Best Campgrounds near Granby, CO

Several campgrounds near Granby, Colorado sit close to both the Rocky Mountains and Colorado River. Prospector Campground works well for families since it has playgrounds and kid-friendly activities while still putting you near hiking trails and fishing spots. If you're camping with children, look for sites with play areas to keep them entertained. The Arapaho Bay Campground next to Lake Granby gives you good lake views plus chances to paddleboard and fish. Many campers spot wildlife like moose and elk while staying in the Granby area. Pay attention to fire rules and length-of-stay limits that help protect the local environment. Some campground access roads might need higher-clearance vehicles, particularly in winter months. Summer brings the mildest weather for camping, though winter camping is possible if you're prepared for cold and snow. It's smart to make reservations at the more popular campgrounds, especially during busy seasons. The Great Sand Dunes aren't far from Granby, giving you another place to check out during your trip. Granby has camping that ranges from family-friendly spots to more basic backcountry sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Granby, Colorado (465)

    1. Arapaho Bay Campground

    31 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    $29 - $58 / night

    "Arapaho Bay Campground is on Lake Granby in the Arapaho National Forest to the south east of Rocky Mountain National Park's Grand Lake entrance."

    "Nice sized spaces, many sites close to the water, good wildlife sittings (moose, bald eagles, bear) beautiful large lake with Colorado River headwaters, near town of Grand Lake and entrance to Rocky Mt"

    2. Arapaho National Forest Stillwater Campground

    28 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    8 miles
    Website

    $32 - $73 / night

    "This campground is well-laid out and has some great views of the mountains and Lake Granby, but there are few trees, which means little to no shade and little to no windbreaks."

    "This campground has spectacular 180 degree view of mountains, including Rocky Mountain National Park and lake Granby. Has hook ups, dump station and access straight to the lake."

    3. Green Ridge Campground

    27 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    11 miles
    Website

    $29 - $88 / night

    "There is a boat ramp and dock

    The campground is nestled at the base of Shadow Mountain with the Colorado River running alongside the campground. "

    "Green Ridge is a great little campground to stay at to enjoy everything that Grand Lake has to offer. Just a short (10 min) drive into historic Grand Lake to the north, with Granby 20 mins south."

    4. Vasquez Ridge

    31 Reviews
    Winter Park, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 541-2500

    "There are different types of sites, including some pull-offs for campers, some sites you could drive into off the road, and some with parking on the road and a small hike down to the site."

    "The site we found was tucked back away from the road giving us nice privacy. We could barely see our neighbors from our campsite, but we could hear them."

    5. Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain

    14 Reviews
    Granby, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 557-0200

    $51 - $350 / night

    "Really close to Lake Granby and Willow Creek for some great fishing and also a pond on site for fishing as well. Highly recommend and can't wait to go back."

    "Pool, hot tubs, bar/restaurant, general store, arcade, mini bowling alleys, lake for paddle boarding, access to fishing on the Colorado River. Views are beautiful and a very easy drive from Denver."

    6. Stillwater Campground

    19 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 887-4100

    $5 / night

    "I would imagine that this location is heavily trafficked during the summer months due to its proximity to the water and the surrounding towns. "

    "Great view of Granby Lake from most of the camp sites. Not a lot of tree cover but it was very pretty. Mostly quiet and we are at the entrance by the boat dock."

    7. Sunset Point Campground

    15 Reviews
    Granby, CO
    6 miles
    Website

    "Great access to Lake Granby with private access at the campground. Most sites are shaded and are very private. Campground is small and fills up fast during the season."

    "Plenty of trees for privacy especially if you're on the lake side. Typical NFS vault toilets but clean. Dumpsters for trash."

    8. Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite

    19 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    11 miles
    Website

    "there are a number if dispersed campsites on this road. they’re all lovely and pretty spaced out but if you’ve got a rowdy bunch in the spot next to yours you’ll definitely hear them. but the views here"

    "We found a great camping spot close to a hiking/biking trail. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous and the Columbine flower is scattered amount the wildflowers."

    9. Willow Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Granby, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 887-4100

    $17 / night

    "Willow Creek Campground is located on Lake Granby, six miles north of Granby, in north central Colorado. Great canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hiking."

    "We spent that morning roaming around highway 14 near SFSP looking for moose - and found two!"

    10. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    91 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    27 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."

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Recent Reviews near Granby, CO

2816 Reviews of 465 Granby Campgrounds


  • B S.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Idlewild Campground

    Fall stay

    Stayed two nights with my sons. Grabbed one of the walk-in sites Friday at 1pm.

    Pros: Availability (one of the only sites in Winter Park), beautiful surroundings

    Cons: Right next to the highway so traffic (trains at times) can be heard at all hours of the night, most walk-in sites don't have a tent pad

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite

    Great view of the Lake + porta-potty

    We took a left at the fork and found a site with the best view and a porta-john at the end of the driveway. The site appears to have been freshly cleared. There were lots of twigs and rocks and no grass, so it became a muddy mess as soon as the rain began. Site had plenty of space and a good amount was flat. No fire ring, but there was a burn ban anyways. Nice and secluded but could still hear the neighbors a bit but it wasn’t bothersome. Gunfire and ATVs were much louder but stopped around sundown. Would go back to this site.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    Camp camp camp

    Went on a bit of a rainy weekend so it got super cold at night. The roads are super rocky as you get up to the reservoir and with the rain there were some large puddles but with the right vehicle should be all good. The views were amazing and the hike up is so pretty. So many great sites all the way up to the reservoir as well.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot, right on the water

    High clearance 4x4 recommended but could be doable without if you’re an experienced driver. Beautiful lakes and some campsites are right on the water. Only one other person camping on a Wednesday night. There is currently a fire ban so be sure to respect our forests and be updated.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Chief Hosa Campground

    I-70 off-ramp camping

    The campground is unfortunately too close to the highway and the noise makes it difficult to sleep or relax. Nice parking spot if you need to see the sights for a day or two.

  • 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!

  • Trish M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely beautiful

    My husband and I are addicted to dispersed camping 🏕 and every weekend, we try to go somewhere different. This place was beautiful beyond words! The road getting there really wasn't bad, but you do need a little ground clearance. We got in around 9 pm, so it was dark, and we didn't know where we were, so there was a spot open right as you get to the top that we parked in. The moon was so bright we could see the mountains around us and could even see the like big of snow up there. Woke up the next morning and fell in love with our spot, so we stayed. We decided to take a walk around the lake and check out the upper lake. Definitely loved it here. Will be back for sure.

  • 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.


Guide to Granby

Camping spots near Granby, Colorado range in elevation from 8,000 to 8,300 feet, placing campers in high alpine terrain where weather conditions can change rapidly. Most campgrounds in this region sit within Arapaho National Forest, which suffered pine beetle damage leaving limited natural shade at many sites. Summer nights typically drop to 40°F even after warm days, requiring campers to pack extra layers regardless of season.

What to do

Paddle boarding on Lake Granby: Visit Arapaho Bay Campground where campers can launch directly from shoreline sites. "The views were incredible, and we pretty much had private lake access for our paddle board and kayak," reports Grace K., who enjoyed easy water entry from her campsite.

Fishing at Willow Creek Reservoir: The smaller Willow Creek offers a quieter alternative to larger lakes in the area with fishing for rainbow and brown trout. "Great fishing on Willow Creek Reservoir—Rainbows, Browns, and some salmon. Boats with motors are prohibited, so there are many canoes, kayaks, and other non motorized activities on the lake," notes Mike B.

Wildlife viewing along trails: Walk the trails around Sunset Point Campground for frequent wildlife encounters. "Nice wildlife sittings (moose, bald eagles, bear) beautiful large lake with Colorado River headwaters," mentions Arlene P. who visited the area and spotted several species.

What campers like

Lake access for cooling off: Campers appreciate Green Ridge Campground for its proximity to Shadow Mountain Lake. "Located very near shadow mountain lake, but no sites are actually on the lake. Tent pad was a little small for out 6 person tent, but we made it work," says Haley C.

Clean facilities despite remote location: Many reviewers note the maintenance standards at campgrounds near Granby. "The campground is situated on the southern shore of Willow Creek Reservoir... Camp hosts were awesome and quick access to the lake. Clean and quiet little place," Matthew B. reports about his stay.

Stargazing opportunities: With minimal light pollution, Granby area camping provides excellent night sky viewing. "The site had a picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, and bear locker... it's a fair trade off for the easy access to the lake in my opinion!" writes Carolyn P. about her stay at Stillwater Campground, noting the open skies.

What you should know

Bear safety requirements: All campsites in the Granby area require proper food storage. "No bear lockers and only vault toilets, nowhere to wash hands so bring hand sanitizer. We had a little bit of shade at our site which was great. They're not kidding when they say bear country- had bears at our site and around the campground 2 out of 3 nights!" warns Skylar F. from Arapaho Bay.

Wind conditions affect comfort: Lakeside camping brings consistent winds, especially in afternoon hours. "Be careful with setting up awnings or tents it can be very windy this close to the lake!" cautions Katie H. about her experience at Stillwater Campground.

Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. "Be warned: road in across the dam is ROUGH to the point of hazard, and lacks guardrail. Significant safety concern for others or those with large or unwieldy vehicles," reports Chris E. who stayed at Arapaho Bay but found the access challenging.

Tips for camping with families

Arcade and bowling for rainy days: Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain offers indoor entertainment when weather turns. "Beautiful campsite with pool, arcade, bowling, kayak rentals, awesome gym...so much more! The kids will be entertained here, and it's a short drive to Rocky Mountain National Park," Jenny S. shares about this family-friendly option.

Small beaches for water play: Look for campgrounds with gradual water entry points. "Kayaking and swimming in Lake Grandby and hiking nearby areas was a lot of fun," notes Amber Z. who stayed at Arapaho Bay where families can enjoy water access.

Fire restrictions affect s'more plans: Check current fire regulations before promising kids campfire activities. "There was a fire ban, so no campfires at this time. Not so sure I would go back because of the crowds," Leslie R. mentions about her experience, highlighting the need to prepare alternative evening activities.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Most Forest Service campgrounds offer minimal services. "This is a campground with all FCFS sites so it fills quickly. The lake was a 100 ft walk from our site and had a pebbly beach all to ourselves that was a great place to hangout for the afternoon," Keith S. reports about Sunset Point Campground, noting that despite lack of hookups, the location compensates.

Wind exposure affects stabilization: RVers should use extra stabilizers at lakeside sites. "We stayed in a first come first serve RV site with power and water during early season snow (the day after Labor Day!) with high winds," warns Ashley M. about conditions at Stillwater Campground.

Dump station availability varies: Not all campgrounds with RV sites have dump stations. "Great NFS Campground but come prepared with water for drinking and washing. Typical vault toilets for an NFS Campground. Great access to the lake. Private sites varying in size to accommodate larger RVs or tents," notes Ashley M. about Willow Creek Campground facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Lake Granby camping from the town of Granby?

Most Lake Granby camping areas are conveniently located within a short drive from the town of Granby. Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite is described as not being too far of a drive from Granby and Rocky Mountain National Park, making it a convenient base for exploring the area. Meadow Creek Reservoir Fishing Site requires visitors to get passes from Granby before heading to the campsite, indicating it's within a reasonable distance from town. Generally, most Lake Granby campgrounds are approximately 6-10 miles from Granby, with Willow Creek Campground specifically noted as being six miles north of town. This proximity allows campers to easily access services and supplies in Granby while enjoying the natural beauty of the lake area.

Where are the best camping sites around Lake Granby?

Lake Granby offers excellent camping options with stunning mountain views. Willow Creek Campground on the southern shore of Willow Creek Reservoir provides great opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. For those seeking lakeside camping, Roaring Fork Campground offers sites near a stream that flows into Lake Granby, with lake views and access to trails that run along the shoreline. Other notable options include Arapaho Bay Campground for developed sites and Stillwater Campground for a more peaceful experience. For those who prefer dispersed camping with fewer amenities but more privacy, the Stillwater Pass area has numerous sites that are well-spaced with beautiful views and reasonable proximity to both Granby and Rocky Mountain National Park.

What amenities are available at Granby Colorado campgrounds?

Granby area campgrounds offer a range of amenities depending on the type of camping experience you seek. Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain near Granby provides full-service amenities including water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly sites that can be reserved in advance. For those seeking a more natural experience, State Forest State Park offers primitive sites with basic facilities but exceptional access to hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly moose. Dispersed camping areas like Gordon Gulch provide numbered sites with minimal amenities, perfect for those seeking a more rustic experience. Many campgrounds around Lake Granby feature access to fishing, hiking trails, and water recreation. Most developed campgrounds include vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, while some also offer potable water, trash service, and boat ramps.

When is the best season for camping at Lake Granby?

The prime camping season at Lake Granby typically runs from late May through September, with July and August being the most popular months. Gore Creek Campground and similar sites in the area offer ideal boondocking opportunities during the summer months when mountain weather is most favorable. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail is another option that becomes accessible once snow melts, typically by late spring. Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, as mentioned specifically for Willow Creek Campground. Early fall (September) can be magical with fewer crowds and beautiful foliage, while late spring (May-June) offers wildflowers but potentially cooler nights. Most campgrounds in the area close by mid-October due to snowfall, with winter camping options being very limited.