Camping opportunities near Aurora, Colorado vary widely from urban RV parks to quieter state park experiences. The area sits at around 5,470 feet of elevation with generally dry conditions in summer and significant temperature differences between day and night. Aurora's camping options provide convenient access to both the Denver metro area and mountain recreational activities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Clear Creek RV Park in Golden sits along creek waters that offer multiple fishing spots. "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 Dea D.
Hiking trails: Golden Gate Canyon State Park provides extensive trail systems. "The options for trails are endless. Great for mountain biking or hiking enthusiasts. There are facilities, ideal for car camping or families. The park feels like it's far from the city, but the drive is easy for a weekend camping trip!" explains Steph A.
Water activities: Standley Lake Regional Park offers rentals for those without their own equipment. "You can rent a kayak, a paddle board, a canoe, or a paddle bicycle on a pontoon! Take a friend and a picnic for a lovely day on this beautiful lake right here in Arvada," shares Nancy B.
What campers like
Access to nature with city convenience: Cherry Creek State Park Campground balances urban amenities with natural spaces. "We stayed here for one night before heading back out on the road. This place is huge and has many amenities. It's very well maintained. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were pay only and only with a bank card. $1.50 for a five minute shower," writes Stephanie S.
Wildlife viewing: Standley Lake Regional Park attracts bird enthusiasts. "I don't know how you could not like a place with a huge lake that bald eagles nest beside. With a rookery, this is the spot for bird enthusiasts!" reports Blair S.
Quieter camping experiences: Chatfield State Park Campground offers a more relaxed atmosphere. "My husband and I stayed in this beautiful campground in 2018 June. The wild life was beautiful, the facilities were clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful! It was a pretty quiet stay and even the weekend groups of campers were tame and mild," remarks Cassandra T.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Cherry Creek State Park fills quickly during peak seasons. "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. Once the capacity for the Park is reached, you will not be allowed in," warns Kay S.
Site privacy concerns: Many campgrounds near Aurora feature closely spaced sites. "Just bought our adventure van and decided to try it close to home so we could understand how everything worked. The campground is clean and quiet...I didn't love the campground feel...I felt like I was very close to other campers," mentions Meg G. at Cherry Creek.
Urban campground noise: Dakota Ridge RV Park experiences noise from nearby roads. "The highway is busy and noisy. The bars across the road are noisy with loud music now and promises to get louder as time goes by," notes David M.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Chatfield State Park offers family-friendly amenities. "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos," says Jessica V.
Swimming restrictions: Denver Meadows RV Park has limitations for water activities. "Asked about a pool, was told yes...And the pool??? Nothing was clean and a few feet of dirty rain water sat in the bottom of the pool. This place is NOT family friendly," cautions Claire M.
Pet-friendly options: Golden Gate Canyon State Park provides quieter camping for families with pets. "Such a beautiful place. Trails are amazing," comments Jennifer S., though she notes the presence of children can be noisy.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Standley Lake Regional Park requires preparation. "We got site 47, which is labeled as an RV site, but it is NOT suitable for pop up campers. The site doesn't have even a hint of a levelable spot," warns Shannon S.
Hookup availability: Clear Creek RV Park offers various site options. "We had electric only (full hook up spots for extended stays were already taken but that was okay). Staff is extremely helpful and accommodating. They have extremely clean bath houses cleaned daily and coin-op laundry," reports Janine R.
Urban convenience: Dakota Ridge RV Park provides accessibility to city amenities. "This campground allows easy access to Denver, Golden, and the foothills. Campers are close together, but there are some mature trees. This campground is nicer than most that provide access to Denver," explains Colorado C.
