Sam B.
Traveler
TravelerRampart Reservoir Dispersed
Lots of options for spaces and the road was fairly easy to get in! Just a little bumpy but fine if you take it slow
Tent Camping near Colorado Springs, CO
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent camping options surround Colorado Springs with a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites in the surrounding Pike National Forest. Lone Duck Campground offers dedicated tent sites with grassy areas and shade trees, while Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite provides more primitive options for those seeking solitude. Turkey Roost Group Camp in Cheyenne Mountain State Park features dedicated tent pads designed specifically for group camping experiences, with sites positioned away from RV areas.
Most tent-specific sites in the region feature picnic tables and fire rings, though fire restrictions are common during dry summer months. Walk-in tent sites at dispersed camping areas in Pike National Forest near Divide require campers to pack in their own water and pack out all trash. A visitor commented, "Sites are super close together at established campgrounds, but dispersed camping in the national forest offers more privacy." Vault toilets are available at some established tent campgrounds, while primitive camping areas have no facilities. Many tent campsites are accessible from spring through fall, with higher elevation areas closed due to snow in winter months.
Tent camping near Colorado Springs offers varied terrain from forested sites to open meadows with mountain views. The primitive tent areas in Mt. Herman Road provide quieter alternatives to the more developed campgrounds closer to town. The tent pads at Turkey Roost Group Camp include space to store food away from wildlife, enhancing the safety of the tent camping experience. A camper wrote, "The tent sites by the stream offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including deer in the early morning." Tent campers frequenting the area often appreciate the proximity to hiking trails in Pike National Forest and Cheyenne Mountain State Park, where backcountry routes connect directly to several walk-in tent sites.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Colorado Springs (29)
1. Lone Duck Campground and Cabins
"Our site had grass, shade, a picnic table, and a fire ring - everything you need for a basic campsite."
"Lone Duck Campground was a good home base for us during our visit to Colorado Springs. The campground is several miles down from Woodland Park and about the same down to Manitou and the Springs."
26 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $40 - $87 / night
2. Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite
"Some have pre existing fire rings. Would definitely come back."
"Most spots are taken by the weekends but if you’re fine with a more sloped spot, there can be some open ones for late arrivals."
3. Mt. Herman Road Dispersed Site 2
"I recommend not attempting road with 2WD… seems quite rough in spaces. Having the extra support made me feel better. A bit of an incline but I found plenty of space to set up my tent!"
"Found a great little campsite and had a fox as a neighbor! Only downfall was there was broken glass everywhere 😔"
4. Turkey Roost Group Camp — Cheyenne Mountain State Park
"Wonderful tent pads and facilities with space to wash dishes and store goods from wildlife."
Check Availabilityfrom $144 / night
5. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites
"Free BLM sites along Phantom Canyon Road, an hour outside Colorado Springs. Small creek that follows the road to camp along. Pre-existing fire rings."
"Driving down to this campsite I was happy to have a small car because the road is very narrow to say the least. I cannot imagine the feeling of driving a large rig here."
6. Wye
"Has fire rings and picnic tables. Closed for good, apparently because of bears, but far down the road so it’s very unlikely you’ll be bothered"
7. Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide
"There are a lot of dirt bikes and atvs driving during the day however I didn’t find it overly disruptive."
"Restrooms at base of road. Found our spot 2.5 miles up the road, definitely needed AWD."
8. Phantom Canyon
"I’m a rooftop tent camper and the views are amazing but was hoping to be close to the water and isolated from other campers."
"It is in a canyon so you won't have any cell phone signal, though I had my Starlink set up and it worked flawlessly. We will go back, and I hope to get that spot before any other!"
9. "Glamping" Pike's Peak Camping Spot- Reservation Only Site
"Camp site has everything you need without the hassle of pitching your tent and packing it up."
from $99 - $150 / night
10. Matukat Road Dispersed Camping
"Rock fire pits, wood around. No water, garbage, nor toilets. Cool temps, road in is rough go slow. Nice shady trees. First few spots you encounter left, then right seem ok."
"We drove a couple of miles up the decently maintained dirt road and found the second dispersed camping spot and decided to set up our roof top tent for the night. "
Drive Time
- 39 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 3 min from Denver, CO
- 1 hr 26 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 54 min from Greeley, CO
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Colorado Springs, CO
131 Photos of 29 Colorado Springs Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Turkey Roost Group Camp — Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Lone Duck Campground and Cabins
Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite
"Glamping" Pike's Peak Camping Spot- Reservation Only SiteA
Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest DivideC
Mydnyt Mountain
Phantom Canyon
Shelf Road Sites
Truman’s Rock
Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites
Platte River Campground
Tent Camping Reviews near Colorado Springs, CO
1410 Reviews of 29 Colorado Springs Campgrounds
Amira B.
ScoutRainbow Falls
Nice spots, beautiful scenery, ruined only by how busy it gets with OHV drivers on the weekends.
- CCarolyn K.Traveler
Witcher's Cove Campground — Eleven Mile State Park
Beautiful Lakeside Camping, Worth the Bumpy Drive!
If you are looking for a place that is close to the water and where you step out of your vehicle and immediately feel the breathtaking beauty and peacefulness of nature around you, this is the place. We were here for four nights over Labor Day weekend. We don’t usually camp in Colorado on holiday weekends because everywhere is so busy. However, our son had Tuesday off from school, so we extended our trip to avoid the Monday traffic. I was pleasantly surprised that even though the campground was fully booked, it didn’t feel busy or overcrowded. We fished for trout and crawfish and caught plenty of both!
We were in site#803. The site was level, we had good Verizon cell service, and we loved being close to the water. We were able to leave our fishing raft and paddleboard on the shore overnight. There are only two campsites on this side of the campground which is great, especially if you have a curious dog! But, there is activity during the day at the boat dock, not a lot, but enough to note. You’ll want sites at the other end of the campground if a few cars coming in and out during the day bother you. No RV hookups at Witcher’s Cove, but if you need that you can camp on the other side of the lake at Rocky Ridge Campground.
The only downside is that the dirt road driving in and out is terrible. It is heavily washboarded and bumpy, for a few miles. We took it slow and still had minor damage to our camper trailer as one of our cabinet doors fell off on the drive in! It was probably loose to begin with, but the bumps were so bad it made the screws come out of the wood. That won’t keep us away, though. We will just tighten everything up before our next trip, and we will definitely be back!
- EElizabeth W.
GuideNorth Round Mountain
Great packed road into the camp. We stayed in November and had the place to ourselves. Lots of sites. We stayed back near the end of the camping area and had a beautiful sunrise and sunset.
Fran K.TravelerEast Ridge Campground - Royal Gorge
Primitive but very clean with lots of trails and great views of the canyon. Only 5 mins from the Royal Gorge Bridge.
Daniel H.ScoutMountaindale Cabin & RV Resort
Great spot for relaxing weekend getaway for our family. Plenty of room for the kids to explore and they even had a blow up bouncy house for them during the day. Hot tub under the stars at evening time. Very clean bathrooms!
Juliana J.
RangerPhantom Canyon
Love a little history/camping combo!
Cool spot. I like there were different sized spots and a clearly marked line where a 4WD/AWD vehicle is needed and no large rigs. I found a spot that was visible by the road, but there was water access and cool surroundings. The main road was well paved, but turning into my site was a bit rough and I needed the 4WD. There were large animal (I assume black bear) prints to give that extra bit of camping excitement, but no actual sitings (one day, Juliana. One day). Some mosquitos but not overwhelming. The scenery was gorgeous. Definitely a bit desert-esque but it was legitimately perfect weather in mid September. Cool creek rocks and a stunner of a sunset. Would absolutely return again. No numbered sites. Toilets about 1/4 mile beyond the drive through boulder.
Kevin H.ScoutCastle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake
Beautiful family and dog friendly campground!
Lake Wellington is a beautiful family and dog friendly campground just about 90 minutes from Denver. There are 75 sites, and even when it's pretty full they are decently spaced out that you don't feel too on top of other guests. We brought our dogs and a group of friends and had a great few nights, even seeing Bald Eagles mating!
Lauren P.TravelerFive Points Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Very close to the highway
Basic amenities, but clean and easy to find. The campsite is very close to the highway, so if you're looking for something more off the beaten path, keep looking. However, if you just need a place to sleep with great views, this is a solid spot. We saw bighorn sheep and even heard what sounded like a bobcat possibly mountain lion at night.
Guide to Colorado Springs
Tent campsites near Colorado Springs, Colorado range from primitive backcountry options to accessible sites with amenities. The region sits at elevations between 6,000-9,000 feet, creating temperature drops of 15-20 degrees at night compared to daytime highs. Fire restrictions typically start in June and extend through September, requiring campers to check current regulations before arrival.
What to do
Fishing at creeks: At Lone Duck Campground and Cabins, you can enjoy fishing at their small pond. "We stayed here twice once in campsite 46 very nice 47 even nicer two best lots here for us cuz we like being the by the water," notes Chester R.
Rock climbing access: Nearby camping at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites puts you close to climbing areas. "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope. We parked up top and lugged everything down the slope. It was tough but so worth it," shares Madi G., who discovered secluded spots next to water.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening wildlife sightings are common at higher elevation sites. "We woke up one morning at our tent site with deer walking and eating down the creek right next to us," reports Tessa S. about her experience camping at Lone Duck.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Finding separation between tent sites requires traveling to dispersed areas. "Each spot is far away from another, especially if you drive further down. We didn't hear anyone late into the night due to the distance," says Brianna K. about Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide.
Natural features: Campers frequently mention the waterways as highlights. "My pictures are from a site after the second tunnel. All shade, you walk over a little creek to set up tent!" reports Amanda L. about her experience at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.
Cell coverage: Unlike many remote camping areas, some sites maintain connectivity. "It's fun to watch other ITVs and dirt bikes drive past occasionally, but not enough to be annoying. Lots of dead/fallen trees for firewood. Many spots to choose from. Plus was we got cell service at our spot this time," notes Boldt E. about Pike National Forest Divide.
What you should know
Bug preparation: Biting insects can be problematic in several camping areas. "The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times and our dogs were very stressed from them all over them. Bring those fly bags that attract them away from you unless you're prepared to get eaten up by the flies," warns Madi G. about Phantom Canyon.
Road conditions: Many tent camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. "The road is meant for ATV use, and was a fair amount of traffic throughout the day but tolerable. Hardly any at night. Restrooms at base of road. Found our spot 2.5 miles up the road, definitely needed AWD," explains Lily R. about Pike National Forest Divide.
Wildlife precautions: Larger animals frequent camping areas. "BE SMART ABOUT FOOD! We did have a bear encounter as we were driving out of the park," cautions Abby D. about Red Canyon Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities do tent campgrounds in Colorado Springs offer?
What amenities do tent campgrounds in Colorado Springs offer?
Tent campgrounds near Colorado Springs offer a range of amenities. Lone Duck Campground and Cabins provides reservable sites, a camp store, shower facilities, and a swimming pool, making it a comfortable basecamp option. Public campgrounds like Osprey typically offer basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and port-a-potties for $18-20 per night. Some sites are situated beside rivers or creeks. Most developed campgrounds provide vault toilets, while dispersed camping areas on BLM land offer minimal facilities but greater privacy. Water availability varies significantly by location, with some sites requiring you to bring all your water. Cell service is also spotty in many areas, especially in more remote locations. Plan accordingly for your specific needs.
Where are the best tent camping spots near Colorado Springs?
Where are the best tent camping spots near Colorado Springs?
For tent camping near Colorado Springs, Idylease Campground offers well-established sites with a moderate half-mile hike in from parking. It's reservation-based through Jefferson County Open Space. Shelf Road Sites is perfect for climbers with clean vault toilets and hiking access to climbing walls. For those seeking free options, Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites provides peaceful creek-side camping about an hour from Colorado Springs. For a more peaceful experience, Red Canyon Park offers solitude with basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings. Most tent sites around Colorado Springs feature beautiful mountain views and varying levels of accessibility, from drive-up sites to short hikes in.
When is the best season for tent camping in Colorado Springs?
When is the best season for tent camping in Colorado Springs?
Late spring through early fall (May-September) is generally the best season for tent camping in Colorado Springs. Summer offers warm days and cool nights, with temperatures typically ranging from 45°F at night to 80°F during the day. September is particularly pleasant with fewer crowds, as mentioned by visitors to Rampart Range Area. Higher elevation sites like those in Pike National Forest can be chilly even in summer, so pack accordingly. Weather can change rapidly in Colorado's mountains, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months. Spring camping (April-May) can be unpredictable with occasional late snowfall. Fall (September-October) brings beautiful colors but increasingly cold nights. Winter camping is possible for experienced campers but requires specialized gear and preparation.
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