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 (392)

    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

2087 Reviews of 392 Gould Campgrounds


  • Susan D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    FR-302 Dispersed Camping - Rabbit Ears Pass

    Great spot

    We found a spot about a mile up 302. You hit kind of an intersection. We took the road to the right and went all the way to the end. It ends in a big loop (really big enough space for a few rvs). We pull a 33' fifth wheel and just went slow. The spot at the end was beautiful!

  • Vinny D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Allenspark Dispersed Camp Spot

    Great spot, quiet

    Good spot, this is my second time staying here. You have to drive through a neighborhood to get to the serving road. Follow the directions on Google and you’ll be fine. The best spots are a little further back. The road will come to a Y go left. Once you go left down be hill you’ll go back up a hill and go around the curve to the right. There’s a creek on the left and great spots.

  • Adam  B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    South Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir

    Eh… it’s ok

    For what you’re paying for it could be better. Vault bathrooms are not clean and smell awful. Look I know they smell and are dirty but people do your part to close the lid and clean up afterwards. Showers are good but you have to pay $2 per shower Dump is $15 too! Good cycling around here Cell service is ok. Sometimes drops. Verizon and att People working here are very friendly and helpful. Leave it better than you found it.

  • Susan D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Twin Buttes Reservoir

    Great spot!

    We picked a spot here that is right off the road by the "beach". Our 33' 5th wheel fits just fine. Beautiful area near town, but lots of fishermen traffic. Great spot for fishing or bird watching. We saw a family of eagles, a golden eagle, and many shore birds and water fowl. Be careful, though. The soil is very clay - so slippery when wet.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    ESTES PARK / ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK KOA HOLIDAY

    Great Views

    This is a really nice KOA. It doesn't seem like there are any bad sites, but there are a few premium sites that would totally be worth the extra money if you are here a few days and spending evenings at camp. Amazing views from a private deck. We were next to these, and still had great views and a nice fire pit and table area.

  • Rachel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    N Boulder Creek Dispersed Camping

    2x winner

    Have now camped here twice, in June & late September, both on Friday nights, and it has been perfect. Loads of well spaced spots, secluded, gorgeous views.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed

    Good overnight spot

    Stayed here overnight and car camped before going into Estes Park. There are some more private wooded spots on the way in, but these were full so we stayed in an open area further down the road where there was not much/any privacy from neighbors. Super windy in early August. Pretty good views. Moderately busy. Road in was not too bad.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Gold Lake Area Dispersed

    Great dispersed camping

    I stayed at a small spot maybe a mile further down the road from where these coordinates lead you to. There was a fire ring and it was right on the lake. My spot was just before the large spot with the uphill drive that overlooks the lake. Perfect balance of solitude and presence of distant neighbors. Road to get in is a little rough but not the worst and I even saw some sedans doing fine. Easy one hour drive into RMNP in the morning.

  • Philip P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Lake John Dispersed Camping

    Relatively Private Site right next to Lake John Shoreline

    After driving past the more established Lake John RV Resort we found this spot to park our campervan. Site has a metal tin can fire pit. Very peaceful with private location.


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.