188 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Unlike most Front Range cities, Aurora has direct highway access to both the plains and the mountain corridors, which makes it a reasonable staging point for campers heading into Pike National Forest or the dispersed zones further west. Developed campgrounds within Aurora's boundaries are limited, but the metro's location means most camping runs from an hour to 90 minutes out. Where to find dispersed sites near Aurora covers the no-fee public land options that Aurora-based campers use most.
For campers who want developed sites with hookups, RV hookups near Aurora covers the full hookup properties accessible from the eastern metro. The Dyrt check-ins from Aurora skew heavily toward summer, with most campers making day-trip or one-night runs to the foothills rather than extended stays. Cell service holds until you clear the first range of foothills west of town.
"Easy access to the sand beach on Cherry Creek reservoir, plenty of hiking and biking trails, and close proximity to Aurora, Centennial, and the greater Denver metro area."
"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
from $28 - $432 / night
Check Availability"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Lots of good food nearby."
"Must have access to military bases. The service Personnel were very helpful and courteous. The Base was exceptionally clean (was an Air force Base becoming a Space Force Base)."
"We stayed three nights; the location is great for military families, retirees, etc. It provided a clean, safe place to stay with plenty of room between campsites."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"This was our first time staying at Bear Creek Lake. The park is not part of the Colorado Wilds or CPW State Park system, but daily vehicle fees are included with your camping reservation."
"Note: If the GPS takes you to a dirt road with a closed gate at the end, get back on the highway and take the next exit to the park entrance."
"The camp ground is close to interstate 70 and cars were driving past every second non stop and super loud. Everything then that the camp is fine"
"It’s close to the interstate, but just fine for one night."
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
"Aurora and Denver have plenty of things to do. The mountain view’s were spectacular."
"Had a great spot right next to the Clear Creek walking path. The campground is clean and well looked after. Clean bathrooms and showers. Close to many hikes and mt trails."
"**Campground Review: ** Golden, CO is a super cute town on the outskirts of Denver. The city has a campground in a prime location, and we were lucky to book a site!"
from $68 - $85 / night
Check Availability
ScoutGreat time! $26/night for a car; CASH ONLY! Great pit toilets. Trash is available. First come first serve. Plot 6 is the best for larger groups/multiple tents.
The entire road is paved up until the turn into the campsite area. Well maintained dirt road easy for a 2wd car. 1 cattle guard at the entrance.
TravelerHas a very elegant and classy clubhouse that has amenities, like laundry, showers, bathrooms, TV, workspace, wifi, and smart desk. There's a mini golf and playground outside, and lounge.
Showers and bathrooms are very clean.
ScoutCame up on Friday 7/10 about 4pm, F150 with a 23' TT. Roads are rough, but I saw a few sedans pass our spot. The numbered campsites nearest to the entrance were all full when we got there, but if you drive into the NF there were plenty of spots despite it being busy. People pouring in looking for camping past 9, tho. It did seem to clear out again Saturday morning, this area makes a good quick 'get out of the city' spot. Sheriff was doing rounds and giving tickets for campfires and checking ATV's, so it felt safe. Absolutely beautiful views, you forget you're only an hour or so from Denver.
LegendOnly two designated spots with fire pits but a large area for a group or a big rig with turnaround room. Beautiful views with shade And not much road noise and decent Cell phone reception
ScoutGoogle “camp always Choose camp adventures” and it will lead you to it, there were residential area drive thru also you will see a “private” sign but it’s only for one side keep going there’s a lot back there. Lots of atvs driving thru the night. My vehicle is awd Kia sorento, took son and mom nice area beautiful sky!
TravelerThe spot I got seemed at the start of the camping area, more are further up.
I recommend not attempting road with 2WD… seems quite rough in spaces. Having the extra support made me feel better.
A bit of an incline but I found plenty of space to set up my tent!
TravelerFor People with military base access. Stayed while base trainings were in place, due to this long lines at gates and only special access was allowed (Essential Personal to the missions were allowed) Minor set back. A lot of construction on base. The road to the Famcamp was one lane with a stop light (up to a 15 minute wait). Washrooms were clean a bit outdated. Laundry room was free to use. Commissary and exchange were very well supplied and had some great prices. This was my second stay here and I will be back the staff was very nice even through the missions being preformed. Famcamp is very quiet and the base was clean as you would expect on an active military base. Aurora and Denver have plenty of things to do. The mountain view’s were spectacular.
TravelerI wouldn’t necessarily plan another trip here but it’s nice to know the place. Came last week and we literally had the FCFS side of the campground to ourselves the 2nd night which was nice!
The spots really vary on that side and I wouldn’t say any have space for campers bigger than pop ups. Some were basically nothing., and maybe 4 had pop up parking. There’s a lake at the campground entrance and the sun sets behind it so it was gorgeous, no water access though. And I will say, I often wonder why we pay so much at campground’s…the camp host was constantly around maintaining the grounds. I’ve never seen that before.
GuideChallenging road with ruts but worth the.peace over July 4th.
Aurora, Colorado sits at an elevation of 5,471 feet with proximity to both prairie landscapes and mountain foothills. Camping sites near Aurora provide varied terrain options with nighttime temperatures that can drop 30-40 degrees from daytime highs even in summer. Sites at Cherry Creek State Park fill completely during summer weekends, often requiring reservations months in advance.
Water activities at Cherry Creek: Reserve beach access at Cherry Creek State Park Campground where many visitors enjoy the reservoir. "Nice Swim Beach with brand new Bldg. Many covered Picnic sites, but again, you MUST arrive at the break of day to secure one," notes Kay S.
Biking on paved paths: Try Chatfield's trail system which connects to a larger network. "This is one of our favorite spots to stay when visiting Denver area. Great for biking and all kinds of water sports. Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites," according to Rick at Chatfield State Park Campground.
Archery and horseback riding: Visit Bear Creek Lake Park for diverse activities beyond typical camping. "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding," reports Joshua H.
Urban convenience with outdoor access: Clear Creek RV Park offers an unusual combination of city and nature. "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," writes Dea D.
Showers and laundry: Find clean facilities at Denver East-Strasburg KOA. "The laundry, bathroom and showers were clean with nice hot water. They have pizza delivery to your site-- which on a day that was 36 degrees with icy rain, was a welcome treat!" shares Paula O.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open year-round unlike mountain sites. "It is a no thrills, Quiet, peaceful, full hook-ups kind of park. Little expensive but one cost covers everything. Plus it is an all season park," notes Mark S. about Denver Meadows RV Park.
Noise levels vary significantly: Highway noise affects some sites more than others. "While this campground is minutes from the city and seconds from a highway, at night you feel like you are in a quiet, mountain campsite with stars to gaze for days," according to Kandisa S. at Indian Paintbrush Campground.
Goat heads and thorns: Check your shoes, pet paws and bike tires at certain locations. "Beware of the goat heads! They're everywhere. I got one in my foot, my son got one in his bike tire, and we had a flat on the camper due to one. When I say they are thick, they are THICK," warns Jennie P.
Reservation timing matters: Popular sites fill months in advance, especially for summer weekends. "Chatfield is popular for fishing and boating. So many people come out for the weekend so they can get up early with the fish."
Park congestion awareness: Plan early arrivals for popular recreation areas. "If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth," advises Kay S. at Cherry Creek State Park Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play structures for children. "This campground was tiny and a little cramped but was very clean and had running showers that was a plus. It was surrounded by trees but they were small which didn't help block the wind. We would stay here again because the staff was very friendly and they had a nice little store and playground," notes Pam B.
Site spacing considerations: Some family-friendly sites provide more separation. "It's a beautiful park just wasn't expecting a lot of people to be here. Also wish the camp spots was further from another spot," mentions Lamarcus S.
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for certain sites. "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 David M. at Dakota Ridge RV Park.
Extended stay options: Some parks accommodate longer-term visitors. "Sites 8 & 9 are extremely unlevel, but the other sites are pretty fine," notes Janine R., who stayed at Clear Creek RV Park for a month and a half.
Sewer connection positioning: Be prepared for different hookup layouts. "The sewer is 6 inches above grade and slinky support wasn't tall enough. You might be lifting your hose to assist emptying," cautions Love4travel T.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Aurora, Colorado?
Aurora offers excellent camping options within a short drive. Cherry Creek State Park Campground stands out as the premier option closest to Aurora, featuring full hookup sites that can accommodate large RVs, hot showers, and flush toilets. For those willing to drive a bit further, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers a more rustic experience with numbered sites and many additional unnumbered campsites with scenic views. These campgrounds provide a mix of developed and natural experiences, making them perfect for different camping preferences while staying relatively close to Aurora's amenities.
Can I find lake camping near Aurora, Colorado?
Yes, several beautiful lake camping options exist near Aurora. Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake offers beautiful lakeside camping just outside of Denver with bathroom facilities and a visitor center where you can purchase firewood. Another excellent option is Echo Lake Campground, situated next to its namesake lake off Squaw Pass Road. For those willing to drive a bit further, Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir provides secluded sites with access to the reservoir, creating a private feel even with other campers nearby.
Are there any RV parks or camping options in Aurora, Colorado?
Aurora and its surroundings offer several quality RV parks. Denver East-Strasburg KOA is conveniently located right off I-70, making it ideal for overnight stays, though expect some highway noise. Sites are clean though somewhat compact. For a more premium experience, Dakota Ridge RV Park provides friendly staff, on-site propane (great for winter stays), and connecting trails for dog walking, though it is pricier. If you're looking for something more family-oriented, Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur offers easy highway access while being close to attractions in both Denver and Colorado Springs.
Keep Exploring
