Pet friendly camping near Colorado Springs includes multiple options for both established campgrounds and dispersed sites. Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet elevation with temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night common throughout camping season. Weather patterns can change rapidly with afternoon thunderstorms frequent during summer months.
What to do
Explore Mount Herman Road trails: Mount Herman Road dispersed camping connects to extensive Forest Service land with hiking opportunities. "Looking for a quick spot to stay the night as we were traveling through. Easy drive up, found a pull out fairly close to the main road with established fire ring. Great views of the city lights and then sunrise," reports one camper at Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping.
Visit the trout pond: Some campgrounds offer fishing opportunities for families. At Lone Duck Campground and Cabins, "They have a small trout pond is nice for the kids (you have to pay $6 for each fish that you catch, though, and there is no catch and release)." The campground also features "a really great arcade in the main office game room" with "about 15 arcade games total, 1/2 of which are pinball machines."
Use the free shuttle: When camping near Manitou Springs, public transportation makes exploring easier. "Another nice feature is the free shuttle for Manitou has a bus stop along the road just outside the entry," notes a reviewer at Pikes Peak RV Park, making it convenient to visit nearby attractions without moving your vehicle.
What campers like
Quick access to local attractions: Campers appreciate locations with easy access to Colorado Springs highlights. "The park location is close to Garden of the Gods, Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Pike's Peak and more. The park offers many wonderful hiking trails...and a frisbee golf course," notes a visitor at Cheyenne Mountain State Park The Meadows Campground.
City views from elevated sites: Campgrounds on higher terrain offer unique perspectives. "We liked the Swift Puma campground the best, great view of the city," shares a reviewer at Cheyenne Mountain State Park Swift Puma Heights Campground. Another adds: "When you look out you can see all of Colorado Springs and it is really breathtaking to have an 'Up in the mountains' feel."
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local animals. "We had a walk in sight that was beautiful! Great view, private, and even saw some deer walk by at dusk," mentions a camper at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Another adds: "We woke up one morning at our tent site with deer walking and eating down the creek right next to us."
What you should know
Campsite selection matters: Some sites offer better privacy and amenities than others. At Colorado Springs KOA, "It's a nice big park but with few trees for shade. The RV sites are nice but close together. The park is located right off of the freeway so VERY noisy."
Military presence: Several campgrounds are near military installations, affecting the ambient noise. "Keep in mind that you are on a military base area so you will hear TAPS periodically throughout the day and night," notes a camper at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Another mentions hearing "revelee from the nearby Air Force base."
Weather preparedness: Colorado Springs experiences significant weather variations. "We stayed here for 6 nights in March. One night we got snowed in and another night we slept with open windows," reports a camper at Peregrine Pines FamCamp. Summer visitors should prepare for afternoon thunderstorms and significant temperature drops at night.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming options: During hot summer days, pools provide welcome relief. "The heated pool is awesome (and pretty darn warm!)," notes a reviewer at Lone Duck Campground. Several campgrounds offer water features that help children cool down during summer heat.
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds provide structured play areas. "They have a water park for kids and a bounce pad," mentions a visitor at Colorado Springs KOA. Golden Eagle Campground offers "not a great playground but it did have a swing set & big tires to climb."
Consider wildlife education: Wildlife viewing creates learning opportunities for children. "Mule deer wondering around, humming birds whizing by truly enchanting," writes a reviewer at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, making it ideal for nature education with children.
Tips from RVers
Check water pressure: Water systems at campgrounds can have strong pressure requiring regulation. At Peregrine Pines FamCamp, "City water was clean/no smell/good pressure, though paperwork says a regulator is mandatory." Several campgrounds mention the need for pressure regulators to protect RV plumbing systems.
Site spacing considerations: Many RV sites throughout Colorado Springs are positioned close together. At Garden of the Gods RV Resort, "Sites are very close together with few privacy. We were a short walk from bathrooms and showers. The bathrooms and showers were nice and clean." Another camper notes, "All RV spots are ridiculously close. Not only did I feel I was about to hit my new neighbor, I found out that I share a water spout with my back neighbor."
Consider road access: Some camping areas have challenging access for larger vehicles. At Mount Herman Road, a camper warns: "Don't go up if you are pulling anything larger than a tear drop trailer. I didn't go all the way up, so I don't know if there is any kind of turn around up there."
