Camping options near Drake, Colorado range from secluded mountain sites to lakeside settings at elevations between 5,000-9,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically fluctuate between 45-85°F with afternoon thunderstorms common from July through August. Most glamping facilities require reservations 3-6 months in advance during peak season.
What to do
Hiking from campgrounds: Glacier Basin Campground provides direct trail access within Rocky Mountain National Park. "There are trails that leave right from the campground, the free shuttle bus makes a stop near the check in station, and the Park & Ride is a short walk away. The location is very convenient to the most popular hikes in RMNP," notes Judy B. at Glacier Basin Campground.
Lakeside activities: Carter Lake offers water recreation minutes from campsites. "The campgrounds are pricey and we ended up paying $50/night with a one car restriction. Due to the location, strong winds frequent the area," says Joy C. from South Shore Campground. A visitor at South Bay Campground adds: "The lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide optimal wildlife spotting opportunities. "We were here for a week. The weather and views were absolutely amazing!" shares Sarah E. about Glacier Basin. Another camper reports, "Wildlfe is very abundant. Bear Lake and Fern Lake are amazing hikes for the fam."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Hermits Hollow Campground offers more secluded camping. "The sites aren't sitting on top of each other, and some spots feel relatively secluded. It is within a few miles of Estes Park, so we hike during the day and dash into town for a drink with our dogs in the afternoon," explains Erin K. from Hermits Hollow Campground.
Proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park: Mary's Lake Campground provides convenient access to park entrances. "Close to town and RMNP. Beautiful views. Elk in the area. Clean showers/bathrooms, though have to pay for showers. Propane fill on site. Small store. Have stayed there twice," reports Krissy C. at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake.
Nearby town access: Most glamping locations sit within 10-15 minutes of Estes Park amenities. "First come, first serve. Got there around 6 and we found a great spot (site M74) that was not super close to anyone else and had beautiful views of the mountains. Very well maintained campground 7 minutes to the Rocky Mountains, but basically in the city," Hannah L. notes about Mary's Lake Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timelines: Summer sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Sites were well maintained and level. Good separation. Close proximity to lake and easy access. Wild turkey sitings. No fresh water in campground in April. But available nearby," reports Larry E. about Carter Lake.
Site conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring equipment adjustments. "We stayed in site E22. Close proximity to showers and bathrooms. Parked a 21 foot trailer. Surface was somewhat level. Had to raise the front a bit but wasn't that drastic," explains Chris T. from Eagle Campground at Carter Lake.
Additional fees: Most locations charge entrance fees beyond site costs. "County was in a burn ban so no fires or charcoal grills allowed. Lake had some weird rules. You have to buy a county park pass when making reservation," notes Danielle H. about Carter Lake. This structure typically adds $7-10 daily per vehicle.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Jellystone Park offers extensive children's activities. "Kid friendly campground with pool, mini golf, jump pad, camp store and golf cart rentals. Also has nice laundry facilities. Some sites would be a fairly long walk to the activities, but it is a very nice campground," mentions Kaylene H. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Bear safety measures: Most campgrounds provide bear boxes for secure food storage. "There is a limit of 35 feet for RV/Trailer length. Due to pine beetle infestation in the area, many of the trees have been removed. Glacier is open from late May to September with a maximum stay of 7 nights," explains Judy B. about Glacier Basin.
Weather preparation: Pack for temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night. "It can be suddenly and very windy here, so most campers did not use awnings," notes Glen C. from Riverview RV Park. Summer afternoons often bring brief thunderstorms between 2-5pm.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Many roads have tight turns requiring careful navigation. "This campground offers lots of activities but the landscape is horrible. There is a river next to the park which offer swimming and other activities which is nice," states Angelia from Riverview RV Park.
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites require advance planning. "It's in a beautiful spot, tree covered, and a river runs through it. About 10 mins outside of Loveland and 40 mins from Estes park. Downside: free WiFi is worse than dialup, and was told it wasn't worth paying for the premium cuz it wasn't much better," reports Miguel E. about Riverview RV Park.
Cell service variations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "ATT cell service was pretty good, Verizon okay. CG was clean and well maintained. One negative is that 4-6 sites had to share a bear box," notes Paul Y. about Glacier Basin. Most sites within 5 miles of Estes Park have at least limited service.
