Tent camping near Florence, Colorado offers high-desert camping experiences with elevations ranging from 5,400 to 6,500 feet throughout the region. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach the upper 80s to low 90s, while nights cool considerably, often dropping into the 50s. The area receives minimal rainfall during summer months, making campfire restrictions common between June and September.
What to do
Rock climbing at Shelf Road: Just north of Canon City, Shelf Road features limestone cliffs with over 1,000 climbing routes. According to one climber, "The Banks campsites are perfect if you're climbing at Shelf Road. You can hike from the campsite. There are vault toilets that are clean and have toilet paper" at Shelf Road Sites.
Stream exploration: Eight Mile Creek runs alongside many campsites in Phantom Canyon, providing cooling opportunities during hot days. One camper shared, "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope. We parked up top and lugged everything down the slope. It was tough but so worth it. There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water" at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.
Wildlife viewing: The canyons and creeks support diverse wildlife including deer and bighorn sheep. A visitor noted, "I hadn't been able to get water from the stream to put out the campfire because a bighorn sheep loved the stream" at Oil Well Flats, suggesting early mornings and dusk offer the best viewing times.
What campers like
Complete disconnection: The canyon areas provide true digital detox with minimal to no cell coverage. One reviewer mentioned, "No service, no noise, just the sound of the creek and an occasional car driving by" at Phantom Canyon. Another noted, "Starlink worked great as there is no Verizon cellular for miles."
Secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the ability to find isolated spots away from others. A visitor stated, "We took a cavas wagon for the heavy items and let it roll backwards down the slope with the help of two people. Not easy but highly worth the hard work as you're secluded from the road and have a lot of tree coverage for hot days."
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. One camper at Red Canyon Park shared, "At night the site was amazingly dark. This was my first real time seeing the Milky Way. It was so amazing I am glad my friend was there so I have backup to my story."
What you should know
Access challenges: Roads to many dispersed sites require careful driving. A visitor reported, "The dirt road took us up through the mountains with plenty of options to pull off and set up camp. Spots were already there to build a campfire." Another noted, "It took us three attempts to get our overweight 2-wheel drive van up the hill and back onto the road. There are a lot of loose rocks."
Bug protection essential: Biting insects are prevalent, especially near water sources. One camper warned, "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."
Extreme weather preparation: Temperature swings are significant between day and night. A review from Davenport Campground shared, "Gets warm during the day but it does get pretty cold at night." Pack accordingly with both warm and cool weather clothing.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly locations: Look for sites away from steep drops or fast water. One parent mentioned, "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."
Toilet accessibility: Vault toilets are limited to specific locations. A family noted, "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."
Educational opportunities: Red rock formations provide natural geology lessons. A visitor at Lone Duck Campground and Cabins commented, "The drive is nice and sometimes iffy, 4WD not necessary but always recommended in Colorado. My little Toyota did just fine, there was snow in the areas which was shaded but tires did not slide."
Tips from RVers
Site selection critical: Many areas have limited level spots for larger rigs. One RVer advised, "Fairly steep and rough road up into the campground. Once you're in, the roads are decent. Some sites had broken glass and trash and some were clean and decent."
Water management: No hookups mean planning your water usage carefully. A camper mentioned, "I found no running water, had to melt snow. Pack in your stuff and pack it out!" Another said, "Wish it hadn't been dry because there wasn't any water nearby."
Turn radius concerns: Navigating narrow roads requires planning. An RV owner noted, "The sites are all a fine size though. Has a fire pit with grill, picnic table, and sites 2, 5, and 9 have the log covering."
