Best Campgrounds near Drake, CO

Join the fun near Drake. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Drake. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Drake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

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Best Camping Sites Near Drake, Colorado (344)

    1. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    91 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 - $70 / night

    "Took the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back."

    "Very enjoyable spot, close access to trails and entrance and exit of the park."

    2. Glacier Basin Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    60 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 - $70 / night

    "Firewood sold next to the entrance by the same husband and wife that have been selling firewood there for 35 years. There is a shed full of firewood."

    "The spaces are large, but quite close to one another with few trees for privacy. Each site here is variable, with some open with no trees and others nestled in some mature trees."

    3. Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    45 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 964-7806

    $45 - $70 / night

    "There’s access to a small playground for kids. The pool looked nice, the lake is right across the road. Overall a good campsite."

    "Since there was construction going on at the national park campgrounds and none were available, we found Mary’s Lake to be a great alternative to take our chances at camping in the park."

    4. Hell Canyon Dispersed

    29 Reviews
    Pinewood Springs, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "4x4 drive is a requirement. Good Verizon signal. Narrow road, however not busy at all. Stayed here for 4 days, no issue. The Google Maps directions is slightly wrong."

    "Driving down to town during the day, there were some people (probably from the adjacent campground) hiking the road.

    Overall quiet at night (other than some road noise from 36). Not a bad spot!"

    5. East Portal Campground at Estes Park

    40 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 964-7806

    $45 - $80 / night

    "The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site. They had a very nice playground for the kids with a climbing wall."

    "Estes Park Campground at East Portal is a short drive away from both RMNP and the city of Estes Park, so you are nearby everything."

    6. Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park

    25 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 577-2090

    $45 / night

    "Best place to camp in Estes Park/Northern Colorado! Wooded sites mean privacy from your neighbors and shade during the day. Vault toilets are very clean, well kept."

    "This campground has all the privacy you would expect yet provides easy access to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountian National Forest. The Laramie County Staff that were on site were kind and helpful."

    7. Estes Park KOA

    25 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-2888

    "We didn't feel the "Oh, God... another tourist" vibes we got from basically everyone else in Colorado. On the contrary, they couldn't have been happier to see us and welcome us to their little city."

    "We have stayed here 3 or 4 times due to the close proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park.  The campground is extremely well managed, clean and well maintained. "

    8. Cottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park

    44 Reviews
    Loveland, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 669-1739

    $36 - $41 / night

    "All sites have great access and close to the ponds. Variety of fish in the ponds. They allow ice fishing as long as the ice is safe."

    "Boyd Lake State Park is situated near the city of Fort Collins with distant views of the mountains. It has a large lake that is used by boaters, fishermen and sandcastle builders all summer."

    9. Riverview RV Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 667-9910

    "Campground is situated along the Big Thompson River. Big cottonwood trees. Easy accessibility for big rigs. Some items … water valves leak in lakes around entire park and many are leaking."

    "Right next to the river. Close to some easy MTB trails. Would definitely stay here again."

    10. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Estes Park

    19 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-4230

    "Minutes away from NP entrances and Estes Park, yet totally secluded in the mountain wilderness.

    We got a site furthest away from the entrance / highway, up a steep road (Yogi’s “Hey Hey Highway”)."

    "We stayed in site 100 and the other sites were a bit close by. No trees between us and the site on either side, but we did face the hill so the view was nice."

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Recent Reviews near Drake, CO

2342 Reviews of 344 Drake Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Gold Lake Roosevelt Forest dispersed camping

    Peaceful. Nobody around

    Adjacent to boundary fence line between the private Lake and the national Roosevelt Forest. Nice high spot. Well shaded. Very large fire pit for fires when they're allowed. Weak AT&T.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Poudre Canyon Road Camp

    Low key but functional

    Full disclosure: I crashed here after driving straight through eastern Wyoming so my standards may have been a little low at the time. I would have preferred to stay at Pingree but it wasn’t an option so I snagged a site here for a few nights and explored the canyon during the day. Overall I found it comfortable and quiet. The sites are spaced far enough apart for privacy. The view of the canyon isn’t spectacular; the opposing hillside is a little scruffy looking. But there are still trees and vegetation around the site so I wouldn’t call it ugly by any means. It just depends where you look I guess.

    There were a handful of flies buzzing through the campsite which my dog took great personal offense to. But otherwise it was a very mellow, low-key site. I would describe it as a serviceable alternative if your first choice is full and you are tired of driving.

  • Haley L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    Beautiful free camping outside of Idaho springs

    Wonderful free dispersed camping. The majority of the road isn’t that bad, but you’ll certainly want something high clearance and 4WD for the last stretch of road up to the reservoir. Was mostly quiet and there’s a nice little trail around the lake. Plenty of spots for tent camping too.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Vedauwoo Wagon Road

    Great location

    I went on Labor Day weekend, it was quite busy BUT I was still able to find a spot. Need high clearance and a good off roading car to get all the way through. Also side note, turns out the road goes all the way through! Both ends go straight to a high way which is sweet. There are many animals so make sure everything is bear proof and prepared for one to come by!

    The road winds through and there are many different roads that brand off and have a bunch of sites at too

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Cottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park

    Good near city and lake access

    Clean, relatively quiet. During week not crowded. Look for a spot with a tree to park in shade. Nice path along lake. We like it while visiting Loveland with good cell coverage and close to town.

  • Graham S.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir

    Gnarly ass road, not for trailers/sedans

    Camp sites are nice, but except for a few (~5) the rest require a serious climb (drive) up a gnarly hill with deep ruts. 

    I wouldn't try this with a camper/RV, or anything that doesn't have high clearance and power.

  • Brian M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Manhattan Campground

    Great views & Quiet

    While some of the views have some beetle kill and left over burn scar. The area is still beauty.

  • Joshua L.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Hell Canyon Dispersed

    Awesome place!

    Haven’t been out camping in a while, Should have 4x4 but we made it without. One vehicle had a 20’ cargo trailer. (Required 4x4)
    10 minutes from Estes Park, lots of local places to go. The camp ground down below will even let you shower for 8$. Sweet!


Guide to Drake

Camping near Drake, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds that cater to all types of campers.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Many campers rave about the easy access to trails from campgrounds like Moraine Park Campground, where one reviewer mentioned, "Just beautiful and in the park so don’t deal with timed entry."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for moose and elk. Campers at Timber Creek Campground have spotted these majestic animals right in the campground, with one camper saying, "Moose in campground, and elk calling at night."
  • Fishing: Head to nearby lakes for some fishing. Campers at Arapaho Bay Campground enjoyed the beautiful views while fishing, with one noting, "The sunsets were amazing, we saw a moose in the morning drinking from the lake."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campgrounds like Glacier Basin Campground are praised for their breathtaking views. One camper shared, "Great campground with beautiful views of the mountains!"
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake mentioned, "Friendly hosts, clean bathrooms with hot pay showers."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often highlight the peacefulness of places like East Portal Campground. One reviewer noted, "Quiet, no generators heard as big rigs won’t fit!"

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some spots can get busy, especially during peak season. A camper at Moraine Park Campground mentioned, "It's a bit overcrowded. Lots of beetle damage."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area lacks drinking water and toilets, which some campers found challenging.
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds, like Glacier Basin Campground, are only open from late May to early September, so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. Campers at East Portal Campground enjoyed the big playground, saying, "Family-friendly campground at the end of a quiet road."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make family outings easier. One camper at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake appreciated the well-stocked camp store for essentials.
  • Plan for Wildlife: Teach kids about local wildlife. Campers at Timber Creek Campground enjoyed seeing elk and moose, making it a fun learning experience.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Size Restrictions: Some campgrounds have size limits for RVs. A reviewer at Timber Creek Campground noted, "RV allowed up to 30 feet."
  • Look for Hookups: If you need electricity, choose campgrounds like Cottonwood Campground that offer electric hookups. One camper mentioned, "Large sites. Some trees for shade."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Campers at Arapaho Bay Campground warned about wind, saying, "Beware the wind—would have paddled sooner on the water but the wind was fierce."

Camping near Drake, Colorado, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Drake, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Drake, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 344 campgrounds and RV parks near Drake, CO and 111 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Drake, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Drake, CO is Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 91 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Drake, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 111 free dispersed camping spots near Drake, CO.

What parks are near Drake, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Drake, CO that allow camping, notably Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG and Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.