Glamping and yurt camping near Gateway, Colorado ranges from comfortable cabins with electricity to simpler tent-only sites with river access. The region sits in the transition zone between foothills and mountains, with elevations from 5,000 to 9,000 feet creating diverse camping microclimates. Many sites remain open year-round, though water is typically shut off at campgrounds after late September.
What to do
River activities at waterside sites: Lone Rock Campground offers prime access for river recreation along the South Platte. "We had an awesome time between 6 adults & 7 kids! It is so much fun tubing down the river. The kids were old enough to walk up the path, tube down a little ways, then get out to do it all over again," notes one visitor to Lone Rock Campground.
Mountain hiking with panoramic views: Golden Gate Canyon State Park provides extensive trail networks with continental divide vistas. A visitor explains, "Golden Gate Canyon State Park is enormous. The options for trails are endless. Great for mountain biking or hiking enthusiasts. There are facilities, ideal for car camping or families. The park feels like it's far from the city, but the drive is easy for a weekend camping trip!" The park is approximately 30 miles from Denver.
Paddling sports on calm waters: Standley Lake Regional Park offers paddling access on its 1,063-acre reservoir. One camper describes the experience: "Tranquil exotic oasis right smack in the middle of Suburban Arvada! Who would have known!? I paddle with my friend and large smiles in the calm waters, heading toward Bird Island- you can hear the ruckus of Cormorants, Grebes, Heron, and others birds all marking their space."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bear Creek Lake Park provides habitat for diverse wildlife near water features. A visitor writes, "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding." The park maintains 15 miles of multi-use trails through various habitats.
Proximity to Denver with mountain feel: Chatfield State Park offers spacious campsites within 30 minutes of downtown Denver. According to one camper, "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos." Sites include electric hookups starting at $26 per night.
Lakeside camping without motorized boats: Wellington Lake provides calm water recreation without motor noise. "Great place to take the camper and kayaks. Kayaking, SUPs, fishing, hiking," reports a reviewer. The 167-acre lake sits at 8,100 feet elevation with Castle Mountain as backdrop.
What you should know
Seasonal water availability: At many campgrounds, water systems shut down in fall. One Lone Rock camper notes: "Water shut off on Sept. 28th for winter. Fees drop from $22 to $20 after Sept. 28th regardless of what the sign says."
Campsite spacing and privacy: Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers sites with more separation than many metro-area parks. "We stayed here in early June to avoid the chaos of RMNP and were not disappointed. The drive from Golden up into the park is beautiful and you truly feel like you are leaving the noise of Denver and the metro behind," explains a visitor.
Wind exposure at open sites: Sites without tree cover can experience significant wind. A Standley Lake camper warns: "Wind was pretty intense since we were in the middle of the field, make sure if you have a tent it is well tied in. Most of our stakes came out despite being hammered in, we relied on luggage in the tent to keep it down."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with kid-friendly water access: Cherry Creek State Park features swimming areas with gradual entry points. One visitor mentions: "We stayed here for one night before heading back out on the road. This place is huge and has many amenities. It's very well maintained. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were pay only and only with a bank card."
Look for dedicated play areas: Bear Creek Lake Park includes multiple playgrounds within the camping area. A family notes: "Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area. There's a few playgrounds within the campground and park area, with access to trails to the lake."
Consider yurt options for easier setup: Castle Mountain Recreation Area offers cabin glamping suitable for families new to yurt camping near Gateway, Colorado. "This campground is tiny and a little cramped but was very clean and had running showers that was a plus. It was surrounded by trees but they were small which didn't help block the wind. We would stay here again because the staff was very friendly."
Tips from RVers
Reserve early for hookup sites: Chatfield State Park fills quickly, especially for RV sites. "Nice campground, well kept. Without a reservation you put your name on a list that they start going through at 1pm to assign sites. As someone tent-camping this is no problem, just takes some time (site assigned ~1.5hours after arrival at 13:20). But be wary if you need certain hookups."
Check road conditions before arrival: Some access roads have limited width or poor maintenance. At Wellington Lake, a visitor cautions: "The only downside was the road to get there. It wasn't maintained very well and there was only room for one vehicle at some points."
Site leveling challenges: Ouzel Campground accommodates smaller RVs but may require work to level. "This wasn't the campground we were supposed to stay at, but our spot was not ready, so we were able to stay here while we waited. Our 39ft motorhome fit okay, but I wouldn't recommend much more than a smaller trailer for this area."
