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.
$36 - $200 / night
"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."
$28 - $432 / night
"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. "
"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."
$68 - $85 / night
"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!"
$33 - $40 / night
"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."
"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."
$18 / night
"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."
$35 - $55 / night
"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!"
"5 stars because of the lake, Mountain Views, and it not being far from town. Rent a floatation device or bring your own and enjoy the warmth on the lake☀️"
ScoutThere’s road construction so Vasquez road is completely blocked off as of now. No way to get up other than to hike.
May, 9th, 2026
Not sure how the campsites are so rating isn’t fair
Guidewe've stayed here 2 times and enjoyed both stays. the pancake breakfasts are awesome! clean bathrooms and easy to navigate to sites.
TravelerCannot say enough, family owned and operated. Well kept, very clean restrooms, showers, laundry. Close to sooo much.
RangerThis area is rated 5 stars, and it's easy to figure out why. It's a wonderful place to camp. The only downside is when we went there in May of 2025. The road really needed to be graded so it was very rough. But it's navigable, if you just take your time. Make sure you hike up the creek area.
GuidePublic park and campground. Tent sites by the river but you have to park and carry your gear in. Tents sites 1-8 are “car camping” sites, but those are adjacent to the rec field so lots of people walking by in the daytime. The park is in town so easy access to stores restaurants and an arcade!
TravelerWe chose Chatfield State Park as the location of our maiden voyage of our new Outdoors RV camper trailer. The pull through sites are wonderful for ‘newbies’ like us! We hiked down to the reservoir and witnessed a herd of about 40 mule meandering between the campsites. It was a great first outing and as it was within 30 miles of our home we were comfortable for sure!
GuideA little bumpy but found a beautiful spot right next to the stream.
TravelerThe site was so beautiful and the views took my breath away but the way up gave me so much anxiety that I wanted to turn around multiple times. Granted I drove up in the middle of the night so it looked like I was driving on the side of a cliff, which there is on some parts of the trail but it looks way worse in the dark so if you're going definitely make sure it's during the day when there's light.
Had gorgeous views of the mountains but the trail requires a 4WD vehicle with a lot of clearance in order to make it up.
LegendThis isn’t really a true dispersed camping spot. It’s designated sites only and the sites are close together in a campground style loop. Fire pits but no other amenities. 1 bar Verizon and it’s a ways past the marker on the the Dyrt. Maybe 2 miles down the bumpy washboard road to get to the first loop. Some good views but can be cold and windy up here.
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 336 campgrounds and RV parks near Englewood, CO and 116 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 79 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Englewood, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 116 free dispersed camping spots near Englewood, CO.
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