Camping options near Colorado City, Colorado range from forested sites to mountain lake destinations at elevations between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. Located at the transition between plains and mountains, this area maintains moderate temperatures throughout summer with cooler nights in fall. Campsites in this region frequently restrict fires during dry periods, with alternatives available for campers needing evening warmth.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Near Ophir Creek Campground, campers can access a one-mile trail leading to a scenic waterfall. "My wife and I took the 1-mile trail south to a really nice waterfall. Why they don't have a sign for directions to it, I don't know! The trail is pretty well worn and you have to cross the creek in three places, walking over stacked logs - some pretty precarious 'bridges'," reports Randy H.
Star gazing: The remote location of Hummingbird Ranch provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. "My girlfriend and I came here to watch the Perseid meteor shower and it did not disappoint. We had the place to ourselves and a great view of the stars," says Tara M. Many campgrounds in the area benefit from minimal light pollution.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk bring opportunities to spot local animals. "Woke up to an 8-point deer munching in the bushes," notes Kathrina M. about her experience at Greenhorn Meadows Park. The natural areas surrounding campsites serve as habitats for various wildlife species including deer, birds, and smaller mammals.
Mountain biking: The trail systems around Lake Pueblo provide extensive biking options. According to Patrick L., "Arkansaws Point Campground has great facilities, including showers, and is great for fishing, boating or mountain biking." Many trails connect directly to campgrounds for convenient access.
What campers like
Creek-side sites: Campers appreciate waterfront locations for both the scenery and natural white noise. "The sound of the nearby river is very relaxing," notes Rob B. about St Charles Campground. At Ophir Creek, one visitor commented, "Many sites are right along the creek and it was really flowing and creating some nice 'white noise'."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high in positive reviews. "The bathrooms are clean and well kept," notes Sarah J. at Pueblo South-Colorado City KOA. Similarly, at Aspen Acres Campground, Michelle G. observed, "There is a shower house with bathrooms that are well maintained. Trash is kept tidy and didn't smell even on the 97 degree day."
Site privacy: Campers value space between sites. "The sites are separated from each other with plenty of trees & space," shares Rob B. about St Charles Campground. At Greenhorn Meadows Park, one camper mentioned, "We set up in site 20, which actually was very spacious and more private than a lot of the others."
Fall colors: Autumn camping provides unique visual experiences. "Aspen leaves in full color. Peaceful park, great place for hiking," writes Chad H. about Lake Isabel. When camping during September and October, visitors often note the changing foliage as a highlight.
What you should know
Seasonal water limitations: Winter camping requires preparation for frozen water connections. At Arkansas Point Campground, Jamie notes, "Electric, but no water. Nice showers and bath." Several campgrounds shut off water systems during colder months while maintaining electrical service.
Fire restrictions: Fire bans frequently affect the area during dry periods. "Although we had a fire ban in effect, we were able to rent a propane fire pit from the office. Be super cautious and check fire restrictions for Custer County," advises Michelle G. about Aspen Acres.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Aspen Acres, one camper reported, "No cell service for Verizon. Personally, I was happy to be unplugged for a couple of days!" Prepare accordingly if you need to remain connected during your stay.
Hidden costs: Some campgrounds charge additional fees not included in the base rate. "It does not indicate anywhere in the pricing, but when you go to leave, you will find out that you were charged another $10 if you want to dump. This should be stated upfront before you ever make a reservation," warns Ryan K. about Greenhorn Meadows Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water areas: Lake-adjacent campgrounds offer recreational opportunities. At Arkansas Point Campground, Shannon O. notes, "This is a great campground if you have a boat and want to hang out on the water. Pretty good fishing." These areas provide natural entertainment for children of all ages.
Shelter options: Look for sites with protective structures. "Site 2 where we stayed had a covered shelter with picnic table," mentions Vanessa R. about Davenport Campground. These shelters provide shade and weather protection during summer storms.
Wildlife education: Use wildlife sightings as learning opportunities. "We were also visited by some wildlife. A deer walked up to our site when we were making smores and we saw a snake slither in the bricks of our fire pit," shares Noah E. about Davenport Campground, highlighting opportunities for nature education.
Poison ivy awareness: Teach children to identify and avoid problematic plants. "The only downside to hiking was watching out for poison ivy, and there was plenty of it all along the creek and on the hiking trail," warns Randy H. about Ophir Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Check utility placement before setting up. Michelle G. shares about Aspen Acres Campground, "We only wish we had a longer power cable. Our port is at the back and the outlet was way up front. To reach, we had to set up near the front of the site which limited our parking."
Water quality issues: Some locations have problematic water systems. "[At Pueblo South-Colorado City KOA] the water was frozen at our site because the provided heat tape wasn't functioning. I had to re-tape it with some heat tape I brought and it thawed out," explains Jackie R., highlighting the need to come prepared.
Off-season advantages: Shoulder season camping provides better site selection. "We pulled in late to this quiet tidy little campground. It was very quiet and well kept. A very easy place to make a reservation and stay last minute!" reports Elena C. about Greenhorn Meadows Park.
Size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate large rigs. "All fine for a night except we filled our tank with the most disgusting undrinkable water imaginable. I'd not come back for that reason," warns Richard R. about water quality issues at Aspen Acres Campground.
