Best Glamping near Gardner, CO

Aspen Acres Campground in San Isabel National Forest houses upscale glamping options surrounded by towering mountains and changing aspen colors. The glamping accommodations include both cabin-style and canvas structures with comfortable furnishings, electricity, and modern amenities not typically found in traditional campsites. Located near Lake Isabel, this glamping resort combines natural forest settings with luxury comforts including propane fire rings available for rental, even during fire restriction periods. The grounds feature a recreation center, clean bathroom facilities with showers, and both wooded and open sites designed for privacy. According to a camper, "This campground is beautiful, with good size spots that are pretty level gravel with some grassy areas. The biggest bonus was the staff - they were friendly, helpful and made us feel like we were the most welcome campers!"

Stargazing opportunities abound at glamping sites in the region, with properties like UFO Watchtower in Hooper providing unique night sky viewing experiences from comfortable canvas accommodations. Without city light pollution, the area delivers spectacular celestial displays that complement daytime activities such as fishing at nearby Lake Isabel, hiking on forest trails, and visiting Bishop Castle just 5 minutes from Aspen Acres. The San Isabel National Forest location provides a peaceful retreat while maintaining proximity to natural attractions. Most glamping facilities maintain regular staff presence with patrols throughout the grounds, ensuring safety and assistance when needed. One visitor noted, "We had a lovely time. The setting was beautiful with a short walk to Lake Isabel as well as the empty picnic area across the creek." Winter visitors particularly appreciate heated glamping options that allow for year-round mountain exploration without sacrificing comfort.

Best Glamping Sites Near Gardner, Colorado (25)

    1. Great Sand Dunes Oasis

    54 Reviews
    Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve, CO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 378-2222

    $25 - $169 / night

    "It was our first time to tent camp in Colorado and it was great. Several sites to choose from. Some have views of the dunes, some are more secluded. Bathrooms were clean."

    "It was still off season so we did not have running water at the site but we were able to fill up on site when we arrived."

    2. St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel

    10 Reviews
    Beulah, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "The sound of the nearby river is very relaxing. Amenities are as expected with a secluded campground, we had no phone or internet service at all with AT&T or Verizon."

    "Trash receptacles close. Creek on the south side of park. Many pit toilet. Camp host during operation. Both times we stayed here the host was very helpful and friendly."

    3. Aspen Acres Campground

    10 Reviews
    Beulah, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 485-3275

    "There is a shower house with bathrooms that are well maintained. Trash is kept tidy and didn’t smell even on the 97 degree day. Very easy to access but no road noise (at least not at our site)."

    "The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. Even the drive up to it was peaceful and beautiful. It’s definitely a quiet, clean campground."

    4. La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel

    6 Reviews
    Beulah, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $30 - $35 / night

    "It does have electrical hook ups which made it nice for our dog to enjoy a air conditioned trailer when it got hot during the day."

    "This campground has electricity, clean vaulted toilets, and potable water. You can not hook water directly to camper though. It is within walking distance to Isabel lake."

    5. Davenport Campground

    7 Reviews
    Beulah, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "Has a fire pit with grill, picnic table, and sites 2, 5, and 9 have the log covering. The sites are pretty close together, but we had no problem with our neighbors."

    "Arrived around 2 on a Saturday in the middle of August without reservations.. The camp takes reservations and there's a lady that comes around regularly to check registration/ enforce check out time."

    6. Pueblo South-Colorado City KOA

    14 Reviews
    Colorado City, CO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 676-3376

    "My relatives live in nearby Trinidad, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs. This site is convenient to all three."

    "Nice clean park, Friendly staff. Bathrooms, showers and laundry area are cleaned on Schedule and great. Camp store a bit under stocked but nice to have."

    7. Arkansas Point Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park

    39 Reviews
    Pueblo, CO
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 561-9320

    $36 / night

    "The grounds were quiet and people respected the Quiet Hours curfew. Each site has a covered picnic table to block the wind. The site we booked had electricity hookups."

    "First of all, the sites towards the back, by the trails... yeah, get one of those. Trail access directly from those campsites. Also the best views."

    8. Bear Lake Campground (CO)

    7 Reviews
    La Veta, CO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "The views driving up from the main road are absolutely stunning. I was here when the leaves were changing in the fall and I’m not sure there are many places in Colorado more beautiful than up here."

    "Beautiful place in Southern Colorado.     It is a busy (small), very pretty campground Southern CO (not all spots are shaded).     Great Hosts with clean vault toilets.     "

    9. Alamosa KOA

    19 Reviews
    Alamosa, CO
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 589-9757

    "Super easy to access, very nice staff & good amenities. I pitched my tent four one night here. Tent sites are spacious & have a privacy fence between them."

    "The staff really make this place five stars. So sweet and helpful and welcoming! Amenities are fine, pool was closed during our post-labor day visit."

    10. Northern Plains Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park

    13 Reviews
    Pueblo, CO
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 561-9320

    $18 - $36 / night

    "There is running water in the bathrooms, which is super great, and each individual bathroom has a shower, which is good and bad."

    "Very pretty campground within lake Pueblo state park. You need reservations before entering the campground, but you can do that online or at the visitors center easily."

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Glamping Reviews near Gardner, CO

268 Reviews of 25 Gardner Campgrounds


  • Brittany R.
    Sep. 15, 2024

    Valley View Hot Springs—Orient Land Trust - CLOTHING OPTIONAL

    Came for the daily soak - stayed for the camping

    This place was great! We originally planned just to do a daily soak before heading to our next campsite but ended up just staying here because we enjoyed it so much. The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen. We participated in the clothing optional experience but didn’t feel like we had to. Great people all around from guests to staff. Highly recommend!

  • pThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Joyful Journey Hot Springs

    Costs a lot more than listed

    We were charged $170 for a site in the middle of a gravel parking lot. It included dinner, breakfast and use of the hot springs. The WiFi didn’t reach us, but worked in the buffet style cafeteria-like dining area. Way overpriced for the experience!

  • Casey W.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Great Sand Dunes Oasis

    Amazing stay with views of the Dunes!

    We loved this camp site! It was our first time to tent camp in Colorado and it was great. Several sites to choose from. Some have views of the dunes, some are more secluded. Bathrooms were clean. Very spacious tent site with a fire pit. Our tent sleeps 6 and we had no trouble fitting in the spot.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2022

    Echo Canyon Campground - CLOSED

    Not Verified but it seems to be closed to RVs

    Looking at the website from the link on The Dyrt, there's no mention of RV sites, just Glamping cabins, etc. UPDATE: I'm headed to Canon City area so I'll check out this campground to verify.

  • Sharon B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Alamosa KOA

    What all KOAs aspire to

    Super easy to access, very nice staff & good amenities. I pitched my tent four one night here. Tent sites are spacious & have a privacy fence between them. All wood burning fires are currently prohibited in Colorado, but there are fire pits for when they're not. I met a couple with an RV that make this camp a part of any trip this direction. They pointed out that even full this camp is still a gem.

  • S
    Apr. 10, 2022

    Great Sand Dunes Oasis

    Our First Camping Trip of 2022

    We absolutely loved Sand Dunes Oasis! It was still off season so we did not have running water at the site but we were able to fill up on site when we arrived. The code to the bathroom changes so if you check in after dark, be sure to get a new code the next day! We almost could not take showers as a result!

  • Jim W.
    Aug. 25, 2019

    La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel

    Beautiful scenery in quiet campground

    I stayed in this campground in mid July for 3 nights.  The campground is pretty rustic but clean. It does have electrical hook ups which made it nice for our dog to enjoy a air conditioned trailer when it got hot during the day. The sites are a little close together and positioned so it you have a trailer where your awning comes out is in direct view of the other campers. Also we brought our kayaks to enjoy the Lake. The only kicker is you are not allowed to park where the ramp is to walk your kayaks down to the lake unless you rent them from them. So you have to use the many flights of stairs that wind back n forth all the way down to the lake. They are lined with rail road ties sometimes stacked 5 high.   So you have to lift your kayaks above the ties as you walk down. If you have a heavy kayak is almost dangerous of injury.  I feel like if they have a ramp you can walk them to if you pay for the campground you should be allowed to park your vehicle there to do so.

  • Michelle G.
    Jul. 13, 2020

    Aspen Acres Campground

    Well maintained & staffed

    This was a delightful experience for us. There are sites for every type of camper: tent, trailer, RV, glamping and cabins. This is a somewhat small but well maintained private campground with lots of simple amenities. All is the wooded back-in sites have full hook-ups (30A) and there are pull-thru sites (Ithink they are still 30A). The center wooded area is perfect for tents. A small dog park gave our girls the chance to run free for a little. There is a shower house with bathrooms that are well maintained. Trash is kept tidy and didn’t smell even on the 97 degree day. Very easy to access but no road noise (at least not at our site).

    We have a 26’ trailer and stayed in site 18. It was near the end of the row and relatively quiet. We only wish we had a longer power cable. (Our next purchase!) Our port is at the back and the outlet was way up front. To reach, we had to set up near the front of the site which limited our parking. Just pointing that out for others who might be ill prepared too.

    We were too far away to take advantage of WiFi which is fine, we just wandered up near the office to check our texts once daily. It might be more accessible if you are located closer to the office. No cell service for Verizon. Personally, I was happy to be unplugged for a couple of days!

    Although we had a fire ban in effect, we were able to rent a propane fire pit from the office. Be super cautious and check fire restrictions for Custer County. (http://oem.custercountygov.com/firecon.htm)

    Aspen Acres has a lot more staff than I expected and they patrolled frequently. Very helpful and friendly.

    5 minutes from Bishops Castle and 10 minutes from Lake Isabel ($7 day use fee). Easy drive up from I-25 but fairly steep in spots if that is problematic.

    We will stay again!

  • Rachel P.
    Jun. 20, 2022

    Arkansas Point Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park

    Quiet, lakeside RV camping

    We booked this site last minute and it was perfect! The grounds were quiet and people respected the Quiet Hours curfew. Each site has a covered picnic table to block the wind. The site we booked had electricity hookups. We stayed in a car tent, so we needed non-concrete ground to anchor our tent stakes - the sites are all concrete and gravel with a lot of grass surrounding the main driveway. We were able to park our SUV so that we had access to the grassy area without being intrusive to other folks. The showers are in their own bathroom - toilet, sink, trashcan, bench, towel hooks, and shower. I strongly advise to NOT place clothing or towels on the bench near the shower. The shower has a strong spray and it will get your items slightly wet if too close. The showers are included in your camping fee (aka free to use). There isn't anything to block the wind (except at the picnic table) so be advised weaker tents won't be comfortable.


Guide to Gardner

Glamping options near Gardner, Colorado offer mountain retreat experiences at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet throughout the San Isabel National Forest. The region's dry climate makes summer nights cool and comfortable with temperatures typically dropping into the 50s after sunset. Seasonal fire restrictions often apply between May and October, affecting campfire options at most sites.

What to do

Lake access for fishing and boating: At Lake Isabel, visitors can rent paddle boats or bring their own watercraft. "We rented a paddle boat while staying there. Good fishing in the lake," notes Alicia S. St. Charles Campground offers direct lake access and hiking opportunities.

Explore unique attractions: Visit UFO Watchtower in Hooper for night sky viewing without city light interference. "The star gazing is amazing as well! Will come back again," shares Autumn W. The site combines unusual attractions with excellent stargazing opportunities about 90 minutes from Gardner.

Mountain biking and hiking trails: The trails around Arkansas Point Campground offer recreational opportunities for all skill levels. "Arkansas campground has a big difference between the three campgrounds if you want flush toilets and showers but the Arkansas one feels like motorbiking is right on your doorstep," says Jeff A.

What campers like

Clean, well-maintained facilities: Aspen Acres Campground receives consistent praise for its upkeep. "They clean the bathrooms/shower-house twice a day and it shows. The rec center has some entertainment which was a nice bonus," reports Vanessa. The bathhouse facilities include hot showers and regularly serviced restrooms.

Propane fire options during restrictions: During fire bans, alternatives are available. "Although we had a fire ban in effect, we were able to rent a propane fire pit from the office. Be super cautious and check fire restrictions for Custer County," advises Michelle G. Propane rental options maintain the campfire experience while complying with seasonal safety rules.

Privacy between sites: Many glamping locations prioritize spacing between accommodations. "Our tent spot was tucked back in a quiet place, close walk from our tent to plumbed toilets and a further walk to the bathhouse with showers," shares Quentin C. Wooded sites offer natural screening between camping areas.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Fall visits offer unique color displays. At Davenport Campground, "Aspen leaves in full color. Peaceful park, great place for hiking," notes Chad H. Early September through mid-October provides optimal fall foliage viewing.

Limited connectivity: Cell service and WiFi access varies dramatically by location. "No cell service with ATT but don't mind so much. Disconnect is not so bad," mentions a camper at Aspen Acres. Most glamping facilities have limited or no cellular coverage, so download maps and information before arrival.

Wildlife encounters: Bears and other wildlife frequent the region. "We were visited by several mule deer and very friendly chipmunks. Bears are in the area, but a bear-proof locker is on the site," reports Kathrina M. Food storage protocols must be followed at all sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Gardner, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Gardner, CO is Great Sand Dunes Oasis with a 4.2-star rating from 54 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Gardner, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 25 glamping camping locations near Gardner, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.