Fountain, Colorado sits at 5,545 feet elevation in El Paso County, with camping options nestled between the eastern plains and Pike National Forest. Summer temperatures can reach into the 90s, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for tent camping with nighttime lows sometimes dipping below 40°F. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Fountain require leashes no longer than 6 feet and proper waste disposal.
What to do
Pike's Peak cog railway trip: Take the train from Manitou Springs for mountain views without driving the winding roads. "[We] loved the train ride. It was pretty expensive for the tickets, but the ride up was peaceful and informative...and we saw a ton of marmots, some pika, some deer, and some bighorn sheep," reports a visitor to Lone Duck Campground and Cabins.
Hiking trails at Cheyenne Mountain: Access multiple difficulty levels of trails directly from the campgrounds. A camper at The Meadows Campground notes, "Beautiful and well groomed hiking trails. Can get a little hot in the summers." The park offers diverse terrain and wildlife viewing opportunities within walking distance of most sites.
Phantom Canyon scenic drive: Travel the historic gold belt byway for unique rock formations and tunnels. "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," shares a camper from Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Sites along waterways offer natural cooling and ambient sounds. A reviewer at Lone Duck Campground mentioned, "We tent camped right next to the little stream and saw so much wildlife! It was awesome!" These water-adjacent sites fill quickly during summer months.
Spacious sites with privacy: Several campgrounds offer sites with adequate separation from neighbors. At Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort, a camper highlighted, "The site was extremely spacious with room to park our truck to the side and still have a big yard. There is a fire pit and picnic table and we were shaded by some big pines."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature regular wildlife visits. "We saw deer wander around the campsites every morning and evening. The sites are terraced so that everyone has a beautiful view," reports one visitor to Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort. Early mornings and dusk provide best viewing times.
What you should know
Highway noise varies by location: Sites closer to major roads experience more traffic noise. One camper at Golden Eagle Campground noted, "SH 115 is about 1 mile (1.5km) away and there is a lot of road noise. Especially the 'jake brakes' on heavy trucks. A lot of activity from Ft. Carson is heard--helicopters flying; heavy guns being discharged; reveille, retreat, and taps on the PA."
Limited cell service at some locations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "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," reports a visitor to Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort.
Weather changes rapidly: Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer months. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of season. Spring and fall camping requires cold-weather gear for overnight temperatures.
Biting insects at water sites: Areas near creeks and rivers can have significant insect activity. "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," warns a camper at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.
Tips for camping with families
Look for built-in activities: Some pet-friendly campgrounds offer additional entertainment. A visitor to Colorado Springs KOA shared, "This place looks great from the moment yoh ever the park. Each site is well maintained. The store and check in is very nice. The water park is Amazing!"
Consider walk-in tent sites: These often provide more separation from RVs and road noise. "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," notes a camper at Swift Puma Heights.
Check bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Most state park facilities receive regular cleaning, while some private campgrounds offer enhanced amenities. "The bathrooms were very close by which was great. The site for choosing your camping spot was easy, and checking in was really easy when we got there," reports a visitor to Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions matter: Many RV sites have specific limitations. "Sites are very close together. Friendly helpful staff. Bathrooms clean well maintained," notes a camper at Garden of the Gods RV Resort.
Water hookup locations vary: Some sites have unusual utility arrangements. "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," reports an RVer at Garden of the Gods RV Resort.
Leveling challenges at some sites: Terrain can require additional equipment. "We watched a pull behind bottom out while pulling out of their site. We had to hook up and unhook on a small incline which was a little tricky, but I don't think they were all like that across the campground," shares a visitor to Golden Eagle Campground.
