Best Campgrounds near Aurora, CO

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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."

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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.