Top Tent Camping near Cotopaxi, CO
Searching for a tent campsite near Cotopaxi? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Cotopaxi with tent camping. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Cotopaxi, CO (39)
1. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites
32 Reviews•130 Photos•906 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
$50 - $90 / night
2. Red Canyon Park
21 Reviews•88 Photos•713 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Trash
3. Turtle Rock Campground
35 Reviews•91 Photos•834 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
4. Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping
8 Reviews•73 Photos•599 SavesThe Browns Creek trail offers beautiful scenery with changing vistas and vegetation. The trail follows the stream and small waterfalls can be found along the way. The lower portion of the trail begins in primarily a Ponderosa pine environment and gradually moves into spruce/fir forest. At higher elevations the trail travels through pristine meadows that end at Brown's Lake. Camping is not permitted at the trailhead, in order to prevent erosion of the banks along Little Browns Creek. Campers are encouraged to find camp sites further south on County Road 272.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
5. AHRA Canyon Trading Post Recreation Site
1 Review•3 Photos- Phone Service
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
6. Vallie Bridge Campground
2 Reviews•15 Photos•21 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Picnic Table
$7 - $18 / night
7. Road 240 - Dispersed
9 Reviews•51 Photos•574 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
8. The Bank Campground
7 Reviews•17 Photos•79 SavesOverview
Open year-round; visitors come for the spectacular rock climbing adjacent to the campground. Approximately 15 miles north of Cañon City, Colorado, The Bank Campground overlooks Shelf Road and is located at an approximate elevation of 6890 feet. The Bank has 33 campsites. The dirt road leading to the campground is very rough and not recommended for large RVs and travel trailers.
Recreation
The Bank Campground offers easy access to the popular rock climbing area, Shelf Road. Climbers can access nearly 1000 bolted routes via the Cactus Cliff and Dark Side trails. A variety of other recreation opportunities easily accessed from the campground include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding as well as 4wd routes. In addition to campsites, The Bank Campground offers a day-use parking area for recreationalists.
Facilities
The dirt road leading to The Bank campground is steep and rough. This 33-site campground was recently renovated and has 31 individual sites, 2 group sites, and 4 vault toilets. The individual sites are limited to 2 vehicles and 8 people. Group sites are limited to 4 vehicles and 20 people. Each campsite includes a parking space, a metal fire ring and a picnic table. The sites are small and designed for tent-camping. Large camp trailers and RVs are not advised. Drinking water, electric hook-ups and trash service are not available at The Bank Campground so please bring your own water and plan to take your trash with you when you leave. Bring your own firewood.
Natural Features
The Bank Campground and the surrounding area is well known amongst rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts for the long bands of limestone cliffs dominating the landscape. Stunning rock features paired with the piñon pine and juniper vegetation, enhance the dramatic vistas and a picturesque camping environment.
Nearby Attractions
The region around Shelf Road offers numerous attractions and recreation opportunities. Popular activities include visiting the Royal Gorge via the Royal Gorge Bridge, the Royal Gorge Train, hiking trails or a rafting trip with one of a number of river outfitters. The Arkansas River offers whitewater rafting as well as outstanding angling. There are numerous trails for all activities in the region as well as agricultural and heritage tours along the Gold Belt National Scenic Byway. The local communities offer a range of shopping and dining experiences.
Visit the Royal Gorge Region web page for more information about local attractions:
Explore - Royal Gorge Region: royalgorgeregion.com
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
9. Grape Creek - Temple Canyon Park
3 Reviews•1 Photo•75 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Dispersed
10. Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge
3 Reviews•3 Photos•23 SavesEach campsite is 5-10 acres. Miles of running trails and an outdoor gym are available to guests. Each campground is equipped with a fire pit, log benches, charcoal grill, and hammock posts. Tents, sleeping bags, hammocks, And more are available to rent by reservation. Spectacular 7600 ft 360-degree high desert views.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
Showing results 1-10 of 39 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Cotopaxi
1213 Reviews of 39 Cotopaxi Campgrounds
sportzfytv A.
Scout
Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge
Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge
The Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts. With its expansive facilities, it perfectly complements Sportzfy TV's mission to promote active lifestyles and engage audiences in diverse sporting events. Whether you’re looking to train or unwind, this destination provides an excellent backdrop for fitness and recreation. For More: https://www.sportzfytvapks.com/
- sportzfytv A.Scout
Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge
Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge
The Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts. With its expansive facilities, it perfectly complements Sportzfy TV's mission to promote active lifestyles and engage audiences in diverse sporting events. Whether you’re looking to train or unwind, this destination provides an excellent backdrop for fitness and recreation. For More: https://www.sportzfytvapks.com/
Jordana P.
Traveler
Mount Shavano Dispersed Camping
Beautiful views and great privacy
I stayed here for 1 night of car camping and will definitely go back. I only went about 4 miles in on the rocky/rutted road (vs the 5 miles that the directions say) and thought the sites were great. I stayed at a big site on the right with beautiful views and a fire ring. Aside from hearing some (maybe - not sure) coyotes at night, I wasn't aware of any other wildlife. I was in a 4Runner and my friend that I was with was driving a Highlander. As another poster commented, I saw a small sedan in one of the sites but wouldn't drive way out in anything but an SUV or truck. I have AT&T and had 2 bars of service.
Chad H.Traveler
St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel
Fall Aspen leaves.
Small park, plenty of room to relax. Trash receptacles close. Creek on the south side of park. Many pit toilet. Camp host during operation. Both times we stayed here the host was very helpful and friendly.
Angela E.Traveler
Cotton Creek Trailhead
Beautiful and peaceful 💚
The sky is GORGEOUS. The road is very rocky & very rough, so you'll want to have decent clearance and be prepared to take it slow. I've never seen so many stars!
- JJuliana R.Traveler
Pinon Flats Campground — Great Sand Dunes National Park
Perfect spot for exploring the dunes
Close proximity to the dunes, allows you to access at night and throughout the day to experience the range of landscapes the park provides.
The camp site has flushing toilets and drinking water.
Would highly recommend if you can snag a site.
- ZZu Y.
Guide
Valley Mobile RV Park
Great Management campground
The host, Margaret and her husband and few others working very hard to maintains this campsite.
Shower room have heat and hot water, environments are so peacefully and pretty, shops are close by, hot springs, rafting, nearby, my favorites is cottonwood lake!
- PPeterScout
Wild Cherry Creek Trailhead
Blocked off by private gate
Couldn’t get to trail head due to private gate blocking the road.
- KK D.Traveler
Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed
Great spot!
Was pretty busy, hard to find a spot at first but found a campsite across the stream that you cross a log on. Beautiful drive to get to.
- pp M.Scout
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Costs a lot more than listed
We were charged $170 for a site in the middle of a gravel parking lot. It included dinner, breakfast and use of the hot springs. The WiFi didn’t reach us, but worked in the buffet style cafeteria-like dining area. Way overpriced for the experience!
Lily R.TravelerGold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed
Secluded sites along creek
Drove ~3 miles along the service road to find our spot, it was the second pull off “open-area” with several fire pits to choose from. Road was a little bumpy but would be fine with a 2WD. Gorgeous, secluded spot next to the creek. No Verizon service.
- Lily R.Traveler
Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites
Great secluded sites
Pretty smooth mountain road, lots of site options. We found one that was down back from the main road and near the creek. Needed 4WD to get down there, but other sites 2WD would be fine. Appears to be a local cow wandering around, she approached our campsite but went the other way.
- ccarson C.Traveler
Mueller State Park
Still camping !
From Texas, got married in Colorado two years ago and came back again this year to celebrate. Absolutely love camping and hiking, staff was friendly and everything has been clean so far. Super worried at first about hiking up to campsite but they have carts donated to help carry gear. This is one of the farther tent campsites on this side of the park and we had no issues getting there. Other than a bloody nose from elevation change. Beautiful view lots of wildlife:)
- SSam W.Guide
Collegiate Peaks
Out there but not too far
Went with the family and had a great time. We got a site because of a cancellation and, unfortunately it was next to the bathroom. Didn't bother us though. It was our first trip using our new popup and it was def a learning experience. That all being said we were able to hit up Mount Princeton hot springs AND visit the St. Elmo ghost town. By the end of the trip the kids were begging to go back asap.
- SSam W.Guide
Cutty’s Resort - Hayden Creek
Great All Around
We had a great time. 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. Aside from the aforementioned, there was a small store on site with ice and wood (can't bring your own wood) and the food they served at the mess hall was fire.
Brittany R.Guide
Valley View Hot Springs—Orient Land Trust
Came for the daily soak - stayed for the camping
This place was great! We originally planned just to do a daily soak before heading to our next campsite but ended up just staying here because we enjoyed it so much. The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen. We participated in the clothing optional experience but didn’t feel like we had to. Great people all around from guests to staff. Highly recommend!
- LLorene N.Guide
Cottonwood Lake Dispersed Camping
More than 5 stars!
We got a spot with amazing views just past Cottonwood Lake campground. It’s awesome here. There is a creek full of Brook Trout right across the street.
- Brittany R.Guide
Pinon Flats Campground — Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great spot!
Beautiful views of the dunes and the mountains! Bathrooms were super clean and convenient. Highly recommend!
- DDeitz B.Guide
Crags Campground
Easy Access to Devils Playground
I camped here one night before I hiked up to the Devils Playground. Bring cash for the site, it is first come first serve. Great sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Very kind host.
- SSofia T.Scout
Hendricks Flat
Beautiful little spot
My friend and I are roadtripping around a couple states and found this cute little camp site!! There is no running water or toilets but we didn’t mind :)) absolutely gorgeous place!
- mmichelle H.Traveler
Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed
great spot by creek
loved this spot even stayed a couple extra days right by nice size creek the cooler weather was nice and meant not alot of bugs. more traffic on road than expected but not bothersome. people close by but not close enough to hear or bother you in anyway. site was clean. there were more shaded ones but we chose next to water. were a couple empty close by on a holiday weekend.
Luke R.Traveler
North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping
Solid Camp Spot for early September
My sister drove up from Denver Saturday morning. My daughter and I drove from Paonia and met her there. Road was bumpy but manageable in my Outback. Drove down the road and took a hike with the dogs. Great trail. Rained a little but it was not a big deal. Decent amount of traffic on the road throughout the day and into the evening. Really cool to be able to snag a spot around lunchtime on a Saturday.
.! E !.Guide
Aspen Acres Campground
Perfect Spot
Stayed One night for Tent Camping, came with everything needed. Clean bathroom and showers. Great scenery and amazing night sky view.
Anthony N.Guide
Rocking Chair Campground — Eleven Mile State Park
Nice Campground Lousy Campers
The campground itself is very nice and had all of the makings for a peaceful camping trip. However, when we got there we found our neighboring campground had overtaken our campground because they didn't think we were going to show up (we arrived somewhere around 4 and check-in is at 3). Fortunately they moved their tents out of our campground pretty quickly. There was a separate campground that stayed up until 4 in the morning playing music very loud which was highly irritating. Very surprised there was no enforcement of quiet hours. All in all it was a good spot but definitely felt like it could use a campground host of some sort to help ensure all campers have a good experience.
- JJeff C.Scout
Shavano Mountain
Amazing vistas
Amazing vistas! Big private sites. Tough road that gets progressively technical as you go farther up towards trail head.
Shana D.
Legend
Mountaindale RV Resort
Last Minute
We had to change plans last minute and arrive here on short notice. They had sites to accommodate us and they were very welcoming. This was hands down the nicest privately owned rv park/campground we have ever stayed at! The bathroom suites have recently been remodeled and they are so nice! Best shower of our 10 day road trip. Nice laundry facilities, community rec room, hot tub, and even a hiking trail to the top of the mountain. Highly recommend.
- JJasonLegend
AHRA Canyon Trading Post Recreation Site
Arkansas river overnight camp
Quick stop. Very clean. Self pay station if you do not have state park pass. Vault restrooms. No trash on site, pack in pack out. Ramp to launch rafts, kayaks...
Guide to Cotopaxi
Camping near Cotopaxi, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
What to do
- Hiking and Exploring: The area is surrounded by beautiful trails. Campers at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites rave about the "multiple really rad drive-through tunnels and towering canyon walls." It's a great spot for those who love nature and want to hike along scenic routes.
- Fishing and Water Activities: If you enjoy fishing, the Ruby Mountain Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is known for its great views and access to the river. One visitor mentioned, "The campsite has an awesome view of the mountains and at some sites the river as well."
- Wildlife Watching: Campers at Salida North BLM have spotted mountain goats during their stays. One camper shared, "Very quiet stay with few visitors except for the mountain goats who were just as curious of us as we were of them."
What campers like
- Scenic Views: Many campers appreciate the breathtaking views. At Hecla Junction Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, one reviewer said, "Spacious sites that are magnificently kept. Big flat tent sites at each site, right near the river."
- Privacy and Space: Campers at Red Canyon Park enjoy the seclusion. One camper noted, "This is a beautiful park with great dispersed sites! We went quite a ways in and found a site for our campervan. Needed leveling blocks but saw several occupied sites more level."
- Quiet Atmosphere: Many campgrounds, like Browns Creek, offer a peaceful environment. A visitor mentioned, "This isn’t one of those horribly loud OHV spots. There are tons of dispersed spots along these trails and many are spread out from one another."
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge do not have drinking water or electric hookups. One camper pointed out, "Pit toilets were pretty standard, and a camp host was available if needed."
- Mosquitoes in Summer: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. Campers at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites mentioned, "In June there were plenty of mosquitoes."
- Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A visitor at Salida North BLM noted, "The road going in was a little bumpy but any car should be able to make it."
Tips for camping with families
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby trails and water access. At Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA, one parent shared, "Lots of great stuff for kids. Slide, playground, mini golf."
- Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. Campers at Ruby Mountain Campground enjoyed the river but reminded others to be cautious, saying, "Fishing is also an option."
- Plan for Bugs: Bring bug spray, especially in summer. Campers at East Ridge Campground noted, "Lots of bugs when it gets hot."
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Alvarado Campground mentioned, "The campground won't accommodate fifth wheels only horse and RV up to 30 or so."
- Bring Leveling Blocks: Some sites can be uneven. Campers at Hecla Junction Campground advised, "Some of the RV/trailer sites are uneven. So bring extra leveling blocks!"
- Plan for Limited Services: Many campgrounds don’t have full hookups. A visitor at Chalk Creek Campground noted, "No water or electrical hookups."
Camping near Cotopaxi, Colorado, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for families, RVers, and nature lovers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cotopaxi, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cotopaxi, CO is Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cotopaxi, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Cotopaxi, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.