Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping near Climax is the perfect choice. Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. You're sure to find glamping for your Climax camping adventure.
Peak One Campground is located on the Dillon Reservoir near the town of Frisco, offering an abundance of recreational activities. The reservoir is encircled by Swan Mountain and the dramatic Gore and Tenmile Ranges. This campground is an ideal setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation. Due to the pine beetle infestation and removal of hazard trees, there is little or no shade in the campground.
Dillon Reservoir, often referred to as Lake Dillon, is the greatest draw to this campground. At 3,233 acres, and with 26.8 miles of shoreline, it is an ideal spot for fishing, boating, and sailing. Anglers will find that the reservoir supports a healthy population of rainbow and brown trout, with an occasional cutthroat trout finding its way into the lake from feeder streams. Opportunities for hiking and biking in the area abound, including more than 7 paved miles of the 50-mile Summit County trail system. The Old Dillon Reservoir trail is a favorite. This short, easy trail has spectacular views of the Tenmile Range and the Continental Divide. The Old Dillon Reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the original town of Dillon, which is now covered by the new Dillon Reservoir.
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting 8 wilderness areas, 4 defined seasons, and 10 peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation. Described as being more vertical than horizontal, nearby Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, designated in 1976, is a playground of craggy cliffs, sheer rock faces, alpine lakes, and deep, forested valleys. Visitors will find foot travel across this pristine area challenging and often strenuous, but will be rewarded with spectacular scenery. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain ski resorts are all located within 10 miles of Dillon Reservoir. These resorts stay open year round.
For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$28 / night
Baby Doe Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake in the shade of a lodgepole pine and subalpine fir forest. This family-friendly campground is a popular summer destination for boating, hiking and fishing.The campground was named for Elizabeth McCourt, whose nickname was Baby Doe. She made a name for herself in the Colorado mining community in the 19th century when she took on the rugged work of a miner.
The 1.2-mile Turquoise Lake Nature Trail meanders along the shoreline is a gentle loop trail through the forest and down to the shoreline of Turquoise Lake. This trail connects to the 6.4-mile Turquoise Lake Trail that parallels the shoreline from Sugar Loaf Dam to May Queen Campground. Trail guides are available at the trailhead located about a mile south, at the entrance to Molly Brown Campground. On the lake, boating, sailing, canoeing and fishing are favorite activities. Anglers fish for stocked cutthroat, rainbow, brown and lake trout. A boat ramp is located about a mile south of the campground.
Campsites are perched along the scenic lakeshore. The Mount Massive Wilderness Area, a 30,540 acre stretch of primitive land boasting Colorado's second highest peak at 14,421 feet, is nearby. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.
Venture to Independence Pass for a scenic drive with breathtaking views of the Rockies and surrounding alpine tundra habitat. At 12,095 feet, it is one of the highest paved mountain passes in the country and marks where the Top of the Rockies National Scenic and Historic Byway crosses the Continental Divide.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$29 - $33 / night
$20 - $40 / night
Camp Hale Memorial Campground sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet, offering guests a wonderful setting for recreation and relaxation. Camp Hale is historic because the 10th Mountain Division, an unit of 15,000 men, trained here in mountaineering and skiing techniques during WWII. Some saw combat in Italy during the war. Most of the buildings have been torn down, but foundations and other "footprints" remain. The 99th Infantry Battalion (Viking Battalion) also trained at Camp Hale. There are interpretive signs along US Rt. 24, explaining the history and accomplishments of Camp Hale.
With the headwaters of the Eagle River nearby, anglers will find pockets of solitude, casting lines for rainbow and brown trout. The waterway was named by the local Ute Indians who thought there were as many branches of the river as there were tail feathers on an eagle. Several ponds south of the campground offer good fishing opportunities. The Colorado Trail crosses within walking distance of Camp Hale, and gravel roads provide easy walking and bike paths within the area.
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting 8 wilderness areas, 4 defined seasons, and 10 peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live. This campground sits among a sparse growth of young Lodgepole pine in a wide, flat, open valley.
The resort town of Vail is a popular destination for visitors to the area, offering downhill skiing, world-class fly fishing, dining and resorts. There is a multitude of outdoor and indoor opportunites in this mountain town.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
$25 / night
**Bear activity has been increasing. For this reason a food storage order__is in effect at__all developed campgrounds__on the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, and the Piney Guard Station, Tigiwon Lodge, Mount of the Holy Cross Overlook, Homestake Road FSR 703, and Nolan Creek Road.__This order requires__all food and refuse to be stored in hard-sided vehicles, approved bear-resistant containers, or supended at least 10 feet clear of the ground at all points and four feet horizontally from any supporting tree or pole. This order has been issued to provide for public safety and wildlife conservation. Hopefully it will reduce wildlife habituation problems.__The Gold Park campground is located along Homestake Creek in the Homestake Valley in a forested setting. There are 12 camp sites available.Holy Cross Wilderness is nearby; all wilderness regulations must be observed when traveling in the wilderness (foot and horse travel only). There are several trailheads into the wilderness within driving distance of the campground and the Homestake Reservoir is about 3 miles further west on Homestake Road.There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this campground which is complete with directions, details, and other information about this campground.
Bear activity has been increasing. For this reason a food storage order is in effect at all developed campgrounds on the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, and the Piney Gaurd Station, Tigiwon Lodge, Mount of the Holy Cross Overlook, Homestake Road FSR 703, and Nolan Creek Road. This order requires all food and refuse to be stored in hard-sided vehicles, approved bear-resistant containers, or supended at least 10 feet clear of the ground at all points and four feet horizontally from any supporting tree or pole. This order has been issued to provide for public safety and wildlife conservation. Hopefully it will reduce wildlife habituation problems. The Halfmoon Campground is located at the top of Tigiwon Road #707 near the boundary for the Holy Cross Wilderness in a forested setting; all wilderness regulationsmust be observed when traveling in the wilderness (foot and horse travel only). This campground is located at the trailheads for several hiking trails and is heavily used by hikers who are climbing Mount of the Holy Cross. Due to the nature of the Forest Road to the campground and the short parking spurs within the campground, the Halfmoon Campground is not suitable for most RVs. There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this campground which is complete with directions, details, and other information about this campground.
Sitting deep in the forest to the west of Leadville, Turquoise Lake takes its name from the Turquoise mines that produced the semiprecious stone in Leadville's not too distant past. A spot prized for its fishing, camping, and hiking, Turquoise Lake provides some of the most beautiful views on the Leadville Ranger District. The east end of the lake hosts the majority of campgrounds, while the west end of the lake hosts the popular May Queen Campground near the Timberline Lake trailhead, which accesses the Holy Cross Wilderness. To the southwest of the lake rises the Mt. Massive Wilderness, along with such beautiful hikes as Native Lake and Windsor Lake. Snow in these areas can stay well into midsummer, and possibly longer. Turquoise Lake is heavily visited, especially during the summer months. Reservations for those campgrounds on Turquoise Lake that take reservations are often filled early, especially for holiday weekends. Camping is only allowed in developed campgrounds in the Turquoise Lake Area. There is no dispersed camping available.
4WD recommended.
Completely surrounded by National Forest in the heart of the Rockies at 10,600 feet in elevation, Sawatch Base Camp is one of a kind 10-acre former turquoise claim offering environmentally-friendly, accessible yet private backcountry glamping lodging.
About a two hour drive from Denver, Sawatch Base Camp is located 6 miles northwest of Leadville, Colorado and 1 mile north of Turquoise Lake. The property is perched on a hill overlooking the Arkansas Headwaters Valley, historic City of Leadville and the Mosquito Range with 14er Mt. Sherman beyond. This prime location gives quick access to all the best outdoor recreation of the High Rockies. Trailheads, fishing areas, 14ers and much more are all just minutes from the front door.
Sawatch Base Camp lies along County Road 9A (Turquoise Chief Rd) that provides 4WD/AWD vehicle access in dry months. The road doubles as part of the Leadville 100 MTB course and is popular with mountain bikers throughout the summer months for training and recreation.
In winter months (roughly Thanksgiving to mid-May), the camp is accessible by snowmobile, ski and snowshoe via public multi-use winter trails, providing year-round access to the camp.
Our backcountry lodging is designed to have minimal impact on the landscape, intentionally rustic while also providing glamping amenities like a wood stove, solar lighting, plush beds and a roomy indoor space to gather family and friends.
$199 / night
Located just outside of downtown Buena Vista, BV Overlook offers a variety of nightly accommodations with an amazing view of the Collegiate Peaks. We welcome you to stay with us in your RV or van, enjoy tent camping, or cozy up in one of our tiny homes, cabins, or glamping accommodations. All accommodations include access to the bathhouses, community fire pits, recreation room, laundry, outdoor games and Wi-Fi. We look forward to hosting you.
$40 - $180 / night
Scout
My wife and I recently had the most magical four days at this Yurt, and we cannot stop raving about this hidden gem!🌲✨
From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the stunning surroundings—the perfect blend of tranquility and adventure. The yurt itself was not only cozy and well-equipped but also nestled in a picturesque spot that felt like a private slice of heaven.
The attention to detail was outstanding. The thoughtful amenities, from the well-stocked kitchen to the comfy sleeping quarters, made us feel right at home. We enjoyed quiet evenings by the warm wood stove, gazing at the star-lit sky through the yurt's skylight—a truly enchanting experience.
The hosts were incredibly accommodating and friendly, ensuring we had everything we needed for a seamless stay. Their passion for the outdoors and commitment to sustainability added an extra layer of appreciation for our Yurt experience.
The hiking trails nearby were a nature lover's dream, offering breathtaking views and a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It was the perfect retreat to reconnect with each other and with nature.
If you are a couple looking for a romantic getaway, Sawatch Basecamp Yurt is an absolute must-visit. Thank you to the hosts for creating such a unique haven in the wilderness. We're already planning our next escape to this piece of paradise!🏞️❤️
Ranger
We ended up at YMCA because all the dispersed camps were closed or closed. I am glad we spend the weekend here. We discovered Snow Mountain Ranch when we moved to Colorado three years ago, and we have stayed here several times in different setups: Yurts, Cabins and Tents. The YMCA of the Rockies has many amenities for everyone from trails to zip lines. Many were closed due to the COVID-19,but they are been open soon. The price for a campsite is $61 a night and you have clean toilets, hot showers, electrical hookups for a trailer and most of the sites are pretty big. There are two great trails we have done in the past: 9 mile rd and the falls. The recreational center schedule activities for kids and the whole family including summer tubbing, skate ring, climbing wall and bow and arrow among others. I really recommend this place for everyone, specially families.
Ranger
Whether you're camping or staying in one of the cabins or Yurts this place is absolutely breathtaking located in the Rocky Mountains there were many miles of hiking trails and great places to go fishing for trout they don't allow motorized boats however this place was perfect for canoeing and kayaking this is a nice little getaway with breathtaking views absolutely recommended if you were in the area or looking for a nice place to get a good dose of nature
GuideYMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch near Granby, Colorado was a great place for us to spend a couple of weeks while visiting friends. The Y has cabins, yurts, and primitive and developed campsites. Some of the developed campsites have electricity, some electricity and water, and a few full hookups. The campground is dirt with little privacy between most of the sites, but great views of the surrounding mountains. The bathhouse is old, but very well taken care of by the volunteer caretakers. There is a nice commom area with picnic tables, umbrellas for shade, and very busy bird feeders and hummingbird feeders. The staff is welcoming and friendly and the campground volunteers are some of the best we've come across. The Y offers a variety of activities included in the camp fee and publishes a weekly schedule of activities. We enjoyed the Y's hiking trails, excellent disc golf course, and introduction to pickleball. They have lots of activities for kids. While the campground lacks spacing and privacy, the beautiful setting, great staff, and variety of activities made for a memorable stay.
LegendThis park has so much character that it should have it’s own tv show. There are conservation areas, trails galore, historical buildings, and a beautiful lake that is surrounded with alpine forests.
The staff is really sweet and willing to help in any way they can. We lost our pump for our inflatable and they found us one to borrow.
The campground is large and can accommodate a lot of campers, the bathrooms are fully equipped and clean. It was quiet at night which was surprising since you are basically in a cul-de-sac of tents and rv's. There are cabins and yurts to rent as well. They are even building (or just finished) a new section of a campground that looks like it will accommodate more rv’s and boats. It is called fisherman’s paradise.
There is also a day use area with grills and picnic tables.
The road to get out here can be rough in bad weather but low clearance is fine to get out here. WInter excursions are probably a bit tougher and would require an all wheel drive.
LegendSlyvan Lake State Park is located outside of the Town of Eagle, CO. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from town to the park. Upon entering, there is a multitude of activities you can partake in. Besides camping, which i will get to in a second, Sylvan lake offers excellent fishing for trout, Stand up Paddle Boarding and Canoeing; Both which can be rented there. The surrounding area offers hiking and scenic drives.
As for the camping, there are a couple campgrounds in the Sylvan Lake area as well as cabins and yurts that can be rented. Camp grounds are standard forest service spots. The each feature a picnic table and metal fire rings. As always, spots range from small to large, some having ample tree coverage and some are very exposed. There are vault toilets in the are as well.
There is a fee to use these spots which can be paid via self service area. This is a great spot for a family or anyone looking to get away and stay active. The area can get very busy in the summer so try to avoid weekends. This summer (2018) there was a lot of construction in the park and in turn it closed down some area that were normally open for camping and activities.
Legend
The Piney Lake area of Vail is by far the most scenic spot anyone can drive to. The ranch at the lake is ever growing and offers a restaurant, canoe rentals, SUP, fly fishing lessons as well as cabin and yurts to rent for the night. If you are looking to spend your night closer to nature the campground is just located about a mile away from the lake.
This may get confusing as there are camp spots along the road that are forest service controlled and have fire rings and right next to that you will find many spots that are in the National Forest but are primitive. The "Camp Spots" that have fire rings are located on the final stretch to the lake. There are maybe 6 or 8 of them. Really the only difference in these spots compared to the primitive ones right next door are the fire rings and the fact that they are fenced in with a small wooden fence.
The upside to grabbing one of these spots is all of summer 2018 in the valley we were in a stage 1 fire ban, meaning you could only have a fire in a permanent fire ring, leaving these few spots the only legal camping in the area. The spots themselves are fairly large, we have put 4 cars and 5+ tents comfortably in one of them. There are no toilets or anywhere to get water unless you drive to the ranch (the ranch is privately owned and closes and opens at a certain time, the lake is public and can be accessed anytime) There is also no fee which is always a plus.
Ranger
Just west of Leadville Colorado sits Turquoise Lake at an elevation of around 10,000 ft. Baby Doe Campground is one of the few camps that are situated around the lake on its east side. You camp under the pine trees beside the lake with beautiful views of Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert to the south over turquoise water. Cost are $24 per night for car camping, bathrooms and water are provided. We camped on June 26th and 27th of 2018 and got to summit Mt. Sherman one of Colorado's 14ers on the 27th. I was really surprised at how bad the mosquito's were at the lake and at this elevation, definitely the worst mosquito experience I had while living in Colorado. If your in town while visiting be sure to check out Periodic Brewing and High Mountain Pies. Highlight: Being able to summit my 1st Colorado 14er was definitely the highlight of the trip, can't wait to go back for another one, I know where I'll be camping.
Traveler
Spent 2 quiet nights here in this roomy and quiet campground adjacent to the Colorado and Continental Divide Trail. Lots of great hiking and just 25 minutes north of Leadville. Crazy to think of the 15,000 or so soldiers training here during WWII.
Traveler
good location for cute old mountain towns! also close to Denver and other must sees in Colorado!
Legend
This is one of the best campsites we have visited in Colorado. It’s located a few miles north of Buena Vista Colorado next to the Arkansas River. The site has terrific walk-in tent sites along the river as well as group picnic facilities and drive camping for campers and vans. They have a huge boat launch to access the world class white water rapids on the Arkansas River. The site has about a 30 campsites and was only about half full during g the summer peak. The access road is dirt but flat graded. They have a camp host on site. The sites have fire rings and picnic tables. The facilities are new and well maintained. The river is powerful and campers with kids should take care. Great hiking and rock climbing in the area. This is a must see.
Guide
Beautiful lakeside camping just outside of Denver. Campsites are a bit close together, but great for groups! No hookups here but you have bathroom facilities and a visitor center where you can buy firewood. Campfires allowed in the fire pits. If you have an RV beware quiet hours from 10pm to 8am, no generators allowed. Lake is perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing and you will most likely have phone service if you are with AT&T or Verizon. Many day use areas, however vehicles and individuals are charged. For campers, if you bring more than one vehicle you will be charged daily for any additional ones. No drinking water is available, you must bring your own. Dirt roads to the lake are rough and narrow. Close to Deckers for incidentals. Intersects with the Colorado trail for hiking and biking and close to the Colorado River for tubing!
ScoutI’ve noticed a trend in reviews for this site across all platforms. Any sites close to the camp hosts have had a terrible experience. The further you are from them, the more enjoyable your stay will be. Keep that in mind when booking a stay here.
2 stars because my family had a wonderful time at the lake. There’s enough beach that you’re not crowded together with other groups. Our daughters loved paddle boarding here.
The hosts ruined it. Quite condescending and as another reviewer put it, just plain rude. We are Colorado natives and polite, law abiding campers. The hosts had our whole family on edge once quiet time started for 3 nights in a row. Won’t be back.
Guide
We stopped at this site on a whim. When we arrived on Friday afternoon there were plenty of sites available at 3pm. By the evening it was 90% full. This site does not take reservations. The campground itself was beautiful! There are lots of tall pines trees, aspens, and wild flowers. There was pretty good space between sites. The campsite host informed us moose frequent the area. The big downside is the highway is very loud here which really took away from the peace. This is on the opposite side of the highway of Kenosha Campground which was equally as nice, but also suffered from proximity to the highway. The Colorado trail runs alongside both campgrounds.
RangerGreat spot on the East side of the lake, Not far from the town of Leadville where there is a Safeway, places to eat and places to shop. It was a bit windy the day we stayed but great views, lots of hiking trails and things to explore. Campground is located a high elevation.
Accessible Sites, Boating, Campfire Rings, Canoeing, Drinking Water, Firewood Vendor, FishingGrills, Hiking, HostLake AccessSailing, Self Pay Station, Tables, Vault Toilets, Waterfront Sites
Less Than 1 Mile: Boat Ramp, Interpretive Trails, Water Skiing
Fun Fact:
The campground was named after Elizabeth McCourt's nickname, Baby Doe. She made a name for herself in the Colorado mining community in the 19th century when she took on the rugged work of a miner, and was given her nickname.
Scout
S I liked everything about this campsite, it was clean, spaced out so no one was too crowded, and a beautiful area. What I DIDNT like was that I was accused of being here for more than 2 weeks while I have only been here for 8 days. And then was told I wasnt allowed to camp at free sites unless I had proof of a physical address in Colorado. I'm from Michigan and was vacationing here. Can someone explain to me HOW that makes sense? I rented out a place at my boss's house before I came to this campsite and she told me that doesnt count. Sorry for the long rant, just doesn't make sense to me.
TravelerOverall this was a really great campground to stay in. I only give 5/5 stars if I would return and this is a campground I’ll return to.
The campsites were very spacious and overall the entire campsite, (including bathrooms) was very clean and well maintained. We booked this at the last minute midweek and there were still open sites when we came in.
We stayed in site #17, a nice spot for our trailer with solar panels, but it might be rather exposed if you don’t have some kind of shade. Other spots perfect for our trailer with views are : sites 11 (near toilets), 14 and 15.
The cons: There was no cell phone service for us (t-mobile) or water / electricity. Our battery on our trailer did fine and was at 100% when we departed with our solar panels. No water or electricity as this is a campground . It was a distance from our home in Denver — about 3 hours total — but that isn’t enough to from returning.
We explored the area and loved the little town of are’s Cliff and the Mango’s Mountain Grill, as well as Minturn and ate yummy burritos at the Rocky Mountain Taco. Check out the Colorado Trailer nearby as well as the (obvious) Camp Hale Historic Monument.
TravelerWe had reservations at Kenosha Campground and were diverted to Kenosha East. The camp hosts were protecting us from a bear that had visited the campground a few too many times. We were thankful that they put our safety first.
Kenosha East is designed primarily for tent camping. A small trailer or camper van can be accommodated. Large fifth wheels or RVs can be accommodated at the disbursed sites located East and South of the campground, just follow the dirt roads back into the forest. Sites are designated for camping and/or parking.
We stayed at camp site #10. It had a lot of space between the other camp sites but the trees are not thick enough to create a lot of privacy. Our site was located in an aspen grove with lush grass and wildflowers. It was beautiful to look out on the grove and watch the bees collect pollen.
This campground is at the start of the Colorado Trail. A hiking trail that is frequented by backpackers. The trail is also surrounded by aspen grove with thick wildflowers and wild grasses. The reward on the short hike we did is the view of the South Park valley. It was amazing, even with the haze that blew in from the California wildfires.
The caveats: this is a highly trafficked day use area. There is a parking lot at the entrance for day use with two well used vault toilets. The campground is visited by non campers on foot, on bikes, and in cars and campers. There are a lot of people around all day on weekends.
This campground is located right off of Hwy 285. This is the main thoroughfare to the central mountains in Colorado. The traffic is heavy day and well into the night. Semis and motorcycles are the loudest culprits. If you are looking for quiet and solitude, you may want to look elsewhere. Kenosha Pass and Kenosha East are built for recreation and lots of people.
For the ladies: Bathrooms, especially vault bathrooms, can be a deterrent for some. The camp hosts take great care of the bathrooms. We stayed 3 nights and there was always toilet paper. The bathroom smelled as good as it could possibly smell with the amount of people that used it all weekend. It was never gross. Which is so nice. If you are a little squeamish when it comes to camping and vault bathrooms, I think this is a safe bet.
Overall, I would stay at this campground again and bring my bike. I’d also spend more time out on the trail. I’d stay somewhere else if I was looking for quiet and solitude.
LegendThis became a favorite car camping spot of mine while living in Vail, Colorado. The lake is situated in White River National Forest and is accessible only for a few months during the summer via Red Sandstone Road. I have seen 2wd sedans drive up this road, however I would definitely recommend something with high clearance and 4wd if possible as the roads up there are not well maintained. There are plenty of first come, first serve USFS campsites near the lake, additionally there are quite a few service roads off of Red Sandstone Road that provide access to miles of additional dispersed campsites. It is hard to find a spot to camp without a breathtaking view of the Gore Range from Piney. In addition to camping, there are hiking trails near the lake and the privately owned Piney River Ranch offers horseback riding, boat rentals, fishing, a restaurant, and other lodging options. This area is also known for the moose that frequent the area, be sure to keep your distance if you are lucky enough to spot one! If you are interested in camping at Piney in the early summer or fall, you may first want to call the Minturn Ranger’s Station at 970-827-5715 to check on the closure status of Red Sandstone Road.
GuideTo be fair, I didn't choose this camp ground for any other reason than I was backpacking the Colorado Trail and wanted to be able to meet up with my family some place close to the trail. This suited my needs perfectly. I was able to walk into camp for my second night on Segment 8 and that was fabulous. The history of the valley is fascinating and my family would love to come back and explore some more.
The campground sites seem best suited for RV's, however we managed just fine in our tent. We had no shade in our spot (#13), so any time at camp was spent mainly under our canopy. This was the case for many of the other sites, but we did note a few sites that were well shaded. The views from our site were spectacular!
I feel the biggest drawback of this campsite is its proximity to Hwy 24. The traffic noise is very noticiable and loud at times. It did quiet down quite a bit at night and I didn't notice it much at all. Usually we like to be a bit more removed from the human population when we go camping, but again, I has other reasons for choosing this campground.
There is no water, but we made sure we brought plenty. There is a river nearby if you need non-drinking water.
The sites were spacious and clean. The vault toilets were immaculate. The host was nice and had a cat!
I really recommend this spot for history buffs. We want to come back and do more exploring and maybe do a ATV tour of the area.
So yeah, just an average campground...nothing really wrong with it, just not as remote as we usually like and it is nice to have access to potable water.
Ranger
Robbers Roost dispersed camping area near Fraser, Colorado, is an excellent spot for campers seeking a peaceful retreat close to nature. Located just outside Winter Park, this camping area offers easy access to the Rockies while still being relatively convenient to town for supplies or activities.
The campsites are well spread out, providing plenty of privacy and space to enjoy the outdoors. The views are breathtaking, with towering pines and a mountain backdrop that’s hard to beat. It’s a great base for hiking, mountain biking, mushroom foraging or simply relaxing and soaking in the fresh air.
Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so campers need to come prepared with everything they need and pack out all trash. The dirt road leading to the camping area is manageable for most vehicles, though a higher-clearance option is recommended if conditions are wet or snowy.
One of the highlights of Robbers Roost is the proximity to Winter Park and stream access. You can explore the local trails by day and head into town for dining or entertainment in the evening. At night, the stargazing is spectacular, thanks to the minimal light pollution in the area.
If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and love the outdoors, Robbers Roost is a hidden gem worth discovering. Just be sure to practice leave-no-trace principles to help preserve the beauty of this spot. Finally beware of the busy nearby road, especially if you are traveling with off leash pets.
Legend**Campground Review **
I initially found this campground while searching on The Dyrt for a place to camp near Buena Vista for a weekend. I camped here in May with a group of friends as we spent the weekend rafting near Buena Vista on the Arkansas River.
The road leading up to the campground isn’t paved but doesn’t require any technical or 4x4 driving. However, if you pass the campground and continue down the road (as we initially did) the road gets much rougher and requires high clearance and 4x4. We also saw some sweet dispersed camping sites along the road past the Turtle Rock Campground which could be useful if the campground itself is ever filled up.
Overall, I was quite impressed with this campground. It is simple but well maintained and met all of our needs. Each site has a fire pit and ample space for group camping. Our group consisted of 4 tents and 4 vehicles, our site had plenty of space for parking and for all of tents to be quite well spaced out. Most of the sites also offer trees for shade which will be nice in the warmer months. The views from this campground are incredible, seriously some of the best in the state. We climbed up Turtle Rock itself (a bit of scramble so use caution!) for the sunset one night and the views were top notch. I will definitely stay here again whenever I am in the area.
**Product Review **
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I sometimes have the opportunity to review products that I use while camping. On this trip I got to test out an ICEMULE Cooler, specifically the ICEMULE Pro Large (23L). This trip seemed like a great opportunity to test a cooler because Colorado was finally warming up enough for us to want some cold beer while camping and rafting! By the end of the trip, everyone from our group was jealous of my awesome cooler and wanted to buy their own!
This backpack cooler is seriously awesome, it has a massive capacity and easily held enough a day’s worth of food and drinks for 6 people on the river. With all of that weight, I was a bit skeptical about the comfort level when using it as a backpack. I was really impressed about how ergonomically the straps and breathable back panel felt. This is such an efficient way to carry your cold goods while out on an adventure. We were also able to just strap it right onto our raft and had no worries about a heavy cooler flying out on the rapids. Furthermore, I had no fear of the cooler getting destroyed while being tossed around the boat or scraping on the rocky ground because the material is really durable. It really seems like a product that is going to last a lifetime.
So with any cooler, the real question is, will it keep my drinks cold? Heck. Yeah. After two days, I still had ice in the cooler and not a single warm beer was consumed on our trip. For being so lightweight, I was shocked with how well insulated this cooler is. There is also a really cool (no pun intended) valve which allows you to add air into the insulation layer to increase the insulating power! Then when finished using the cooler, you can open the valve to release all of the air and roll up the bag into a super compact size. This is one of my favorite features, because the cooler really takes up no space or weight for efficient storage. I’m excited to pack it along on some backpacking trips this summer as well!
In the end, I think this is one of my favorite new pieces of gear. Since getting the cooler I have used it at least once a week; I’ve used it for camping, rafting, skiing, tailgating and even carried it while riding horses on a trail ride! I don’t think I will ever go back to a standard hard-shelled cooler after getting my ICEMULE. You really can’t beat the durability, carrying comfort, insulation and compact storage design.
RangerI don't know what it was about this campground, but we were surrounded by lowlander knuckleheads who were loud, obnoxious (apparently it was the time for everyone in one family to get a haircut!) and throwing and letting trash blow everywhere. Dogs running wild and kids on little dirtbikes doing donuts. I wouldn't go back. I was able to pull up stakes and spend the day doing some 4WD roads that got me a lot of peace and serenity. That's what the pics I uploaded represent.
Leave no trace
ScoutIts a great spot to be away from cell service, water, plumbing, electricity and all the other stuff glampers are looking for. This is remote but still accessible. If you need amenities, nothing to see here.
ScoutRoomy, big spaces. Bathrooms were clean. Showed up on a Saturday afternoon without a reservation and they had a couple open spaces!
GuideWe got lucky and were able to stay here without a reservation on a holiday weekend. The campground host was very hospitable and friendly, and the area was clean and quiet. Leadville is about 20 min away and has any supplies you could need.
ScoutPulled into Camp Hale late at night, found our spot easily and there was almost no one there. The spot was awesome, close to a creek, fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, decent size so you could have a few tents on site. It was pretty chilly that night so we crept off to bed early but woke up in the morning to the best scenery. It was fall so the aspen were at peak...everything about the area was great. Fished the creek and caught a trout, strolled around the grounds, it's one of my most favorite camping memories. The host visited us and offered tea, she was very pleasant. Hands down, a great spot!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Climax, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Climax, CO is Peak One Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Climax, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 glamping camping locations near Climax, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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