223 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Full hookup RV sites, developed tent campgrounds, and dispersed national forest sites all sit within a reasonable drive of Glenwood Springs, which gives campers a wider range of options than most towns in this stretch of the Colorado River corridor. Developed campgrounds cluster near the river and along the canyon, with water and restrooms at the established sites. Glenwood Springs RV hookups cover the range of RV parks in the area from basic to full-service.
Dispersed camping on White River National Forest land runs north and south of town on forest roads that get narrower and rougher as elevation rises. The Dyrt campers in this area flag Glenwood Canyon road closures as a variable worth monitoring, since closures redirect traffic and affect access to some campgrounds on the south side of the corridor.
Carbondale, about 12 miles south, has its own set of dispersed options on the same national forest if availability is tight. Summer weekends book fast at the more popular developed sites, and walk-up sites in the canyon are largely gone by July.
"I recommend bringing earplugs since the highway runs through glenwood springs."
"Being next to the interstate didn’t end up being a problem, still very quiet. Very close to glenwood springs, which is a definite must do if you’re looking for some relaxation and views."
"This campground is just minutes from Glenwood and close to Grand Junction."
"I did have a picnic down by the river and walked the grounds. It's a nice quiet place and like I said I will be back to RV camp."
"The road was easy no need for high clearance or 4wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee. Only 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs."
"My first winter camping trip in Colorado."
"This is not Glenwood Springs. It is located in Silt which is several towns away. That being said, it was a clean KOA with sites right on the Colorado River."
"We stayed at the Glenwood Springs West / Colorado River KOA in October 2020 for one night as we passed through the area."
from $45 - $64 / night
Check Availability"The site we had was as close to the creek one could get and we enjoyed sitting out listening to the flowing water."
"Location is great as well. Easy drive from I-70 but far enough to be out of town. Also a quick drive into Glenwood Springs."
from $50 - $150 / night
Check Availability"It is nice to be so close to the lake. We go as a group and they have always been able to accommodate us with sites near each other."
"Loved the site and the location.. easy access to Rifle Falls and the surrounding trails and climbing walls.. close to access for UTV and off-road vehicle areas as well."
from $28 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Rolled into Glenwood Springs late afternoon and needed a spot for our two teardrops. Wanted to be close to the downtown area."
"I've been coming to Glenwood Springs for my whole life. Not once did I know this place existed so it's definitely a Hideout!"
"Is close enough to Glenwood springs to do shopping and hit up dispensaries. We duckied from no name to Glenwood. Amazing."
"We camped right by the creek and it was peaceful to sleep next to the white noise of it. No issue setting up a tent but make sure to bring layers for night time if you go early May. "
"Got a back in spot right on the Colorado River. Almost no one here. Gorgeous. Two freight trains came by in the night. The noise wasn’t bad and it was brief. Fun to watch the locomotives."
"We even showed up and were able to give us even a better location right on the river. 13 apparently is a little bigger and preferred."
"In Colorado! What a unique place. The camping is reserved for a very small number of spots that are unique."
"A hidden gem in Colorado! Awesome hike in camp sites along the river, but also drive up spots with camper hook ups. Amazing little hiking trails and a super impressive waterfall!"
from $28 - $36 / night
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GuideThis place was great. Lots of sites along the way up this mountain. I never saw another vehicle or person the entire time I was at my site. The only downfall is it was the worst mosquito encounter I have ever experienced in CO. Probably migrant mosquitos from Wyoming haha. It was also the first spot I went to that was stage 1 so I could have a fire in the pit.
GuideThis is a pretty incredible spot where you can get away. You will run across or have some off roaders or dirt bikers pass through, but that ceases as it gets later. Unfortunately, the creek was dry when I was there. Cool spot if you like quiet.
TravelerCampground was immaculate! Bathrooms had water and flushing toilets. Beautiful views of the reservoir. If you enjoy fishing, boating or hiking and would prefer to be off the beaten path this is the spot to be. The campground hosts were delightful. The frying pan River is stocked with fish!
TravelerWe visited the falls and stayed at the campground in our 32’ RV for one day. Electrical hookup was appreciated as it was a hot day. 2 vault toilets provided were clean and didn’t smell but there was no sanitiser to clean your hands. Wasn’t too busy on a Wednesday and everyone at the campground was really friendly.
ScoutThe campgrounds are now operated and well maintained by a 3rd party. Costs $23 a night.
If you drive up the dirt road towards the historic fulford, there are some BLM spots that you can pop in.
GuideThere are sites all along the road as pullouts with markers that show 14 day camp limit. Some are just small enough for a van while others are large enough for multi vehicle or large trailer. I had no problem finding a huge spot to park jeep and trailer.
Lots of cattle graze area but they left me alone. Wish they would rotate out of area for a bit because the smell of cattle can be strong.
Most sites are parallel and marked next to stream which is funny because of signage about not camping next to stream. Just be sure to pack out everything and if you can, treat camping next to stream as wilderness camping and pack out your bio waste too so we don’t taint the waters.
unsure if there are fish in stream so i can’t answer that. Water isn’t snow melt so it’s easy to splash in and cross as it’s not fresh melt frigid.
This area was once the largest industrialized area of Colorado in the 1900s so if you filter water, filter well. Coal mining and coke burning at a massive scale here with remnants of it everywhere.
I was able to find a spot to point starlink north and get 99.9% coverage through canyon and trees no problem. No cell service here, iPhone and Garmin in reach were able to connect to satellites for updates and messaging with SOS.
TravelerGreat dispersed camping site. Not much shade but the views make up for it
ScoutDrove my FWD Tiguan. Perfect although some dips in road and a bunch of loose rock. Made it fine. Other cars may come by but there are multiple spots to pull over or back into if needed. Some traffic in daytime due to trailheads.
GuideLooks like no sites have shade. Online it says “partial shade” but it’s referring to the shaded picnic tables on site. Still a nice spot, one shower had hot water, the other did not, ice cold. But flush toilets yes. It was a nice spot but I do regret booking two nights instead of just one. No service.
Dispersed camping spots near Glenwood Springs, Colorado offer alternatives to established campgrounds at elevations ranging from 5,700 to 8,000 feet. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures typically in the 80s and cool nights in the 40s-50s. Many sites along Coffee Pot Road and Four Mile Road require higher-clearance vehicles due to rugged forest service roads.
Explore waterfall caves: Rifle Falls State Park Campground features unique limestone caves beside the 70-foot triple waterfall. "The hike to the falls is short from the day use area. It is amazing!!! The hike also has some great caves and allows you to go up and look down on the falls," writes Billie B.
River recreation access: Glenwood Canyon Resort offers direct Colorado River access for water activities. "Falling asleep to the sound of the Colorado River literally 3 feet away is just wonderful, well worth the $54/night for a tent site," notes Kevin A. The resort also connects to biking routes: "Bike path is right out the front. We rode it from Aspen down valley and right back to our campsite."
Mountain road exploration: Four Mile Road Dispersed provides camping with high-elevation drive access. "Make sure to try out the drive up the mountain, it was breathtaking and kept going up. We passed a herd of goats and the dogs that were in charge of them, and a cowboy on a horse!!! At the top, you can walk out for a stunning and surreal view," explains Simas.
Creekside sites: At Elk Creek Campground, campers enjoy waterfront spots. "The site we had was as close to the creek one could get and we enjoyed sitting out listening to the flowing water," shares Keith S. This campground sits a few miles from I-70 with full hookups, cabins, and tent sites.
Stargazing opportunities: Coffee Pot Spring offers excellent night sky viewing at higher elevations. "During the night we heard Elk and it was so dark that we saw the milky way!!!" reports Shea M. Sites here are spread out, offering solitude: "The spots, especially higher up the mountain, are pretty far apart."
Family-friendly amenities: Glenwood Springs West/Colorado River KOA gets praised for its facilities. "The splash pad, park, pool, hot tub and shower facility were all new and super clean. Wonderful facilities all around," writes Jennifer H. Other campers note the peaceful riverside setting despite proximity to highways.
Fire restrictions common: Check current fire bans as they fluctuate seasonally. "No campfires allowed," notes a Four Mile Road camper in June. Most dispersed areas lack designated fire rings.
Mosquito preparation: Pack effective insect repellent, especially for creek areas. "We are tent campers and found it impossible to be outside the tent without a lot of serious bug spray on. We had to use Off and a lot of it any time we were outside the tent," warns Martha about Elk Creek.
Road conditions vary: Deep Creek Campground has narrow access roads that require caution. "Very narrow, exposed road. I would not recommend a trailer or larger RV. The pullouts are tight, if you have dogs or kids I'd go farther up to avoid the traffic," advises Shayli L.
Limited availability: Reserve established campgrounds well in advance during summer. For Coffee Pot Spring: "We were able to find this spot on a Saturday night in July," but this is uncommon.
Wheelbarrow assistance: Rifle Falls State Park Campground provides practical help for walk-in sites. "We camped in the walk in sites and it was so handy because they provide wheelbarrows to haul your stuff into the sites (which wasn't far)," shares Hilary B.
Kid-friendly activities: Caves and waterfalls keep children entertained. "Gorgeous falls, caves, a nice little river. Fun for kids, can get crowded," says Mikaela R. about Rifle Falls.
Water play options: Creeks and splash pads provide cooling options during hot summer days. Jennifer H. notes the KOA has "splash pad, park, pool, hot tub" that families appreciate.
Safety considerations: Sites near roads require extra vigilance. "If you have dogs or kids I'd go farther up to avoid the traffic," recommends Shayli L. about Deep Creek.
Site dimensions: Many RV sites in the area run small, especially at Glenwood Canyon Resort. "The RV sites are SMALL. We have a 42' fifth wheel, and while we got it backed in perfectly, we didn't have any room for our truck," warns Melody C.
Alternative parking solutions: When sites are tight, get creative. "Thankfully no one was next to us, so we could get creative with parking it," continues Melody about managing their truck at Glenwood Canyon Resort.
Elevation considerations: Higher elevation dispersed sites experience significant temperature drops. "We needed a last minute place to stay and went here... We did forget about how cold it can get in the mountains so we woke up freezing and left early," shares a camper about Four Mile Road.
Utility reliability: Ami's Acres Campground offers varying amenities. "We had wifi but a weak signal and not secure. Bath house was clean and pleasant. It's on a hillside above the river and highway. Sheltered from wind and extreme heat," notes Kerry C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Glenwood Springs?
The Glenwood Springs area offers several excellent camping options. Ami's Acres Campground provides a convenient location with showers, flushable toilets, and friendly hosts, though you might want earplugs due to highway proximity. For those seeking riverside camping, Gateway RV Park serves as an ideal base for exploring Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and Marble, with full hookups and access to the bike path along the Roaring Fork River. Other popular options include Redstone Campground in White River National Forest with electric hookups and spacious sites, and Rifle Gap State Park for lakeside camping with stunning sunset views, all within a reasonable drive from Glenwood Springs.
Can you camp near Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon?
Camping directly at Hanging Lake is prohibited to protect this fragile ecosystem. However, Glenwood Canyon Resort offers the closest camping option, located in No Name, CO, just a few miles from Glenwood Springs and convenient to Hanging Lake trailhead. While relatively expensive, it provides proximity to this popular attraction. For more affordable alternatives, consider Four Mile Road Dispersed camping, which offers primitive sites with no facilities (no toilets, power, water, or fire pits) but is accessible without high clearance vehicles. Remember that Hanging Lake requires a reservation and shuttle system during peak season.
What are the costs for camping in Glenwood Springs?
Camping costs around Glenwood Springs vary widely based on amenities and location. Glenwood Springs West/Colorado River KOA in Silt offers clean, well-maintained sites with riverside options, though prices reflect the KOA standard rates, typically ranging from $45-75 per night. For budget-conscious campers, Redstone White River National Forest provides more affordable public camping with electric hookup options in the Osgood and Allgeier sections. At the higher end, private campgrounds closer to town can exceed $100 per night during peak season. Dispersed camping options on public lands offer free alternatives but lack amenities. Most campgrounds require reservations during summer months, with prices typically higher on weekends and holidays.
Is there tent camping available near Glenwood Springs?
Yes, tent camping is readily available near Glenwood Springs. Hideout at Glenwood Springs offers tent camping with a nice creek running through the property, though it primarily focuses on longer-term stays. For a more rustic experience, Rifle Falls State Park Campground provides tent-friendly sites with drive-in and walk-in access. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate tents, but availability can be limited during peak summer months. For budget-conscious campers, dispersed camping on National Forest land provides free tent camping options without amenities. If planning a visit during summer weekends or holidays, reservations are highly recommended for established campgrounds, as the Glenwood Springs area is a popular destination.
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