Castle Pines sits at 6,368 feet elevation, between Denver and Colorado Springs. The area transitions from high plains to pine-covered foothills, creating diverse camping environments. Temperatures can drop significantly at night, even in summer months, with July highs averaging 85°F and nighttime lows around 55°F.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: At Indian Creek Campground, visitors can access trail #800 plus trails heading north from the parking lot. "The trail heading North out of the parking lot is great, well maintained and also has hidden 7 dwarfs along the trail to try and find. We did it four times just to make sure we found all 7," reports D.
Horseback riding: Several equestrian trails and horse campgrounds near Castle Pines, Colorado provide opportunities for riders. "Love this area! Lots of beautiful trails, close to Denver and very peaceful. Bring your ponies, its an equestrian campground!" writes Mikaela R. about Indian Creek Campground.
Water recreation: Chatfield State Park offers boating and beach access just 20 minutes from Castle Pines. "I have visited Chatfield reservoir many times and never had a bad experience. The sites are well maintained and the reservoir is always fun to get out on the boat!" shares Brian B.
What campers like
Proximity to Denver: Cherry Creek State Park offers camping with city access. "Good location downtown Denver, near the hospital we needed to go to, it served its purpose, then we headed to the mountains," notes Bill S., highlighting the convenience for travelers.
Privacy between sites: At Mueller State Park, campers appreciate the site layout. "The real gem of this park is the walk in tent sites. You may not even realize that there are other people around," says Thomas T. Sites are well-spaced with natural buffers.
Wildlife viewing: Campers report seeing deer, elk, bears and smaller animals. "I have witnessed deer, bear, elk and coyotes all while hiking their trails," reports Thomas T. about Mueller State Park, while another visitor mentions, "We enjoyed a fire in their nice fire pits before the rains came in. But we woke up to hot air balloons lifting off the reservoir and that was pretty cool to see."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds operate seasonally. Indian Creek has a limited season from "May 23 to September 7," while others like Chatfield remain open year-round.
Fire restrictions: Fires may be prohibited during dry periods. One camper at Bear Creek Lake Park noted, "One other note, most of Colorado has a fire ban because of the lack of rain and wildfires. We were able to still have a fire, which is a MUST for camping :) but still be careful of course!"
Weather variability: Mountain weather changes rapidly. "Located in Littleton, Co. on Chatfield Lake. This is a pretty place to visit but would avoid it in summer time. Our AC couldn't keep up with the 100+ temperatures we experienced there in June 2012," warns Christy C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Peregrine Pines FamCamp, "There is a new playground that is huge for the kids with a rubber floor in case kids fall.
