Best Campgrounds near Fairplay, CO
Fairplay, Colorado supports a range of camping experiences from established campgrounds to free dispersed sites on public lands. Several campgrounds like Middlefork RV Resort and Horseshoe Campground provide developed options with amenities such as picnic tables, toilets, and fire rings. The area also features multiple designated dispersed camping areas including Boreas Pass Road and Hoosier Pass, where primitive sites accommodate tent camping with minimal facilities. Both areas serve as gateways to mountain recreation, with most campgrounds positioned at elevations between 9,000-11,000 feet, offering proximity to hiking trails and fishing opportunities.
Seasonal access varies significantly in this high-elevation region, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through September or early October. Winter conditions can close forest roads and limit dispersed camping options, particularly at higher elevations. Many forest roads leading to dispersed sites feature rough, washboard surfaces that may challenge standard passenger vehicles. The Fourmile Creek area exemplifies this challenge, as one camper noted: "Beautiful area! The road is too rough for what I was hauling so I pulled off the side of the road as dispersed camping is permitted."
Campers consistently highlight the mountain views and water features as key attractions around Fairplay. Horseshoe Campground receives particularly positive feedback for its riverside sites. One visitor described it as having "sites well shaded and comfortable during the day," though noting "it got quite cool in the evening." Between developed campgrounds, numerous pull-offs allow for more remote camping experiences, though these fill quickly during summer weekends. Wildlife sightings are common, with several reviews mentioning bear activity advisories. Noise levels vary significantly—some dispersed areas sit under flight paths or near ATV trails, while others provide more secluded experiences. The region's campgrounds serve both as destinations and as basecamps for accessing nearby fourteeners and mountain lakes.












