Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Calhan, CO

Awesome campground. Activities for the kids. Helpful and kind staff. Rented golf cart to ride trails there the kids loved it. Nice dog park. Close to everything in Colorado Springs. Can't wait to go back.

This park is definitely well visited, but for good reason. It is located in Woodland Park, a lovely mountain town about 30-40 min. outside Colorado Springs. Lots of sites, mostly RV but there is a nice tent only section with a good number of spaces. We stayed overnight in early July and actually pitched our tent next to our family RV underneath the awning, safe from the summer showers that seem to pass thru almost daily in the summer months. Lots of amenities, including parks with play equipment for the kiddos, a dog park, nice bathrooms & showers.

I asked for a space for my rv. The owner, Lauren offered me a site with only water and charged me 50.00. REALLY!!!!!!! No dog park. The stream that goes through the campground is VERY POLLUTED. No where to walk. The shower room had a vent that is so DIRTY that it is no ventilation. Muddy mess when it rains everyday. No pavement through the park. Owner is too busy dating someone who walks around like he owns the place.

This location was perfect for exploring the area. It is very close to downtown Woodland Park and many attractions. Deer wander through the campground throughout the day. It is rustic , with dirt/gravel roads and sites. Lots of pine trees and most spots are pull through. Some sites are a little close together but not all of them. Restrooms are clean. Small but nice laundry-room. Clean showers. A nice tent area. Staff was friendly and helpful. Try to get here before the office closes because finding your site may be difficult. It is a little hard to figure out the roads and the proper direction to go to fine your site and get into it.
We were here for 4th of July and there were NO activities. No pool. There is a small playground area and a small stage that has been abandoned. The dog park is at the very back of the property. Everything on our 50 amp site worked perfectly. The site was ample for our toy hauler and truck. Sites are not level, bring proper equipment for leveling. Overall, it has an awesome Colorado vibe and we liked it here. Only downside was layout of sites, no activities. You have to reserve a spot to wash clothes. This became a problem because people reserve large blocks of time and don’t show up. I couldn’t use laundry, so be forewarned.

This little gem hidden away in the mountains was a perfect spot for our Mother/Son roadtrip. We originally got a delux tent spot with water and electric but when a storm came through and blew our tent down and since we had been roughing it for the past few days it really made for some bad times but we were able to upgrade into a cabin and it made our night so much better. The family who runs the KOA were so welcoming and kind. They gave us information on a good fishing spot where my 7 yr old son caught his first trout and he fed his tribe. Lol everything was so clean. There are washers and dryers available. They had a nice gift shop and provided a s’mores night for the campers for free. They have pancake breakfast for $3 on Saturday and Sunday ( not always). Overall it was an amazing place to camp everything was reasonably priced and lots of activities for the kids. Board games were able to be checked out, there was a game room where the kids spent most of their time. There is a dog park area. Hummingbirds enjoyed the area as well

They had an outdoor kitchen with cast iron skillets for the campers to use as well as a stove and two big charcoal grills up at the main building

Very nice KOA

also it’s the WORLDS HIGHEST KOA @ 10,000 ft

By far one of the nicest state parks in Colorado. Every site is huge and several pull through are on sides of the hill with sweeping view of Colorado Springs. Nestled up to the Air Force NORAD complex the nature is unspoiled all the way up the mountain. Tons of trails the only sad part is our dogs only have limited trails they are allowed on. Bear, large cats and lots of deer visit regularly (well at least the deer are regular.

My family and I stayed here for one night in a 34' travel trailer as a reward from crossing Kansas. :) We knew what we were getting into - a tight family campground, so we weren't disappointed in that regard. It's actually a little hard to write this review because there's such a mix of pros and cons. I think listing them out will be the best strategy.

Cons: 

- VERY close to the interstate. Take a look at a satellite map view so you will come prepared. The road noise is ever present, and if you can tune it out you will be a much happier camper. We were able to sleep ok with it, but it was a constant in our experience.

- Proximity to your neighbor. This is the way it is with KOAs, but it did feel strange hooking up utilities within arm's reach of your neighbors having dinner.

- Wifi. They advertise it, but it was so slow that not once was I able to successfully load a single webpage. Verizon is also not strong here.

- Cable. They had hook-ups but quality was too poor to watch.

- The hot tub was closed with no indication when it will open. 

Pros:

-The playground was pretty awesome, large and with multiple things to climb on for kiddies.

- They had a pool and kiddie pool. Both are small, though.

- The game room is really nice! (see pics)

- Pizza and ice cream on site.

- Affordable laundry. $2.50 for wash and 50 cents for 8 minutes for the dryer.

- Clean and tastefully decorated bathrooms and showers.

Other:

- Pancake and sausage breakfast on the weekends for $6.50.

- A BBQ restaurant run by the campground.

- 40 minutes to Denver. 

- Dog park.

Overall, not a bad experience, just not spectacular.

This area is beautiful with lots of great sites available along mt. Herman rd. Looked at 3-4 different sites all had a decent amount of broken glass so be careful with pets/little ones. Certain areas of this road are heavily graded so take it slow if need be

A great Colorado State Park. Concrete sites with tent areas. Campsites are spaced out really well. Full hookups at each site that look better than most dump stations. Wildlife in area: saw deers, wild turkeys, and signs for bears and cats. Recommend having bear spray if you hike the trails.

We stayed along the Mt Herman Road and it was gorgeous. Lots of folks out there enjoying the beautiful weather - it rained both afternoons and never got above 80* F on either day (we were at 9,338 ft in altitude). There is a LOT of trash out there that you don’t really notice until you stop to take a look The first place we stopped was so covered in broken glass that we opted to find another spot bec our pet pig, Schnitzel could have been injured. We found another spot though that was fairly clean and the. Also picked up a garbage bag full of trash so that we could leave the spot better than we found it.

Pretty high up the mountain for an ex smoker but I didn't die, somehow. Bears and cats abound. I heard a cat bigger than the one that I had with me screaming his/her lungs out before sunrise. The area is beautiful and wild with an expansive tree canopy. I didn't take pictures because you can't see anything due to the forest. There are tree trunks and limbs around each campsite which are pull ins just off the road, so don't bring firewood, bring an axe. I saw a tent ripped to shreds and the campsite ransacked which was likely bears. Bring bear mace. If you make noise around the campsite and bear proof your comestibles you will be fine. Remember, if you see a bear it means you both screwed up, the difference being a bear having a panic attack is deadly. Campers, I have to request a favor:. Bring a big trash bag and haul away more trash than you bring. A few months of this can make this a pristine place to visit. I enjoyed it immensely.

We stayed in site # 43 and had electric and filled with water there it was a nice site. It was a pull thru site Conifer ridge loop. I had 2 bars with Verizon, nice restrooms, showers & a laundry room. 

The BEST sites in our loop were #40 & 41 big pull thru sites facing Pikes Peak.  Site # 36 is great to it's a back in site. Nice hikes though out the park it's well maintained. Pets are not allowed on the trails & they do have rangers hiking looking for rule breakers. 

Went to Mike's barbecue had a great meal & ask for the candied bacon he doesn't advertise it, sells out quickly. Also went to McGinty's slow service but a good dinner. 

Pikes Peak is close & what a beautiful Mountain. We saw lots of wildlife, wildflowers, very winding road with switchbacks going up and the summit at the top. It was cold up there had a cloud come in & it covered the peak. They sell a shirt Got Oxygen we bought one it's  true. Elevation is 14,115 Crystal reservoir was beautiful. Had some snow patches up higher.  They hit a limit & part way up you may have to stop & take a bus the rest of the way (it's free) but we lucked out and got to drive the entire way up. Coming down they will stop you at a 1/2 way check point & check your breaks are not overheated. If they are you have to wait a 1/2 hour I believe to go back down. Drive in Manual and you will be fine.

Garden of the Gods isn't far that's beautiful too & the drive there is nice. Manitou  Springs is a nice little town and Cripple Creek the other direction is really a cool town. springs

Lots of trails. Great view of Colorado Springs and Fort Carson. Lots of wildlife. Had a deer try to get close to my parents dog (photo included).

This RV Park and motel is just outside Woodland Park, Colorado. The sites on the upper hill have nice views while the lower sites are much less desirable. Most sites are back in so check for pull through if needed when you reserve. They have a dog walk and a sketchy play area for kids. There is also a rec hall and showers that we did not visit so can't give a description. Cripple creek, The Wolf & Wildlife Center and paradise cove are all nearby.

The campsites themselves are great! However, don’t expect your dog to be able to enjoy nature with you. Dogs aren’t allowed on ANY trails or in the back country.

My mom and I went camping for the first time here at Golden Bell in June 2023. I loved every minute of it, even though it rained hard and hailed for awhile, but it was beautiful. Took a walk on the trail with my dog. Saw the beautiful pond. Great place. Meet new people. Gift shop. Restroom. Dog friendly. We’ll come back next year for sure😁

Awesome camp spot. Met a friendly dog and a random turkey. Beautiful scenery.