Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Gateway, CO has a lot to offer. Gateway is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Gateway, CO. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
"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."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!!
Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
"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. "
"This was our first time staying at Bear Creek Lake. The park is not part of the Colorado Wilds or CPW State Park system, but daily vehicle fees are included with your camping reservation."
"Note: If the GPS takes you to a dirt road with a closed gate at the end, get back on the highway and take the next exit to the park entrance."
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
"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."
$32 - $80 / night
"Had a great spot right next to the Clear Creek walking path. The campground is clean and well looked after. Clean bathrooms and showers. Close to many hikes and mt trails."
"**Campground Review: **
Golden, CO is a super cute town on the outskirts of Denver. The city has a campground in a prime location, and we were lucky to book a site!"
$50 - $170 / night
"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."
"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."
$33 - $40 / night
"They use a keycode system to restrict access to the centrally-located bathhouse (there is only one in the campground), which I thought was clever. "
"The highway noise was very noticeable, but didn’t take away from the peaceful setting. It was a clean campground. The bathrooms and showers were clean and have a key code for entry."
"Lots of good food nearby."
GuideThis campground is very easy to get too right off of Interstate 70. It was nice but the sites are very close and you can hear the traffic on the interstate really well. The camphost was very friendly and our site was easy to get into and had electric and water. The price was very reasonable. The bathrooms were clean. The process of reserving a site is a little complicated and you have to do it online. You can not call and book a site. I would stay here again for an overnight stop.
Scoutgreat campsite near the river with lots of space and trees
ScoutAbsolutely gorgeous. Got to within 1/8 mi and had to stop. Camped there and watched at least ten jeeps try and fail to get up. Hiked up to an absolutely gorgeous lake, and upper lake. 10/10
ScoutIf you’re searching for peace, tranquility, and the chance to eavesdrop on the local wildlife drama, look no further than RV Site 006. This site is so quiet, I’m convinced the trees are on a strict “no rustling” policy. The only disturbance during my stay was a heated debate between two squirrels. The site itself is spacious and level for a 15ft boondock, perfect for anyone who prefers their RV to not double as a seesaw. Electrical hookup worked flawlessly, and the serenity was only broken by the occasional sound of my own thoughts echoing back at me.
Now, a word of warning for those planning to use the RV dump station: it’s the campground’s best-kept secret. On your way in, there’s a sign, but on the way out, it’s like the Bermuda Triangle of sanitation. A large island blocks your view, so unless you have the memory of an elephant or a GPS set to “waste disposal,” you’ll drive right by. Consider it a bonus challenge—a scavenger hunt for adults.
GuideWent up Rollins pass road (you can access it from the Lakota Trail neighborhood or down the road a bit on 80). The first gate was open but not the second or third to get to the top where there are def more spots and fire rings. You can only camp places where there are dots on the side of the road on the official county map. Check the Rollins pass website it’s very informative and a sacred land so leave no trace. We got one of the like 3-4 spots we saw with a fire ring that wasn’t taken yet. (No fire ban 6/14/25 I check don’t worry :).. Some back trails are very hairy, pretty busy with motor vehicles but a lot of the new electric dirt bikes which don’t make much noise, probably 10-15 ppl the entire night riding by only once. Got great weather and the main trail is pretty easy up to the second gate which is supposed to be open June 15-Sept 15 I think.
TravelerMany spots along the CR once you find it, came in around 4pm on a Friday and there were still plenty of spots but started filling up fast. By 7pm, people were turning around as no spots were left. There were multiple moose in the area with babies so beware of the mamas!!
The owners of the lake have cameras on all sides but there was one section left open for shores access but no swimming, fishing, or use of the lake itself. Trails around the area were beautiful. Will definitely be back in the fall when the aspens turn! As a previous review said, look for ticks nightly. None on the people that we found but some on the dogs. Do your checks! Definitely bring bug spray as the flys and mosquitoes were thirsty. No cell service majority of the time using ATT or Verizon.
ScoutI checked out this area and the exact place. No trespassing signs everywhere including this particular sight. So many private properties in the area that i gave up camping there
ScoutExtremely disappointing experience. We called ahead to confirm that our friends’ tent setup was permitted and were told it was fine. But once we arrived, the host(Holly) was shockingly rude and confrontational. Instead of calmly explaining the issue, she chose to argue and escalate things unnecessarily. If the staff were properly trained to ask key questions—like whether the setup had a hard top or soft top—this whole situation could’ve been avoided. It’s clear they need better customer service skills and a better understanding of basic camping setups. We won’t be returning.
ScoutWe went up for a quick weekend trip and it was perfect, lots of campsites along the road and not too close together. The road was decent to drive on a few bumps but nothing crazy. The sites were clean and well maintained.
Camping near Gateway, Colorado, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Gateway, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Gateway, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 284 campgrounds and RV parks near Gateway, CO and 85 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gateway, CO is Chatfield State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 75 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 85 free dispersed camping spots near Gateway, CO.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Gateway, CO that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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