Sylvan Lake State Park offers cabin camping and glamping options 20 minutes from Eagle, Colorado at 8,500 feet elevation. Fall visitors experience golden aspen trees surrounding the 42-acre lake, while summer campers should prepare for afternoon thunderstorms typical in the Rocky Mountain region. Winter camping requires all-wheel drive vehicles due to snow conditions on access roads.
What to Do
Fishing for trout: Radium Campground provides access to excellent fishing spots along the Colorado River. As one camper noted, "I love this lake. It's beautiful and you can always walk away with some fish."
Hiking to alpine lakes: Gold Park Campground serves as a base for exploring multiple high-elevation lakes. A visitor shared, "Gold Park is a great place to stay if you want trails and high alpine lakes at your fingertips. We stayed here so we could hike Fancy Lake and the Missouri Lakes."
Cross-country skiing: During winter months, the trails around Camp Hale Memorial offer excellent terrain for winter sports. The historic significance adds another dimension as one camper mentioned, "Crazy to think of the 15,000 or so soldiers training here during WWII."
Hot springs access: For those seeking natural hot springs, camping options near Radium provide easy trail access. "We camped about 1000 yards from the trailhead down to the springs, not too crowded and the springs were a nice spot to relax," reported one visitor.
What Campers Like
Riverside camping: Dearhamer Campground offers sites along flowing water. "Great small campground with about 13 sites. Half are stream side, but if you're in one you'll hear the steam as you sleep! Easy access to the lake and good fishing," noted one camper.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution at many Eagle area campgrounds makes for exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Gold Park mentioned, "The best part about the site were the stars at night - I saw multiple shooting stars."
Lake views: Peak One Campground delivers scenic views of Lake Dillon. As one visitor commented, "This is a very family friendly campground! Sites are kind of close together, but you are beside the lake! And some spots have trail access to the lake, so bring your water toys!"
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the spacing between sites at less developed campgrounds. According to a Halfmoon Campground visitor, "The campground has seven sites fairly spread out from one another. Very peaceful, secluded, great fire pit, decent bathroom."
What You Should Know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds in the Eagle area have limited seasons due to snow. A visitor to Halfmoon Campground warned, "The road and campground usually open late June and close late to early September."
Road conditions: Access to remote campgrounds often requires navigating unpaved roads. One camper noted, "The road to get out here can be rough in bad weather but low clearance is fine to get out here. Winter excursions are probably a bit tougher and would require an all wheel drive."
Wind exposure: Some lakeside campsites lack natural wind protection. A Sylvan Lake visitor reported, "Gorgeous views of the lake but it was very open with little cover and the wind almost tore our tent down."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have spotty or no cellular connectivity. A Dearhamer visitor mentioned, "There was no cell service with t-mobile. We had a great time and I'm sure we will go back again!"
Tips for Camping with Families
Accessible fishing: Baby Doe Campground offers family-friendly fishing experiences on Turquoise Lake. A repeat visitor shared, "Lake recently stocked with trout, caught 2 salmon in the runoffs."
Creek exploration: Kids enjoy natural water features at Gold Park. One parent commented, "We loved this site because we were able to hike along the creek and sit on the boulders and watch the fly fisherman and then hike up the hill on the other side of this campsite. Lots to explore to keep the kids busy."
Beach access: Glenwood Canyon Resort provides lake beaches with enough space for families. A visitor mentioned, "There's enough beach that you're not crowded together with other groups. Our daughters loved paddle boarding here."
Weather preparation: Mountain temperatures fluctuate dramatically, even in summer. A camper advised, "Be sure to bring warm clothes for nights because it gets chilly at night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites at Glenwood Canyon Resort require careful planning. One RVer cautioned, "The RV sites are SMALL. We have a 42' fifth wheel, and while we got it backed in perfectly, we didn't have any room for our truck."
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Eagle offer limited or no hookups. A camper at Peak One noted, "We stayed at site 60 and thought it was lakefront. There's a berm between the spot and the lake, no view."
Altitude considerations: Engine performance and propane use are affected by elevation. One RVer camping at Baby Doe mentioned being at "10,200 feet up in the Rockies," which requires adjustments for RV systems.
Advance booking: Popular glamping and RV sites near Eagle fill quickly. A Baby Doe camper advised, "Book in advance, sites get locked in 6 months in advance, for good reason!"
