Join the fun near Drake. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Drake. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Drake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$30 - $60 / night
"Took the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back."
"I was a Ranger one summer in Rocky - please respect the wildlife and keep a very long distance to not affect their behavior."
$45 - $70 / night
"Great place for kids and pets. Playground , pool, and nicely stocked camp store. Not a ton of shade so, it gets hot at 2:00 p.m. It is right off the road so some traffic noise."
"There’s access to a small playground for kids. The pool looked nice, the lake is right across the road. Overall a good campsite."
$35 - $70 / night
"Firewood sold next to the entrance by the same husband and wife that have been selling firewood there for 35 years. There is a shed full of firewood."
"The spaces are large, but quite close to one another with few trees for privacy. Each site here is variable, with some open with no trees and others nestled in some mature trees."
$45 - $80 / night
"The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site. They had a very nice playground for the kids with a climbing wall."
"Estes Park Campground at East Portal is a short drive away from both RMNP and the city of Estes Park, so you are nearby everything."
"It's in a beautiful location and its very well kept. Had things for the whole family ice cream social and train ride for the kids and a dog run area for the pups. Will definitely be returning"
"We didn't feel the "Oh, God... another tourist" vibes we got from basically everyone else in Colorado. On the contrary, they couldn't have been happier to see us and welcome us to their little city."
$36 - $41 / night
"All sites have great access and close to the ponds. Variety of fish in the ponds. They allow ice fishing as long as the ice is safe."
"Boyd Lake State Park is situated near the city of Fort Collins with distant views of the mountains. It has a large lake that is used by boaters, fishermen and sandcastle builders all summer."
$25 - $35 / night
"This was our second visit to Pinewood Lake and while some things stayed the same others were much the same. Our first visit last fall was during the final stages of a blizzard. "
"Even with the snow and us being novices we set up without a hitch and were soon enjoying the magical panorama of the lake below us and the hills and mountain tops around us."
"We got up on a Friday night and we're next to only one other couple. By Sunday all the spots were taken at some point. Dogs had plenty of space to roam."
"4x4 drive is a requirement. Good Verizon signal. Narrow road, however not busy at all. Stayed here for 4 days, no issue. The Google Maps directions is slightly wrong."
$30 - $120 / night
"My friend and I have camped here twice, and we love the location. The sites aren't sitting on top of each other, and some spots feel relatively secluded."
"Best place to camp in Estes Park/Northern Colorado! Wooded sites mean privacy from your neighbors and shade during the day. Vault toilets are very clean, well kept."
"Minutes away from NP entrances and Estes Park, yet totally secluded in the mountain wilderness.
We got a site furthest away from the entrance / highway, up a steep road (Yogi’s “Hey Hey Highway”)."
"We stayed in site 100 and the other sites were a bit close by. No trees between us and the site on either side, but we did face the hill so the view was nice."
RangerThe selling point of this campground is location. It’s as close to Rocky Mountain National Park as you can get without actually camping on NPS property. You are completely surrounded by the mountains and the views are amazing. There’s a beautiful river flowing nearby. Easy access to Estes Park. I biked into downtown and back easily. Close to a great little market and several restaurants. Sites are very tight with no privacy unless you are along the edges of the park. Nice laundry facilities, mini golf, and a small pond. There’s a small dog park but I’d recommend taking your dog to the city’s dog park about 10 minutes away. It’s worth the drive and your dog can go swimming on a beach.
LegendThis is one of my all-time favorite places to hike and camp in Colorado. I have not yet stayed in any of the campgrounds but have backpacked to the top of the American Lakes Trail. Not only is this hike fantasticly beautiful and full of wildlife (tons of moose especially) but there is great dispersed camping along the trails. You simply cannot find more scenic and free camping in Colorado. I would highly recommended camping anywhere in State Forest State Park!
Also, there are quite a few huts, cabins and yurts that can be rented year round in SFSP!
GuideTook the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back.
TravelerWe had a great time at this campground. We spent 4 days in a spot right next to the river. Close to Rocky Mountain National Park. Really enjoyed the river, dog park, live music on sat. night and laundry.
ScoutGorgeous views, relaxing and very kind, courteous staff. Dog park, hot tubs, laundry, all you can eat pancakes (very reasonably priced) well worth the so steep drive on way up to 9,000 ft.
ScoutGood Sam’s RV park with full amenities. We booked a water/electric online, but got bumped up to full hookups. Beautiful river going beside many of the sites. Newer bathrooms. Huge park with playground for kids. Our site was very wide and open, but we might just have been lucky. Most are tree covered sites and not packed in. Dog park. About 45 minute beautiful drive to Rocky Mountain National Park entrance.
TravelerThis camp ground has the best view!. We have camped in Colorado for over 15 years. By far the campsites with the best views! And you can rent cabins too. Just love this place. Lake gets busy In the summer. But still worth if you can get a reservation.
ScoutA lovely wooded campground literally on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park - we even saw moose from the back window of our RV! Options for everyone from cabins, to FHU RV sites (limited and not the ideal locations, but still nice), water/electric sites and tenting areas. Even Conestoga wagons! There is horseback riding on site and we loved watching the horses run in and out each morning/evening and you just have to cross the road for a pretty hike along the Colorado River in RMNP (no dogs on the trails). We camped with our Great Dane - very dog friendly with bag stations around the park. Friendly and helpful staff, a small shop with supplies and souvenirs, a cute little petting zoo with goats, sheep, and pigs.
RangerSo the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites. I am reviewing one of these unnumbered campsites in particular, because this one had the best view. Before you read too far, I can't guarantee you will be able to reach this campsite without a 4X4 high clearance vehicle. We got to the site with a Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Tacoma TRD so we had no problems... I can't definitely say a Subaru would make it though. In the pictures I have included a map of the Gordon Gulch trail system. Entering through the Gordon Gulch entrance and taking 226.1 to 233.1 is the hardest route - there is one very steep and washed out spot. Entering via 120J/Switzerland Trail from the Peak to Peak Hwy and then turning right onto 233.1 is the easier option. On that map I have marked the general area of the campsite with a pink dot and here are the coordinates.
DMS: 40°01'18.5"N 105°28'37.6"W
DD: 40.021814, -105.477103 - if you type this into Google Maps it will locate it
As for the actual campsite, it is a great option for spring/fall camping in Colorado. The elevation is about 8,800 ft and it is on the south side of a hill so it gets a lot of sunlight and is protected from northern winds. In terms of privacy, there are no other campsites that can be seen from this one. However, Gordon Gulch is a popular off-roading area so dirt bikes and Jeeps pass by frequently. This campsite is set up high above and away from the road though, so it is really not that bad. Another thing to point out is that this is a popular area for shooting as well, so if you absolutely hate guns it may not be the place for you. Also, as stated before, this is a dispersed campsite the only thing it has is a fire ring. Pack it in, pack it out!
If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Drake, Colorado, there are several great campgrounds that welcome your furry friends. These spots not only provide a comfortable stay for you and your pets but also offer a range of activities to enjoy together.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Drake, CO is Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 89 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 245 dog-friendly camping locations near Drake, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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