The Arvada area sits at approximately 5,300 feet elevation, positioned between the Denver metro area and the Front Range mountains. Camping options near Arvada range from basic RV sites to mountain-adjacent accommodations, with temperature variations of up to 20°F between day and night even in summer months. Most campgrounds maintain strong cell service within the metro area.
What to do
Fishing access: Clear Creek RV Park offers direct creek access for anglers. "There is so much to do at this location; aside from the sectioned off RV area, there are lots of paths and locals parks to adventure around. Tubing & swimming in the creek is wonderful especially in summertime. Our favorite is the fishing, so much fun fishing in all the different spots along the creek," notes one visitor.
Mountain biking trails: Idaho Springs RV Resort & Campground provides a convenient base for mountain bikers heading to nearby trail systems. "This is a great spot! We stayed at site 39 and it was perfectly level with beautiful surroundings. Great view of the mountains right outside our window," shares a recent camper.
Urban exploration: For those wanting to experience Denver without driving, Applewood RV Resort provides transit options. "The bus to Union Station leaves every hour just outside the campground - so with an easy 30 min trip, you are in the center of Denver! Could not be any easier when camping without a car," a visitor explains.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Riverview RV Park & Campground features sites along the Big Thompson River. "We enjoyed seeing the kids playing in the playground and riding around the park on their bikes. Nearly every day a deer would come munch on the greenery right behind our rig," writes a camper who stayed for a week.
Private bathrooms: Some RV parks near Arvada, Colorado offer enhanced bathroom facilities. "Bathroom and shower were private with a personal key - pure luxury! And everything was very nice and clean," notes a camper at Applewood RV Resort.
Walking paths: Clear Creek RV Park connects to extensive walking trails. "This small, but clean, campground is located perfectly a walk, or bike ride, away from the town of Golden. The bike bath and creek are nice," explains a reviewer who appreciated the accessibility.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Many rv parks in Arvada, Colorado have closely spaced sites. "Spots were VERY CLOSE together so we didn't like that at all. Definitely not the Colorado outdoorsy feel. A lot of long term folks there too," reports one camper about Applewood RV Resort.
Pet restrictions: Dakota Ridge RV Park has specific pet containment rules. "Portable dog pens are not allowed. Tethering is not allowed. We don't like tethering and our rv is small so we travel with some wire folding dog fence so that our dogs can hop in and out of the rv when the weather is good. At this park they can only be on a 6 ft leash attached to a human," explains one pet owner.
Noise considerations: Traffic and ambient noise affect some locations. "Colfax Road is extremely busy & unfortunately loud. The property has seen better days," reports a Dakota Ridge visitor, while another notes, "The highway is busy and noisy. The bars across the road are noisy with loud music."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Riverview RV Park provides family-friendly amenities. "Good Sam's RV park with full amenities. Beautiful river going beside many of the sites. Newer bathrooms. Huge park with playground for kids," highlights a family who visited.
Consider wildlife viewing: Some campgrounds offer wildlife sighting opportunities. "My wife and I spent a week here. We enjoyed seeing the kids playing in the playground and riding around the park on their bikes. Nearly every day a deer would come munch on the greenery right behind our rig," shares a Riverview camper.
Seek water features: Clear Creek RV Park offers water recreation. "Tubing & swimming in the creek is wonderful especially in summertime. Our favorite is the fishing, so much fun fishing in all the different spots along the creek," notes a family who enjoyed the water activities.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some locations. "The A3 site chosen is gravel with a hole or two and significantly tilted low to the front left....requiring a 4 high stack," reports a Dakota Ridge visitor with a 25-foot RV.
Water pressure management: Bring pressure regulators for some RV parks. "Be sure to have a water pressure regulator or you'll come back to a flooded RV," warns a camper at Riverview RV Park.
Internet reliability: Wi-Fi quality varies significantly across Arvada-area RV parks. "We work remotely so good wi-fi is always a bonus but unfortunately this wi-fi was barely usable, even for just using your phone, which is not unusual for a campground but still worth noting. Luckily our Verizon service consistently had 3-4 bars of 5G so we were able to use our jet pack for any internet needs," explains one long-term camper.
