501 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options in the Empire, Colorado area range from high-elevation dispersed sites to established campgrounds with amenities. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping provides free primitive sites accessible via rough Forest Service roads, while the Denver West-Central City KOA offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins approximately 15 miles east of Empire. Several campgrounds in the area feature developed facilities within Golden Gate Canyon State Park, including Reverend's Ridge and Deer Creek, which both provide electric hookups, shower facilities, and reservable sites for tents and RVs.
Most dispersed camping areas require high-clearance 4x4 vehicles due to rocky, rutted access roads, particularly around popular high-altitude locations. A camper noted, "The road to get here especially once you get to the chinns lake turn off is definitely not by any means easy. Pretty narrow and especially with all the rain there's quiet a few places that are rough." Seasonal considerations significantly impact accessibility, with many mountain sites inaccessible until late June or early July due to snowpack. Temperatures at these elevations (9,000-11,000 feet) can drop into the 30s even during summer months, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear. Cell service throughout the area remains limited or nonexistent, particularly at dispersed sites in national forest lands. Fire bans are common during dry periods, so campers should verify current restrictions before arrival.
Campers consistently highlight mountain views and lake access as primary attractions in the Empire area. The proximity to alpine lakes creates scenic camping opportunities, though these areas often experience heavy weekend use during peak season. Visitors mention mosquitoes as a notable concern near water sources, particularly during early summer. Reviews emphasize the rewarding nature of more remote sites for those willing to navigate challenging terrain, with one visitor describing Chinns Lake as "pristine and quiet." Most dispersed sites feature established fire rings despite varying fire regulations. While developed campgrounds provide reliable amenities like picnic tables, toilets, and firewood sales, primitive sites offer greater solitude and direct access to fishing and hiking opportunities without fees, though they lack facilities like potable water and waste disposal.
"Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes."
"It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving. Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake. "
"good location for cute old mountain towns! also close to Denver and other must sees in Colorado!"
"8100’ high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don’t worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!"
"I first camped in Colorado last year with a friend and we chose this dispersed due to it being close to travel too- yet still dispersed. I’ve come back 4 other times to camp here!"
"It is a light off road trail and would recommend having high vehicle clearance and 4x4. We were unable to park right next to the reservoir because it was closed off."
"There are different types of sites, including some pull-offs for campers, some sites you could drive into off the road, and some with parking on the road and a small hike down to the site."
"The site we found was tucked back away from the road giving us nice privacy. We could barely see our neighbors from our campsite, but we could hear them."
"This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."
"Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."
from $28 - $90 / night
Check Availability"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Resources were running low on a Friday night so it was great pull off great views close to idaho springs down town , nice hiking trails as well traffic is pretty much non existent after 9pm"
"Close to Denver. Accessible! Saw a show at Red Rocks. 30-40 min out. Nice spot for a night or few."
"There are 4 sites that are down by the creek in the trees that are walk-in only but have the most space between them and are right on the creek. They are my favorite spots on site."
"Close hikes near by including one of Colorado’s 14ers."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites."
"Getting here is easy, only a few miles away from Nederland and I had cell service (verizon) the entire time."
"Sites 7, 9, and 11 have trails that connect back to Chicago creek just a short distance away. Hiking trails are close by to nearby forests land. No cell service."
"It's close enough to civilization that there was a LOT of activity both in the campground and at the nearby picnic area. Choose a site on the outside."
from $25 / night
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ScoutFlat & level sites - all in 2 rows on either side of a drive, next to noisy I 70. Nice, neat sites, but just a parking lot. Surrounded by mts, and the back row backs up to a mt. Not impressive compared to where we've been camping.
TravelerVery out in the middle of nowhere....peaceful...
TravelerHaving a 36ft class makes it hard to fit in most dispersed areas in the rocky mountains.
GuideElevation is high enough to escape the heat in Denver for the weekend. We stayed in Site 12 which is a double so two tent pads and two picnic benches, and we got 4 cars in the designated space easily. The creek ran right behind the spot which was great at night but pretty annoying during the day because people decided this was the best spot to get into the creek, which made our site quite busy and loud. Bathroom smell only wafted over twice that I noticed and it was brief; the bathrooms themselves were clean and smelled decent. Lots of shade for site 12 also. One tent pad is under some trees and only gets sun in the late afternoon and the other doesn’t get sun until about 10:30am.
ScoutThese roads are washed out, large boulders, medium loose rocks, gravel all in one. Overgrown trees will scratch your vehicle. Not all all RV friendly. If you have a high clearance 4×4 vehicle and a tent setup go slow youll be okay. One vehicle roads, luckily we didnt run into an issue with that, but did aee other campers. Spots are limited in number, we saw 4 and made it a ways in. Views were amazing with plenty of tree coverage.
ScoutIt’s what you would expect of a no utilities campsite. I would have given a 5 star review if it was more accessible to sedans, but otherwise a nice spot. The road “332” gets dicey .8 miles in and I personally would not and did not go past 1.3 miles in. Make sure to bring some warm clothes as it can get cold at night. It was a 100f during the day and then 60f at night.
Scout4wd suv is definitely recommended with the gravel road
GuideVery nice campground just outside Longmont. Easy hookups and very nice facilities. In another few years the trees will be providing some nice shade. My only criticism is that the woman at the Front Desk really didn't seem like she wanted to deal with people.
GuideGreat location that feels out of the way but is close to lots of trails and the towns of Granby and Grand Lake. It’s also right on the water, but levels were so low this year there wasn’t much water activity happening. Not much shade as most trees were lost to pine beetle kill. Definitely bring an extra shade if you can.
Camping spots near Empire, Colorado range from forested alpine zones to open meadow environments at elevations between 8,500-11,000 feet. Winter snows typically close many access roads from October through May, with heaviest use occurring in July and August when temperatures average 45-75°F daily. Many dispersed sites require campers to pack out waste as there are no sanitation facilities available.
Fishing opportunities: Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail offers productive fishing at higher elevations. "Our tent was literally right next to a stream of water which was good fishing as me and my friend caught our daily limit of fish very quickly the only day we were there," notes Larry S. about the Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail.
Hiking on nearby trails: The West Chicago Creek area provides direct trail access from the campground. "Great 9 mile hike down Hells Hole Trail, with picnic spots and a creek to filter water from," explains Danica L. about West Chicago Creek. Many campers appreciate that the trailhead starts directly from the camping area.
Off-road exploring: The rugged terrain surrounding Empire offers extensive 4x4 trails. "Got there on a Sunday afternoon and there were 4 other campers - had a huge selection of spots. Lake is beautiful, views unmatched, 10/10 recommend," writes arin P. about the challenging roads to reach dispersed sites at higher elevations.
High-elevation views: Reverend's Ridge Campground in Golden Gate Canyon State Park provides panoramic mountain scenery. "Reverend ridge is a favorite of ours. Plenty of space between sites, electricity. Wooded and scenic," says Henry K. about Reverend's Ridge Campground.
Stream-side camping: Many dispersed sites feature water access. "We found an excellent spot right along the creek with a mountain view. Everything about the campsite was serene and it was the perfect setting to throw back some beers and build a fire," reports Paige S. about Guanella Pass.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide opportunities to see native species. "Had a moose and a deer stroll through the campground, plus some aggressive chipmunks stealing my dog's food," describes E H. about morning wildlife activity at West Chicago Creek campground.
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed camping access roads demand capable vehicles. "Road gets tougher the further back you go, but my low clearance vehicle made it by driving slow," explains Dian G. about Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, though most areas require higher clearance.
Seasonal closures: Snow affects access significantly. "Still impossible to get to by off-roading. Snow drifts towards the top still too deep for vehicles. You can hike to the lakes still," shares Cameron B. about late June conditions at certain high-elevation sites.
Campsite availability: Popular areas fill quickly, especially on weekends. "We drove up late Friday night and arrived at 11:15pm. A lot of the sites we could see were taken, so we will definitely go up during daylight hours next time," advises Parker B. about Vasquez Ridge.
Facilities for children: Some established campgrounds offer amenities that make family camping easier. "This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to. Great for families with little ones," reports Meghan H. about Reverend's Ridge.
Safety considerations: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. "Moose visitors at dawn and evening, and hungry bears scavenging for food at night is a common occurrence. Luckily my car alarm scared them off pretty easily," warns Amanda V. about Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area.
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings require extra planning. "We went on a bit of a rainy weekend so it got super cold at night. The roads are super rocky as you get up to the reservoir and with the rain there were some large puddles," shares Caite E. about conditions at Fall River Reservoir.
Site accessibility: Denver West-Central City KOA provides developed options for larger vehicles. "Great KOA! The sites all have great views. There is hiking galore in the area. You are super confidently located near black hawk and Central City while also being near i70," recommends Sarah F. about the Denver West-Central City KOA.
Hookup availability: Finding electrical connections can be challenging in the area. "Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Mostly level, fire rings, and very large metal picnic tables," notes Dennis G. about Reverend's Ridge Campground.
Water access: Limited water resources require planning. "8100' high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don't worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!! Nice campground, friend staff, laundry, fun little gift shop with some food stuffs," explains shari about Denver West-Central City KOA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best camping in Empire?
The Empire area offers excellent camping options with stunning mountain scenery. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail provides a true wilderness experience with beautiful views, though 4x4 vehicles are recommended to navigate the rocky terrain. For those seeking established campgrounds, Roosevelt National Forest Camp Dick Campground delivers the authentic Colorado experience with stunning views, well-maintained fire pits, and riverside sites. Both options offer excellent access to hiking trails. Additional options include Gordon Gulch for dispersed camping or Timber Creek for a more developed experience within Rocky Mountain National Park.
What amenities are available at Empire camping sites?
Camping amenities near Empire vary by location. Winding River Resort offers family-friendly facilities with direct access to the Colorado River headwaters, perfect for fishing and water activities. White River National Forest Heaton Bay Campground provides lakeside camping with mountain views and facilities for water activities. For more rustic options, dispersed camping areas like Gordon Gulch offer numbered sites with minimal amenities but maximum privacy. Most established campgrounds provide fire pits, picnic tables, and vault toilets, while developed sites like Moraine Park and Timber Creek include running water, flush toilets, and ranger programs. Dispersed camping typically requires self-sufficiency with no facilities.
What camping is available near Empire, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Empire, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 501 campgrounds and RV parks near Empire, CO and 165 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Empire, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Empire, CO is Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 27 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Empire, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 165 free dispersed camping spots near Empire, CO.
What parks are near Empire, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Empire, CO that allow camping, notably Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland and Rocky Mountain National Park.
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