356 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Englewood, Colorado range from fully developed state park campgrounds to dispersed sites in surrounding national forests. Within 30 miles of the city, campers can access established facilities at Cherry Creek and Chatfield State Parks, which both accommodate tent and RV camping with hookups and amenities. These two state parks provide convenient options for local overnight stays while still offering outdoor recreation opportunities in proximity to the Denver metro area.
Road conditions to most established campgrounds in the region are generally good, though sites at higher elevations may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly when accessing dispersed camping areas like Gordon Gulch. Many campgrounds in the region maintain seasonal operation schedules, with some closing during winter months. Bear Creek Lake Park, for example, operates from April through October, while both Cherry Creek and Chatfield remain open year-round for camping. Elevation plays a significant role in planning, as temperatures can vary considerably between urban and mountain sites. A visitor to Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area noted that "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."
Public lands surrounding Englewood provide varied camping experiences with distinctly different amenities. Established campgrounds like Cherry Creek and Chatfield State Parks offer electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites, making them suitable for both tent and RV campers seeking more creature comforts. More primitive options can be found in the surrounding national forests, though these require additional preparation. According to feedback on The Dyrt, campers seeking a more remote experience should consider that "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." Cell service varies considerably across the region, with reliable coverage at developed campgrounds near the city and spotty or nonexistent service in more remote areas at higher elevations.
"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
"It is in the center of the city, but aside from the traffic on the dam in the distance you would not realize it. "
from $28 - $432 / night
Check Availability"This was our first time staying at Bear Creek Lake. The park is not part of the Colorado Wilds or CPW State Park system, but daily vehicle fees are included with your camping reservation."
"Note: If the GPS takes you to a dirt road with a closed gate at the end, get back on the highway and take the next exit to the park entrance."
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
"Had a great spot right next to the Clear Creek walking path. The campground is clean and well looked after. Clean bathrooms and showers. Close to many hikes and mt trails."
"**Campground Review: ** Golden, CO is a super cute town on the outskirts of Denver. The city has a campground in a prime location, and we were lucky to book a site!"
from $68 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Good location close to interstate to access all the cool towns and site seeing west of Denver."
"When I walked in the office, I was greeted by 5 wonderful sweet dogs. I love dogs so there couldn't have been a better greeting. Kathy was very friendly and helpful."
"They use a keycode system to restrict access to the centrally-located bathhouse (there is only one in the campground), which I thought was clever. "
"The highway noise was very noticeable, but didn’t take away from the peaceful setting. It was a clean campground. The bathrooms and showers were clean and have a key code for entry."
from $33 - $40 / night
Check Availability"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"It’s $35 a night for a spot super close to the water. The spots are pretty spread out. We are taking our toddler and dogs swimming 100 times a day."
"Take a friend and a picnic for a lovely day on this beautiful lake right here in Arvada. Your worries fall away and you can experience the joy in nature around you. Maybe weird but true!"
from $35 - $55 / night
Check Availability"There's several creeks that run through the area and a network of trails that intersect the Colorado Trail and the road. The area is popular with mountain bikers."
"The area was well kept and obviously beautiful, it's Colorado after all. There was no running water, however the camo host drives an ATV around offering water from giant containers. I loved it."
TravelerUnfortunately we stayed here after the big drought and fire restriction in 2026, so the lake was looking sad and we couldn’t really set a campfire.
You must have an suv car or 4x4, my forester made it great. The path is EXTREMELY rocky, we were going 2mph(literally). There are some spots around the reservoir and some more on the side of the road on the way there.
I loved it!
TravelerGreat site not too far from Boulder. It really helped drop the temperature. It was 90° down in Boulder now over here. It was less than 80.
ScoutPlenty of campsites available just pass the trail markers for Mount Flora and Mill Creek Ridge Trail. We went on a Saturday night in mid-August and there were two other groups present, and half a dozen available spots. The lake was beautiful after some summer rain and hail cleared up.
The drive up to the lake on the forrest service road is legit 4x4 / OHV only. Lifted Land Cruiser on 32" tires made it fine, but there are lots of spots where you need to tread carefully. It was a slow going 45mins to 1hr from the turn-off in Empire.
TravelerGreat spot close by the marina. Full hookups in lot A.
ScoutVery open, tons of spots to choose from. Generally clean with made-up fire pits everywhere. Unsure why, but we were the only ones here. We saw a couple of vehicles and ATVs go up the road, but no one stopped by us. We stayed here Saturday - Monday.
GuideThe drive up isn’t for the faint of hearts, which probably explains the complete absence of sedans. It is very bumpy, very narrow at times, and very muddy after heavy rains with large and deep puddles here and there.
With that said, this is a stunning location for camping, biking, hiking, etc.
Weekends get too crowded with practice shooters, off-road vehicles, and people partying it up loudly but the week is dead quiet.
Plenty of wildlife - including bears - and you should also plan for unpredictable weather.
ScoutThe campground is wonderful! A few of the spots are a bit smaller but we had 16 and it was ample. Surrounded by trees and a lovely place to spend a mid August night. However, the campground is noisy… proximity to the road leaves campers hearing Jake brakes of semis, sirens of EMS vehicles, as well as the seemingly random train that will come and go… overall a good experience, but tough for me to sleep with all the noise.
ScoutThe road isn’t accessible for 2WD but it’s a gorgeous area with waterfalls if you hike far enough
ScoutRough road up but not terrible. Just need higher clearance. I prefer dispersed camping for being further away from others and enjoying the quiet.
Very busy trail, all spots are very close to the road/trail so if you’re going on a weekend expect to see and hear many people.
People were shooting nearby around sunset, even with the stage 2 fire ban. We had some good distance from our neighbors, but cars started driving up around 5am Saturday and hikers quickly followed. Very popular hiking trail, with groups passing by pretty consistently. If you enjoy camping for the peace and quiet, this isn’t a great area for it. If you enjoy a good view and don’t mind waving back at hikers and trucks all day, it’s decent.
Camping options near Englewood, Colorado extend from urban sites with full amenities to quieter locations in nearby foothills. The region sits where the High Plains meet the Rocky Mountain foothills, creating a transition zone with dramatic temperature variations between summer days that can reach 90°F and cool nights in the 50s. Many campgrounds remain open year-round despite seasonal temperature shifts, though facilities like showers may close during colder months.
Hiking trails access: Indian Paintbrush Campground at Bear Creek Lake Park provides access to multiple trail systems for hikers and cyclists. "Lots of park amenities like horse stables, archery range, swim beach, boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic areas," notes Jennifer L., highlighting the diverse activities available without leaving the park.
Water recreation options: At Standley Lake Regional Park, campers can enjoy various water activities on the 1,063-acre reservoir. "Rent a floatation device or bring your own and enjoy the warmth on the lake," recommends reviewer Fairy T. The park offers paddleboard, kayak, canoe, and paddle bicycle rentals for those without their own equipment.
Wildlife observation: Bird watchers find excellent opportunities at Standley Lake where bald eagles nest. "I don't know how you could not like a place with a huge lake that bald eagles nest beside. With a rookery, this is the spot for bird enthusiasts!" explains Blair S. The visitor center even features a live "Eagle Cam" where visitors can watch nesting activities.
Urban accessibility: Chatfield State Park Campground receives praise for its location and facilities. "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos," says Jessica V., highlighting how the park balances natural surroundings with proximity to urban amenities.
Laundry facilities: Several campgrounds offer on-site laundry, which longer-term campers appreciate. At Chatfield, "Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites," according to Rick, making it convenient for extended stays while maintaining camping comfort.
Private bathrooms: Clear Creek RV Park offers exceptionally clean facilities. Janine R. notes, "They have extremely clean bath houses cleaned daily and coin-op laundry (office has quarters available)." This attention to cleanliness makes the campground popular for those who prefer maintained facilities.
Weekend crowding: State parks near Englewood fill quickly, especially during summer. At Cherry Creek State Park, Kay S. advises, "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. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. At Standley Lake, Shannon S. warns, "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." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for many area campgrounds.
Additional day-use fees: Most state parks charge entrance fees separate from camping fees. This typically adds $9-11 per day to your camping costs. Bear Creek Lake Park includes the entrance fee with camping reservations, according to Jennifer L. who notes, "Your camping reservation (strongly recommended) includes park admission."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer playgrounds for children. At Chief Hosa Campground, Danielle V. mentions, "The campground is small, but very well maintained and the sites are large." While not all sites have shade, families appreciate the clean facilities and playground access.
Swimming options: Bear Creek Lake Park offers swimming beaches that kids enjoy during summer months. "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports," notes Joshua H., making it ideal for families seeking water recreation.
Educational opportunities: Standley Lake provides wildlife learning experiences with their eagle observation program. The visitor center displays live footage of nesting eagles, and Nancy B. notes, "Several times a day if you're patient you can view them being fed. Something to see."
Hookup variations: Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers different site types for various camping styles. Jennifer S. advises, "If you pick a tent site it's your best bet, the electric sites are too close to RV's," highlighting how site selection affects experience.
Phone service considerations: Cell coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Golden Gate Canyon, Allan notes, "Phone service wise Verizon was very patchy but Sprint seemed to have 2-3 bars," information critical for RVers who need to stay connected.
Shower facilities: Pay showers are common in area campgrounds. Sarah S. at Chatfield reports, "Showers are coin-operated as well," so campers should bring quarters. Some parks have recently upgraded to card-based systems requiring bank cards instead of coins for shower access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Englewood, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Englewood, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 356 campgrounds and RV parks near Englewood, CO and 122 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Englewood, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Englewood, CO is Chatfield State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 82 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Englewood, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 122 free dispersed camping spots near Englewood, CO.
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