Glamping in Centennial, Colorado and surrounding areas offers access to both mountain terrain and urban amenities, with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet in the city to over 8,000 feet at nearby mountain campsites. Summer temperatures typically reach the 80s during day with cool 50-degree evenings, while winter camping requires preparation for nighttime temperatures that can drop below freezing. The region serves as a gateway to the Front Range with several state parks within a 30-60 minute drive.
What to do
Lake activities: At Chatfield State Park, visitors can enjoy water recreation just minutes south of Denver. One camper notes, "Great for biking and all kinds of water sports. Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites."
Trail exploration: Golden Gate Canyon State Park Campground offers extensive hiking networks across its 12,000 acres. A visitor shared, "This park is huge and has many amenities. The trails are amazing. The park feels like it's far from the city, but the drive is easy for a weekend camping trip!"
Family adventures: Jellystone Park at Larkspur caters specifically to families with organized activities. According to a review, "What a place. Hundreds of spots- a water park, a bounce pad, cabins, golf carts, putt-putt oh my! This place is a campers with kids dream."
Archery practice: Bear Creek Lake Park offers specialized recreation options beyond standard camping activities. A reviewer mentioned, "Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding."
What campers like
Urban accessibility: Cherry Creek State Park Campground balances nature with city convenience. A camper shared, "We stayed here for one night before heading back out on the road. This place is huge and has many amenities. There were full hookups. The sights were concrete and level."
Wildlife viewing: Visitors appreciate the diverse animal sightings at local parks. According to a Chatfield camper, "My husband and I stayed in this beautiful campground in 2018 June. The wild life was beautiful, the facilities were clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful!"
Peaceful water experiences: Wellington Lake offers non-motorized water recreation in a tranquil setting. A visitor noted, "There are no motorized boats allowed on the lake. There were a lot of people with paddle boards, kayaks and canoes."
Spacious campsites: Reverend's Ridge Campground at Golden Gate Canyon receives praise for site layout. "Campground is very clean. Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many parks fill quickly, especially in summer. A Cherry Creek visitor advised, "Campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit."
Additional fees: Most parks charge daily entrance fees beyond camping costs. One visitor to Bear Creek Lake noted, "Your camping reservation (strongly recommended) includes park admission," while a Cherry Creek reviewer mentioned, "There is also an $11 day pass fee not included in your camping stay."
Crowding considerations: Standley Lake Regional Park can get busy during peak seasons. A camper observed, "Apparently quiet time is just a phrase here — multiple groups around us were loud well past 10pm but nobody came around to check."
Seasonal operations: Bear Creek Lake's Indian Paintbrush Campground operates from April through October, while most state parks remain open year-round with varying amenities during winter months.
Tips for camping with families
Early arrival strategy: For day use and camping at popular spots, timing matters. A Cherry Creek visitor advised, "If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Chatfield State Park, one camper noted, "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos."
Water safety precautions: Wellington Lake features natural areas requiring supervision. A visitor cautioned, "Word of caution- every year I see/hear about multiple dogs going down the waterfall. No major injuries but it scares the owners. The rocks are so slick- don't let kids/dogs try to climb through or over."
Site selection for privacy: For glamping with families, choosing the right location matters. At Wellington Lake, "For more privacy go further away from the water," one camper advised.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Campgrounds vary in services provided. A Cherry Creek reviewer noted, "There were full hookups. The sights were concrete and level. It was a little pricey, but we would stay again when visiting family."
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Standley Lake, a camper warned, "We got site 47, which is labeled as an RV site, but it is NOT suitable for pop up campers. The site doesn't have even a hint of a levelable spot."
Shower facilities: Many campgrounds charge for showers. At Chatfield State Park, "Showers are coin-operated as well," while a Golden Gate Canyon visitor mentioned, "Showers weren't warm at the end of a long day and will cost ya $1.00 for the first 4 minutes and 25 cents every minute after."
Dump station access: Know where and when you can empty tanks. One camper at Casey Jones RV Hideaway noted, "They also lock their dump station so when you want to check out and use the dump station you have to track down a camp host to get the code for it."
