Best Campgrounds near Blue River, CO

Blue River in Colorado draws campers with its mix of natural beauty and outdoor fun. Heaton Bay Campground near Dillon Reservoir gives you great lakeside views and water activities. The campground has flush toilets and drinking water, which works well for families. Many campgrounds in the area welcome both pets and kids, making it good for family trips. The Rocky Mountains form a beautiful backdrop for your camping trip. Watch for elk and deer in the area, and store food properly to keep wildlife away. You can fish and kayak on the Colorado River while you're there. It can be hard to get a campsite during busy summer months, so book early if you can. The Great Sand Dunes are a short drive away and make for an interesting day trip with their wide-open landscapes. Be ready for cold nights by bringing warm clothes and checking the weather before you go. If you want a more basic camping experience, try Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping area. This spot is good for people who don't need fancy amenities and prefer quiet surroundings. Blue River has camping options that work for short weekends or longer vacations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Blue River, Colorado (502)

    1. Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping

    45 Reviews
    Blue River, CO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-5400

    "Roadside pull off areas. Mostly one lane dirt, can be tight and bumpy. Best for truck camper, small RV or tent. Don't get discouraged if the 1st spots are full just keep driving."

    "While many of the campsites are quite small and located right along the roadside with limited parking, we were lucky to find a fantastic, more spacious spot."

    2. Prospector Campground

    50 Reviews
    Dillon, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-7681

    $27 / night

    "This campground is one of five Forest Service campgrounds around Dillon Reservoir, also referred to as Lake Dillon. There is a group campground called Windy Point near Prospector."

    "Located on Dillon Reservoir, Prospector Campground offers a nice balance of feeling remote while being conveniently near some really neat towns."

    3. Peak One Campground

    34 Reviews
    Frisco, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-7681

    $28 / night

    "As someone who prefers wild camping, it was definitely not that, but was one of the more positive campground experiences I've had."

    "Just a few miles off I-70, in Frisco, CO, is the location of Peak One Campground. This is a very clean campground, and the only one around Lake Dillon with flush toilets and sinks."

    4. White River National Forest Heaton Bay Campground

    31 Reviews
    Frisco, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-7681

    $29 - $56 / night

    "The site is open and spacious behind the paved parking for the rig. Bear proof containers are at each site. Our site wasn’t 100 level. It was a little lower on the left side."

    "Heaton Bay Campground, located near Dillon Reservoir in Colorado, offers a stunning lakeside camping experience with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains."

    5. Hoosier Pass Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Blue River, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 945-2521

    "I arrived around 4:00 in the afternoon on a Friday and there were still a few sites available."

    "Great little spot right off the highway for an evening of camping, or longer. There is a bit of foot traffic with hikers coming in but still really peaceful."

    6. McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Blue River, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-5400

    "I would recommend a 4x4 or offroad vechicle for most of the pull off roads in the area. Campsites have signs designating them and fire rings. Look for signs and pull offs from the main road."

    "As the other reviews describe, it’s a groomed dirt road entrance near the parking lot for the Mount Quandary trail."

    7. Tiger Run RV Resort

    10 Reviews
    Breckenridge, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 453-9690

    $105 / night

    "Multiple segments of the Colorado trail are accessible right from the park."

    "Breckinridge has a lot to offer, as does surrounding area. Late September colors, especially Aspen trees, are awesome. We’ll be back."

    8. Lowry Campground

    13 Reviews
    Dillon, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-7681

    $27 - $38 / night

    "Bathrooms were pretty clean considering location and the host was nice and welcoming."

    "This campground is near Lake Dillon-you would need to drive down to the lake itself but it is within .5-1 mile. "

    9. Breckenridge Overlook

    6 Reviews
    Blue River, CO
    2 miles

    "Passing through on my way out of Colorado and was seeing the Thomas Dambo trolls and stopped for the evening before continuing to Rocky Mountains National Park."

    "Good proximity to Breckenridge, good views, camping in designated sites only, stayed here for one night. 2w drive okay."

    10. Pine Cove Campground

    10 Reviews
    Frisco, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-5400

    $24 / night

    "If your not lakeside it’s just a place to park the camper. It’s first come first serve and on a Tuesday it’s full!! We did walk the trail by the lake and it has some great views!!"

    "This campground is well maintenanced, is near Frisco and Breck and still has amazing mountain and lake views."

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Recent Reviews near Blue River, CO

2852 Reviews of 502 Blue River Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Pinion Pine Dispersed Campground

    Dispersed camping witha view of the Colorado river

    Camped here in order to do the hike to the Radium Hot Springs down the road.

    The access track (off Trough Rd) had one huge rut that a smaller car might find a bit hairy but we saw a small SUV had gotten in there.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Trough Road Dispersed

    Camping no longer allowed

    There is now a lot of signage prohibiting camping. Go to Pinion Pine Dispersed Camping up the road to the north east.

    Definitely come here for the hike to th hot prongs though. The road accommodated our big Revel van easily.

  • Will F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Shrine Pass Road Dispersed Camping

    Overnight stay

    I stayed at the first pull out up the road. It’s quite bumpy road but was quite at night and conveniently off of i70. It’s a busy road during the day though. I didn’t go past the first pull out so idk how many spots there are.

  • John M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Buffalo Springs Dispersed

    Everything but a view

    There are plenty of spots and plenty of distance between them. The only complaint is that there is no view and nothing to see. Would definitely stay again, though.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Bear Creek Lake Campground

    Location, Location, Location

    The Good: Very clean. Diligently maintained. Super friendly staff.

    The Bad: Day use Denverite humans on bicycles who run their mouths as the peddle past. (Get a job, Chad).

    The Ugly: national home improvement retail outlet neon serves as a directional reference from every vantage point.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Dispersed Camping - Turquoise Lake

    Great for group camping

    Over Labor Day weekend, a group from where I work went for the long weekend! Pretty crowded but we stayed through Monday night into Tuesday and most people left Monday. There was a moderate fire warning but we didn’t have any issues! Right next to a running stream from turquoise lake and about a 10-15 minute drive from where we camped. We did have a little issue trying to find a place to dump our trash, but they have a dump site. Multiple recycling bins and one trash bin. But you need one of the yellow bags. Someone told me they were $8 a bag. We ended up carrying all our trash out and back to Denver with us.

    Got cold at night (low 40’s) but shorts and a tank top during the day!

  • Alonso O.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Twin Lakes Overlook Dispersed Camping

    Amazing views and many spots

    What a wonderful experience, I have to thank The Dyrt for this find. When we got to location, we were surprised with the amount of spots we could camp in. Although they have closed down camping near the shore, we were able to get a spot right above the hill. Every other camper was friendly.

  • Michael H.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Gold Park Campground

    Great Spot for Car Camping with Family

    This is a great campsite 30-40 minutes outside Minturn. 

    There is no cell service (which is great), and the sites were easy and spaced pretty well apart. Access to the creek made great fun for the kids.

    First Come, First Served, so we rolled in on Thursday in Midsummer and there were only a few spots left. 

    Camp hosts were awesome

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Camp Hale East Fork Group

    Timberleaf Teardrop Camper Jamboree

    Stayed for an annual gathering of Timberleaf trainer owners. Great site. Lots of things to see and trails to hike. Lots of nice sites. Three pit toilets well maintained. Kudos!


Guide to Blue River

Camping near Blue River, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning scenery and outdoor adventures. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails around the area. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities. One camper at Mueller State Park Campground said, "High elevation campground. Sites well spread out. Many pull through RV sites. Short walk to Grouse peak."
  • Paddleboarding: If you enjoy water sports, check out the paddleboarding spots. A visitor at Chatfield State Park Campground mentioned, "Loved the paddle board experience."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at Difficult Campground noted, "Moose regularly passed through, but all five minutes from Aspen."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Golden Gate Canyon State Park highlighted, "Very well kept with nice clean bathrooms."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Peak One Campground shared, "The campground has spacious spots... Close proximity to Frisco is great too."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention helpful staff. One visitor at Mueller State Park Campground said, "Park staff are very friendly."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds have basic facilities. A camper at Prospector Campground pointed out, "There is no water, no electric, no sewer, but they do have pit toilets."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near busy areas. A visitor at Chatfield State Park Campground mentioned, "We were woken up multiple mornings before 7AM to the sound of model airplanes."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly. A camper at Difficult Campground noted, "It books up super fast!"

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites that allow pets and have activities for kids. A review for Dakota Ridge RV Park mentioned, "It is pricey and there are many rules but it is full service with a very friendly staff."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand makes family outings easier. A camper at Eleven Mile State Park shared, "The views from this campsite are amazing all around."
  • Plan for Outdoor Activities: Bring gear for hiking, fishing, or biking. A visitor at Turtle Rock Campground said, "This place is beautiful. Easy to get to. Has cell service and wonderful for mountain biking."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Mueller State Park Campground noted, "Our site was a pull through with a tight radius for a 25ft trailer."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds lack basic amenities. A visitor at Prospector Campground mentioned, "They do have pit toilets, but it was obvious they were well maintained and clean."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: The weather can change quickly in the mountains. A camper at Eleven Mile State Park warned, "Winds in the evening almost made me leave site."

Camping near Blue River, Colorado, offers a unique experience with plenty of activities and beautiful landscapes. Whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure, there's something for everyone in this stunning area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Blue River Campground located in Colorado?

Blue River Campground (Co) — White River National Forest is located approximately 6 miles north of Silverthorne on Highway 9, nestled between Silverthorne and Green Mountain Reservoir. The campground sits directly alongside the Blue River, offering easy access to the water. This small campground is positioned in a scenic area that provides convenient access to nearby Dillon Reservoir, which is about 6 miles south. The location offers a perfect base for exploring both the river and surrounding mountain areas of Summit County.

Are there camping options near Blue River for different types of campers?

The Blue River area offers diverse camping options to suit various preferences. For RV campers, Prospector Campground near Dillon Reservoir can accommodate larger rigs and offers both lake and mountain views, particularly from sites in loop D. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Twin Peaks Dispersed Campground provides killer views and great hiking opportunities without developed facilities. Families might appreciate Gore Creek Campground, located about 2 miles off I-70, which offers a perfect boondocking location close to trails and breathtaking views. The area truly has something for everyone, from established campgrounds with basic amenities to dispersed sites for more adventurous campers.

What amenities are available at Blue River camping sites?

Blue River camping sites typically offer basic but essential amenities. At Columbine Landing Recreation Site, you'll find clean vault toilets, accessible trails, and beautiful river-side camping spots with stunning views. Most sites in the area, such as those at White River National Forest Heaton Bay Campground, include bear-proof containers, picnic tables, and fire pits with grill grates. While many Blue River area campgrounds provide basic facilities like vault toilets, they generally don't offer hookups or showers. The terrain is typically rocky but manageable, with most sites featuring enough space for standard camping setups.