The Blue River area sits at an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet, situated between the towns of Breckenridge and Fairplay in Colorado's high country. Winter conditions can persist through late May with overnight temperatures dropping below freezing even in summer months. Camping options range from established campgrounds with basic amenities to more remote sites in White River National Forest.
What to do
Hike to alpine lakes: Missouri Lakes trail near Gold Park Campground offers spectacular high-altitude lakes accessible via a moderate hike. As one camper noted, "We stayed here so we could hike Fancy Lake and the Missouri Lakes, both of which are less than 5 miles away. Gorgeous high alpine lakes."
Summit a fourteener: The region provides access to several 14,000+ foot peaks. A visitor to Baby Doe Campground shared, "We camped on June 26th and 27th of 2018 and got to summit Mt. Sherman one of Colorado's 14ers on the 27th... Being able to summit my 1st Colorado 14er was definitely the highlight of the trip."
Explore historic sites: The area contains preserved military training grounds from WWII. A camper at Camp Hale Memorial reported, "Spent 2 quiet nights here in this roomy and quiet campground adjacent to the Colorado and Continental Divide Trail. Crazy to think of the 15,000 or so soldiers training here during WWII."
Mountain biking: Trail systems connect directly from camping areas to established mountain biking routes, including old mining roads and purpose-built singletrack. The Frisco Adventure Park trails are accessible directly from camping areas near town.
What campers like
Lakeside campsites: Sites with water access remain popular for fishing and paddling. At Peak One Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "We were on our way from Denver to LA and decided to stop here because Frisco was so so so beautiful! We camped here and enjoyed the quiet surroundings. The campsites are wide spread out, spacious, and huge."
Secluded forest spots: Campers seeking privacy gravitate toward tree-covered sites away from main roads. One visitor to Selkirk Campground commented, "This is my favorite place to go camping. Not busy, beautiful mature trees which afford 18 hours of shade a day."
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many glamping spots and established campgrounds maintain reliable amenities. A camper at Timberline Campground noted, "Camped September 24 - 27. First come first served sites. 31 sites, had the place to ourselves. Wild turkeys and Steller Jays. Well maintained."
Stargazing opportunities: The high elevation and minimal light pollution create exceptional night sky viewing. As one visitor to Gold Park Campground remarked, "Pulled into Camp Hale late at night, found our spot easily and there was almost no one there... It was fall so the aspen were at peak... everything about the area was great."
What you should know
Altitude considerations: Camping at 10,000+ feet requires acclimation time. One reviewer of Echo Lake Campground admitted, "I came in from out of state and got pretty altitude effected so we had to cut the trip short, but it was lovely nonetheless."
Seasonal limitations: Many glamping facilities near Blue River operate on restricted schedules. At Camp Hale Memorial, facilities run "from June 20 to September 27" according to official information, making early booking essential.
Road access challenges: Some remote glamping sites require appropriate vehicles. A Selkirk Campground visitor warned, "The road leading to the actual campground can be tricky and requires at least an all-wheel or 4WD car as it's bumpy."
Water availability: Not all sites provide potable water. A camper at Burning Bear Campground reported, "Sadly, the well water is non-potable, but there is a waterfall down the road where you can get water to filter."
Cell coverage: Connectivity varies dramatically. One camper at Kenosha East Campground noted, "Be mindful that there is no cell service until you reach Como so bring some playing cards!"
Tips for camping with families
Spacious site selection: For family glamping near Blue River, choose locations with room for multiple tents or activities. A visitor to Burning Bear Campground shared, "Each site has a fire pit, trees for hammocks, parking spaces, picnic table near the fire pit. Fire pit has a grate."
Nearby hiking options: Select sites with easy trail access for children. At Peak One, a family noted, "We really enjoyed this spot! Those sites on the lake seem primo but our site still had some good space. Sunset was beautiful, enjoyed skipping rocks and even some mountain biking for our 9 year old."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer natural wildlife encounters. A camper at Burning Bear observed, "Clean restrooms and beautiful views, very accessible and close to the road, saw deer, moose, and lots of birds from my site."
Temperature planning: Pack warm clothing regardless of season. A family at Baby Doe Campground advised, "Be sure to bring warm clothes for nights because it gets chilly at night. Has vault toilets, potable water, and fairly level sites."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many glamping facilities near Blue River have limited space for larger vehicles. At Camp Hale Memorial, an RVer advised, "The campground sites seem best suited for RV's, however we managed just fine in our tent. We had no shade in our spot (#13), so any time at camp was spent mainly under our canopy."
Generator considerations: Some campgrounds have specific policies on noise. A Baby Doe Campground visitor noted, "Campground has larger sites so the generator noise from the larger RV's can be loud, but family friendly."
Alternative parking options: When designated campgrounds are full, dispersed options exist. An Echo Lake visitor suggested, "Why pay to stay at echo lake when you can go up 103 and find great dispersed spots? I frequently camp here due to views, fire pits and close proximity to Denver."
Solar capabilities: Sites with limited shade work well for solar power. An RVer at Camp Hale Memorial explained, "We stayed in site #17, a nice spot for our trailer with solar panels. Our battery on our trailer did fine and was at 100% when we departed with our solar panels."
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