Commerce City sits at an elevation of 5,280 feet, offering camping opportunities that transition between prairie landscapes and mountain foothills. The temperature fluctuates significantly between day and night, with summer evenings cooling down by 20-30 degrees from daytime highs. Camping spots near Commerce City, Colorado provide convenient access to both urban amenities and natural settings while serving as gateways to the Rocky Mountains.
What to do
Fishing across multiple ponds: St. Vrain State Park Campground features numerous stocked ponds for anglers of all skill levels. "My friends and I love this campground! Numerous ponds, stocked ponds, trails, biking, birds, paddle boarding. The view of the mountains is to die for!" reports Kate B.
Access hiking trails directly: Dakota Ridge RV Park connects to trail systems ideal for day hikes. According to Jason F., "This is a great base camp for exploring Denver as well as Jefferson and Clear Creek counties," noting that it's "10 minutes to Red Rocks, 8 minutes to the Coors Brewery, 25 minutes to Idaho Springs."
Water activities: Standley Lake Regional Park offers water-based recreation beyond swimming. One camper mentions, "Rent a floatation device or bring your own and enjoy the warmth on the lake," while another notes it's "a huge lake that bald eagles nest beside. With a rookery, this is the spot for bird enthusiasts!"
Climb for views: Golden Gate Canyon State Park provides elevation gains with scenic rewards. A visitor explains, "There is a ridge to climb above the campground with a great view of the entire park. The sites were very neat and the boys had smooth surfaces to scooter around."
What campers like
Urban-wilderness balance: Indian Paintbrush Campground at Bear Creek Lake Park offers proximity to city conveniences while feeling remote. "While this campground is minutes from the city and seconds from a highway, at night you feel like you are in a quiet, mountain campsite with stars to gaze for days," shares Kandisa S.
Mountain views from flatlands: Cherry Creek State Park Campground provides surprising vistas despite its urban location. Meg G. notes, "The campground is clean and quiet, I made a quick stop in the facilities and everything was well maintained."
Walking access to town: Clear Creek RV Park offers exceptional pedestrian access to Golden. Janine R. describes it as being "along a gorgeous walking path to the mountains, within immediate walking distance to multiple breweries and restaurants, and extremely accessible to the mountains."
Wildlife viewing: Standley Lake features protected bird habitats. One visitor enthusiastically reports, "I don't know how you could not like a place with a huge lake that bald eagles nest beside. With a rookery, this is the spot for bird enthusiasts!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Chatfield State Park Campground fills quickly and has specific check-in procedures. "Without a reservation you put your name on a list that they start going through at 1pm to assign sites. As someone tent-camping this is no problem, just takes some time," explains Sarah S.
Highway noise considerations: St. Vrain State Park experiences interstate noise. Paul Z. warns, "I-25. The interstate is so close as I type this I can hear in my travel trailer every truck, motorcycle, and car. Going to have to use earplugs tonight to sleep."
Entry timing matters: Cherry Creek State Park has specific entry windows. Kay S. advises, "If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth."
Tent site limitations: Several campgrounds prioritize RVs over tent camping. Sarah S. notes about Chatfield, "There are no 'tent only' sites. The minimum has electric ($26)," while another camper mentions at Standley Lake that "the ground kinda pebbly. If you're looking for a quick post up near Denver or Boulder, sure. If you're looking for peaceful camping, you could do far better."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly activities: Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers family recreation options. Pam B. mentions, "They had a nice little store and playground," though notes "this campground was tiny and a little cramped but was very clean and had running showers."
Swim options with amenities: Cherry Creek State Park features developed swimming areas. Stephanie S. reports, "We stayed here for one night before heading back out on the road. This place is huge and has many amenities. There is also an $11 day pass fee not included in your camping stay."
Multi-activity campgrounds: Bear Creek Lake Park combines diverse recreation options. Joshua H. shares, "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding."
Early arrival benefits: Chatfield State Park rewards early planners. Cassandra T. notes, "My husband and I stayed in this beautiful campground in 2018 June. The wild life was beautiful, the facilities were clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful!"
Tips from RVers
Cell service and connectivity: Dakota Ridge RV Park offers good connectivity despite its location. Jason F. reports, "Cell Service: 3 bars of 5Ge on AT&T. My personal hotspot worked great here. WiFi: Slow, but strong signal and definitely usable for light web browsing."
Site leveling challenges: Many Commerce City area campgrounds require leveling equipment. Shannon S. warns about Standley Lake: "We got site 47, which is labeled as an RV site, but it is NOT suitable for pop up campers. The site doesn't have even a hint of a levelable spot."
Laundry facilities: Clear Creek RV Park maintains convenient laundry facilities. Robin W. simply states, "Nice clean campground! Beautiful setting with lots to do nearby," while another reviewer noted the clean bathhouses and convenient location.
Shower availability: Chatfield State Park has paid shower options. Sarah S. mentions, "Showers are coin-operated as well," adding practical details about the facilities available at each campground loop.
