Camping near Golden, Colorado includes options ranging from state parks to RV resorts, with elevations typically between 5,500-8,500 feet. Many campgrounds in the area experience temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, even in summer months. Clear Creek flows through several camping areas, offering water recreation opportunities within walking distance of tent and RV sites.
What to do
Paddling and water recreation: Cherry Creek State Park Campground has a large reservoir for various water activities. "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding," notes a visitor.
Mountain biking: Multiple trail systems connect to Golden Gate Canyon State Park campgrounds with varied difficulty levels. According to one camper, "Golden Gate Canyon State Park is enormous. The options for trails are endless. Great for mountain biking or hiking enthusiasts."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. "This park has great trails for hiking and mountain biking. There is also a high elevation lake as well as fantastic views of the continental divide," mentions a visitor to Golden Gate Canyon.
What campers like
Quick mountain access: Chief Hosa Campground offers mountain camping just minutes from Denver. "Good place to stay if you need to see the sights for a day or two," notes one reviewer, while another mentioned it as "Great first (or last stop) into the Rockies."
Proximity to urban amenities: Clear Creek RV Park offers direct access to Golden's downtown. A camper noted, "Stayed here for a month and a half with electric only. Along a gorgeous walking path to the mountains, within immediate walking distance to multiple breweries and restaurants, and extremely accessible to the mountains."
Off-leash dog areas: Some parks offer designated pet recreation space. One camper at Chatfield State Park Campground mentioned, "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season (June-August). At Chatfield, "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."
Fire restrictions: Many campgrounds enforce seasonal fire bans, particularly July-September. One camper at Chief Hosa noted, "There was a fire restriction in place and the campground hosts had spotted a black bear in the area a few days earlier."
Highway noise: Campgrounds near I-70 experience consistent traffic noise. A Chief Hosa visitor mentioned, "The campground is close to the highway and the noise makes it difficult to sleep or relax."
Weather variability: Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer months. "The park experiences variable mountain weather conditions with potential for sudden storms, particularly at higher elevations."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park offers multiple family activities. "Lots of park amenities like horse stables, archery range, swim beach, boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic areas," according to one camper.
Consider higher elevation for cooler temperatures: Reverend's Ridge at Golden Gate Canyon sits at 9,200 feet elevation. A visitor mentioned, "Great for families with little ones. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."
Check for coin-operated shower facilities: Many area campgrounds require quarters for showers. A camper noted, "Showers are coin-operated as well" at Chatfield, while another mentioned, "Showers weren't warm at the end of a long day and will cost ya $1.00 for the first 4 minutes and 25 cents every minute after."
Bring mosquito protection: Areas near lakes and streams can have significant mosquito activity, especially June-August.
Tips from RVers
Water pressure concerns: Some campgrounds have extremely high water pressure. At Applewood RV Resort, one camper advised, "Be sure to have a water pressure regulator or you'll come back to a flooded RV."
Limited availability for larger rigs: Many campgrounds have size restrictions or limited big-rig sites. A Dakota Ridge RV Park camper noted, "Must be an experienced driver to navigate the tight lots and roads."
Electric hookup variations: Check specific amperage availability. One Chatfield camper explained, "There are no 'tent only' sites. The minimum has electric ($26). There are 3 different areas - each has multiple bathhouses, which have coin-laundry available."
Sewer connection challenges: Some parks have unusual sewer setup. At Applewood RV Resort, "The sewer is 6 inches above grade and slinky support wasn't tall enough. You might be lifting your hose to assist emptying."
