J
Jessica B.
Scout
ScoutGoldfield RV Park
Dump Station and Potable Water
We just came here to dump and fill. Dump: $15 Fill: Sign says $4, but it was actually $.10 a gallon.
Best Campgrounds near Cañon City, CO
Camping near Cañon City, Colorado includes a mix of established campgrounds, dispersed sites, and RV parks nestled between the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and the Arkansas River valley. The area features notable options like East Ridge Campground at Royal Gorge, Phantom Canyon Road BLM sites, and Red Canyon Park. Located approximately 115 miles south of Denver, the region serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation with the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park just 2-7 miles from several campgrounds. Many sites offer views of the surrounding canyon landscapes and access to hiking and mountain biking trails, with some campgrounds positioned to provide panoramic vistas of Cañon City below.
Most campgrounds in the Cañon City area are accessible via dirt or gravel roads, with varying degrees of ruggedness. While 4WD is generally not required, some roads to BLM sites like Phantom Canyon can be narrow with unexpected dips, requiring cautious driving. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable camping conditions, as summer temperatures can exceed 90°F, particularly at lower elevations. Red Canyon Park remains above 40°F even in mid-April, making it suitable for early or late-season camping when higher mountain sites might still experience freezing temperatures. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, and many primitive sites lack potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies.
The camping options range from full-service RV resorts to primitive dispersed sites. Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins operates year-round with full hookups, while East Ridge Campground provides more basic amenities with vault toilets and no water. As one camper noted, "Red Canyon Park is best enjoyed in fall and spring; summer is quite hot. The campsites are basic and roadside." Another visitor to East Ridge Campground reported, "The campground is accessible via dirt roads. 4WD isn't necessary, but be prepared for some bumps." Most dispersed sites on BLM land are free but lack facilities, while established campgrounds typically charge $7-20 per night depending on amenities and location.
Campground Showdown near Cañon City, CO
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Best Camping Sites Near Cañon City, Colorado (271)
1. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites
39 ReviewsCañon City, CO7 miles"Stopped in Cañon City then drove out to phantom canyon gold belt tour. The coordinates will take you to where the paved road turns to dirt."
"I was nervous about going here in my Nissan Versa because I had read it was a 4 wheel drive road on several sites, however I was also optimistic after speaking to someone at Canon City because they mentioned"
2. East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge
25 ReviewsCañon City, CO5 milesWebsite+1 (719) 269-9028$20 / night
"Cañon City deserves a lot of praise for this fantastic spot that provides a great opportunity to enjoy all the views that the Royal Gorge has to offer."
"Right next to the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City Colorado, the highest suspension bridge in North America ! Do the Segway tour over the bridge!!"
3. East Ridge Campground - Royal Gorge
15 ReviewsCañon City, CO5 milesWebsite$20 / night
"Tucked away and very nice campground close to the Royal Gorge and Canon City if you need to get camping supplies. Get water and ice at the filling station by the Goodwill store for a great price."
"Cañon city view and rock climbing minutes away."
4. Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA
18 ReviewsCañon City, CO8 milesWebsite+1 (719) 275-6116"Beautiful views and a great walking path for my dog. I could have gone for miles. People are super friendly and it’s clean! Close to hiking. Well worth the visit"
"The site we got had our door facing another camper's door and our picnic tables were next to eachother, so we didn't spend much time hanging out outside."
5. Red Canyon Park
22 ReviewsVictor, CO11 milesWebsite+1 (719) 269-9028"The park is fairly remote from Cañon City and has plenty of trails to explore. Sites are large and relatively easy to access by dirt road."
"Cañon City local here! Red Canyon Park is a Cañon City-owned "mountain park." Fun to explore by day through the little canyon or along the rocks above, there's a walk for everyone here."
6. Penrose Common Rec Site
11 ReviewsPenrose, CO10 milesWebsite+1 (719) 269-8500"Easy access and not too far out of Pueblo or Cañon City. We didn't venture much further than the gate at the latrine, but we saw people coming out so I can assume there are spots further in."
"There’s lots of trails in the area (OHV) but other than that, not much else to do. There is a clean vault toilet at the entrance, no trash services. Plenty of spots as you keep driving up the hill."
7. Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins
7 ReviewsCañon City, CO9 milesWebsite+1 (719) 420-1555$45 - $74 / night
"The camp store was well stocked with firewood, camping supplies, a s’mores bar, cold drinks and lots of Colorado made items. The view from the hot tub was amazing!"
"We had a great tent spot up on the hill with a great view of the valley behind. So it was a quiet tent spot to ourself, but 30 seconds down the hill foe access to the amazing restroom and showers!"
8. Sand Gulch Campground
9 ReviewsVictor, CO13 milesWebsite+1 (719) 269-8500$20 - $40 / night
"Nice views of rock walls and surrounding mountains. Pit toilet clean enough. Decent buffer between sites. Direct access to multiple trails."
"There was nearly no one else camping here. It was beautiful. It is more open with little shade but we had storms so it was just fine."
9. The Bank Campground
9 ReviewsVictor, CO14 milesWebsite+1 (719) 269-8500$20 - $40 / night
"Close enough to canon city (bout a 20 min drive) so easy to get gas and supplies at local Walmart."
"Off-roads/trails near by with even better views. Loved this place."
10. Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort
15 ReviewsPenrose, CO18 milesWebsite+1 (719) 576-0619$69 - $79 / night
"A great midpoint basecamp location for going up to Colorado Springs area or down to Canon City(Royal Gorge) areas. The campground was always quiet in the evenings and felt secure. "
"This is a lovely park about 30 minutes south of Colorado Springs. We camped here for 5 nights in a back in spot with full hookups, site 51."
Recent Camping Photos near Cañon City, CO
600 Photos of 271 Cañon City Campgrounds
Josh G.
East Ridge Campground - Royal Gorge
Josh M.
East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge
Lance C.
Phantom Canyon RV Ranch & Campground
Jerry C.
Indian Springs Ranch and Campground
sunshine M.
Echo Canyon Campground - CLOSED
carla R.
Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites
Zak K.
Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA
Josh B.
Cliff’s Edge Campsites
Lance H.
Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins
Amy K.
Penrose Common Rec Site
Charles L.
Phantom Canyon
rain
Red Canyon Park
Recent Reviews near Cañon City, CO
1545 Reviews of 271 Cañon City Campgrounds
johny R.
LegendRampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite
The road is so bump
As mentioned the pins are wrong and the actual sites are much further down the road. If you see this random circle spot on the right side of the road just take it becauae it saves you alot or bumpyness. You get a view through the trees and its much quicker back to town. Only press forward down the road if you really care about maximizing your view.
- johny R.Legend
Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park
None of the pins are right
Ignore all of the pins on the map. None of them are right all the spots are WAY past the pins by a couple miles on one of the worst dashboard roads you will ever ride on. It is a torture test for any van or RV. If something is loose you Will find out very soon. There are signs about no camping on one side of the road but you just have to look for little pull offs along the way. Like I said well past the pins and they are spread out pretty good. Some amazing views out this way. 1 may e 2 bars cell unless you can get a spot over woodland park but if you are on the backside facing away, forget it.
- johny R.Legend
Shavano BLM Designated Camping Area
Room for trailers
Go up to the y and take a right. These are all designated spots on a gravel loop. Good verizon cell depending on where you park. Watch out when baking up the road is lined with guard posts and saw some People accidentally back into them. Lots of wildlife and amazing views up here. If you get to a scary hill that looks steep and rough you went to far that way only gets worse. Turn around and try again. Follow signs for a and B loop to access this area
- johny R.Legend
Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area
Amazing views
The road getting up here to this spot is easy no issues at all a car could do it. Going further up is another story this is sort of the " middle" of the 3 that are up here but you go up the same road. This is the first landing area and it has great views and some cell phone signal depending on where you pick your spot. AlOT of animal poop around this place. If you have a dog that cant stop barking at deer in the early morning this isnt a good place to stop
- johny R.Legend
Springdale Campground
Better free spots
There are better free spots just down the road. I feel like this place is a bit expensive for what it is. I didnt see any hookups and there is just a vault toilet. There also isnt really any good views and the spots are close together. Not a big fan of this place
- johny R.Legend
Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping
Great views quiet
Road is so bumpy will give you a headache. Depending where you stay you will have good verizon or no verizon. We found a spot with crisp mountain air and some great rocks to play around on. There was an amazing spot juat up the ridge but someone had it. It had fully uninterrupted views of Pikes peak
- johny R.Legend
Hecla Junction Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Good amenities
This is a paid campground. Its 1 bar verizon but starlink works. Its a couple miles down a fort road but people livw on the road so its maintained. Ita really a mix of public land. Browns canyon national monument and a colorado park. Yoy have to pay to stay here but it has bathrooms and river access. There is a small river trail that is nice short and has good views the campsites are close togwther but come with a Picnic table and a fire pit but its so dry dont count on having a fire
- johny R.Legend
Salida North BLM
Comes with tables
1-2 bars verizon. Dirt road but car safe. Less than mile off the highway. Good starlink. This is really just the back section of the Hendricks flats campground. Not sure why its split into 2 on here. Its in a small rocky canyon with the best spots as far back as it goes. It goes to a loop which looks like the end but thetr is a little road that goes back in the canyon a bit and has an amazing snowy peak view straight through the canyon. If you are staying here try to get this spot.
Guide to Cañon City
Campgrounds around Cañon City, Colorado range from established sites with amenities to primitive areas on public lands. The region includes several notable options like East Ridge Campground at Royal Gorge, offering tent and RV camping with picturesque views just minutes from the Royal Gorge Bridge. Phantom Canyon Road provides BLM dispersed sites for those seeking more solitude, while developed options like Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA feature cabin rentals and full hookups. Both public and private lands support diverse camping experiences within short drives of town, with some campgrounds positioned at higher elevations that capture panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Access to most camping areas remains seasonal, with some campgrounds like Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA operating from April through October. Many primitive sites have no drinking water available, requiring campers to bring their own supplies or fill containers in town. The dirt roads leading to several campgrounds are well-maintained but can become challenging during winter months or after heavy rain. Vault toilets are common at established sites, while developed campgrounds provide full shower and bathroom facilities. Maximum stay limits of 72 hours apply at some locations, particularly at East Ridge Campground. A camper noted, "Night temps were good for car camping in winter months. Hikes of any length can be started right from the campground or a short drive away."
Campers consistently praise the quiet atmosphere and scenic surroundings at most sites near Cañon City. East Ridge Campground receives particularly positive feedback for its level tent pads, metal picnic tables, and fire pits with cooking grills. Several visitors mentioned wildlife encounters, with one review noting "Lots of mule deer" and "the sounds of crickets and gentle breezes will help you sleep soundly." Proximity to outdoor recreation stands out as a major advantage, with multiple trails accessible directly from campgrounds for hiking and mountain biking. While sites closer to town offer convenience for supply runs, the more remote locations provide greater seclusion. The area's camping options balance accessibility with natural immersion, positioned between the higher elevations of Colorado's mountains and the more temperate climate of the lower Arkansas River Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Cañon City, Colorado?
Where are the best campgrounds in Cañon City, Colorado?
Cañon City offers excellent camping options for every style. East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge stands out with its spectacular views of Cañon City and proximity to Royal Gorge Bridge. Accessible via dirt roads on CR-3A, this city-maintained campground provides a perfect base for exploring the gorge area. For those seeking a natural setting, Red Canyon Park offers large, accessible sites with plenty of hiking trails to explore, though it's somewhat remote from town. Other notable options include BLM Shelf Road Banks and Sand Gulch Campgrounds for budget-friendly sites with basic amenities, and Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA for those wanting essential RV services. For a basecamp that allows exploration in multiple directions, Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort sits perfectly between Cañon City and Colorado Springs.
When is the best season for camping in Cañon City?
When is the best season for camping in Cañon City?
Spring and fall offer the most pleasant camping weather in Cañon City. Red Canyon Park is particularly enjoyable during these seasons, as summer temperatures can get quite hot in the area. April through May and September through early October provide moderate temperatures ideal for outdoor activities. In mid-April, temperatures typically stay above 40 degrees, making it comfortable for overnight stays. BLM Shelf Road Banks and Sand Gulch Campgrounds are accessible year-round but are most comfortable during spring and fall. Summer camping is possible but prepare for heat, especially at lower elevations. Winter camping is available for the adventurous, though you should be prepared for cold nights and potentially icy conditions on access roads.
What camping amenities are available near Cañon City?
What camping amenities are available near Cañon City?
Cañon City area campgrounds offer a range of amenities to suit different camping styles. Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA provides essential services including water and electrical hookups, located conveniently about 8 miles from Cañon City and 4 miles from Royal Gorge. For RV campers, Haggards RV Campground features spacious pull-through sites that can accommodate large rigs without unhooking, with full hookups available. Public campgrounds like East Ridge offer more rustic experiences with pit toilets and well-maintained sites. Most areas have picnic tables and fire pits, while BLM sites provide vault toilets and campground hosts. For water and ice, campers recommend the filling station near the Goodwill store in Cañon City. Cell service varies by location, with ATT coverage reported in many areas around the region.
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