Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Cripple Creek, CO

Cripple Creek KOA's dedicated pet areas welcome campers with dogs at this high-elevation campground situated at 10,000 feet. The campground maintains clean facilities and offers both tent sites and cabins that accommodate pets. Dogs must be leashed throughout the property, with several pet waste stations available. Primitive tent sites nestled among aspen trees provide a scenic camping option for pet owners, while full hookup RV sites offer more amenities. The family-owned operation maintains a friendly atmosphere for both human and canine guests. Mueller State Park Campground and Garden of the Gods RV Resort also permit pets with specific guidelines. Most sites are reasonably spaced, preventing pets from feeling crowded when neighboring other campers.

Hiking trails near Gold Camp Road dispersed camping areas provide excellent pet exercise opportunities with fewer restrictions than established campgrounds. The high altitude requires pets to have adequate water access, especially during summer months when temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. Wildlife encounters are common in the region, so maintaining control of pets is essential for their safety. The nearby towns of Cripple Creek and Victor have limited veterinary services, making advance planning important for pet owners. Pet-friendly camping options typically fill quickly during peak season, especially sites with more privacy and natural shade. Winter camping presents additional challenges for pets, with snowfall making some access roads impassable and requiring proper cold-weather gear for dogs.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Cripple Creek, Colorado (219)

    1. Mueller State Park Campground

    61 Reviews
    Divide, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 687-2366

    $28 - $270 / night

    "too close to colorado springs. works a a early season test trip but it to close too the front range so always overcrowded. bonus: go to cripple creek opposed to a campfire."

    "Great hiking trails of all abilities. Great visitor center. Fishing only available w/ .5-2.5 mile hike into back country. Close to lots of activities in Cripple Creek Woodland Park etc."

    2. Cripple Creek KOA

    17 Reviews
    Cripple Creek, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 689-5647

    "Convenient location to Cripple Creek CO. Mountain views. Situated on meadow hillside. Hiking trails, full hookups, fire rings with grills, picnic tables. Level sites with many pull thrus."

    "Hummingbirds buzzed around all day. Close to Cripple Creek and Pikes Peak"

    3. Red Canyon Park

    22 Reviews
    Victor, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 269-9028

    "Fun to explore by day through the little canyon or along the rocks above, there's a walk for everyone here. Best enjoyed in fall and spring, summer is quite hot. The campsites are basic and roadside."

    "Rock formations and hiking around was absolutely beautiful! About 3 group sites and quite a few smaller ones. The only downside was I think we went at the worst time for gnats."

    4. Garden of the Gods RV Resort

    47 Reviews
    Manitou Springs, CO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 475-9450

    "The park is conveniently located close to everything to do in Colorado Springs. Spaces were VERY close together. There is no view of any of the surrounding beauty."

    "This campground is a great central location for everything around Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. It is very close to Garden of the gods park and red rock open space."

    5. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites

    39 Reviews
    Cañon City, CO
    17 miles

    "There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water. The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies."

    "I kept it around 20 mph the whole time and was pretty shocked at how fast some people were driving. There are a lot of blind corners and narrow roads, so be careful!"

    6. Lone Duck Campground and Cabins

    34 Reviews
    Green Mountain Falls, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 684-9907

    $40 - $87 / night

    "This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."

    "It is in Cascade, CO right off of Highway 24. It is minutes away from Pike's Peak, Manitou Springs, Cave of the Winds, Red Rocks Open Space, and Colorado Springs."

    7. Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Victor, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Amazing location right next to Boehmer Creek. There are 5 or 6 sites mainly for tents. You might be able ti get an rv in there but low hanging trees and narrow rutted trails would be a problem."

    "loved this spot even stayed a couple extra days right by nice size creek the cooler weather was nice and meant not alot of bugs. more traffic on road than expected but not bothersome. people close by but"

    8. The Bank Campground

    9 Reviews
    Victor, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 269-8500

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Off-roads/trails near by with even better views. Loved this place."

    "The site is about 100 yards from one of Colorado’s most sought after climbing destinations."

    9. Pikes Peak RV Park

    23 Reviews
    Manitou Springs, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 685-9459

    "**  General: Small (47 site) RV park at the eastern edge of downtown Manitou Springs, next to Schryver Park."

    "My site had easy access to a walking trail which was great for the dog and I."

    10. Golden Eagle Campground

    28 Reviews
    Fountain, CO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 576-0450

    $39 - $77 / night

    "We booked 2 adjacent sites."

    "It was nice and quite, away from road noise, surrounded by mountains. The bathrooms were nice and the water pressure was amazing."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Cripple Creek, CO

1724 Reviews of 219 Cripple Creek Campgrounds


  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 27, 2024

    Oil Well Flats

    Great views

    Did the shelf trail from cripple creek to canon city. Was good place to camp for the night quite a few spots, flat, big. Amazing views! Incline getting up to isn’t bad, TT’s might have some trouble. Everyone else should be fine.

  • P
    Aug. 19, 2019

    Rocky Top Motel & Campground

    Nothing fancy but good location.

    This RV Park and motel is just outside Woodland Park, Colorado. The sites on the upper hill have nice views while the lower sites are much less desirable. Most sites are back in so check for pull through if needed when you reserve. They have a dog walk and a sketchy play area for kids. There is also a rec hall and showers that we did not visit so can't give a description. Cripple creek, The Wolf & Wildlife Center and paradise cove are all nearby.

  • Matt B.
    May. 22, 2019

    Mueller State Park Campground

    busy busy

    too close to colorado springs. works a a early season test trip but it to close too the front range so always overcrowded. bonus: go to cripple creek opposed to a campfire.

  • John L.
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Cripple Creek Hospitality House & RV Park

    Best rv park in Tellar County

    Have spent summer 2021 here.  A few blocks from all the casinos (they all run shuttles).

    Great staff, owners on site daily.  There is a food truck (Doc's) with GREAT food, permanently on site. Laundry on site, Shower & bathrooms.
    The Cripple Creek Burros (free range about town) are here often. NOTE: the burros like our hummingbird feeders!
    Open year round (limited rv sites open through winter)
    Hotel on property was once the Cripple Creek Hospital and is "period restored."

    I've spent seven summers in Colorado in my rv, Hospitality House and RV Park has been one of the best summers we've had.

    32' 5th wheel, 50 amp. Reasonable long term rate.

  • Judy F.
    Aug. 18, 2018

    Cripple Creek KOA

    Beautiful scenery

    Convenient location to Cripple Creek CO. Mountain views. Situated on meadow hillside. Hiking trails, full hookups, fire rings with grills, picnic tables. Level sites with many pull thrus. Helpful owners. Sparkling bathrooms. Individual showers. Laundry rooms. Hummingbirds everywhere.

  • Chad K.
    Aug. 20, 2016

    Crags Campground

    Nice Campground

    The campground is a little out of the way and you feel like you out in the middle of nowhere. Close to a couple of trailheads and a short drive to cripple creek. Nice and quiet

  • David N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2021

    Cripple Creek Hospitality House & RV Park

    Quaint mountain town experience

    Staid for a month, full hookups, fair price $650 for a month. Not much to do in town unless you like endless casinos in old town buildings. Hiking nearby, mining tours, home of the Root Beer Float. And the infamous Cripple Creek Donkeys.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2023

    Cripple Creek KOA

    Camping on a mountain side

    They say this is the world’s highest KoA. It’s in the side of a mountain, css as moving loops stretch up the hill, bathroom and shower are at the bottom of the hill! But they do have pizza and will deliver to your site. It was pretty dusty when we were there. Sites are not jammed together, and the hillside does allow for views over other campsites. Hummingbirds buzzed around all day. Close to Cripple Creek and Pikes Peak

  • Robin R.
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Colorado Springs KOA

    Beautiful campground with lots to do

    Awesome campground. Activities for the kids. Helpful and kind staff. Rented golf cart to ride trails there the kids loved it. Nice dog park. Close to everything in Colorado Springs. Can't wait to go back.


Guide to Cripple Creek

Dispersed camping near Cripple Creek offers diverse options at elevations averaging 8,500-10,000 feet with temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night. Gold Camp Road provides numerous pull-offs with primitive sites nestled among pine and aspen forests, while established campgrounds in the region often fill by Thursday during summer months.

What to Do

Trail exploration near Mueller State Park: Located about 15 minutes from Cripple Creek, the park offers over 55 miles of hiking trails through pine forests with wildlife viewing opportunities. "Great hiking trails with views of the mountains. Easy access to local eateries and shopping," notes Kenneth F. about Mueller State Park Campground. "The end of the campground feeds into many trailheads, which are great for exploring," adds Alexis B.

Rock climbing at The Bank: This campground sits near one of Colorado's premier climbing destinations with routes for various skill levels. "The site is about 100 yards from one of Colorado's most sought after climbing destinations," explains Graham K. about The Bank Campground. "Cool 4x4 trails you can access along with a few hikes, but this is where you want to be if you're looking to do some rock climbing."

Explore mining history: Visit historic Cripple Creek and Victor, towns built during the gold rush era with preserved buildings and mining sites. "The towns of Cripple Creek and Victor are full of old mining history!" says Sarah F. who stayed at Cripple Creek KOA, noting the area's rich historical attractions accessible within a short drive.

What Campers Like

Secluded creek-side spots: Many dispersed sites along Forest Service Road 376 offer peaceful water access. "We found a good spot right next to the creek with a mini fire pit and enough flat ground to pitch a tent. The spot was gorgeous and the sound of the creek completely drowned out any noises or people," reports Emma H. about Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed.

Unique red rock formations: The Canon City area features distinctive geology worth exploring. "Red Canyon Park was absolutely beautiful! Campsites were very spread out, and I barely saw anyone drive by the whole time. So many fun places to explore, like climbing on rocks to see the mountains around you!" explains Emily about Red Canyon Park.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region hosts diverse wildlife including deer, small mammals, and occasional large predators. "We saw some deer that came through our site," notes Brian F. about Mueller State Park Campground. Another camper staying at Red Canyon Park mentioned, "Saw some dear and rabbits near our campsite," highlighting the common wildlife encounters.

What You Should Know

Limited cell service: Many camping areas have minimal or no connectivity. "No service, no noise, just the sound of the creek and an occasional car driving by," reports Hayden P. about Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites. "Starlink worked great as there is no Verizon cellular for miles," adds another camper.

Weather preparedness essential: High-elevation camping means rapid weather changes. "It was womderful taking off the crazy storm with having hailing one night," shares Karla L. about camping at Gold Camp Road. Bruce K. noted at Mueller State Park: "Got below freezing so be ready for the cold."

Fire restrictions vary seasonally: Check current restrictions before planning campfires. "There are no designated fire pits only rock pile ones," notes a Red Canyon Park camper, highlighting the need to understand fire regulations and appropriate containment methods.

Tips for Camping with Families

Dog-friendly camping options: For pet-friendly camping near Cripple Creek, Colorado, several campgrounds accommodate four-legged family members. "They had a nice gift shop and provided a s'mores night for the campers for free. They have pancake breakfast for $3 on Saturday and Sunday. Overall it was an amazing place to camp everything was reasonably priced and lots of activities for the kids," shares Tasha M. about Cripple Creek KOA.

Secluded spots for active children: Some sites offer natural containment benefits. "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope. It was tough but so worth it. There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water," explains Madi G. about Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites, adding, "Highly worth the hard work as you're secluded from the road and have a lot of tree coverage for hot days. Also great to utilize this if you have young children who like to wander."

Insect preparation: Biting flies and mosquitoes can be prevalent in certain areas. "The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times and our dogs were very stressed from them all over them. Bring those fly bags that attract them away from you unless you're prepared to get eaten up by the flies," advises a Phantom Canyon camper.

Tips from RVers

Access considerations for large rigs: Many roads to dispersed camping areas have limitations. "The road was easy for our loaded down Subaru to handle," notes Abby D. about Garden of the Gods RV Resort, which offers more accessible options for larger vehicles. However, at other campgrounds: "The road is dirt and goes for 7+ miles if you keep going to exit the park a different way. Be warned that after 2/3 miles the road get extremely rough for several miles to a point that we considered turning our 4Runner around. Cars and campers cannot make it past a certain point."

Leveling challenges: Many sites require equipment for proper setup. "It wasn't level enough so I dont think I will be back but I loved it," mentions Karla L. about dispersed camping with her 21-foot travel trailer at Gold Camp Road, highlighting the importance of bringing leveling blocks.

Hookup limitations: Most dispersed sites lack amenities, while established campgrounds offer varying levels of service. "Full hook up. Helpful staff. Safe. Not very nice. We paid extra for a river spot and it wasn't worth the extra cost. Spots are TIGHT," notes Joana A. about RV camping at Pikes Peak RV Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cripple Creek, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cripple Creek, CO is Mueller State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 61 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cripple Creek, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 219 dog-friendly camping locations near Cripple Creek, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.