Glamping opportunities abound in the Bellvue, Colorado region, situated at approximately 5,000 feet elevation in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The area experiences dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, with summer daytime highs typically in the 80s dropping to the 50s after sunset. Winds can be significant, particularly in spring months when gusts of 30+ mph frequently sweep through camping areas along reservoir shorelines.
What to do
Fishing at Carter Lake: South Shore Campground offers excellent bank fishing with multiple species available. "You can fish from shore. We took the 3 mile hike behind campground which is beautiful but rocky - wear shoes that can withstand rocks. Must return the same way so 6 miles total," shares a camper who rated their experience highly.
Lakeside walking trails: Fort Collins Lakeside KOA features an accessible walking path around its on-site lake. According to one visitor, "My husband enjoyed the catch & release fishing. Fishing was good according to him. I liked the hiking trail around the pond. We were able to have a fire."
Day trips to Rocky Mountain National Park: From most Bellvue-area campgrounds, you can reach RMNP within an hour. At Estes Park KOA, guests appreciate the proximity: "Small, cozy, good location KOA about 25 minutes from the main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. We had a very pretty site, but the tent pad was so hard it was almost impossible for my hulk of a husband to stake the tent down."
Swim at Horsetooth Reservoir: The South Bay Campground provides direct water access. "We stayed two nights and loved it! Electric hookups (we used 50amp at our site) but no water hook up. Drinkable water close by at various locations within the campground. The lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking."
What campers like
Private tent sites with mountain views: Hermits Hollow Campground receives praise for site spacing and amenities. "Wooded sites mean privacy from your neighbors and shade during the day. Vault toilets are very clean, well kept. Staff and Rangers are very friendly and helpful, very knowledgeable about the area."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer chances to see native animals. At Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake, one camper noted, "Very nice campground and clean facilities (note: you must pay to shower)! Woke up to elk outside of the tent! Such a cool experience. The campsite is close to town, which is very nice too!"
Convenience to town amenities: South Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir provides a balance between nature and access to services. "This is a great campground if you want to be close to be close to Fort Collins, and/or enjoy the lake. Horsetooth Reservoir is a very long lake great for boating, and with some gorgeous inlets to explore."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for bathroom cleanliness. One camper at Riverview RV Park noted, "There was a bath house with a few stall toilets and running water. They also had some coin operated showers and a lovely day-use picnic area."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season (May-September). At Glacier Basin Campground, a visitor explained, "Glacier Basin campground is one of three in RMNP. There are 150 standard and 12 group campsites. Glacier is open from late May to September with a maximum stay of 7 nights."
Additional permit fees: County parks often charge entrance fees beyond camping fees. At Carter Lake, "You have to buy a county park pass when making reservation," and another visitor mentioned, "Price is good compared to other campgrounds near by. A couple down falls, no shade trees for RV full hookup sites and lower sites are alittle crowded when filled up."
Weather considerations: Rapid weather changes are common. "It can be suddenly and very windy here, so most campers did not use awnings," noted a visitor to Riverview RV Park. "Super Mad. Also, the trees are not maintained to pull a 5er. I called 2x pre visit and was assured we would have no problems... Scratched the heck out of our camper."
Electrical issues: At Fort Collins Lakeside KOA, a recent camper reported, "While the park initially seemed promising, our experience quickly took a turn due to ongoing electrical issues and unprofessional management. Staff were not only rude but also inconsistent and overly strict with selective enforcement of rules."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers numerous family-focused amenities. "Kid friendly campground with pool, mini golf, jump pad, camp store and golf cart rentals. Also has nice laundry facilities. Some sites would be a fairly long walk to the activities, but it is a very nice campground."
Reserve shade sites in summer months: The Colorado sun is intense at elevation. "We had a campsite without any shade but luckily there was a cloud cover to protect us from the sun. Our site was 28 which was on the end which made it very big," noted a visitor to South Shore Campground at Carter Lake.
Check shower availability and costs: Many campgrounds charge for showers. A camper at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake warned, "The bathrooms are nice and clean, but the showers are coin-operated. When you're already paying forty-five bucks a night, throwing eight quarters into a machine for six minutes of hot water seems a bit like robbery."
Consider day use options for swimming: Not all waterfront sites have good swimming access. "We drove to the small swimming beach but could have easily brought our chairs and hung out on the lake at our campground," mentioned a Carter Lake visitor who appreciated having options for water activities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many Colorado campgrounds have uneven terrain. "The pull-through site is very rough and difficult to get your trailer level. We finally just did as good as we could and called it done," reported an RVer at Eagle Campground.
Limited water hookups: Check facility details carefully before booking. "When I booked the site it indicated a water source next to our site, but when we arrived NO WATER within 500' of site!" warned a visitor to Eagle Campground at Carter Lake.
Tree clearance issues: RVers with larger rigs should call ahead about access. "I think this campground experience varies significantly based on your site. Leveling the trailer was pretty straight forward. The road in had some pretty rutted areas that had to be avoided- and also pretty narrow."
Dump station availability: Seasonal maintenance can affect services. "The dumping sites were closed and that made for problems. They are re-doing them, which is good, but it meant we had no options for getting rid of gray or black water," noted a visitor to Eagle Campground at Carter Lake.
