Cripple Creek, Colorado sits at a high elevation of 9,494 feet and serves as a base for camping in the surrounding Pike National Forest and public lands. The area features a mix of developed sites and primitive camping options, including the Cripple Creek KOA and Gold Camp Road dispersed camping areas. Visitors can find accommodation for tents, RVs, and cabins across several managed campgrounds. Mueller State Park Campground, located about 15 miles from Cripple Creek, provides electric hookups, picnic tables, and reservable sites in a forested setting.
Camping in the region requires preparation for thin mountain air and variable weather conditions, even during summer months. The higher elevation means cooler temperatures year-round, with most developed campgrounds operating seasonally from May through October. One camper noted that "the air is thin up here - real thin. That also means that it's pure, clean blissfully light oxygen." Road access varies significantly, with some areas requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly when accessing dispersed sites along Phantom Canyon Road and Gold Camp Road. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, and fire restrictions frequently apply during dry periods.
Campgrounds near Cripple Creek provide convenient access to historic mining sites, casinos, and mountain recreation opportunities. Many visitors use the area as a strategic base camp for exploring Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the historic mining districts. Reviews consistently highlight the mountain views and wildlife viewing as significant draws. A visitor mentioned that the "sites all have great views" at Mueller State Park. The proximity to gambling in Cripple Creek appeals to some campers looking to alternate outdoor activities with entertainment. Public lands camping offers more seclusion but fewer amenities, while developed campgrounds provide essential facilities like showers, toilets, and in some cases, full hookups for RVs. Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region.
$28 - $270 / night
"too close to colorado springs. works a a early season test trip but it to close too the front range so always overcrowded. bonus: go to cripple creek opposed to a campfire."
"Great hiking trails of all abilities. Great visitor center. Fishing only available w/ .5-2.5 mile hike into back country. Close to lots of activities in Cripple Creek Woodland Park etc."
"Convenient location to Cripple Creek CO. Mountain views. Situated on meadow hillside. Hiking trails, full hookups, fire rings with grills, picnic tables. Level sites with many pull thrus."
"Hummingbirds buzzed around all day. Close to Cripple Creek and Pikes Peak"
$25 / night
"Close to a couple of trailheads and a short drive to cripple creek. Nice and quiet"
"Beautiful 4 mile drive up a winding dirt and gravel road through the canyons with the stream next to you. Camp sites a little close but not so bad. The scenery is out of this world."
"Fun to explore by day through the little canyon or along the rocks above, there's a walk for everyone here. Best enjoyed in fall and spring, summer is quite hot. The campsites are basic and roadside."
"Some great spots close to red bluffs and seasonal river. Went in the autumn and hike along the river bed and climb the falls. Vaulted toilets, fire rings, covered tables and Flatish camp spots."
"The park is conveniently located close to everything to do in Colorado Springs. Spaces were VERY close together. There is no view of any of the surrounding beauty."
"This campground is a great central location for everything around Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. It is very close to Garden of the gods park and red rock open space."
"Look for the off-trail spots to find a more private campsite."
"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."
$40 - $87 / night
"This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."
"It is in Cascade, CO right off of Highway 24. It is minutes away from Pike's Peak, Manitou Springs, Cave of the Winds, Red Rocks Open Space, and Colorado Springs."
"Amazing location right next to Boehmer Creek. There are 5 or 6 sites mainly for tents. You might be able ti get an rv in there but low hanging trees and narrow rutted trails would be a problem."
"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"
$20 - $40 / night
"Off-roads/trails near by with even better views. Loved this place."
"The site is about 100 yards from one of Colorado’s most sought after climbing destinations."
"** General: Small (47 site) RV park at the eastern edge of downtown Manitou Springs, next to Schryver Park."
"Another nice feature is the free shuttle for Manitou has a bus stop along the road just outside the entry. I was suprised upon arrival the campground changed ownership since our last visit."
TravelerVery pretty dispersed spot. Roads were a little muddy from the rain. Need a vehicle with awd and decent clearance to use roads further down. Our tent spot isn't very flat but is ok. Here on May 1st, 2026 and its pretty chilly but no snow, lots of rain
TravelerFlat graveled tent/RV spots, super clean. Right next to the river. You can hear the traffic from the highway unfortunately but its not terrible.
LegendThis isn’t really a true dispersed camping spot. It’s designated sites only and the sites are close together in a campground style loop. Fire pits but no other amenities. 1 bar Verizon and it’s a ways past the marker on the the Dyrt. Maybe 2 miles down the bumpy washboard road to get to the first loop. Some good views but can be cold and windy up here.
LegendThis is a group camp spot but it is very small maybe only 2 or 3 acres. There is a gravel loop and the group sites are not clearly marked. There are just some random fire pits and picnic tables thrown around. You have to make reservations online at recreation.gov the site does have some some Verizon signal but it’s not great. The surrounding forest are peaceful and nice to walk l. Closed seasonally so beware before showing up
ScoutI am a return visitor to the Salida RV Resort. I have stayed at two other campgrounds in the area, but Salida RV Resort has become my go-to. The resort is modern with all new and clean amenities, the staff is responsive to emails and very friendly in person, and the location is convenient to Salida and the activities of the area. The sites are level and fully functional. They have a nice walking path along the river with an available pickle ball court for those who might play. As for me, I am a fly fisherman and enjoy fishing the Arkansas River. I enjoy camping next to the river, and have even caught quite a few brown trout in my "backyard" behind the camper.
TravelerPulled my 22’ travel trailer in with my half ton. Road was bumpy, no tight turns, easy drive. Turning off 211 was a little tough as the road at the intersection is very rutted and steep but it’s only 20-30 feet. Camper made it down just fine. If you’re going past the first 2 spots, walk the road first because it gets a little tight. Again, camper made it just fine. Pretty windy but that’s just the way it goes. Beautiful, secluded, quiet. I’ve seen maybe 4 other vehicles as they drove past. We stopped just off 211 the first night and realized that may not be an established spot although there was a fire pit. We moved 1/4 mile west the second morning. Stage 2 fire ban.
LegendBig dirt lot 2 bars Verizon. Tons of room has a pit toilets and an amazing view of pikes peak. This is an off road staging area so do not expect any peace and quiet while you are here . This out just be an overnight sleep spot for me. Get in late get out early
Legend0-1 bar Verizon don’t count on signal. Standard Forrest service campground. The real star here is the rock formations they just stick out of the ground in a pretty typical pine Forrest. They look like man made decorations. Exploring them is the biggest reason to stay here
Legend0-2 bars Verizon. This is back off the road down a dirt road. It is closed seasonally so check ahead. Its big advantage is it has group sites. Other than that it’s a standard Forrest service campground picnic table and fire pit with centrally located pit toilets. The Forrest is nice to walk around in this area very peaceful
Dispersed camping sites along the Phantom Canyon Road offer primitive conditions with few amenities but provide direct access to Colorado's gold mining history. Located at elevations between 8,500 and 10,000 feet, the camping areas near Cripple Creek serve as convenient bases for exploring nearby attractions including historic mining operations and natural landmarks. Nighttime temperatures frequently drop below 40°F even during summer months, requiring campers to pack appropriate cold-weather gear.
Hiking to scenic viewpoints: The Crags Trail near Crags Campground provides relatively easy access to panoramic mountain views. "The Crags trail was super low key, about 2.5 hours round trip with great views at the top," notes Hannah B., who appreciated the trail's accessibility directly from the campground.
Exploring mining history: Gold Camp Road dispersed camping puts you near historic mining sites while offering primitive camping options. "Close to Cripple Creek and Victor are full of old mining history!" reports Sarah F., highlighting the educational opportunities in these former mining towns.
Rock climbing opportunities: For climbers, The Bank Campground provides direct access to popular routes. One camper explains, "The site is about 100 yards from one of Colorado's most sought after climbing destinations," making it ideal for those looking to combine camping with vertical adventures.
Fishing in mountain waters: Several campgrounds offer fishing access, including Golden Eagle Campground which maintains its own stocked lake. "Great fishing lake," notes Willie M., though be aware that some private fishing areas require separate permits beyond state fishing licenses.
Privacy between sites: Mueller State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its spacious layout. Alexis B. notes, "Each campsite feels personal and is gorgeous. Bathrooms are never far, but the well-kept shower house might be a bit of a walk."
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently mention animal sightings as a highlight of staying near Cripple Creek. "We saw some deer that came through our site. Just a real nice relaxing place!" shares Brian F. about his Mueller State Park experience.
Night sky quality: The limited light pollution in the area creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites, one camper reports, "No service, no noise, just the sound of the creek and an occasional car driving by," providing ideal conditions for star viewing.
Clean facilities: Even at more rustic campgrounds, visitors frequently note the maintenance standards. Timothy N. observed at the Crags that there were "Very well maintained campground with spotless vault toilets and clean camp sites," highlighting the efforts of camp hosts to maintain facilities even in remote locations.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is consistently limited throughout the camping areas near Cripple Creek. One camper at Red Canyon Park notes, "You will lose cell service about 10 minutes before getting to the park," which is typical for the region.
Weather variability: The high elevation means rapid weather changes are common. At the Crags Campground, Timothy N. warns about early risers: "Many campers are early risers for the hike up Pikes Peak," which helps visitors avoid afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months.
Road conditions: Many camping areas require navigating unpaved roads of varying quality. At Red Canyon Park, a reviewer cautions, "The road is dirt and goes for 7+ miles if you keep going to exit the park a different way. Be warned that after 2/3 miles the road gets extremely rough."
Reservation requirements: Several campgrounds have implemented reservation systems. At The Bank Campground, Kim M. explains, "Starting March 2021, reservations are required for any site that is odd and any site that is even is on a first come first serve basis."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans are frequently implemented, particularly during dry periods. Always check current fire restrictions before planning campfires, as these change frequently throughout the camping season.
Kid-friendly amenities: Lone Duck Campground and Cabins offers multiple facilities designed specifically for children. One parent shares, "The camp hosts were very friendly and kind. They gave us information on a good fishing spot where my 7 yr old son caught his first trout."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide learning experiences focused on local wildlife and geology. Golden Eagle Campground features an insect museum that one camper calls "small but interesting," providing rainy-day activities for curious children.
Safety considerations: Sites with creek access require extra supervision. At Gold Camp Road dispersed sites, a visitor notes, "BRING BUG SPRAY! Mosquitos were a bit annoying but DEET helped. BE SMART ABOUT FOOD! We did have a bear encounter as we were driving out of the park."
Accessibility factors: Mueller State Park offers more accessible options for families with young children or mobility concerns. Steve C. observed, "The camp sites are well maintained and have vaulted toilets and water pumps conveniently located throughout the campgrounds."
Site selection: RVers should carefully research campgrounds as many have limited spaces for larger vehicles. At Cripple Creek KOA, Judy F. notes it has "level sites with many pull thrus" making it more accommodating for larger rigs than many forest service options.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the area. Cripple Creek KOA offers "full hookups, fire rings with grills, picnic tables," according to reviewers, which stands in contrast to the more primitive options throughout the region.
Elevation considerations: The altitude affects vehicle performance. Campers report engines working harder and requiring more fuel when climbing to campsites above 9,000 feet. One reviewer at Cripple Creek KOA cautions, "The air is thin up here- real thin," which applies to both humans and vehicles.
Road clearance: Access roads to many campgrounds require adequate vehicle clearance. Seven Lakes Road dispersed camping has "a little bumpy, windy and very narrow in some areas but nothing too crazy" according to Emma H., though larger RVs may find these conditions challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cripple Creek, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cripple Creek, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 286 campgrounds and RV parks near Cripple Creek, CO and 75 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cripple Creek, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cripple Creek, CO is Mueller State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 61 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cripple Creek, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 75 free dispersed camping spots near Cripple Creek, CO.
What parks are near Cripple Creek, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Cripple Creek, CO that allow camping, notably Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands and PSICC.
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