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Brynn O.
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TravelerLostfork Basecamp
This place is incredible. The sound of the river alone will calm your nervous system. Whether you’re camping or staying in one of the cabins, you will not be disappointed.
Camping near Franktown, CO
245 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping options surrounding Franktown, Colorado range from full-service RV parks to primitive dispersed sites on public lands. Jellystone Park at Larkspur offers developed facilities with amenities for families, including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Cherry Creek and Chatfield State Parks provide established campgrounds with various hookup options within driving distance. Mount Herman Road and Dakan Road areas offer free dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking more remote experiences.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring higher clearance vehicles. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect dispersed camping areas, particularly during winter months when snow can limit access to forest roads. State parks require reservations, especially during peak summer weekends, while dispersed sites operate on first-come, first-served basis with typical 14-day stay limits. Elevation changes influence temperatures, with cooler conditions in higher areas even during summer months. As one visitor noted, "Small, quiet, and well treed. Close to town, some restaurants, grocery, and fuel. A bit pricey for not having sewer. Has a dump station."
Developed campgrounds in the area feature varying levels of amenities, from basic sites with fire rings and picnic tables to full-service facilities with electric, water, and sewer hookups. Casey Jones RV Hideaway provides electric and water connections near Elizabeth, though reviews mention uneven sites. Rampart Range Recreation Area and Mount Herman Road dispersed camping attract visitors seeking more primitive experiences without fees or reservations. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The campsite that I had was very uneven. It was practically a downhill slope. I had a hard time getting my camper level." Family-oriented campers often prefer Jellystone Park with its extensive recreational facilities, though it comes at a premium price point. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with proximity to hiking trails varying by location. Train noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those near rail lines like Jellystone Park.
Best Campgrounds near Franktown (245)
1. Chatfield State Park Campground
"The easy access to the trail around the lake, the spread out sites, the clean bathhouse and laundry room, the sunset over the mountains, the location close to town, and they don’t have any breed restrictions"
"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability2. Cherry Creek State Park Campground
"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
"It is in the center of the city, but aside from the traffic on the dam in the distance you would not realize it. "
from $28 - $432 / night
Check Availability3. Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur
"We’re a one night in each location maybe 2 as we tour the US in 4-6week chunks."
"When we arrived we found out our spot was by the train we asked to be moved and they were extremely accommodating and put us in another spot up higher away from train."
from $50 - $170 / night
Check Availability4. Rampart Range Recreation Area
"My 9 yr old son and I have been “jeeping” around Colorado for about 8 months now. We make it a point to wake up to a different view every day."
"Fun place to camp lots of sites and pretty trails, however this is known for its off-road ATV riders. If you're staying for a night or you're ATV for the weekend this is your spot."
5. Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping
"If you enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies, drive in dispersed camping and putting your off-roading skills to the test, this dispersed campsite is a must visit!"
"30 minutes and kick back and please crack a cold one for Colorado being the best place."
6. Casey Jones RV Hideaway
"Just outside Elizabeth and an easy drive to Colorado Springs area and the Parker/Denver areas."
"Quiet,small,friendly,close to town,walmart,Safeway. A little overpriced, but it's still pretty."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability7. Dakan Road Camping
"Dakan Road is mostly known as an Off-Road vehicle Road, so 4x4’s are suggested to get up to the sites."
"The only issue I found is that being so close to civilization/the city is that there was a lack of camp etiquette from neighboring campsites."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability8. Colorado Heights Resort
"Great campground on Monument hill about 25 miles north of Colorado Springs. It has a outstanding view looking south of front range."
"It’s a little tight at the entrance with the tree of shame. I didn’t hit the tree. So get there early enough that light is still out. Not like we did rolling in late."
9. Treehouse Magic
10. Buffalo Creek Recreation Area
"There's several creeks that run through the area and a network of trails that intersect the Colorado Trail and the road. The area is popular with mountain bikers."
"The area was well kept and obviously beautiful, it's Colorado after all. There was no running water, however the camo host drives an ATV around offering water from giant containers. I loved it."
Drive Time
- 33 min from Denver, CO
- 44 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 58 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 21 min from Greeley, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Franktown, CO
603 Photos of 245 Franktown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Franktown, CO
1715 Reviews of 245 Franktown Campgrounds
Kylee R.
RangerCherry Creek State Park Campground
Cherry Creek State Park
Bathrooms were very nice and clean. Lots of sites with minimal privacy. Pretty packed and noisy in October. Our site had electrical hookups and its own water. Picnic tables and fire rings available as well. Looks like a very family friendly campground. Stayed one night.
Kevin H.
ScoutCastle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake
Beautiful family and dog friendly campground!
Lake Wellington is a beautiful family and dog friendly campground just about 90 minutes from Denver. There are 75 sites, and even when it's pretty full they are decently spaced out that you don't feel too on top of other guests. We brought our dogs and a group of friends and had a great few nights, even seeing Bald Eagles mating!
Mariena M.ScoutDenver Meadows RV Park
Convenient
Not the nicest but the owners have helped me out a lot.
Shannon F.ScoutPikes Peak RV Park
New owner are not good people
I want to start on a positive because that is the type of person I am, and because this review is going to have a lot of negative. This park is a great location for sightseeing, especially if you are going to Pikes Peak by way of the Cog or shopping in Manitou. My GM and I worked hard to make the park as great as we could with the very little funding that we got. As seen in the reviews we had excellent customer service and had high standards for keeping the park clean. I was very good at my job and I loved doing the work until the new owners took over. When the park was sold, we had high hopes that the new owners would be good people and want to put real work into the park. We were very disappointed that they turned out to be money grubbing horrible people. Ken, one of the owners, treats people and his business very Trump like. He and his wife must state that they are religious more than a few times when having a conversation; I personally think this is to make themselves look good to cover the toxicity that truly lies under the surface. When they meet people, they put on a façade and lie and say whatever they think people want to hear to get what they want; proven to me by the broken verbal promises they made to me. They are not community driven; they are money driven; you can make money and still be good people, but they chose not to be. They practice wage theft just like big corporations by over working employees and under paying them; in their words“you must wear all hats”. They are the type of people that use others until they don’t need them then throw them away like garbage. I was bullied into quitting on a phone call where Ken was very disrespectful and unprofessional with me. The phone call was me trying to explain that I could no longer do the FB post due to our deferent ethical viewpoints, and he would not let me talk by saying“you are not doing your job, are you going to quit” repeatedly. I found out that I was not allowed to post about Manitou Pride parade because he said,“it is not family friendly, and the company and I do not promote the LGBTQ+ community”. I am a proud member of that community and so I should not be the one to post on FB for the company. The groundman quit a day later because of disrespect and broken verbal promises. Then a few days later my boyfriend was fired and then Sheryl the GM was fired.(I believe they were fired for retaliation) Ken only wants employees that are easy to exploit or controlled, because he is incapable of managing people without fear and bullying. He boasted that he is called the grim reaper in business, but I don’t think that is the flex he thinks it is. But yes, he was the destruction of the community we put so much work into. I also want to voice my disappointment in Dana, who Sheryl worked hard getting to be allowed to come back as an employee. Dana did great work her first summer with us, so it was a shock to see her true colors show when she started to brown nose Ken. She spread multiple rumors, I feel the worst one was about Melinda’s daughter and the things she wrote about in her diary. I also did not like how she used David, the guy that does the golfcart tours in Manitou, was nice to his face then talked so badly about him when he was not around. I truly think Jesue and her father would be ashamed of her for how she acted to get her new position.
- HHeidiTraveler
Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake
Great spot - except for flies
If you are going to camp at a lakefront spot definitely have something you can sit in else you will be attacked by flies. Super quiet during the week - got busy over the weekend.
- LLori M.
GuideMueller State Park Campground
Nice and well kept
Our Campsite was nice, very clean and well kept. It did seems like the sites were a bit to close together and every spot filled. Pads were level, area around the picnic table spacious. Pit toilets were clean. The dump station was very nice and easy to use. We were driving down through Colorado to view the Fall Aspen leaves. I wish we would have stayed longer at this campsite. We stayed at the Conifer Ridge loop site 46 ...
- RRyan U.Scout
Badger Flats
No longer free!
We absolutely love Badger Flats, and even though it’s no longer free ($15/night), it’s still our go-to campground. If you don’t mind the occasional dirt bike/ATV and no services, and love a beautiful area with camp spots spread out - then go to BF.
johny R.
LegendBeaver Creek Rd Dispersed Site
Fan favorite
This middle section of the road has mixed spots some are wooded some are wide open it really just depends on whats available. People pour in around dusk so get there early and get a good spot with a mountain view and maybe you will see a moose like i did. Road is good cell is 1-2 bars in this secrion
Guide to Franktown
Camping near Franktown, Colorado offers a mix of wooded mountain sites and open prairie campgrounds ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 feet elevation. The region sits in a transitional zone between the Colorado Front Range and eastern plains, creating varied camping environments. Temperatures can drop significantly after sunset even in summer months, often falling 20-30 degrees from daytime highs.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cherry Creek State Park Campground provides access to a large reservoir popular with local anglers. "It's a beautiful park just wasn't expecting a lot of people to be here," notes camper Lamarcus S., highlighting the popularity of this water recreation area.
Mountain biking trails: Forest roads around Rampart Range Recreation Area offer extensive trail systems for riders of all skill levels. According to one visitor, "If you have ATV's you really need to discover this area. If you have toys to drive on the trails you will fall in love with this place."
Wildlife viewing: The transitional ecosystem around Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping creates habitat for diverse wildlife. "Beautiful views, ~50 minutes of rocky gravel road to reach the top but doable in any vehicle depending on the weather," reports Logan C., who found the journey worthwhile for nature observation.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Campers appreciate how camping near Franktown positions them between major Colorado destinations. "Great location downtown Denver, near the hospital we needed to go to, it served its purpose, then we headed to the mountains," explains Bill S. about Cherry Creek State Park Campground.
Space between sites: At Rampart Range, campers value the privacy compared to developed campgrounds. "We researched the spots in this area, and were surprised at how far spread the sites actually are," notes Taylor V., who discovered site 33 offered excellent seclusion despite proximity to the road.
Concrete pads: Chatfield State Park Campground receives praise for its level sites. "Clean bathrooms. Very friendly attendant. Level primitive spots," writes Christa C., appreciating the maintained facilities despite the $26 fee for primitive camping.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping requires planning for rough terrain. "Access was challenging, even with our 4x4 Jeep seeing as there was pretty deep snowfall accumulation, steep grades, and hairpin switchbacks heading up," explains Monte P. about Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping.
Weekend crowds: Summer weekends bring significant traffic to popular areas. "We came up Sunday and drove around for an hour trying to find a spot. It was so busy with campers and there were dirt bikers everywhere! Sunday evening it cleared up and we were the only ones there mon-tues," reports Halee E. about Rampart Range.
Train noise: Jellystone Park at Larkspur sits near active train tracks. "Cute campground, we camped back by the little lake. It was quiet as there were few campers at the time. The train was expected, so it didn't bother me too much," notes Emily S.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Multiple reservoirs provide swimming and boating opportunities during summer months. "Chatfield is popular for fishing and boating. So many people come out for the weekend so they can get up early with the fish," explains Hayley K.
Kid-focused amenities: Jellystone Park features extensive children's activities. "So much to do for the littles! Recently completely redone the entire park and it is all so wonderful! The campsites are amazing and the activities are so much fun," shares Stacy M.
Seasonal activities: Programming varies throughout the year at many campgrounds. "From flag raising in the morning to hay rides, all day activities to the camp fire story times there is something for every kids to keep busy," reports Deanna M. about the structured activities at Jellystone.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Casey Jones RV Hideaway requires preparation for uneven terrain. "The campsite that I had was very uneven. It was practically a downhill slope. I had a hard time getting my camper level," warns Kohl.
Campground access: Some areas have restrictions for larger rigs. "I recently purchased a 26ft sustainable travel trailer and decided to take it out for the first time. Well the road up is very tight. Very skinny switchbacks," cautions Jaymin B. about Mount Herman Road, recommending nothing larger than teardrop trailers.
Hookup availability: State parks offer varying levels of services. "Nice campground, well kept. Without a reservation you put your name on a list that they start going through at 1pm to assign sites. But be wary if you need certain hookups," advises Sarah S. at Chatfield, noting the minimum has electric for $26.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Franktown, CO?
What camping is available near Franktown, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Franktown, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 245 campgrounds and RV parks near Franktown, CO and 58 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Franktown, CO?
Which is the most popular campground near Franktown, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Franktown, CO is Chatfield State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 84 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Franktown, CO?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Franktown, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 58 free dispersed camping spots near Franktown, CO.
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