hotels. At Glacier Basin Campground, "The views of the surrounding peaks were great from our site!" Despite pine beetle damage removing many trees, one camper noted that "the plus side to fewer trees is the better mountain views!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping accommodations require advance booking. A visitor to Arapaho Bay notes, "While I did not stay at the campground I wanted to post a quick review to help people out... you pretty much need a reservation ahead of time to camp here so make sure you go online or call ahead to check availability."
Limited shade: Pine beetle infestations have removed many mature trees from the area. A reviewer observed that in some areas "There aren't a lot of tree cover but it was very pretty." This impacts glamping sites with canvas walls that can heat up quickly in direct sunlight.
Wildlife precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage at all glamping sites. "We had bears at our site and around the campground 2 out of 3 nights!" reports one Arapaho Bay visitor. Most sites provide secure storage, but many require sharing between multiple accommodations.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers structured activities throughout the day. "The facility offered tons of activities for the kids and they wore themselves out daily to the point of falling asleep while eating dinner," writes one parent. Many sites include playgrounds, game rooms, or organized events.
Accessible hiking trails: Short trails suitable for children connect many glamping areas. "Wildlfe is very abundant. Bear Lake and Fern Lake are amazing hikes for the fam," notes a Glacier Basin visitor. Most family-friendly trails range from 0.5-3 miles with minimal elevation gain.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between glamping sites. Some offer full showers while others maintain vault toilets only. One parent noted, "The showerhouse was cleaned twice daily and the shower stalls were VERY roomy," while others warn of longer walks to facilities from certain sites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection importance: Many glamping sites accommodate RVs but with limitations. A Jellystone visitor warned, "Some sites are tight and need some leveling." Another noted, "It would be hard to get a camper over 35ft in." Research specific site dimensions before booking.
Hookup availability: While some glamping areas provide full connections, many offer only partial hookups. At Estes Park Campground, "Sites had water and electric. There were toilets and showers on site," but not all sites include sewer connections, requiring use of dump stations.
Wind exposure: The mountain setting creates significant wind challenges. "We got hit with some crazy wind/rain but it passed fast," reports one camper. RVs with slideouts or awnings face particular wind risks in the exposed mountain environment during afternoon storms.
