The Pike National Forest surrounding Divide, Colorado provides a range of camping experiences from developed sites to dispersed options. Mueller State Park Campground offers established camping with amenities like electric hookups and showers, while Crags Campground provides a more rustic experience near hiking trails. Several campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some locations like Lone Duck Campground and Garden of the Gods RV Resort also offering cabin options for those seeking additional comfort. The area's proximity to Colorado Springs and Woodland Park creates convenient access to supplies while maintaining a mountain setting.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with some forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles. Manchester Creek Trailhead dispersed camping area features rough access roads that may challenge larger vehicles. Elevation in the area ranges from 7,000 to 9,000 feet, resulting in cool nights even during summer months. Many established campgrounds like Mueller State Park require reservations, especially during peak season from May through September. Dispersed camping on Rampart Range Road provides free alternatives but lacks amenities. A camper noted, "The forest road is quite rough. A high clearance vehicle is a good idea. Lots of ATVs on the weekends. So lots of atv noise and dust."
Campers consistently mention the scenic mountain views and wildlife viewing opportunities as highlights of the Divide area. Several visitors appreciate the central location that allows easy access to attractions like Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Manitou Springs. Developed campgrounds with amenities receive positive reviews for their cleanliness and facilities. "Colorado campground is situated outside of Woodland Park (10 minute drive) and right next to Manitou lake. This is a great area central to the Pikes Peak wilderness area so many trails are nearby and activities while still being close to civilization," according to one review. Weekday visits typically offer more solitude than weekends, when popular areas can become crowded with day-use visitors and ATVs. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many of the dispersed camping areas, providing a true disconnect from urban life.
$28 - $270 / night
"This Colorado state park brings visitors year-round for all types of recreation. We have traveled here several times, both tent camping and in our camper."
"By far my favorite campground in Colorado. Sites all have great views and are paved. The park is clean and rangers are always around checking in. Close to town and great hikes. Can’t wait to go back!"
$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."
$25 / night
"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."
"Close to the trailhead that will take you up. This is on the backside of the mountain if you are in Colorado Springs."
"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."
"Rampart Range Road is the main dirt road that has plenty of smaller trails branching off of it to keep you busy exploring all summer."
"Tucked back in National Forest land."
"This park has set up campgrounds, but we chose to drive off road a bit and set up camp on the edge of a rocky overlook. Given we went in October, but we were the only campers around our area."
"There were a few pull-off roads off of rampart. Each pull off had a few camping spots with a place for a tent and a fire circle. The view was great and it was a beautiful area."
"If you enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies, drive in dispersed camping and putting your off-roading skills to the test, this dispersed campsite is a must visit!"
"30 minutes and kick back and please crack a cold one for Colorado being the best place."
$28 - $38 / night
"Colorado campground is situated outside of Woodland Park (10 minute drive) and right next to Manitou lake. "
"CAMPGROUND REVIEW: COLORADO CAMPGROUND PIKE NATIONAL FOREST https://www.recreation.gov/camping/colorado-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?"
$30 - $110 / night
"It is located in Woodland Park, a lovely mountain town about 30-40 min. outside Colorado Springs. Lots of sites, mostly RV but there is a nice tent only section with a good number of spaces."
"You’re surrounded by other campers, but you don’t feel cramped in any way. There is a bathroom and shower house which were all very clean."
"We were going from direction Divide town using provided coordinates. All went fine until we ended up in a dead end road with private residence."
"Made friends with nearby campers."
LegendThis place is right in woodland park so great cell no issues with roads. The cool part is it’s on a wooded lot so you have a cool vibe, they are open year round and it’s beautiful in the snow. Looks like a lot of long term tenants but not the junky shady vibe that comes with that sometimes. They also have little cabins to rent. Overall a great spot to launch from
LegendRight off the main highway. Great Verizon signal. Water & dump station. Huge playground for the kids. Storage facility on site and also used for dry storage of RVs. More camping spots if you go further back to the right of the park. Lots of camping spots available but are close together.
LegendFull Verizon lte and the furthest down the long and bump road. These campgrounds are so similar there is just no reason to go all the way down to this one. Unless all the spots are filled just stay at one of the other 50 along the lake there is no reason other than you can probably have it all to your self if if come all the way down to this one
LegendFull Verizon lte. All these campgrounds around this lake are pretty much identical. This one has some shaded picnic tables which is nice but only at a couple spots. Has a vault toilet and water pump like the other but it is up on a hill overlooking the lake. I think this is probably the best view. Also it has a massive gravel lot for big rigs and boat trailers
Legend4 bars Verizon lte. Long bumpy road to get here. This campground is split into two parts. One is down by the water and the other is down the road a few 100 yards and up on the hill. The area is so wide and open they both have the same view but the one on the hill offers some slight protection from the wind . I think the one down by the water would be fine in the summer but fall and spring that breeze off the water can be cold, vault toilets picnic tables and fire pit but fires are almost always banned
LegendFull Verizon LTE. Long bumpy washboarded dirt road. Takes forever because it’s rattles your brain out. The campground requires park pass and you have to pay to stay here but many of the spots are right in the water. It’s a windy place so prepare for that. There is a vault toilet on the far side. It’s kind of a walk but at least it’s there. Small sites picnic table and fire pit. There is a big gravel lot if you have a big rig but it’s not clear how you would go about paying or reserving that. Overall good place beautiful open background
ScoutNice spot although lots of trash need 4 wheel drive to get down and out very private
ScoutWe just came here to dump and fill. Dump: $15 Fill: Sign says $4, but it was actually $.10 a gallon.
LegendAs mentioned the pins are wrong and the actual sites are much further down the road. If you see this random circle spot on the right side of the road just take it becauae it saves you alot or bumpyness. You get a view through the trees and its much quicker back to town. Only press forward down the road if you really care about maximizing your view.
The Pike National Forest near Divide, Colorado sits at elevations between 8,500 and 9,500 feet, creating consistently cold nights even during summer months when temperatures can drop into the 30s. Winter camping isn't recommended due to heavy snowfall from October through April. Campers should prepare for afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, which often arrive like clockwork between 2-4 pm.
Hiking to Devil's Playground: At Crags Campground, access backside trails to Pikes Peak. "Great place to stay if you are wanting to hike pikes peak. Close to the trailhead that will take you up. This is on the backside of the mountain if you are in Colorado Springs," notes camper Brent L.
Fishing at Manitou Lake: The small 5-acre lake near Colorado Campground offers trout fishing opportunities. "Manitou Lake is a trail walk away. You can toss your canoe or kayak in, but unless you are simply trout fishing, its tiny size doesn't offer much variation," according to Dave V.
Off-road adventures: Rampart Range Road provides access to numerous forest service roads for exploration. "Rampart Range Road is the main dirt road that has plenty of smaller trails branching off of it to keep you busy exploring all summer," reports camper Doug C., adding that "the smaller trails that branch off of Rampart Range Rd do better with a 4wd with high clearance."
Mountain wildlife viewing: The area provides frequent wildlife encounters, especially deer. At Diamond Campground & RV Park, campers reported "uninvited friends, deers all over!" while another mentioned "wildlife right outside our door every morning."
Fall colors: Mount Herman Road dispersed camping offers spectacular autumn views. "The trees were turning yellow in the Fall and the weather was perfect. You could see mountains all around and the roads were really great getting there," notes Lisa H. about the scenery.
Secluded camping: For those seeking privacy, Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping offers numerous options. "Beautiful area with lots of great sites available along mt. Herman rd. Looked at 3-4 different sites... Certain areas of this road are heavily graded so take it slow if need be," advises camper Evan E.
Weather patterns: Afternoon storms are common in summer. At Cripple Creek KOA, campers noted weather challenges: "We originally got a delux tent spot with water and electric but when a storm came through and blew our tent down... we were able to upgrade into a cabin."
High altitude effects: The elevation affects both comfort and physical exertion. "The air is thin up here- real thin. That also means that it's pure, clean blissfully light oxygen so breathe deep and enjoy it," notes Sarah F. about camping at 10,000 feet.
Weekend crowds: Dispersed camping areas become busy Friday through Sunday. "Ended up a parking lot by the end of the night. Too busy with inconsiderate neighbors. Beautiful views though. I think it's luck of the draw depending what night you go," reports Chloe S. about Rampart Range Road.
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common during dry seasons. Crags Campground sometimes prohibits fires completely, with one camper noting "firewood is available; $7 for one bundle or $18 for 3 bundles. $18 per night for us with one car and a tent."
Kid-friendly activities: Lone Duck Campground and Cabins offers numerous amenities for children. "All of the amenities. Pool, laundry room, gift shop/Grocery. Arcade, pond, clean bathrooms. Best place every. And surrounded by mountains!" raves Cody K.
Wildlife viewing with kids: Colorado Campground provides accessible nature experiences. "This is a great campground for introducing little ones to car camping. The campground is clean and well-maintained, the sites are good-sized and it's a short hike to decent fishing at Manitou Lake," reports Cody R.
Playground options: Diamond Campground includes designated play areas. "Paved roads throughout made for nice bike rides with the kids and larger than usual dog run area was nice (right next to the playground made it easy to run both the dog and the kids)," notes Sarah S.
Family-oriented camping: Cripple Creek KOA offers organized activities for children. "They had a nice gift shop and provided a s'mores night for the campers for free... lots of activities for the kids. Board games were able to be checked out, there was a game room where the kids spent most of their time."
Site selection at Garden of the Gods: Consider booking carefully at Garden of the Gods RV Resort as site quality varies. "I paid $63/night for a Deluxe Plus Back-In spot. I was given D18 which was not only incredibly narrow, but very difficult to get into. Other, cheaper sites around the campground were much more spacious," warns Jason F.
Water hookup challenges: Be prepared for unusual utility setups. "After getting setup I found out that I'd need to climb up the short retaining wall into my neighbors site to hookup our water hose. The spigot was shared between our sites," reports one RVer about Garden of the Gods.
Cell service and connectivity: Internet access is unreliable in many camping areas. "I literally only reserved a site here because the resort advertised free WiFi and I knew I'd need connectivity to work for a couple of days. Let me be clear: THIS CAMPGROUND DOES NOT HAVE USABLE OR RELIABLE INTERNET!" cautions a camper.
Road access for larger vehicles: Several of the best places to camp near Divide, Colorado have difficult access roads. At Mount Herman Road, one camper warned, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Divide, Colorado?
Crags Campground is highly rated with its beautiful location accessed via a scenic 4-mile drive up a winding dirt and gravel road alongside a stream. With only 17 sites, it offers spectacular mountain scenery and is just 20 minutes from Divide. For those seeking dispersed camping options, Manchester Creek Trailhead provides free camping close to the town of Divide for supplies, though the forest road requires a high-clearance vehicle. Other excellent options include Lone Duck Campground and Cabins, which serves as a comfortable base camp for exploring the surrounding areas, and the dispersed camping along Rampart Range Road and Mount Herman Road for those seeking more seclusion and budget-friendly options.
Are there RV camping options in Divide, Colorado?
Yes, there are several RV camping options near Divide. Pikes Peak RV Park in nearby Manitou Springs offers 47 sites best suited for smaller RVs, though some larger rigs can be accommodated. For family-oriented RV camping, Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur provides easy highway access and is conveniently located for exploring attractions in both Colorado Springs and Denver. Diamond Campground & RV Park near Woodland Park is big-rig friendly with water and toilet facilities. Most RV parks in the area offer hookups, though specifics vary by location. For RVers seeking a more natural setting, Castle Mountain Recreation Area offers lakeside camping without hookups but does have bathroom facilities and allows RVs with quiet hours from 10pm to 8am.
What amenities are available at Divide Colorado campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Divide offer varying amenities to meet different camping needs. Colorado Campground provides basic facilities and is conveniently located next to Manitou Lake, offering both natural beauty and proximity to trails. For those seeking more facilities, Mueller State Park Campground features level gravel tent pads, spacious tables, fire pits, and easy access to trails and a visitor center. Most campgrounds in the area offer fire pits and picnic tables, while public water is available at a water station on Highway 67 in Divide. Toilet facilities vary by location, with some offering vault toilets and others providing more developed restroom facilities. Some sites are primitive with minimal amenities, while others offer more comforts for those who prefer less rustic camping experiences.
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