Pet-friendly camping near Cimarron, Colorado provides access to the rugged terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at elevations typically ranging from 8,000-10,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 75°F during the day while dropping to 45°F at night, creating ideal conditions for camping from June through September. Many dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles to access, particularly after rainfall when forest roads become muddy and rutted.
What to do
Hiking with dogs: Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping offers excellent access to forested trails suitable for pets. "Beautiful views, ~50 minutes of rocky gravel road to reach the top but doable in any vehicle depending on the weather. Tons of spots and easy to be secluded," notes Logan C.
Off-roading adventures: Rampart Range Recreation Area features extensive trail networks for ATV enthusiasts. "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," advises Lindy S.
Fishing opportunities: Cherry Creek State Park Campground provides well-stocked waters for anglers traveling with pets. "Nice Swim Beach with brand new Bldg. Many covered Picnic sites, but again, you MUST arrive at the break of day to secure one," recommends Kay S.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: "We researched the spots in this area, and were surprised at how far spread the sites actually are. I had eyeballed site 83 and hoped we'd get to it. We arrived Wednesday morning and realized it was too far in than we would've liked so we landed at site 33 and it was AMAZING!" shares Taylor V. about finding privacy at Rampart Range Recreation Area.
Affordable options: Casey Jones RV Hideaway offers pet-friendly camping without breaking the bank. "Great campground. Clean. Pine trees give great shade all day. Hook ups and dump station. Just outside Elizabeth and an easy drive to Colorado Springs area and the Parker/Denver areas," writes Justin R.
Wildlife viewing: Chatfield State Park Campground provides excellent opportunities for responsible pet owners to observe local wildlife. "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!" reports Cassandra T.
What you should know
Reservations essential: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season (July-August). "Easter Vacation. Nice place to stay. I have a 42ft trailer. It's a little tight at the entrance with the tree of shame. I didn't hit the tree. So get there early enough that light is still out," advises Billy W. about Colorado Heights Resort.
Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience periodic train disturbances. "This campground is exceptionally nice and the staff is amazing, but if you are in a tent there is a lot of noise pollution from the interstate and trains that come by at all hours of the night blaring their horns," warns Shawn W.
Water access limitations: Many dispersed camping areas lack potable water sources, requiring additional planning for pet owners. "Dry camping is $15, electric & water $25," notes Kevin H. about Elbert County Fairgrounds, one of the options providing water hookups.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur offers structured entertainment for children while accommodating pets. "So much to do for the littles!! Recently completely redone the entire park and it is all so wonderful! The campsites are amazing and the activities are so much fun," says Stacy M.
Space considerations: When traveling with both kids and pets, select sites with adequate room. "This place is huge and has many amenities. It's very well maintained. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were pay only and only with a bank card," notes Stephanie S.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly, especially with afternoon thunderstorms. "We stayed here for 6 nights in March. One night we got snowed in and another night we slept with open windows!" shares Megan R. about Peregrine Pines FamCamp.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. "The campsite that I had was very uneven. It was practically a down hill slope. I had a hard time getting my camper level," reports Kohl about Casey Jones RV Hideaway.
Access road considerations: Large rigs face navigation challenges on mountain roads. "I recently purchased a 26ft sustainable travel trailer and decided to take it out for the first time. Well the road up is very tight. Very skinny switchbacks," cautions Jaymin B. about Mount Herman Road.
Water pressure management: Bring regulators for hook-up sites with strong water pressure. "Water pressure here is really strong so make sure you have a water pressure regulator handy," advises Anthony B. about camping with pets at Peregrine Pines FamCamp.
