Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Buena Vista, CO

Turtle Rock Campground welcomes pets at its quiet sites along CR 321 north of Buena Vista. Several campgrounds in the area accommodate dogs and other animals, with most enforcing standard leash requirements and responsible waste disposal. Ruby Mountain Campground within Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area provides pet-friendly sites with electric hookups and picnic tables in a scenic riverside setting. BV Overlook offers multiple accommodation types for pet owners, including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping options. The outdated bathrooms still had the appearance of being filthy even when cleaned, but the campground maintains a dedicated outdoor shower specifically designed for washing dogs after outdoor adventures.

Hiking trails near Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site provide excellent opportunities for dogs to explore, though owners should be cautious of wildlife encounters and changing weather conditions. Browns Creek campsites maintain a pet-friendly policy while offering free camping with toilet facilities in a more primitive setting. Chalk Creek Campground features full hookups for RV campers with pets, including sewer connections and shower facilities, making longer stays with animals more comfortable. Local pet owners appreciate having hot springs, hiking trails, and fishing spots accessible within minutes of most campgrounds. Visitors planning to camp with dogs during peak summer months should secure reservations well in advance as pet-friendly sites fill quickly, especially at established campgrounds like Collegiate Peaks and Cascade Campground, which operate seasonally from May through September.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Buena Vista, Colorado (279)

    1. Turtle Rock Campground

    38 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 269-8500

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Free and easy to get to from Buena Vista"

    "**Campground Review ** I initially found this campground while searching on The Dyrt for a place to camp near Buena Vista for a weekend."

    2. Ruby Mountain Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 539-7289

    $28 / night

    "Dogs were entertained watching the chipmunks walk in front of them. Great hike near by. Great fishing too walking distance. Short driving distance to Buena Vista and/or Salida."

    "Here are the positives: Great access to the Arkansas River (fishing, put-in/ - take/out access)

    • Very well-maintained spaces and clean bathrooms
    • Minutes from rafting outfitters (we always go through"

    3. Browns Creek

    23 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    9 miles

    "The location is perfect, situated right between Salida and Buena Vista."

    "Located in the middle of Salida and Buena Vista, there are a lot of spots in this area. Most of them are very large and can accommodate RVs and trailers."

    4. BV Overlook

    19 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 204-3505

    $40 - $180 / night

    "We visited Buena Vista mainly to mountain bike and we loved that you can ride right from the campsite onto the trails."

    "It’s a great location, has hiking and biking trails and some amazing views of the mountains. It is close to all the things Buena Vista has to offer."

    5. Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site

    18 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Located at the bottom of Mount Princeton (14,199 ft) and Mount Antero (14,275 ft). 270-272 is one of the most unpleasant roads I’ve driven, but worth the traverse. Sites are heavily shaded."

    "Kinda busy with good access to Browns creek and the Colorado trail, but otherwise quiet if you can squeeze in. Easy for trailers too."

    6. Collegiate Peaks

    18 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "Great large campground close to Cottonwood Pass and about 20 mins from Buena Vista. Most sites are nice, spacious, and wooded."

    "About 15 min from Buena Vista up Cottonwood Pass. Everything I want in a campground: roaring river, Aspen, trails views. Plenty of shade and the sound of the river at night was wonderful."

    7. Cascade (colorado)

    18 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "This place is beautifully positioned in the trees.  Clean facilities, a wonderful camp host and fellow campers were great.  15 minutes from Buena Vista and 30 to Salida. "

    "This is probably my family's favorite area to camp in Colorado. Off the beaten path enough that traffic is minimal. But nice and close to some great four wheel and off roading areas."

    8. Chalk Creek Campground & RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 395-8301

    "Great location between Buena Vista and Salida. We had a site right on the creek. Easy access to Arkansas River off the highway for fishing and we drove up to St."

    "Easy drive to buena vista for restaurants and groceries
    Friend ly and knowable staff."

    9. Hecla Junction Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 539-7289

    $28 / night

    "HJ is a great campground for rafters. 20 mjnutes drive from Buena Vista. Fills up quickly, reserve early!"

    "The campground is north of Salida Colorado on the Arkansas River. This is the busy spot at the end of the commercial river rafting run."

    10. Salida North BLM

    23 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    14 miles
    Website

    "It's about a 12 minute drive to Buena Vista or Poncha springs (which has water and a dump station) and a 20 minute drive to downtown Salida."

    "We were looking for something in the Buena Vista/ Salida area. The spots are about 20 south of BV and about 10 minutes north of Salida. A great base camp for a multitude of activities."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Buena Vista, CO

2100 Reviews of 279 Buena Vista Campgrounds


  • Michael J.
    Aug. 23, 2021

    Arrowhead Point Resort

    Love BV!

    Great location just 5.5 miles from Buena Vista downtown. Nice spacious sites (for RV) woth full hookup. Quarters required for showers. No fenced in pet area. Great spot to stop! Stayed 2 nights.

  • T
    Jun. 3, 2021

    Cascade (colorado)

    Pristine

    This place is beautifully positioned in the trees.  Clean facilities, a wonderful camp host and fellow campers were great.  15 minutes from Buena Vista and 30 to Salida.  Easy access to hiking trails and OHV. I'm headed back the end of the month.

  • K
    Aug. 17, 2020

    Collegiate Peaks

    Great Camping Near Cottonwood Pass

    Great large campground close to Cottonwood Pass and about 20 mins from Buena Vista. Most sites are nice, spacious, and wooded. Firewood for sale, pit toilets but no other services nearby unless you go into Buena Vista. Great campground, highly recommended.

  • Kat F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2018

    Turtle Rock Campground

    Amazing views, easily accessible

    Great campground with a lot of space at each site. Great views of mountains and rock formations.

    Free and easy to get to from Buena Vista

  • Sydney R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Stone Cabin

    Overall Great Site

    Great location, 10 minutes from Buena Vista and 30 minutes from Mt. Yale. Site was easy to access, and the roads are fine for 2WD. We visited fourth of July weekend and still had multiple spots to choose from. We chose a site right next to the river and head great views with tons of space.

  • patti S.
    Jun. 14, 2022

    Collegiate Peaks

    Beautiful spot!

    About 15 min from Buena Vista up Cottonwood Pass. Everything I want in a campground: roaring river, Aspen, trails views. Plenty of shade and the sound of the river at night was wonderful. We took our trailer and were in site 14. Not next to the river, but could still hear it. Friendly hosts will visit again. Price is now $24/night cash or check.

  • Whitney L.
    Sep. 10, 2021

    San Isabel National Forest Chalk Lake Campground

    reservation needed in peak season, $22/night

    From Buena Vista, take HWY 285 S for ~ 7 miles to CR 162. Turn W on CR 162, and go for ~ 8 miles. This is bear country so be prepared! This campground has a fee, is small.. < 20 sites, and is FCFS but only during the off-season, you DEFINITELY need a reservation (from recreaction.gov) during peak season! FREE dispersed camping is just 5 miles south on FR 295 and tons of true dispersed sites are in the Browns Creek area south of CR162 off of CR 270 and CR 272.

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2019

    Hecla Junction Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    World Class River Rafting

    Hecla Junction is one of my favorite sites. The campground is north of Salida Colorado on the Arkansas River. This is the busy spot at the end of the commercial river rafting run. You access the campground from the main highway along a windy dirt road. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the river and the campground which is next to the boat ramp. The campground has great facilities and well designed sites. They have a few sites with views of the river on north end of the site. Each campground site has boulders to define the site, gravel base for tents, picnic tables, and fire rings. The toilets are very clean and well maintained and a camp host is on site. The highlight here is the river. We had fast moving water this summer with class III and IV rapids. It’s a great run from Buena Vista down to Hecla Junction. If the Hecla Junction Campground is full, we counted at least 3 dispersed sites on road leading down to the river including a BLM dispersed site.


Guide to Buena Vista

Pet-friendly campground options surround Buena Vista, where the Arkansas River valley sits at 7,965 feet elevation between the Collegiate Peaks and Mosquito Range. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F at night to 85°F during the day, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Many dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles to access the best sites.

What to do

Hiking near ghost towns: Near Cascade Campground, you can access the historic mining town of St. Elmo. "Ghost town at the top of the valley. Hot springs at the bottom. Fishing all along," notes Ronny D., who appreciated the variety of activities within a short drive.

Mountain biking from camp: BV Overlook offers direct trail access from your campsite. "We visited Buena Vista mainly to mountain bike and we loved that you can ride right from the campsite onto the trails," according to Becky M., who found it perfect for digital nomads wanting to combine work and recreation.

Colorado Trail access: The area provides multiple entry points to this famous thru-hiking route. "We went for a hike, there were multiple hiking trails including access to the Colorado Trail," shares marine J. about Raspberry Gulch, noting they also found mountain biking opportunities on the surrounding forest roads.

What campers like

Riverside camping experience: Ruby Mountain Campground offers prime riverfront locations. "The sites are the best we have seen. They have boulders outlining each of the sites with gravel underneath for tents," writes Steve & Ashley G., who appreciated the well-designed spaces along the Arkansas River.

Hot springs proximity: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to thermal soaking opportunities. "Camping and hot springs....ahhhhh," says Ronda C. about Chalk Creek Campground, highlighting its location close to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs as a major advantage.

Dark sky stargazing: The area's minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. "We were also able to see the Milky Way while sitting around the fire," reports Katrina L. about Hecla Junction Campground, which combines river access with outstanding astronomical viewing.

What you should know

Weather fluctuations: Prepare for significant temperature changes regardless of season. "Tent camped in August and woke up one morning at 38 degrees," warns Curtis K. about his summer stay at BV Overlook, demonstrating how cold nights can be even during warmer months.

Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require careful navigation. "Be careful on your drive in because there's huge rats in the road to start with. It gets a little better the further back you go," advises Mandi R. about Salida North BLM dispersed camping area.

Reservation requirements: Turtle Rock Campground now requires advance planning. "Turtle Rock used to be free dispersed camping but not anymore. See Recreation.gov for sites and reservations," shares Brian B., highlighting a recent policy change affecting this popular area.

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids often enjoy spotting local animals around camp. "We had cows grazing around our campsite in the morning (it was adorable)," shares Daniel P. about Browns Creek, where larger wildlife like bighorn sheep can also be spotted.

Camp entertainment: Some campgrounds offer additional activities. "Fun indoor game room with air hockey, ping pong, darts, and a pool table," mentions canyongirl100 about BV Overlook, which also hosts occasional ice cream socials for campers.

Dog-friendly hiking trails: Many trails welcome four-legged family members. "Plenty of places to hike and explore and close to BV as well," notes Allen B. about Turtle Rock Campground, which offers numerous options for exercising pets on surrounding trails.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Choose carefully for the best experience. "The Lower Level is our favorite with loads more trees," advises Norm M. about Chalk Creek Campground, noting the significant difference between the two camping areas.

Electrical needs: Several campgrounds accommodate medical devices. "I prefer more primitive campgrounds but we needed electricity for a friend's CPAP," explains Matthew G., who found Chalk Creek Campground met their requirements while maintaining a pleasant atmosphere.

Big rig accessibility: Some forest roads accommodate larger vehicles despite appearances. "I was able to get my 25ft rig pretty far up the mountain on road 274A. There was 30-40ft class A in the spot closest to me," reports Brian E. about Browns Creek, proving dog-friendly campgrounds near Buena Vista can accommodate various RV sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Buena Vista, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Buena Vista, CO is Turtle Rock Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 38 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Buena Vista, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 279 dog-friendly camping locations near Buena Vista, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.