Florence, Colorado serves as a gateway to diverse camping environments across Bureau of Land Management territory and state parklands. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites offers free dispersed camping with primitive conditions along a scenic corridor, while developed options like East Ridge Campground at Royal Gorge provide designated sites with basic amenities. The camping landscape includes tent sites, RV-compatible areas, and cabin accommodations at locations such as Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA, which operates seasonally from April to October.
Access to campsites varies significantly throughout the region, with many primitive sites requiring high-clearance vehicles on unpaved roads. Several campgrounds feature gravel or dirt access routes, particularly in the canyon areas. "The road is a well maintained gravel road. There are quite a few available spots for folks with 4x4 drive or tent camping. I would NOT suggest this for larger RVs," reported one visitor about Phantom Canyon Road. The climate ranges from hot summer days to cool nights, with higher elevations experiencing significant temperature drops after sunset. Cell coverage is limited or nonexistent in canyon areas and remote BLM lands, requiring advance planning. Most dispersed camping follows 14-day stay limits under BLM regulations.
Mixed-use campgrounds in the area accommodate various camping styles from tent sites to RV hookups. Campers frequently mention the solitude and scenic beauty available at dispersed sites, though popular spots fill quickly on weekends. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "This is a great spot with very dispersed camping spots. Breathtaking views." Developed campgrounds provide amenities such as picnic tables, restrooms, and trash service, while primitive areas offer more seclusion but require self-sufficiency. Water access appears as a recurring highlight in reviews, with many campers seeking sites near creeks or streams. Most campgrounds permit fires in established rings, though seasonal restrictions may apply during high fire danger periods. Wildlife sightings are common, particularly in less-developed camping zones away from population centers.
"Look for the off-trail spots to find a more private campsite."
"Stayed for the weekend, found a place tucked back away from the road and felt completely secluded from the world. No service, no noise, just the sound of the creek and an occasional car driving by."
$20 / night
"Right next to the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City Colorado, the highest suspension bridge in North America ! Do the Segway tour over the bridge!!"
"Paved & gravelled roads, hiking trails, free camping, sightseeing, off roading, atv, handicap accessible, dogs off leash, picnic tables, firepits, kid friendly."
$20 / night
"Tucked away and very nice campground close to the Royal Gorge and Canon City if you need to get camping supplies. Get water and ice at the filling station by the Goodwill store for a great price."
"My partner and I really enjoyed this campsite and the surrounding area. We got site 23 and IMO it’s the best spot with the most privacy. Other spots were a bit crowded and close together."
"Beautiful views and a great walking path for my dog. I could have gone for miles. People are super friendly and it’s clean! Close to hiking. Well worth the visit"
"The site we got had our door facing another camper's door and our picnic tables were next to eachother, so we didn't spend much time hanging out outside."
"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."
"Some great spots close to red bluffs and seasonal river. Went in the autumn and hike along the river bed and climb the falls. Vaulted toilets, fire rings, covered tables and Flatish camp spots."
"There’s lots of trails in the area (OHV) but other than that, not much else to do. There is a clean vault toilet at the entrance, no trash services. Plenty of spots as you keep driving up the hill."
"Restrooms were available at entrance as well as a loves a couple few miles away for showers."
"The sites were large and plenty of room for my slideout and not too close to next site."
"There's a seasonal pool, walking trails and a HUGE fenced dog park. Most spots are pull thru, and it's worth the short, easy drive from I-25."
$36 / night
"This was first camping trip staying in a Colorado State park and it was great! We had an electric only back-in site next to the bathhouse which was clean and had 4 separate bathrooms with showers."
"We were visiting a friend in Pueblo and this place was close by. (Downtown Pueblo has a really nice riverwalk. Found a free museum that honored Medal of Honor recipients.)"
$69 - $79 / night
"A great midpoint basecamp location for going up to Colorado Springs area or down to Canon City(Royal Gorge) areas. The campground was always quiet in the evenings and felt secure. "
"This is a lovely park about 30 minutes south of Colorado Springs. We camped here for 5 nights in a back in spot with full hookups, site 51."
"It is a bumpy road, but we had an F150 and a Santa Fe, that both made it in fine, though some spots are walking only."
"I’m a rooftop tent camper and the views are amazing but was hoping to be close to the water and isolated from other campers."
LegendThis place is right in woodland park so great cell no issues with roads. The cool part is it’s on a wooded lot so you have a cool vibe, they are open year round and it’s beautiful in the snow. Looks like a lot of long term tenants but not the junky shady vibe that comes with that sometimes. They also have little cabins to rent. Overall a great spot to launch from
LegendRight off the main highway. Great Verizon signal. Water & dump station. Huge playground for the kids. Storage facility on site and also used for dry storage of RVs. More camping spots if you go further back to the right of the park. Lots of camping spots available but are close together.
LegendFull Verizon lte and the furthest down the long and bump road. These campgrounds are so similar there is just no reason to go all the way down to this one. Unless all the spots are filled just stay at one of the other 50 along the lake there is no reason other than you can probably have it all to your self if if come all the way down to this one
LegendFull Verizon lte. All these campgrounds around this lake are pretty much identical. This one has some shaded picnic tables which is nice but only at a couple spots. Has a vault toilet and water pump like the other but it is up on a hill overlooking the lake. I think this is probably the best view. Also it has a massive gravel lot for big rigs and boat trailers
Legend4 bars Verizon lte. Long bumpy road to get here. This campground is split into two parts. One is down by the water and the other is down the road a few 100 yards and up on the hill. The area is so wide and open they both have the same view but the one on the hill offers some slight protection from the wind . I think the one down by the water would be fine in the summer but fall and spring that breeze off the water can be cold, vault toilets picnic tables and fire pit but fires are almost always banned
LegendFull Verizon LTE. Long bumpy washboarded dirt road. Takes forever because it’s rattles your brain out. The campground requires park pass and you have to pay to stay here but many of the spots are right in the water. It’s a windy place so prepare for that. There is a vault toilet on the far side. It’s kind of a walk but at least it’s there. Small sites picnic table and fire pit. There is a big gravel lot if you have a big rig but it’s not clear how you would go about paying or reserving that. Overall good place beautiful open background
ScoutNice spot although lots of trash need 4 wheel drive to get down and out very private
ScoutWe just came here to dump and fill. Dump: $15 Fill: Sign says $4, but it was actually $.10 a gallon.
LegendAs mentioned the pins are wrong and the actual sites are much further down the road. If you see this random circle spot on the right side of the road just take it becauae it saves you alot or bumpyness. You get a view through the trees and its much quicker back to town. Only press forward down the road if you really care about maximizing your view.
The Bureau of Land Management lands surrounding Florence, Colorado feature high desert terrain between 5,000-6,000 feet elevation where summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F during daytime and drop to 50-60°F at night. Most dispersed camping spots near Florence, Colorado are accessible via unpaved roads through pinyon-juniper woodland, requiring preparation for dusty conditions. Late spring and early fall provide the most moderate camping weather with lower visitation.
Historic tunnel exploration: Drive the Phantom Canyon Road through historic railroad tunnels dating from mining days. "This is a fun spot to camp. Theres a cool tunnel to drive through too. Will definitely come back," notes a visitor to Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for bighorn sheep, mule deer, and diverse bird species across camping areas. At Red Canyon Park, one camper spotted "a bighorn sheep loved the stream," making for memorable wildlife encounters.
Mountain biking: Access extensive trail networks from several campgrounds. "There are beautiful fire pits and standard picnic tables... Hikes of any length can be started right from the campground or a short drive away," reports a camper at East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge.
Rock climbing: Find climbing routes directly accessible from some camping areas. Near Phantom Canyon, "access to climbing walls right by sites" provides recreation without driving elsewhere.
Proximity to water sources: Creek-side sites are highly sought after in this dry region. "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope...right next to the water. It was tough but so worth it," writes a visitor to Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.
Natural rock formations: The colorful geology creates distinctive camping backdrops. "Stunning red rock formations and the campsites are spread out. It was easy to find an available spot Saturday afternoon," notes a Red Canyon Park camper.
Secluded camping spots: Campers consistently praise sites offering privacy. "We stayed in site 23 and IMO it's the best spot with the most privacy. Other spots were a bit crowded and close together," advises a visitor to Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort.
Weekday availability: Most dispersed sites fill quickly on weekends but remain available midweek. "Camped along this canyon road a few times and will never forget it. It is magical, always visit during the week, weekends spots are gone," confirms a Phantom Canyon Road camper.
Insect preparation: Biting flies and mosquitoes present challenges at many Florence area campgrounds. "There was an 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," warns a Phantom Canyon Road visitor.
Campfire regulations: Fire rules vary by site and season. "There is no designated fire pits only rock pile ones," reports a Red Canyon Park camper, while another notes seasonal considerations: "There was a fire ban, so no fire-pizza delivery to our campsite was a plus!"
Vehicle requirements: Site access often requires appropriate vehicles. "The road is dirt and goes for 7+ miles if you keep going to exit the park a different way... 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," explains a visitor to Red Canyon Park.
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds operate on first-come basis while others require booking. "Looking for somewhere to camp later in the evening on a Sunday. This city campsite looks pretty new. They have level pads engineered for tents and a metal picnic table," shares a camper at East Ridge Campground - Royal Gorge.
Kid-friendly activities: Select campgrounds offering dedicated recreation options. At Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA, "kids rode go carts, the big slide, and putt putt," providing entertainment beyond hiking.
Bathroom accessibility: Consider facilities when camping with children. "The bathrooms were a bit of a drive from our site. They are nothing lavish (bring sanitizing wipes) but they were nice for the kids who weren't comfortable going outside," advises a Phantom Canyon Road camper.
Heat management: Prepare for intense sun exposure in open campsites. "There is little to no shade at this campground and it gets wicked hot in the summer," warns a camper at Arkansas Point Campground, suggesting early morning or evening activities during summer months.
Site location selection: Choose sites strategically for families with young explorers. "Also great to utilize this if you have young children who like to wander. We didn't have to worry about them being near the roads," notes a parent about creek-side sites at Phantom Canyon Road.
Length restrictions: Many dispersed sites limit RV access. "Not really for RV's. Even small ones like mine. Very narrow roads in with no real place to turn around. More for tent campers," cautions an East Ridge Campground visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Plan according to weather patterns for RV camping. "The campsite pads were great, shelter building with water and a grill... Limited restrooms for such a large campground," notes a camper at Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA, which operates April through October.
Water quality issues: Bring filtration for campgrounds with well water. "Water system needs work; well water has rust and sediment, be prepared!" advises a visitor to Haggards RV Campground.
Site spacing: RV campers recommend researching site layout before booking. "The sites were large and plenty of room for my slideout and not too close to next site," shares a Haggards RV Campground guest about their 34-foot travel trailer experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campsites near Florence?
The Florence area offers excellent camping options with diverse scenery and amenities. Colorado Campground near Woodland Park provides a perfect balance of wilderness and convenience, situated next to Manitou Lake with access to numerous trails in the Pikes Peak area. For state park camping, Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers well-maintained sites with walking trails and proximity to Garden of the Gods. Both locations provide easy access to attractions while maintaining a true camping experience with amenities like fire pits and picnic tables.
What RV campgrounds are available in Florence?
Florence area has several RV-friendly options to accommodate various preferences. Riverside RV Park offers waterfront sites along the Arkansas River with soothing river sounds at night. Pikes Peak RV Park is conveniently located at the eastern edge of Manitou Springs, ideal for smaller RVs though larger rigs can be accommodated. Both parks provide electric hookups and are positioned near local attractions, making them excellent base camps for exploring the region.
Where can I go fishing while camping in Florence?
Florence area offers excellent fishing opportunities combined with camping. Lake Pueblo State Park provides both the Arkansas Point and Juniper Breaks campgrounds with access to prime fishing waters. The Arkansas River, which flows through the region, is another fantastic fishing destination with camps like Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA providing nearby accommodations. Both locations offer diverse fish species and amenities like electric sites, clean bathrooms, and covered picnic tables for comfortable stays between fishing sessions.
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