Cascade (colorado)
One of our favorites
This is probably my family's favorite area to camp in Colorado. Off the beaten path enough that traffic is minimal. But nice and close to some great four wheel and off roading areas.
213 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Hayden Creek Roadside Camp offers several dispersed camping spots along Hayden Creek Road, south of Cutty's Resort and before reaching the USFS campground. These sites accommodate both tent camping and some RVs, with several spots located right beside the creek. The sound of flowing water creates a peaceful backdrop for overnight stays. Boulders restrict vehicles from driving too far off-road, though plenty of flat areas remain for tent setup. Clean, well-maintained sites feature multiple established fire pits. The camping area remains relatively quiet even on weekends, with minimal traffic disturbance and excellent privacy between sites.
Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek and Bighorn Park provide more developed pet-friendly options with full hookups for RVs and cabin accommodations. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with amenities like showers, toilets, and picnic tables. Cutty's offers extensive recreation for families with pets, including swimming pools, mini golf, volleyball courts, and organized activities for children. The Arkansas River runs alongside Bighorn Park, providing excellent fishing access steps from campsites. Most campgrounds in the area maintain pet-friendly policies year-round, though specific leash requirements vary by location. Pleasant Valley RV Park offers a secluded, peaceful setting with river access and proximity to Salida, making it ideal for fishing trips with dogs.
"Close to everything you need but you will feel away from it all."
"Our family and another reserved two sites next to each other. The pools on site were perfect for the kids. On site mini golf was a blast. The views in the campground were awesome."
from $60 - $300 / night
Check Availability"really friendly staff, clean facilities, and very close to Salida! Was a perfect weekend."
"The creek that runs through the sites drown out any highway noise. Easy 5 minute run to fishing access. Very family friendly."
"The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen."
"This is a lovely, well maintained campground next to the Arkansas River. There is a boat launch and vault toilets (clean). There are no frills, but it is a peaceful setting."
"Basic campground surrounded by beauty nice lake"
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Right next to the river. You can hear the traffic from the highway unfortunately but its not terrible."
"This campsite is a couple miles outside of Salida. Along the river it offers beautiful views and immediate access to the river. The camp host is friendly and the campsite is very well maintained."
from $28 - $90 / night
Check Availability"level, shaded, right by nice size creek. perfect for exploring and quiet. we were in tent but saw several largeRV. some traffic but never heard another person. were a few spots right next to us but we"
"Quite a few flat tent spots right by the creek although there are boulders from preventing you from driving too far into the woods."
"We spotted big horn sheep on the cliff behind us! The park also had a live singer entertain one night!"
"It's tucked away but close to the main road. It feels peaceful and secluded. It's close to Salida. The river is steps away and we had a blast fishing steps from our campsite. "
"Nice location on the Arkansas River, especially if you can get one of the river sites. Heavily shaded and well off Hwy. 50 so it’s quiet. Not cheap but worth it. About a 20 minute trip to Salida."
"Great location, close to Salida and hiking & biking trails. "
"The resort is modern with all new and clean amenities, the staff is responsive to emails and very friendly in person, and the location is convenient to Salida and the activities of the area. "
from $73 - $144 / night
Check Availability"Fairly close to Salida, but road can be tough for trailers. Nice starry skies but a little highway noise."
"You have to make a reservation online… and there is no cell service at this location."
from $28 / night
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This is probably my family's favorite area to camp in Colorado. Off the beaten path enough that traffic is minimal. But nice and close to some great four wheel and off roading areas.
Great place to camp in Colorado to avoid weekend crowds. Wide open, off the beaten path as far as Colorado goes.
Very clean, large level spots with gravel and plenty of room in between RVs. Great location, close to Salida and hiking & biking trails. Directly on the Arkansas River -- river view spots are very nice and all spots have a view of the mountains, there's a bit of road noise from nearby highway. Friendly staff, nice clubhouse with showers, pool table & fitness center, there's a small dog park and pickleball courts. Direct access to Arkansas River for kayaks and small boats (walk down to river, can't drive there). Campground internet was spotty but cell service is great so internet is very good if you have a hot spot. Highly recommended, my only complaint is there's no pool or hot tub.
This spot is one of the best kept secrets for dispersed camping in Colorado. The road has plenty of camping spots all the way up to the lake. Most spots are wooded and offer plenty of shade. We were lucky enough to end up right along the river. If you keep driving down the road, you will end up at a stunning alpine lake basin that offers plenty of hiking. High clearance vehicle is necessary to get down this road.
As of April 2026, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for all National Forest System lands, including dispersed campsites in Pike-San Isabel National Forests (Browns Creek area). That means NO open campfires are allowed in dispersed sites, even in existing rock rings. Please check all fire ban restrictions in areas where you might be camping in Colorado due to the state’s significant drought. Nationally, 85-90% of wildfires are caused by human activity. “If you light it, be prepared to fight it”.
We've been staying at this campground for several years as we travel between Arizona and Wyoming. The owners are so helpful, and the park is immaculate. Fantastic views, country feel, and safe. There's a seasonal pool, walking trails and a HUGE fenced dog park. Most spots are pull thru, and it's worth the short, easy drive from I-25.
As I start this, the manager Crystal is a very polite and wanting to make your stay is comfortable. The high point of my stay.
If I was told sooner that my service dog was just considered a pet to the owners, I would have canceled my trip to here. It was three days when one of the owners made what I consider as a put down of me as well as my service dog. If I was told sooner than the three days, I would have canceled my trip all together and gladly lose only $20, instead if I canceled on that day I would have lost nearly $450.
Ask any veteran if their service dog is only a pet. For those who do not realize this, but a veteran and their service dog is just one entity. The service dog being considered a pet is like telling someone with an artificial limb if that part of the vet is a"pet". The service dog is a part of the veteran and has specific duties to that veteran and is trained to do those duties to assist the veteran.
My service dog has 8 specific jobs to help me live my life, he is never to be considered just a"pet" as I had been told. This is sent out to my brothers and sisters on just how unwanted we are going here, as well as The Lodge@ San Isabel Lake and Aspen Acres.
Realistically, all I wanted was some sort of acknowledgement that it was an honest mistake in saying that, but when there is silence that screams louder than what words could ever say.
We loved this camp site! It was our first time to tent camp in Colorado and it was great. Several sites to choose from. Some have views of the dunes, some are more secluded. Bathrooms were clean. Very spacious tent site with a fire pit. Our tent sleeps 6 and we had no trouble fitting in the spot.
We stayed here for two weeks and every day there were new breathtaking views all around. You feel as if you are walking the top of the world when exploring the area, the entire San Luis Valley gives this feeling. The lake is beautiful and has a beautiful view of the Great Sand Dunes National Park to the north and Mt. Blanca to the east. Camping is by permit, so stop anywhere you can get a Colorado hunting or fishing license and get a State wildlife area permit, they're $43 per person, but if you're age 18-64 you're required to have an SWA permit to camp in Colorado State wildlife areas. The permit is good from April 1st through March 31st of each year, and yes they are yearly permits, so try to get them in April. The campground has electric hookups, but no water. So pack in your water, vault toilets on loops B and C, RV dump station, and dumpster at exit of campground areas. You can stay 14 days every 45 days. Zapata falls nearby is a MUST visit and there is a pay to camp campground there. Cell service is spotty for Verizon, not sure about other carriers.
Dispersed camping sites along Hayden Creek Road provide multiple options near Coaldale, Colorado. The creek-side locations sit at approximately 8,500 feet elevation, creating cooler summer temperatures than the nearby Arkansas River valley. Several sites accommodate small RVs and tents, with the area typically accessible from late spring through early fall depending on snowpack conditions.
Fishing access: The Arkansas River near Rincon Campground offers excellent trout fishing. "Beautiful location with well-kept sites and bathrooms. However sites are close to the road and we could hear the traffic all night," notes Brick M.
Hot springs soaking: Natural pools at Valley View Hot Springs provide relaxation after hiking. "This place has a different Vibe everytime we visit. Often an International Destination for travelers from all over the World to weirdo Bernie Sanders Types," shares Aaron M.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain skies create exceptional night viewing conditions away from city lights. "Cool spot right on the river. Fairly close to Salida, but road can be tough for trailers. Nice starry skies but a little highway noise," reports Fabein D. about Point Barr Campground.
Creek sounds: The rushing water creates natural white noise for sleeping at Hayden Creek Roadside Camp. "The water was flowing well in July and we loved the sound overnight. Very clean and lots of fire pits. A few cars drove by but otherwise it was super quiet," writes Nicole B.
Recreation facilities: Multiple activities keep families entertained at Sugarbush Campground. "Great little spot to stay. No cell service via Verizon; very spotty with AT&T. But good, fast Wi-Fi is available. Wooded and quiet near the back," reports Matt.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer good separation between campsites. "We had a great time with our family camping here for a long memorial day weekend. Really friendly staff, clean facilities, and very close to Salida! Was a perfect weekend," writes Mike D. about Sugarbush.
Highway noise: Many riverside campgrounds experience traffic sounds. "Salida East is a 25 site campground run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife through an agreement with the Bureau of Land Management. Unfortunately, that means you pay $7/day for a 'day use' pass (or purchase an annual pass for $70) in addition to the camping fee of $10 or $18," explains Mary S.
Limited cell coverage: Most areas have minimal or no cell service. "This camp is 2 miles south of Salida, Co. Good place to reprovision. Most sites have shade. The River and D level sites are on the river. Staff was friendly and helpful," notes Anthony B.
Seasonal considerations: High elevation sites close during winter months. "This is a terrific find! level, shaded, right by nice size creek. perfect for exploring and quiet. we were in tent but saw several largeRV. some traffic but never heard another person," shares michelle H. about Hayden Creek.
Kid-focused activities: Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek offers organized programs. "We had a good time, plenty of activities, pools, putt-putt, hiking, they had young staff that organized hands on crafts and science experiment classes for all the kids to participate in who were staying that weekend," Thomas P. explains.
River safety awareness: Fast-moving water requires supervision near campsites. "Sites are close together but very nice and level, plus there isn't large gravel which is a lot easier on the tent. The facilities and laundry room were clean," notes Will T.
Weather preparedness: Mountain conditions change rapidly, requiring layered clothing. "Very Beautiful! We loved the sauna. Hiking to the hot springs pools and soaking with snow on the ground was a whole experience worth having," Katie says about Valley View Hot Springs.
Site selection considerations: Bighorn Park provides river-facing options. "We have an Outlaw toy hauler so we're so lucky to get a back-in spot overlooking the river. Slept with the back open and fell asleep to the river sounds. Just heavenly!" shares Shari D.
Road conditions: Some access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "I've camped here many times and enjoy it. It's hard to get to and impossible for big rigs, but if you've got somewhat of an adventurous spirit, it's worth the trek," Hannah T. advises about Point Barr Campground.
Hookup availability: Various levels of service exist across campgrounds. "Nice place. Staff is very friendly. Pull though and back ins. Tent spots and cabins. 30 50 amp. Water and some spots with sewers. Nice office some supplies, showers, laundry," Chad H. notes about Bighorn Park.
Pet friendly camping near Coaldale offers multiple options for travelers with animals. Dog owners particularly appreciate campgrounds with river access, where pets can cool off during summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Coaldale, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Coaldale, CO is Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Coaldale, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 213 dog-friendly camping locations near Coaldale, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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