Camping spots near Centennial, Colorado range from easily accessible frontcountry sites to more remote dispersed camping areas. Located at approximately 5,900 feet elevation in the Denver metro area, Centennial experiences typical Colorado Front Range weather patterns with significant temperature variations between day and night. During summer months, afternoon thunderstorms frequently roll through camping areas southwest of the city where elevations quickly rise into the foothills.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Several campgrounds near Centennial provide direct access to trail systems. At Bear Creek Lake Park, "Super clean campground. Close to Red Rocks and Denver. You have to drive a bit to get to the lake. Some nice hiking and biking trails off the campground. Beautiful views of the mountains."
Water activities: Multiple reservoirs within 20 miles of Centennial offer fishing, paddling and swimming options during summer months. At Chatfield State Park Campground, "This is one of our favorite spots to stay when visiting Denver area. Great for biking and all kinds of water sports. Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites."
Off-highway vehicles: Motorized recreation opportunities exist in the mountain areas southwest of Centennial. At Rampart Range Recreation Area, "If you have ATV's you really need to discover this area. Drawbacks are the ATV noise during the day (and it starts pretty early). But if you have toys to drive on the trails you will fall in love with this place."
What campers like
Easy access to Denver: The proximity to urban areas allows for convenient supply runs during longer camping trips. A camper at Clear Creek RV Park noted, "This small, but clean, campground is located perfectly a walk, or bike ride, away from the town of Golden. Not too far from hwy 70 it a great overnight stop or a destination. The staff was great!"
Uncrowded weekday camping: While weekends fill quickly, mid-week visits offer more solitude at many locations near Centennial. One camper at Rampart Range Recreation Area explained, "We came up Sunday and drove around for an hour trying to find a spot. It was so busy with campers and there were dirt bikers everywhere! Sunday evening it cleared up and we were the only ones there mon-tues!"
Winter accessibility: Many camping areas around Centennial remain open during colder months. At Chatfield State Park, sites are available year-round, though water systems are winterized. Campers should bring additional supplies during winter visits, including extra water and cold-weather gear.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most developed campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during summer. At Cherry Creek State Park Campground, "Campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit."
Highway noise: Several campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to major roads. One camper at Chief Hosa Campground mentioned, "Campground is close to the highway and even with the fans on at night in the pop-up we could still hear some of the highway noise, but it wasn't a big deal. I'm sure it would be a bigger deal to tent campers."
Additional fees: Most state park campgrounds charge both entrance and camping fees. Cherry Creek State Park requires "$11 day pass fee not included in your camping stay." This means a single night can cost $35-50 total depending on hookups and vehicle fees.
Tips for camping with families
Safety precautions: High elevation camping requires sun protection even on cooler days. At Chief Hosa Campground, located at 7,700 feet, UV exposure increases significantly compared to Denver, requiring extra sunscreen application for children.
Wildlife education: Bears occasionally visit campgrounds in the foothills. One camper noted at Chief Hosa, "We stayed at Chief Hosa for 2 nights in early August... the campground hosts had spotted a black bear in the area a few days earlier." Teach children proper food storage protocols.
Playground access: Some camping areas feature dedicated children's facilities. Bear Creek Lake Park offers a "play set for kids" though it's described as "small" by reviewers. The campground also provides access to swimming areas during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds provide sanitary facilities, but availability varies seasonally. At Cherry Creek State Park, "There were full hookups. The sights were concrete and level. It was a little pricey, but we would stay again when visiting family, because there is definitely a lot to do!"
Leveling requirements: Some campsites require significant leveling. One RVer at Dakota Ridge RV Park reported, "The sites are also all concrete so leveling was very easy," while another noted at a different campground that "The A3 site chosen is gravel with a hole or two and significantly tilted low to the front left...requiring a 4 high stack."
Limited big rig access: Several camping areas have size restrictions or difficult access roads. When selecting dispersed camping at Rampart Range Recreation Area, "RV campers may not be able to find a level, accessible site at this time of year (Mid-March) as the main roads are maintained but the pull offs don't appear to be."
