Franktown sits at an elevation of 6,150 feet, tucked between the urban sprawl of Denver and the rugged terrain of Pike National Forest. The continental climate brings dry summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and dropping to 40-50°F at night. This elevation and temperature variation makes the area particularly suitable for yurt camping during spring and fall when conditions are most temperate.
What to do
Fishing at Chatfield Reservoir: Just 30 minutes north of Franktown at Chatfield State Park Campground, enjoy multiple fishing spots with stocked waters. According to a visitor, "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos."
Mountain biking trails: The Mueller State Park Campground trail system offers various difficulty levels and scenic routes through pine forest. A reviewer notes, "Each campsite feels personal and is gorgeous. Bathrooms are never far, but the well-kept shower house might be a bit of a walk. The end of the campground feeds into many trailheads, which are great for exploring."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and dusk provide opportunities to spot deer, elk and various bird species. One camper at Colorado Campground mentioned, "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos."
What campers like
Hot showers after mountain adventures: After dusty trail days, campers appreciate clean facilities. A visitor to Peregrine Pines FamCamp shared, "Campground is clean. Friendly staff. Level spots. Though not exactly private, plenty of pine trees to make you feel you are in the woods. City water was clean/no smell/good pressure, though paperwork says a regulator is mandatory."
Spacious yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near Franktown, Colorado, several campgrounds offer this amenity. A camper at Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park noted, "I would definitely recommend it if you're in the Pike's Peak area."
Proximity to urban conveniences: The location balances wilderness with nearby services. One reviewer stated, "Close to town, some restaurants, grocery, and fuel. A bit pricey for not having sewer. Has a dump station."
What you should know
Train noise affects some campgrounds: Several locations experience railroad disturbances. A camper at Casey Jones RV Hideaway reported, "Small, quiet, and well treed. Close to town, some restaurants, grocery, and fuel."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. Plan 3-6 months ahead for prime spots, especially for yurt camping in Franktown area campgrounds.
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain can cause problems for RVs and tents. A camper noted, "The campsite that I had was very uneven. It was practically a down hill slope. I had a hard time getting my camper level."
Weather preparedness: Temperatures can drop significantly after sunset even in summer. One camper mentioned, "Very nice quiet stay in the woods. All camp sites are very easy to get to and nicely groomed. Very pleasant stay. Got below freezing so be ready for the cold."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children, keeping them entertained while at camp. A visitor to Lone Duck Campground and Cabins shared, "We only stayed two nights but we absolutely loved it! We rent camped right next to the little stream and saw so much wildlife! It was awesome! We will definitely be back."
Educational wildlife opportunities: Morning and evening wildlife viewing provides learning opportunities. One parent noted, "We woke up one morning at our tent site with deer walking and eating down the creek right next to us."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature pools or swim areas that help children cool off during hot summer days. A family mentioned, "The heated pool is awesome (and pretty darn warm!), the little trout pond is nice for the kids."
Yurt camping for beginners: Family-friendly yurt accommodations near Franktown provide an easy introduction to outdoor recreation without the hassles of tent setup. One family reported, "Was just beautiful all the staff was wonderful and made our first in Co wonderful."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Some campgrounds offer electric only. As one RVer stated, "Clean bathrooms. Very friendly attendant. Level primitive spots. $26 for primitive."
Dump station access: Not all sites provide sewer hookups, so plan accordingly. A reviewer noted, "They also lock their dump station so when you want to check out and use the dump station you have to track down a camp host to get the code for it. This is very inconvenient."
Water pressure considerations: Bring a regulator for high-pressure connections. One experienced RVer cautioned, "Water pressure here is really strong so make sure you have a water pressure regulator handy."
Leveling equipment: Pack extra leveling blocks for uneven sites. According to one camper, "The site we were assigned did not have a fire pit in the site, it was up the road by another camp site. Because of that we did not have a fire."
