Located at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park sits at 7,522 feet above sea level with dramatic elevation changes that affect campground conditions. RV camping options in the area experience temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, even during summer months. Weather patterns can shift rapidly with afternoon thunderstorms common from July through August.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Elk Meadows Lodge & RV Resort offers excellent wildlife encounters right from your campsite. "Elk occasionally pass thru the front area which was really cool! There is also a little area next to the RV park where I think they park stored vehicles and it's a great place to walk," notes Julia M.
Mountain biking trails: Several access points near Estes Park connect to over 30 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels. "This campground is ideally located in my opinion, situated between Estes Park and Rocky Mtn NP, right next to a river, short walk to a grocery store (with shuttle to downtown) and alongside a road you can use to bypass the nasty summer traffic," says Erin S.
Kayaking on Estes Park Lake: Manor RV Park provides convenient access to water activities. "Close to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park Lake & town. This lake is great for Kayaking & fishing. Saw several Eagles every time we were there," according to B M.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Paradise on the River features coveted water-adjacent camping spots. "The campground sits right on the river and is tucked away from the road. With only a couple dozen sites, it feels far more intimate than any of the neighboring parks," shares John Z.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as a priority. "CLEAN shower houses. Friendly staff. Owners who pay attention to the details. This truly is Paradise by the river! Sites are close, but very quiet," reports Mike V.
Local wildlife access: Many visitors appreciate animal sightings without leaving their campsite. "2 bull elk were hanging out at our site one day. The bug herd was just down the street.. there was also a muke deer herd with a big buck hanging out just down the street," says Nancy C. at Manor RV Park.
What you should know
Reservation timeline: Most Estes Park RV parks require booking 6-12 months in advance for summer visits. Fall weekends fill 3-4 months ahead. "We got into Estes Park on a Friday night with plans to stay elsewhere but those fell through. Luckily, Elk Meadow Lodge and RV Park had spots open for us!" writes Ally K.
Tight spacing at some parks: Many sites throughout the area have minimal separation between neighbors. "VERY close to each other. Bathrooms are clean, and had a nice shower as well. Everyone was friendly, the staff and the other people staying there," mentions Sharayah H.
Limited dump stations: Not all parks offer on-site sanitary dumps. "Water, electricity and sewer is at each site... The water pressure could be a lot better. The restrooms are dated. The shower took a while to heat up and the room was a little chilly," notes Nancy C.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds for kids: Several campgrounds maintain children's facilities. "Kids loved mini golf and the pool. I appreciated the pull through-site and proximity to activities," writes canyongirl100 about Spruce Lake RV Park.
Recreation options: Some parks offer more activities than others. "This campground has a pool, hot tub, office with some supplies, full hookups, spacious sites, playground, fishing pond, laundromat, and a modest mini golf course," reports Erin S.
Weather preparation: Pack clothing for both warm days and chilly nights, as temperature swings of 30+ degrees are common. "It can be suddenly and very windy here, so most campers did not use awnings," observes Glen C. at Riverview RV Park & Campground.
Tips from RVers
Sewer connection placement: Check positioning before setup as some parks have unusual layouts. "Spaces are a bit tight—with sewer running into your neighbors sites. Sewer is placed poorly (uphill and far away from sewer tanks) with water and sewer lines running over each other," warns Amy & Stu B.
Cell coverage quality: Most parks have solid connectivity for remote workers. "WiFi/ CELL SERVICE= provided, but not reliable. We used our AT&T hotspot the entire time bc we work remote. Cell service was 4 bars and worked fine in the entire campground," shares Julia M.
Site leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks as many sites require adjustment. "Site not level... Overall, a great stay—I would highly recommend. We decided the day we were supposed to leave that we wanted to extend our stay and the office was really gracious and helpful," according to Amy & Stu B.
