Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Empire, CO has a lot to offer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Empire, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Empire. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"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!!"
"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. "
"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."
$18 / night
"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."
"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."
$28 - $202 / night
"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."
$26 / night
"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."
"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"
"Any unpaved areas around it are not flat."
$25 / night
"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."
"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."
ScoutI checked out this area and the exact place. No trespassing signs everywhere including this particular sight. So many private properties in the area that i gave up camping there
ScoutExtremely disappointing experience. We called ahead to confirm that our friends’ tent setup was permitted and were told it was fine. But once we arrived, the host(Holly) was shockingly rude and confrontational. Instead of calmly explaining the issue, she chose to argue and escalate things unnecessarily. If the staff were properly trained to ask key questions—like whether the setup had a hard top or soft top—this whole situation could’ve been avoided. It’s clear they need better customer service skills and a better understanding of basic camping setups. We won’t be returning.
ScoutWe went up for a quick weekend trip and it was perfect, lots of campsites along the road and not too close together. The road was decent to drive on a few bumps but nothing crazy. The sites were clean and well maintained.
ScoutThis was a great stay, conveniently located just down 285 for a short get away during the work week. We stayed for 3 days and during that time there were only a few other campers here. All of the sites are surrounded by trees, there is quite a bit of shade, and even though it is very close to 285 I thought the road noise was pretty minimal. The campground is very clean, the camp sites were nicely spaced out, the vaulted toilets were very clean, even though we had brought plenty of water there is a water pump (we did not use it so can't speak to it), and having a trash dumpster on the grounds was convenient. The camp host, Dan, was very nice and we saw him on multiple days so it's nice to know there is someone around day or night. The trailhead for section 6 of the Colorado Trail is right next to the campgrounds so we checked out a portion while we were here and loved it. There is no Verizon service anywhere on the campgrounds
ScoutWould be 5 stars if the restrooms were open, however the porta-potties are spotless if not somewhat full of waste after only one day. Wonder how often they pump them out?
I stayed at spot 60 and thought it was lakefront. There's a berm between the spot and the lake, no view.
Very quiet campground with generous space for most spots. Easy bike trail to town with rolling hills.
ScoutGreat spot for a night or two , loop goes around hill blocking highway , all sizes fit! Why sleep in a parking lot when this gem exists!
TravelerIncredible views, nice fire rings, ample flat spaces for tents and vehicles. The sites are actually a bit to the north of the intersection. No one was around on a Monday night. 10 minutes to Terryall Reservoir with good fishing. Had cell service with data. Highly recommend.
TravelerThis place has beautiful surroundings and a stream flowing thru. Clean bathrooms. Paid showers. I don’t usually stay in the RV section or city parks … and maybe they’re all like this .. but there are no barriers at all between the sites for RV’s and no trees! The tent sites would certainly have been fine for my 16’ van but couldn’t tell that online. Some of the tent spaces themselves seem to have some division and are on the creek. But the picnic tables & parking, and most of the tent sites are out in the open and side by side.
ScoutThe Dyrt usually has great camping sites, this one I’m not sure why it has 4 stars. First off, you cannot access the lake from any campsite, it’s a steep drop off from the area. So if you are looking to kayak or paddleboard, or camp lakeside this is not where you want to go. It’s also Denver drinking water so you can’t go in the water. The drive in is beautiful, flowers everywhere but I don’t think you want to camp here. We camped Sunday night and there is a Mine or Quarry on the other side of the ‘lake’ and they worked non stop for 24 hours, which means non stop noise. Once it got dark they had 3 bright spot lights that traveled across and lit up most of the campsites so you can’t see any stars. I’m not sure why no reviews mention this, maybe it’s only seasonal or certain days that they work 24/7 but good luck sleeping while listening to construction noises and bright lights. Also there are mountain lions in the area so they national forest recommends not bringing your dogs which also isn’t mentioned here at all.
Camping near Empire, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Empire, Colorado, has its perks and challenges. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Empire, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 445 campgrounds and RV parks near Empire, CO and 137 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Empire, CO is Denver West-Central City KOA with a 4.5-star rating from 29 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 137 free dispersed camping spots near Empire, CO.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Empire, CO that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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