State Forest State Park and Rocky Mountain National Park dominate the camping landscape around Gould, Colorado, with numerous developed campgrounds scattered throughout the region. The area features several campground options including North Michigan Campground, Ranger Lakes Campground, and The Crags Campground, all offering various accommodation types from tent sites to RV hookups, cabins, and yurts. Most established campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while some offer more developed facilities including electric hookups, showers, and laundry services.
Seasonal considerations drastically affect camping experiences in this high-elevation region. Winter brings significant snowfall, making many areas inaccessible except by snowshoe or ski. "We stayed in cabin #3 and it was an awesome experience! We had room enough for 4 people and 3 dogs and didn't feel like we were on top of each other. The gas stove kept us nice and toasty all night long," noted one winter visitor. Summer visitors should be prepared for variable weather conditions, with potential for snow even in June. The mosquito population can be significant during warmer months, and beetle kill has affected tree coverage in many campgrounds, reducing available shade. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the area, so advance reservations are recommended.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the region. North Michigan Campground offers sites directly on the reservoir, allowing for fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking right from campsites. The park is renowned for wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly moose sightings. According to visitors, the scenery is "unbelievable, truly exactly how Colorado is portrayed in movies and dreams." While some campgrounds may feel crowded during peak summer weekends, many primitive sites throughout State Forest State Park provide more solitude. The proximity to alpine lakes and numerous hiking trails makes the area particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. Campers should note that services are limited, with the nearest substantial town being Walden, approximately 20 miles away, making advance preparation essential.
$35 / night
"The campground is adjacent to the Colorado River, close to the Kauwuneeche Visitor Center and Grand Lake! There are plenty of bathrooms, and they have running water with sinks and toilets."
"Very near for a really nice walk along the Colorado River."
$28 - $120 / night
"Getting to the campground and visitors center is easy as they are both right off the highways 41 and 14, but it is quite a drive to get to, in general."
"Fishing, hiking, off-roading, kayaking or canoeing, or simply sightseeing - there are big mountain vistas to enjoy."
$30 - $60 / night
"Took the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back."
"Very enjoyable spot, close access to trails and entrance and exit of the park."
$28 / night
"You get to camp next to a nice running creek. Surrounded by the forest and mountains. Friendly staff, good shade and privacy. Highly recommend for a true getaway. Nice trails nearby as well."
"I love the opportunity to connect to the wild spaces that surround us. I love finding people who share that same passion."
$36 / night
"Small campground next to three lakes. One lake has dried up. Beautiful Gould, CO. We also boondock camp in this area as well. Don't miss Lake Agnes. It's at the top of a mountain."
"I tent camped at Ranger Lakes. I was the only one tent camping among all the RV’s. I didn’t mind that the spaces were visible from each other since I was camping alone."
$30 - $59 / night
"This is a beautiful campground located along hwy 14 near Fort Collins."
"We were tucked into the trees far from other sites with a partial view of the lake. Quiet with a little bit of water noise, which was perfect for sleeping."
$35 - $70 / night
"Firewood sold next to the entrance by the same husband and wife that have been selling firewood there for 35 years. There is a shed full of firewood."
"The spaces are large, but quite close to one another with few trees for privacy. Each site here is variable, with some open with no trees and others nestled in some mature trees."
$28 / night
"The campsite has two entrances - one from the west passing North Michigan Reservoir and one from the South East which is basically from Lake Agnes Trailhead."
"There are lots of great activities to participate in very close by - fishing, hiking, 4-wheeling and more!"
$40 - $60 / night
"They have direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River. We visited a little late in the season (August) to catch many fish, but we still had fun. "
"A lovely wooded campground literally on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park - we even saw moose from the back window of our RV! "
$18 - $144 / night
"This is one of my all-time favorite places to hike and camp in Colorado. I have not yet stayed in any of the campgrounds but have backpacked to the top of the American Lakes Trail."
"I especially enjoyed the American Lakes trail up to Michigan and Snowy Lakes. That amazing landscape will forever be a special place to me."
ScoutFeb 2026 - This site is closed, fenced off, and surrounded by signs restricting entry. The entire road leading to site is signposted as no parking, so camping. Even the once popular trails that lead from this area to Radium Hot Springs are also closed. BLM is so lame for how they have handled this
TravelerBeautiful views of gold lake, this specific spot has a rough road that will require high clearance. The other spots are off of a well maintained fire road if you’re in a low clearance vehicle. High 38mph winds all night long at 24 degrees F. Lake is private and there’s lots of private property lines to look out for. The only reason it’s not a 5/5
GuideWe stayed Oct 6-7 and enjoyed our time there. It was great that it was open because Rocky Mtn National Park campgrounds were closed. It is pretty close the Rocky Mtn NP and we drove there before sunrise(ticketed entry and good for parking).
We just showed up and got a spot when we got there. Rangers recommended good sites. We were in Site H35 and had great views. There were very few other campers. Just pit toilets but they were clean and close by. A bit pricey ($45 I think it was, you need a vehicle pass too and pricing varies for weekends and holidays) but they had tall fire pit, bear box, and picnic table. We are tent campers but had our car set up with sleeping pads so we could sleep the two of us inside if really cold. We slept in car.
Wood is available for sale there too which we bought and had great fires. Price was probably average price.
Cell service didn't work unless you were down at the park entrance (t-mobile).
Drive up to site is switchbacks on dirt roads but we made it no problem with our Prius especially since there hadn't been rain.
ScoutGate was locked so only the first spot was accessible. Beautiful spot with a fire pit. No cell service.
TravelerHermit Park is a hidden gem in Estes park,while the RMNP campgrounds fill up everyday ,you can still find great camp sites and cabins at Hermit park. Have been going up here for 20 years,before it became a county campground. You can’t beat the cabins all dispersed amongst the trees,with heat and outdoor porta potties. They sleep 4 to 6 people and have fire pits. Easy access to RMNP and hiking trails everywhere,including right out your cabin door.
TravelerPros can’t beat the walk in tent sites,beautiful,big sites ,with flat ground and spaced far apart,no lake views,but an easy walk to the lake. Great trails right out of your site and always can kayak around the lake. Great Mountain View’s
Cons - very limited season,due to its high elevation. Hard to get a site,especially at peak season in July.
Does also have a time reservation system, so check when you make reservations that you have both.
RangerStayed here two nights when visiting steamboat springs! Hiked up rabbit ears peak, visited some distillery and breweries in town, and relaxed with very few neighbors! We stayed a few days after 4th of July and had no issue finding an open spot. It is pay when you arrive first come first serve and you must have exact cash! I think the amount was something like $12-14 a night but I can’t recall! Sites weren’t too close to each other, easy access. Pit toilets only
TravelerYou WILL get stuck if you drive a FWD car. you NEED a 4WD to get out to this spot because of the entrance road
TravelerHermits Hollow is a nice place to camp near Estes, offering a quiet retreat away from the crowds. We only stayed the night, arriving late and leaving early. Some mule deer walked through the camp.
Each site had a bear box, sturdy picnic table, and fire pit. The site was level.
Rocky Mountain National Park and State Forest State Park define the camping landscape around Gould, Colorado. The area sits at elevations between 8,500-10,000 feet, creating a high alpine environment where temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer months. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though winter access often requires snowshoes or cross-country skis to reach remote sites.
Wildlife viewing at dusk: Timber Creek Campground offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife sightings. "We saw a smallish bull moose and lots of bucks!" reports Lauren P. who stayed at The Crags Campground.
Alpine lake hiking: Access multiple high-elevation lakes via trails from campgrounds. "There are several good hikes off the road through the park, several lead to alpine lakes, anywhere from 6-10 miles round trip," notes Donella L., who visited Ranger Lakes Campground.
Fishing in clear mountain lakes: Many campgrounds offer direct fishing access. "Had so much fun! Camp site was very clean, level, and well kept. The highlight was fishing. BEAUTIFUL clear waters, PLENTY of trout, and great trails through the woods to explore," writes Gary E. about his experience at Ranger Lakes.
Mountain views without crowds: Less-visited campgrounds provide solitude. "This is one of two campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park that does not take reservations. There are more moose here than at the other campgrounds in the park," explains Amber A. about Timber Creek Campground.
Lake access for water activities: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. "We were able to paddle board and fish right from our campsite, and had a wonderful fresh trout dinner," shares B B. about their stay at North Michigan Campground.
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution creates remarkable stargazing. "When the sun goes down you can see millions of stars. Everything about this site is perfect," writes Kelsey W. about Timber Creek Campground.
Winter access limitations: Many remote campgrounds require special preparation. "We stayed in cabin #3 and it was an awesome experience! The gas stove kept us nice and toasty all night long!" explains Haley K. about winter camping at North Michigan.
Bear safety requirements: Most campgrounds lack individual bear boxes. "There were no bear bins in the campground - be bear safe and bear smart, lock all of your food and toiletries inside your car at night," warns Amanda M. about camping at Timber Creek.
Limited facilities: Remote camping spots often have basic amenities. "Fire grills and picnic tables provided, but no designated tent pads, no bear boxes, no electricity, and only a tough to use hand pump for water in the center of the campground," notes Lisa K. about The Crags Campground.
Choose campgrounds with protected swimming areas: "The lake is perfect for canoe, paddle board, kayak, we tried swimming but the water is super cold. It's also very clear and clean," advises Donella L. about Primitive Loop Campground.
Look for sites with distance from neighbors: "We chose site 154 in loop D, and it was perfect! The site was in the very back of the campground, had a large distance between the two neighboring sites, and faced the mountains," recommends Amanda M. from her experience at Moraine Park Campground.
Select campsites with activities for various ages: "Amazing views and something for everyone. My 4 year olds threw rocks in the reservoir, they bikes on nearby trails. The bathrooms were clean too. My dog was able to cool off in the reservoir on a hike," shares Meghan H. about North Michigan Campground.
Reserve full hookup sites early: "Full hookups and lots of space at the lower numbered full hookup sites. Nice and quiet," reports Christopher W. about Winding River Resort.
Expect primitive access roads: "No trailers, RVs allowed as tiny, winding dirt road to get there," warns Zann R. about access to The Crags Campground.
Winter RV camping options: Several campgrounds offer year-round access with heat sources. "We stayed in cabin #3...We had room enough for 4 people and 3 dogs and didn't feel like we were on top of each other. The gas stove kept us nice and toasty all night long!" explains Hayley K. about North Michigan Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Gould, Colorado?
Gould offers several exceptional camping options within State Forest State Park. Ranger Lakes Campground is highly recommended, featuring sites next to three lakes in beautiful Gould with easy access to Lake Agnes and Teller City ghost town. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Primitive Sites — State Forest State Park provides fantastic hiking opportunities with abundant wildlife viewing, especially moose. The area also offers excellent backcountry camping options for those willing to venture further from established campgrounds. While reaching Gould requires a bit of a drive (about 4 hours from Denver), the pristine natural setting and recreational opportunities make it well worth the journey.
What amenities are available at Gould campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Gould typically offer a range of basic to moderate amenities. North Michigan Campground provides reservable sites with toilet facilities and can accommodate larger RVs. Similarly, Bockman Campground offers drive-in access with toilet facilities and is big-rig friendly. Most established campgrounds in the area feature fire pits, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Water availability varies by location, with some campgrounds requiring you to bring your own. Many sites throughout State Forest State Park are reservable online, which is recommended during peak season. The park also offers access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing areas regardless of which campground you choose.
Is Long Draw campground near Gould, Colorado open year-round?
Long Draw campground near Gould is not open year-round. Like many high-elevation campgrounds in northern Colorado, it typically operates seasonally from late June/early July through September, depending on snow conditions. Winter access is severely limited due to heavy snowfall and road closures. For year-round camping alternatives in the region, consider Chambers Lake Campground, which has a longer operating season, though still closes during winter months. The access roads to these high-country campgrounds become impassable once snow accumulates. If you're planning a trip outside summer months, contact the local ranger district for current conditions and closures, as opening dates can vary significantly based on snowpack and spring melt timing.
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