Best Campgrounds near Gould, CO

Gould, Colorado serves as a starting point for Rocky Mountain camping adventures. Moraine Park Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park sits along the Colorado River with mountain backdrops that change with the seasons. Glacier Basin Campground gives you quick access to hiking trails where wildlife sightings are common. At Timber Creek Campground, you might wake up to elk wandering through the morning mist. Most campers visit from late spring through early fall when weather is good and all campgrounds are operating. Snow piles up in winter, closing some areas and making others hard to reach. Bears and other wildlife roam throughout the area, so store your food properly. You should make reservations well ahead of time, as summer spots fill months in advance. The booking system opens several months before camping season begins. The Great Sand Dunes and Colorado River are worth day trips if you're staying a while. Hiking, fishing and just relaxing by the campfire are all good options near Gould. Check what rules apply to your specific campground and bring appropriate gear for mountain weather conditions.

Best Camping Sites Near Gould, Colorado (391)

    1. Timber Creek Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    38 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 / night

    "The campground is adjacent to the Colorado River, close to the Kauwuneeche Visitor Center and Grand Lake! There are plenty of bathrooms, and they have running water with sinks and toilets."

    "It's on the (much) quieter west end, near Grand Lake and a good distance from all of RMNP's most popular sites."

    2. North Michigan Campground — State Forest State Park

    17 Reviews
    Rand, CO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 723-8366

    $28 - $120 / night

    "Getting to the campground and visitors center is easy as they are both right off the highways 41 and 14, but it is quite a drive to get to, in general."

    "Fishing, hiking, off-roading, kayaking or canoeing, or simply sightseeing - there are big mountain vistas to enjoy."

    3. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    91 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 - $70 / night

    "Took the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back."

    "Very enjoyable spot, close access to trails and entrance and exit of the park."

    4. The Crags Campground — State Forest State Park

    10 Reviews
    Rand, CO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 723-8366

    $28 / night

    "You get to camp next to a nice running creek. Surrounded by the forest and mountains. Friendly staff, good shade and privacy. Highly recommend for a true getaway. Nice trails nearby as well."

    "I love the opportunity to connect to the wild spaces that surround us. I love finding people who share that same passion."

    5. Ranger Lakes Campground — State Forest State Park

    8 Reviews
    Rand, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 723-8366

    $36 / night

    "Small campground next to three lakes. One lake has dried up. Beautiful Gould, CO. We also boondock camp in this area as well. Don't miss Lake Agnes. It's at the top of a mountain."

    "I tent camped at Ranger Lakes. I was the only one tent camping among all the RV’s. I didn’t mind that the spaces were visible from each other since I was camping alone."

    6. Chambers Lake Campground

    10 Reviews
    Gould, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6700

    $30 - $59 / night

    "This is a beautiful campground located along hwy 14 near Fort Collins."

    "We were tucked into the trees far from other sites with a partial view of the lake. Quiet with a little bit of water noise, which was perfect for sleeping."

    7. Glacier Basin Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    60 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 - $70 / night

    "Firewood sold next to the entrance by the same husband and wife that have been selling firewood there for 35 years. There is a shed full of firewood."

    "The spaces are large, but quite close to one another with few trees for privacy. Each site here is variable, with some open with no trees and others nestled in some mature trees."

    8. Bockman Campground — State Forest State Park

    5 Reviews
    Rand, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 723-8366

    $28 / night

    "The campsite has two entrances - one from the west passing North Michigan Reservoir and one from the South East which is basically from Lake Agnes Trailhead."

    "There are lots of great activities to participate in very close by - fishing, hiking, 4-wheeling and more!"

    9. Winding River Resort

    20 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 627-3215

    $40 - $60 / night

    "They have direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River.  We visited a little late in the season (August) to catch many fish, but we still had fun. "

    "A lovely wooded campground literally on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park - we even saw moose from the back window of our RV! "

    10. Primitive Sites — State Forest State Park

    5 Reviews
    Gould, CO
    7 miles
    +1 (970) 723-8366

    $18 - $144 / night

    "This is one of my all-time favorite places to hike and camp in Colorado. I have not yet stayed in any of the campgrounds but have backpacked to the top of the American Lakes Trail."

    "I especially enjoyed the American Lakes trail up to Michigan and Snowy Lakes. That amazing landscape will forever be a special place to me."

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Recent Reviews near Gould, CO

2071 Reviews of 391 Gould Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    Camping near Rocky Mtn NP

    What a wonderful campground! Friendly hosts, full hookups offered, beautiful scenery and right outside the entrance to the national park!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Nice view of Gold Lake

    Overlook of Gold Lake

    Beautiful camp site setup. Huge Rock fire pit. Piled firewood. At a high point with views of gold's Lake roads to site have been deactivated so it would be necessary to walk in. AT&t cell service a little bit spotty. Nice open areas up there. Roads in sight. Very secluded

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Pinion Pine Dispersed Campground

    Dispersed camping witha view of the Colorado river

    Camped here in order to do the hike to the Radium Hot Springs down the road.

    The access track (off Trough Rd) had one huge rut that a smaller car might find a bit hairy but we saw a small SUV had gotten in there.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Trough Road Dispersed

    Camping no longer allowed

    There is now a lot of signage prohibiting camping. Go to Pinion Pine Dispersed Camping up the road to the north east.

    Definitely come here for the hike to th hot prongs though. The road accommodated our big Revel van easily.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Gold Lake Roosevelt Forest dispersed camping

    Peaceful. Nobody around

    Adjacent to boundary fence line between the private Lake and the national Roosevelt Forest. Nice high spot. Well shaded. Very large fire pit for fires when they're allowed. Weak AT&T.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Poudre Canyon Road Camp

    Low key but functional

    Full disclosure: I crashed here after driving straight through eastern Wyoming so my standards may have been a little low at the time. I would have preferred to stay at Pingree but it wasn’t an option so I snagged a site here for a few nights and explored the canyon during the day. Overall I found it comfortable and quiet. The sites are spaced far enough apart for privacy. The view of the canyon isn’t spectacular; the opposing hillside is a little scruffy looking. But there are still trees and vegetation around the site so I wouldn’t call it ugly by any means. It just depends where you look I guess.

    There were a handful of flies buzzing through the campsite which my dog took great personal offense to. But otherwise it was a very mellow, low-key site. I would describe it as a serviceable alternative if your first choice is full and you are tired of driving.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Ute Pass Dispersed Camping

    Nice spot by the river

    Really pretty spot on the Williams fork river. I’ve had really good service here with T-Mobile. Road is a bit rough and rocky but not far to get back to the sites by the river. There is sadly a ton of trash at some of the sites (beer cans and boxes and such), I will be removing as much as I can fit in one trash bag on my way out!

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Dry Lake Campground

    Nicely updated campground

    We’re here starting Thursday before Labor Day 2025. Many of the sites and one bathroom seem to be recently updated. The pull through sites have very long driveways with nice level spots. The tent areas look great. Tables, fire pits, bear lockers all seem new. It’s hard to find information on this campground, but if you see 20’ trailer limit, don’t buy it. The host is in a 36’ trailer. A couple of the turns getting in and out could be challenging with a longer setup. Our setup is about 55’ long (truck and trailer) and it’s not problem. Close to trailheads and Steamboat Springs is about 15-20 minutes down the hill. Finding a site Thursday was simple, but could be due to lack of good information about this campground.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Miller Lake dispersed

    Great for a one nighter

    Beautiful old abandoned campground! There are cows and unfortunately the water near by has some issues with it. However this area is beautiful and I always look forward to camping here


Guide to Gould

Camping near Gould, Colorado, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. One camper at the Glacier Basin Campground mentioned, "The hiking trail to Sprague Lake is about a mile with plenty of birds and other critters."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for moose and elk. A visitor at the Timber Creek Campground shared, "Wonderful place. Moose in campground, and elk calling at night."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in nearby lakes. A review for the Green Ridge Campground noted, "Super awesome fishing out here if you know where to go."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at the Moraine Park Campground said, "Just beautiful and in the park so don’t deal with timed entry."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the well-maintained restrooms. A visitor at the Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake mentioned, "Common bathroom, shower, dish and clothes washing facilities centrally located, clean and well maintained."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peacefulness of the sites. A review for the East Portal Campground highlighted, "Quiet, no generators heard as big rigs won’t fit!"

What you should know:

  • Seasonal Availability: Some campgrounds have specific open seasons. For example, the Glacier Basin Campground is open from May 23 to September 11.
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities. A camper at the Timber Creek Campground noted, "Not a spectacular campground, but it is in the RMNP and that makes it special."
  • Crowded During Peak Times: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at the Arapaho Bay Campground mentioned, "We’ve been to this spot before and loved it! They have a ton of first come first serve spots, but the whole campground was full by the time we got there at 8pm on Friday."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Family-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds. One reviewer at the East Portal Campground said, "Big playground and not crazy expensive."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Kids will love seeing animals. A camper at the Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake shared, "Every day I had mule deer visitors."
  • Space Between Sites: Choose campgrounds that offer some distance between sites for privacy. A visitor at the Timber Creek Campground mentioned, "Young pines are starting to provide separation between sites."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Size Restrictions: Some campgrounds have limits on RV sizes. A review for the Timber Creek Campground noted, "RV allowed up to 30 feet."
  • Look for Hookups: If you need electric hookups, check ahead. A camper at the Estes Park KOA mentioned, "Cost $96 night. Close to noisy road, neighbors are so close with about 10’ between trailers."
  • Plan for Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A visitor at the Aspenglen Campground said, "Sites in the middle of loop C get a lot of sun."

Camping near Gould, Colorado, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Gould, Colorado?

Gould offers several exceptional camping options within State Forest State Park. Ranger Lakes Campground is highly recommended, featuring sites next to three lakes in beautiful Gould with easy access to Lake Agnes and Teller City ghost town. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Primitive Sites — State Forest State Park provides fantastic hiking opportunities with abundant wildlife viewing, especially moose. The area also offers excellent backcountry camping options for those willing to venture further from established campgrounds. While reaching Gould requires a bit of a drive (about 4 hours from Denver), the pristine natural setting and recreational opportunities make it well worth the journey.

What amenities are available at Gould campgrounds?

Campgrounds around Gould typically offer a range of basic to moderate amenities. North Michigan Campground provides reservable sites with toilet facilities and can accommodate larger RVs. Similarly, Bockman Campground offers drive-in access with toilet facilities and is big-rig friendly. Most established campgrounds in the area feature fire pits, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Water availability varies by location, with some campgrounds requiring you to bring your own. Many sites throughout State Forest State Park are reservable online, which is recommended during peak season. The park also offers access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing areas regardless of which campground you choose.

Is Long Draw campground near Gould, Colorado open year-round?

Long Draw campground near Gould is not open year-round. Like many high-elevation campgrounds in northern Colorado, it typically operates seasonally from late June/early July through September, depending on snow conditions. Winter access is severely limited due to heavy snowfall and road closures. For year-round camping alternatives in the region, consider Chambers Lake Campground, which has a longer operating season, though still closes during winter months. The access roads to these high-country campgrounds become impassable once snow accumulates. If you're planning a trip outside summer months, contact the local ranger district for current conditions and closures, as opening dates can vary significantly based on snowpack and spring melt timing.