Best Campgrounds near Fountain, CO

Camping near Fountain, Colorado encompasses a mix of established RV resorts and state park campgrounds, situated between the eastern plains and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The Colorado Springs KOA, located directly in Fountain, provides year-round accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabin stays along the Fountain River. Within a short drive, campers can access Cheyenne Mountain State Park and Golden Eagle Campground, offering more natural settings with mountain views. These campgrounds serve as convenient basebases for exploring the region's attractions, including Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Springs, all within an hour's drive.

Most campgrounds in the Fountain area require reservations, particularly during the peak summer season from May through September. Winter camping is available at select locations like the Colorado Springs KOA and Cheyenne Mountain State Park, though facilities may be limited. The region experiences typical Colorado Front Range weather patterns with hot, occasionally stormy summers and cold, sometimes snowy winters. Elevation ranges from approximately 5,500 feet in Fountain to over 7,000 feet at some nearby campgrounds, which can affect temperatures and breathing for those unaccustomed to altitude. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with stronger signals at campgrounds closer to Colorado Springs.

RV campers will find numerous full-hookup options throughout the region, with many sites accommodating larger rigs. According to reviews, the Colorado Springs KOA offers "special raised beds with pavilions for tent camping" and serves as a "great base" for exploring regional attractions. Cheyenne Mountain State Park provides a more natural experience with wildlife viewing opportunities, though campers note that "the park fills up fast" and advance reservations are essential. Some campgrounds experience highway noise, but many visitors report it's less noticeable than expected. The proximity to military installations like NORAD and Peterson Air Force Base means occasional distant sounds and early morning reveille at certain campgrounds.

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Best Camping Sites Near Fountain, Colorado (185)

    1. Colorado Springs KOA

    39 Reviews
    Fountain, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 382-7575

    "It is close to the highway and right on the Fountain river. Great stopping point for one night or use it as your base like we did."

    "Very Clean and convenient location to Colorado Springs. Thought highway traffic noice would be a problem but, could not tell rv park is next to the interstate."

    2. Golden Eagle Campground

    28 Reviews
    Fountain, CO
    10 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."

    3. Cheyenne Mountain State Park

    24 Reviews
    Fountain, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 576-2016

    $28 - $144 / night

    "good showers available, and lots of walking trails. close to the Garden of the Gods, and just at the edge of town, so lots of accessibility to food, shopping and other attractions. we were right in with"

    "We had a walk in sight that was beautiful! Great view, private, and even saw some deer walk by at dusk. Showers cost a couple bucks coins and only last 4 minutes, so scrub quick."

    4. Garden of the Gods RV Resort

    45 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. The Meadows Campground — Cheyenne Mountain State Park

    16 Reviews
    Manitou Springs, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 576-2016

    $28 - $120 / night

    "The tent only sites are walk-in and $18…and by walk-in…between 10-100ft from the parking area depending on the site."

    "Cheyenne Mountan State Park is remarkably close to Colorado Springs, which makes it perfect for a quick getaway…. if you can score reservations. This park fills up fast!"

    6. Swift Puma Heights Campground — Cheyenne Mountain State Park

    16 Reviews
    Manitou Springs, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 576-2016

    $28 - $41 / night

    "It’s very close to Colorado Springs and even closer to Fort Carson. So many things to see and do in the hiking trails are great."

    "It was more private than some (like 29 which was right off the path), but it was connected to a hiking trail so the random person would stroll by on the rare occasion."

    7. Pikes Peak RV Park

    22 Reviews
    Manitou Springs, CO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 685-9459

    "** 

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

    "This park is nestled in cottonwoods and willows of Fountain Creek nearly in downtown Manitou Springs.  It is walkable to the Manitou historic and tourist district and to Garden of the Gods Park. "

    8. Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort

    14 Reviews
    Penrose, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 576-0619

    $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."

    9. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites

    38 Reviews
    Cañon City, CO
    26 miles

    "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."

    10. Lone Duck Campground and Cabins

    34 Reviews
    Green Mountain Falls, CO
    25 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."

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Recent Reviews near Fountain, CO

1188 Reviews of 185 Fountain Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Aspen Acres Campground

    Water from the hookup was disgusting

    All fine for a night except we filled our tank with the most disgusting undrinkable water imaginable. I’d not come back for that reason.

  • M
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites

    Stunning views

    Stunning views of the canyon and great star gazing. Just get there on a weekday or all of the off the road spots will be taken up.

  • k
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Colorado Heights Resort

    Nice site, but very close to civilization

    We enjoyed are stay here. The site was well taken care of and the people were nice. The only cons for us were how loud the traffic sounds were and how close together the sites are.

  • Randy H.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Mountain View RV Resort

    Paul, the owner, is incredibly rude and condescending

    Paul, the owner, insisted on parking us and giving inch-by-inch instructions.  He was terrible toward my wife, who was standing at the back of the rv and called to tell me I was hitting a tree.  He demanded she get off the phone and stop interfering.  Had she not "interfered", I would have damaged my RV.  Paul didn't care, his ego was too fragile to admit a mistake.  We were parked right next to highway 50 and experienced road noise at all hours.  We drove past the KOA later and regretted not staying there.

  • Timothy N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Crags Campground

    Great Campground

    Very well maintained campground with spotless vault toilets and clean camp sites.  The camp host was very friendly and helpful.  He had firewood for sale and offered warnings for recent wildlife issues.  

    We rolled in mid-afternoon Thu and 5 sites were open.  They were all claimed by that evening.   There was regular flow of people searching for sites into the evening, but they turned around at the entrance once the Full sign went up.  When we left Sun morning there many sites available.

    It got quiet early and was great overnight, but many campers are early risers for the hike up Pikes Peak.  

    No mobile signal once turning off the paved highway.  

    The two well water spigots were working.  Creek was flowing well and could also be filtered.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Ophir Creek Road

    Ophir Creek won’t be free for long!

    It’s an easy drive from Westcliff. Too easy. I expected crowds of out of state tourists and maybe a few locals. But to my surprise it was virtually empty.i grabbed a cozy site right next to the creek. Lovely sounds.

    The environs where I camped was a dense mix of deciduous and conifer trees., and on either side of the road and campsites, there were very steep, heavily wooded slopes. But a confusing feature are the No Trespassing signs as you enter the campground. I don’t know where the hiking is.

    My phone and WiFi (through my phone) worked very well. I have AT&T currently and there was no one here to ask about other carriers.

    In the late afternoon there was one of the biggest storms I’ve ever experienced. The thunder was loud, extended and close! Leaving did cross my mind. But two hours later it was quiet again. Glad I stayed.

  • G
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites

    We will be back!

    Stopped in Cañon City then drove out to phantom canyon gold belt tour. The coordinates will take you to where the paved road turns to dirt. You need to go a few more miles and you will see signs for BLM land. The farther you go the better the sites. We camped next to Eight Mile Creek and the tunnel. The flies and mosquitos were bad but our bug screens did their job until dark then we had to close up the van. It was an amazing experience being in the canyon. Starlink worked great as there is no Verizon cellular for miles. 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. We are planning to head back down and drive the whole byway this fall.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite

    Rampart Ridge

    There aren’t many sites and everyone was taken except the turn around at the end of the road. Wasn’t sure if you were able to camp here but there is a fire pit so setup camp for the night. Not sure why others didn’t take it since it has an amazing view of Pick’s Peak!


Guide to Fountain

Camping near Fountain, Colorado provides direct access to both Front Range attractions and more remote wilderness settings within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at elevations ranging from 5,500 to over 8,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates across different campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F at night to the low 90s during peak daytime hours, with afternoon thunderstorms common during July and August.

What to do

Mountain biking on maintained trails: Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers well-manicured trails perfect for mountain bikers of various skill levels. "Nothing technical, well manicured trials with amazing views. Lots of wildlife, beware of rattlesnakes. Awesome Moutain Biking, great for family's and beginners," according to one regular visitor.

Scenic driving through tunnels and canyons: The road to Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites features impressive rock formations and historic tunnels. A camper noted, "The drive to the campsites was amazing. We got there around 6:30 so the sun was coming through the trees and creating a warm golden light... The tunnels were also super cool to go under."

Wildlife viewing at multiple elevations: Many campgrounds feature regular wildlife sightings, particularly at dawn and dusk. "We woke up one morning at our tent site with deer walking and eating down the creek right next to us," reports a camper at Lone Duck Campground, while others frequently mention mule deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species throughout the camping areas surrounding Fountain.

What campers like

Proximity to military history: Pikes Peak RV Park and other nearby campgrounds offer convenient access to historic military installations. Campers mention that "close to fort carson" is a significant advantage when exploring local military history sites.

Geological exploration opportunities: The varied terrain from plains to mountains provides diverse geological features. A Golden Eagle Campground camper appreciated the "great location and campground for long term stays" that allowed them to explore the region's unique geological formations over an extended period.

Established hiking trail networks: Swift Puma Heights Campground receives praise for its hiking options: "Several deer nearby, many trails within the park that are worth checking out and accessible from campgrounds! Helpful Staff!" These interconnected trail systems allow for multiple day hikes without repeating routes.

What you should know

Road noise varies significantly by campground: Highway and urban sounds reach some campsites more than others. At Golden Eagle Campground, a camper advises, "it is very important to get a spot away from the road. As I've read in other reviews, there is a rock quarry just down the road. Beginning early morning until late afternoon M-F, trucks roar up and down this road."

Elevation affects camping comfort: The elevation range around Fountain means temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night. Pack accordingly with layers even in summer months.

Cell service gaps exist at outlying sites: While Fountain itself has good coverage, some nearby campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort, a camper noted "There is no cell service for AT&T or T-Mobile, but you are able to do wifi calling with their WiFi and we streamed a movie one night."

Tips for camping with families

Budget-friendly alternatives to commercial attractions: Several public lands near Fountain offer free recreational alternatives to paid tourist sites. A visitor to Phantom Canyon Road mentioned, "Plenty of spots for everyone, super quite with the occasional car passing."

Choose campgrounds with built-in activities: Some sites feature onsite recreation that saves driving time. "This is a lovely park with super friendly staff. From the moment we blew the first stop sign, sorry management, until the time we checked into the office they were awesome!" reported a family staying at Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort.

Consider walk-in tent sites for added privacy: Family campers often prefer slightly more secluded options. According to a Swift Puma Heights Campground visitor: "Stayed in the Swift Puma campground, walk-in site 29, great privacy, very clean and well maintained with level camp pad, picnic table and bear box. Short walk from parking spot to the campsite."

Tips from RVers

Reserve pull-through sites well in advance: The more accessible RV spots book quickly, especially at popular destinations like The Meadows Campground. "We felt lucky to score a reservation for a pull-through Site (#56) at The Meadows Campground. This level, open, unshaded site offered nice views of Cheyenne Mountain and the lights of Colorado Springs."

Check hookup locations before arrival: Some campgrounds have unusual utility placements. One RVer at Garden of the Gods RV Resort discovered: "After getting setup I found out that I'd need to climb up the short retaining wall into my neighbors site to hookup our water hose. The spigot was shared between our sites."

Prepare for elevation-related system issues: The higher elevation affects RV systems, particularly water heaters and furnaces. Be prepared for longer heating times and increased propane usage, especially during shoulder seasons when nights can drop below freezing even when days remain warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Fountain, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Fountain, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 185 campgrounds and RV parks near Fountain, CO and 42 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Fountain, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fountain, CO is Colorado Springs KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 39 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fountain, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 42 free dispersed camping spots near Fountain, CO.

What parks are near Fountain, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Fountain, CO that allow camping, notably PSICC and Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.