254 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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."
"Free BLM sites along Phantom Canyon Road, an hour outside Colorado Springs. Small creek that follows the road to camp along. Pre-existing fire rings."
"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This campsite is a little hub for a great trail system around the area. Was able to hop some trails with my bike just a few feet away from my campsite."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
"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.)"
from $36 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $69 - $79 / night
Check Availability"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."
GuideThis campground was a great area has a great viewpoints everywhere. Great boulders to climb great area overall we had our two kids and two dogs as well as me and my wife. We’re here in a pop-up and the only downside was it got really windy on our first two nights
RangerWe only stayed here for one night, and for a short stay, this campground worked really well. The restrooms were clean, and the showers were in good condition too. The campsites were a bit too close together for our taste, and the electrical hookups were placed in somewhat awkward locations. That’s definitely an area where some improvements could be made. Other than that, it’s a nice campground and a good option for a stopover.
ScoutWe love this campground and come every spring. The sites are clean and love the cement pads . And what a view. We do have one issue with this park. The entrance road all the way to the sites is horrible. We counted 103 severe deep cracks in the road. In addition there are numerous manholes that have sunk. Perhaps the state park can ask for more lottery money to get this road fixed!
TravelerLovely views of Eleven Mile Reservoir, forested hills to one side, bare terrain around the campsite, and mountains to the west. Cow patties and prairie dog holes everywhere. Plenty of waterfowl.
On the other side of the reservoir is the main campground—more services are there (showers, visitor center etc)
Campsites are close together, no shade. No hookups. The fire pits and picnic tables for sites 3 & 4 are right next to one another (we’ll move to avoid the lighter fluid enhanced fire pit smoke from our friendly neighbors). 7 sites total, pit toilets a short walk away, no motor boat launch here.
Plenty of day parking for big rigs (see signage for fees).
Xfinity wifi works fine.
Why are we here? Access to the Dream Stream (aka Charlie Meyers SWA) is minutes away and we’re going to cast some flies!
GuideFound the spot that we were able to fit in in Pike national Forest outside of divide. Stayed for a week in early June and the temperatures were great. Very little AT&T cell phone coverage. The spot does have some tree cover, so Starlink is a little bit obstructed as well are solar panels.
TravelerNeeded a quick car camp out of society, Denver girly here. This is an awesome spot! Safe, good spots with space, and good service! Overall, can’t wait to come back!
ScoutThis campground is easily accessible and has beautiful views! The restrooms are clean and well taken care of, camp host is friendly and helpful. Fire wood bundle available here for $10, really not a bad price, the fire pits are perfect size with a grill. Love love love this campground, can’t wait to come back !
TravelerBeautiful view of the Arkansas river right across, very clean, easy access, no phone service so prepare for that, have to reserve spot though ahead of time.
ScoutWe came in on a Saturday early evening. There were a lot of riders, we do not mind this. They were very respectful. We have a Class A with a toad. We were able to find an amazing spot for our size. The road is great. We had no issues coming in. We are around a mile in. Most people cleared our Sunday evening. It is very peaceful. We would definitely come here again.
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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