Buena Vista sits at an elevation of 7,965 feet in central Colorado's Arkansas River Valley. Summer temperatures range from 45-80°F while winter lows often drop below freezing with periodic snowfall. Several campgrounds provide access to nearby hiking trails and hot springs, with most sites requiring reservations between May and September.
What to do
Soak in hot springs: Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is located 8.5 miles from Mount Princeton campground. "You are also just minutes from Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, great for a relaxing soak," notes one camper. The natural mineral waters maintain temperatures between 70-120°F year-round.
Visit ghost towns: Take a day trip to historic mining settlements. "St. Elmo is a ghost town from the 1800's. The mountains are just beautiful," shares a visitor at Mount Princeton campground. The preserved buildings offer glimpses into Colorado's mining past with interpretive signs explaining local history.
Water activities: The Arkansas River provides multiple recreation options. At Wilderness Expeditions RV Park, "Our site was backed up directly to the river," reports one camper. The expedition company next door offers guided rafting trips ranging from Class II to Class IV rapids.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Several campgrounds feature creek-side sites. "We stayed in site #7 and behind it was the Chalk Creek. It was rushing so hard you could hear it and it was very peaceful," writes a visitor at Mount Princeton. Water access provides both recreational opportunities and natural white noise for sleeping.
Mountain views: The surrounding peaks create scenic backdrops at most camping areas. According to a Salida RV Resort visitor, "Directly on the Arkansas River — river view spots are very nice and all spots have a view of the mountains." The visible 14,000-foot peaks include Mt. Princeton, Mt. Yale, and Mt. Columbia.
Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms are available at many locations. "The bathrooms were clean but a bit worn, and they are across the river bridge from the campsites and up some fairly steep steps," notes a Riverside RV Park reviewer. Most established campgrounds provide vault toilets at minimum, with some offering shower facilities.
What you should know
Limited winter options: Many campgrounds close seasonally. Mount Princeton operates from "Mid May to Mid September" while Monarch Spur RV Park & Campground runs from "May 1 to November 1." High-altitude conditions make winter camping challenging outside designated year-round facilities.
Road conditions: Access to some areas requires careful driving. "Mountain roads leading to campgrounds may present challenges for larger motorhomes," especially when traveling to Mount Princeton where "The road to get here did get washed out as well once. It was driveable by the time we left camp."
Reservation requirements: Summer brings high demand for campsites. At Salida RV Resort, a reviewer noted their grounds were "Very clean, large level spots with gravel and plenty of room in between RVs," but summer weekends typically fill completely by early spring.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. At Monarch Spur RV Park & Campground, "They have a nice camp store, WiFi that works, golf cart rental, a playground, kids games, a community area (even host occasional concerts) fishing, and a river running through."
Consider creek-side sites: Water features entertain children naturally. A visitor at Chalk Creek Campground & RV Park shared, "The meadow campground area has sites right on the creek!" while another noted, "The water is warm because it is below mt princeton hot springs."
Check cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Mount Princeton, there's "No cell signal or WiFi," while Monarch Spur offers "WiFi that works." This information helps families plan for entertainment options during downtime.
Tips from RVers
Site surface conditions: Prepare for varied parking situations. At Mt. Princeton RV Park & Cabins, "The sites were mostly level, though there was clearly a grade from the first site to the last, and there was a bit of grade front to back on our site." Most rv parks near Buena Vista, Colorado feature gravel pads.
Water access options: Not all rv campgrounds provide the same hookup types. "Sites are spread out. Nice shade with plenty of trees. Water is a pump, can't fill RV's directly," according to a reviewer. Primitive campgrounds like Mount Princeton have no hookups, requiring self-contained water systems.
Laundry availability: Extended stays require clothes-washing facilities. Mt. Princeton RV Park & Cabins offers "Laundry facilities were VERY nice and our clothes came out clean and smelling good," an important amenity for travelers spending multiple weeks at Buena Vista RV campgrounds.
