376 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Rocky Mountain National Park's main east entrance is about 5 miles from downtown Estes Park, which makes this the practical base for most visitors coming from the Front Range. In-park campgrounds at Moraine Park and Glacier Basin take reservations months out and require a separate timed-entry permit during peak season. Developed campgrounds outside the park boundary in and around Estes Park have more realistic booking windows, typically weeks rather than months, and some allow walk-up sites on weekday mornings. Estes Park's dispersed camping options cover the national forest land on the edges of town for those who want no-fee sites without a reservation.
The Dyrt campers checking in here note that July and August are the hardest months to find last-minute availability at any price point. Granby is about 45 miles west via Trail Ridge Road and has national forest access with a different crowd and more open dispersed terrain when Estes Park is saturated.
"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."
"Great location, near everything in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Flat spaces and easy in and out."
from $35 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Wonderful view of the surrounding mountains, quiet, clean, staff was friendly. They had wood and ice for sale."
from $35 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Close to Estes Park downtown and a short drive to Rocky Mt Park entrance. Clean facilities, friendly staff and very affordable!"
"Great place to camp and enjoy Estes Park and RMNP. Very clean. Well laid out and views of the surrounding peaks. Not roughing it but quiet convenient and worth a visit."
from $45 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Just south of Estes Park, this small organized campground was perfect for our first trip of the season. The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site."
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Very conveniently located, only a short drive into Estes Park. Lots of trails for hiking and biking in the park. Each campsite had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring."
"Close to the park and t-shirt shopping in Estes Park."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Cell service is non-existent, but you can go a mile to the park entrance for service. CG was clean and well maintained. Each site has a bear box."
"close together and most are shaded but there ain’t much privacy in between. bathrooms were nice and new but no showers. ice was available from 5-6:15 pm daily. great views of the mountains and very close to"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"great location right near most attractions in Estes park. Inexpensive. They gave showering/bathroom facilities. There’s is a store for your camping essentials. Fire pits, great view of the mountains."
"This was our first stay in Estes Park, and we couldn't be happier with the KOA facilities and staff. The staff were *extremely* helpful and welcoming."
"Required 4x4)
10 minutes from Estes Park, lots of local places to go. The camp ground down below will even let you shower for 8$. Sweet!""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."
"Only 30 minutes away from Estes Park. The only downside to it was that there was absolutely no service whatever."
"We found a spot with several fire rings close to the water and just a short walk from parking along the road."
"The selling point of this campground is location. It’s as close to Rocky Mountain National Park as you can get without actually camping on NPS property."
"There is a good burger place close by across from the gas station. Close to Rocky Mountain NP, Estes Park Lake & town. This lake is great for Kayaking & fishing."
GuideThe campground is a serene location near the Cache La Poudre river. The fishing is decent and the facilities nice. Starlink worked great but no Verizon cell signal. The road is close but I hardly noticed it. FCFS when we were here.
ScoutThe drive in was pretty rugged. Drove a stock Tacoma with big tires and was totally fine. Tons of spots around the lake, some you have to walk into. Got there on a Saturday morning and it was busy but we still got a sweet spot right on the water. Tight small campsite with not a lot of flat land. Small tent would’ve been great. Would recommend high clearance. Tons of fish.
TravelerQuiet campground. Beautiful scenery next to a stream. They also have a toilet without shower and a potable water
TravelerLots of sites but was busy. Some people seem to save spots. Very windy and open due to the fire. Aspens are growing though
TravelerGreat spots right next to the river. It was roaring in late May. We ended up near the end of the road and high clearance and 4WD was a must
ScoutBeautiful views of the surrounding mountains, with ample space, and easy access to the sugarloaf mountain trail. The road is in poor shape but a 2wd suv with decent clearance should be fine.
ScoutEach year, the person responsible for hiring a Company to clean sites and bathrooms fails in that task. Sites aren't being raked and bathrooms and showers are barely touched. We have been going for 26 years and every year for the last 4 years it gets worse. What are you paying them for? Management of the park is disgraceful.
ScoutA handful of pullouts for vans or car camping. A few big spots that could fit multiple vehicles and 1-2 private sites. Very close to main road so there is some noise but did not bother me.
TravelerLittle pricey for a night but worth it. You get hot showers and they have laundry!
Camping near Estes Park centers around Rocky Mountain National Park's elevation zones, which range from 7,860 feet to 14,259 feet. Summertime temperatures typically reach 70-80°F during the day while dropping into the 40s at night. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, with lightning presenting a significant hazard for campers planning high-elevation activities.
Hiking from camp: At Hermits Hollow Campground, the Kruger Rock Trail begins inside the campground. "It is a nice hike with an amazing view of the Rockies and Estes at the top. Bring your crayons - there are two trailmarkers on the trail that you can do rubbings of," notes a camper.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening offer prime wildlife opportunities. "Deer wander in the morning," reports a visitor to Moraine Park Campground. At East Portal Campground, "Mule deer came through every evening right by our camper to eat grass. One morning 3 large Bull Elk and a young bull came through the valley and up through the campground."
Fishing: Several campgrounds provide stream access for fishing. "There is a small reservoir for fishing" near East Portal Campground, though visitors noted they "didn't try it." Middle St. Vrain Creek runs alongside many of the dispersed camping sites in Allenspark, providing easy fishing access.
Quiet camping options: For those seeking less crowded alternatives, Aspenglen Campground receives praise. "Due to the size, there aren't any big RVs. Lots of tent campers and small RVs like our teardrop- so quiet," writes one visitor. Another notes it's "less popular" than other park campgrounds.
Night sky viewing: The area offers excellent stargazing opportunities. At East Portal, campers reported: "The stars were stunning too. We saw shooting stars and even the northern lights (flashing kind not curtains)."
Camp proximity to shuttles: Glacier Basin Campground offers transportation convenience. "The free shuttle bus makes a stop near the check in station, and the Park & Ride is a short walk away," explains a camper. This eliminates the need to drive into crowded park areas during peak season.
Bear safety requirements: Bear boxes are mandatory for food storage. At Glacier Basin Campground, "4-6 sites had to share a bear box" while at Aspenglen "each site has a bear box." One camper at Hermits Hollow notes: "Each campsite had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring."
Shower availability: Most national park campgrounds lack shower facilities. East Portal offers "individual shower rooms" while Mary's Lake Campground has showers that "are coin-operated... throwing eight quarters into a machine for six minutes (if that) of hot water."
High-clearance vehicle needs: For free dispersed camping areas, road conditions can be challenging. At Hell Canyon, "The gate sign recommends 4x4" and "the road up is a bit rough but I saw many SUVs make it." Another visitor advises, "Need 4wd. My 2wd van made it up a little but I couldn't get passed one of the big hills."
Playground access: For families needing recreational facilities, Estes Park KOA offers "tons of activities" including "pool, mini golf, jump pad, camp store and golf cart rentals." Another family noted, "The facility offered tons of activities for the kids and they wore themselves out daily."
Kid-friendly hiking: East Portal offers gentle trails suitable for children. "On our first hike we saw horse back riders from the YMCA and stunning views including a small waterfall. Wildflowers were scattered across the mountainside," reports a family with young children.
Wildlife education: Ranger programs enhance children's experiences. At Moraine Park Campground, "nightly talks/shows at the amphitheater" provide educational content about park wildlife and geology. One family with children appreciated that "they do not take reservations, so go early or during the week!"
Site selection for larger vehicles: Campgrounds vary in accommodation for RVs. At Glacier Basin, "there is a limit of 35 feet for RV/Trailer length" while Jellystone Park notes "some sites are a little challenging to get into with a big camper, but doable."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require equipment for leveling. At Mary's Lake Campground, "lower sites are a little crowded when filled up" and "no shade trees for RV full hookup sites." A visitor to Jellystone noted sites might require "some leveling" due to the mountain terrain.
Hookup availability: Only private campgrounds offer full hookups. At Allenspark dispersed camping, visitors must be completely self-contained: "Zero cell service not much of a view. Creek is loud and drowns out noise," making it suitable for campers seeking to disconnect. Mary's Lake offers complete services with "clean laundry room, clean outdoor pool, free outdoor large hot water sink areas to wash dishes."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any affordable or free camping options around Estes Park?
Allenspark Dispersed Camping offers free camping about 30 minutes from Estes Park, with creek-side spots available. The peaceful natural setting and sound of flowing water create an ideal experience, though be prepared for no cell service. Another option is Hell Canyon Dispersed, located just 10 minutes from Estes Park. While 4x4 is recommended for access, some vehicles without it have managed the drive. A benefit of this location is that nearby developed campgrounds offer shower access for around $8, providing a budget-friendly way to enjoy basic amenities while camping for free.
What amenities are available at Estes Park campgrounds?
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Estes Park offers comprehensive amenities in a secluded mountain setting minutes from town and park entrances. The campground features family-friendly facilities including playground areas and recreation options. For those seeking an RV-focused experience, Elk Meadows Lodge & RV Resort provides well-maintained restrooms with trash pickup service, a lodge featuring weekend entertainment, a spacious dog run, and organized activities. Many Estes Park area campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities from basic (toilets, water) to full-service facilities with electric hookups, WiFi (though often limited in mountain settings), showers, and trash service.
Can you camp near lakes in Estes Park?
Pawnee Campground offers fantastic lakeside camping adjacent to Brainard Lake. At nearly 11,000 feet elevation, this alpine setting provides access to incredible lake hikes and abundant wildlife including fish, birds, deer, and moose. For a different lake experience, Cottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park serves as a convenient base for exploring the Estes Park region. Though about an hour's drive from Estes Park along winding roads, the lakeside setting offers water recreation opportunities and camping with varying levels of shade depending on site selection. Both options provide the serene lake environments many campers seek.
What are the best campgrounds near Estes Park for tent camping?
East Portal Campground at Estes Park offers an excellent tent camping experience with proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. The campground provides a more secluded feel while still being minutes from park entrances. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Granite Gulch Campground — Hermit Park Open Space provides dry camping with bear boxes for safety. The friendly staff provides information about local wildlife and hiking opportunities. Both locations offer the natural beauty and alpine environment tent campers seek, with easy access to Estes Park's amenities.
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