Rocky Mountain National Park and State Forest State Park define the camping landscape around Gould, Colorado. The area sits at elevations between 8,500-10,000 feet, creating a high alpine environment where temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer months. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though winter access often requires snowshoes or cross-country skis to reach remote sites.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dusk: Timber Creek Campground offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife sightings. "We saw a smallish bull moose and lots of bucks!" reports Lauren P. who stayed at The Crags Campground.
Alpine lake hiking: Access multiple high-elevation lakes via trails from campgrounds. "There are several good hikes off the road through the park, several lead to alpine lakes, anywhere from 6-10 miles round trip," notes Donella L., who visited Ranger Lakes Campground.
Fishing in clear mountain lakes: Many campgrounds offer direct fishing access. "Had so much fun! Camp site was very clean, level, and well kept. The highlight was fishing. BEAUTIFUL clear waters, PLENTY of trout, and great trails through the woods to explore," writes Gary E. about his experience at Ranger Lakes.
What campers like
Mountain views without crowds: Less-visited campgrounds provide solitude. "This is one of two campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park that does not take reservations. There are more moose here than at the other campgrounds in the park," explains Amber A. about Timber Creek Campground.
Lake access for water activities: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. "We were able to paddle board and fish right from our campsite, and had a wonderful fresh trout dinner," shares B B. about their stay at North Michigan Campground.
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution creates remarkable stargazing. "When the sun goes down you can see millions of stars. Everything about this site is perfect," writes Kelsey W. about Timber Creek Campground.
What you should know
Winter access limitations: Many remote campgrounds require special preparation. "We stayed in cabin #3 and it was an awesome experience! The gas stove kept us nice and toasty all night long!" explains Haley K. about winter camping at North Michigan.
Bear safety requirements: Most campgrounds lack individual bear boxes. "There were no bear bins in the campground - be bear safe and bear smart, lock all of your food and toiletries inside your car at night," warns Amanda M. about camping at Timber Creek.
Limited facilities: Remote camping spots often have basic amenities. "Fire grills and picnic tables provided, but no designated tent pads, no bear boxes, no electricity, and only a tough to use hand pump for water in the center of the campground," notes Lisa K. about The Crags Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with protected swimming areas: "The lake is perfect for canoe, paddle board, kayak, we tried swimming but the water is super cold. It's also very clear and clean," advises Donella L. about Primitive Loop Campground.
Look for sites with distance from neighbors: "We chose site 154 in loop D, and it was perfect! The site was in the very back of the campground, had a large distance between the two neighboring sites, and faced the mountains," recommends Amanda M. from her experience at Moraine Park Campground.
Select campsites with activities for various ages: "Amazing views and something for everyone. My 4 year olds threw rocks in the reservoir, they bikes on nearby trails. The bathrooms were clean too. My dog was able to cool off in the reservoir on a hike," shares Meghan H. about North Michigan Campground.
Tips from RVers
Reserve full hookup sites early: "Full hookups and lots of space at the lower numbered full hookup sites. Nice and quiet," reports Christopher W. about Winding River Resort.
Expect primitive access roads: "No trailers, RVs allowed as tiny, winding dirt road to get there," warns Zann R. about access to The Crags Campground.
Winter RV camping options: Several campgrounds offer year-round access with heat sources. "We stayed in cabin #3...We had room enough for 4 people and 3 dogs and didn't feel like we were on top of each other. The gas stove kept us nice and toasty all night long!" explains Hayley K. about North Michigan Campground.
Guide
