Best Campgrounds near Grand Lake, CO

The Grand Lake region in Colorado provides diverse camping experiences within and around Rocky Mountain National Park. Timber Creek Campground lies directly in Grand Lake, while Green Ridge Campground sits along Shadow Mountain Lake nearby. Dispersed camping options include Stillwater Pass, with free sites offering a more rustic experience. Campgrounds in the area accommodate various camping styles, from tent and RV sites to cabins at Winding River Resort. Proximity to both lakes and mountainous terrain makes this area particularly appealing for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both water and alpine recreation.

Road conditions and campsite availability fluctuate dramatically with elevation and season, with most campgrounds operating from May through September or early October. Green Ridge Campground typically opens mid-May and closes in late September, while Timber Creek remains open slightly longer until November. "Sites were pretty close together, and RVs were popular leading to some additional noise and light," noted one visitor about Green Ridge Campground. Reservations are strongly recommended for established campgrounds during peak summer months, especially weekends. The area experiences afternoon thunderstorms in summer months, while early fall brings cooler temperatures and changing aspen colors. Elevation at most sites ranges between 8,000-9,000 feet, requiring proper preparation for mountain weather conditions.

Several campers highlight wildlife viewing opportunities as a standout feature of the camping experience. Moose sightings are frequently mentioned in reviews, with one camper noting "Moose galore" in the area. Many campgrounds provide access to Shadow Mountain Lake and Grand Lake for water activities, though sites directly on the water are limited. The pine beetle infestation has affected tree coverage in some areas, particularly at Green Ridge Campground, resulting in less shade at certain campsites but better views of the surrounding landscape. Campers seeking more privacy may prefer the dispersed camping areas, while those wanting amenities like showers and hookups will find established campgrounds better suited to their needs. Proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park's west entrance provides easy access to additional hiking trails and scenic drives.

Best Camping Sites Near Grand Lake, Colorado (444)

    1. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    91 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    14 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."

    2. Glacier Basin Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

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

    $35 - $70 / night

    "A short hike takes you to sprague lake or the park and ride shuttle to bear lake area. The shuttle does come into the camp, but due to construction it was easier to walk over to the park and ride."

    "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."

    3. Timber Creek Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    38 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    9 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."

    "Bathrooms are available within easy walking distance of each camping area."

    4. Green Ridge Campground

    27 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    3 miles
    Website

    $29 - $88 / night

    "Our campsite was great and pretty quiet, kind of tucked away from people. The pit toilets were really clean. Very close to Grand Lake for dining."

    "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."

    5. Arapaho National Forest Stillwater Campground

    29 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    6 miles
    Website

    $32 - $73 / night

    "This CG is a great location to enjoy activities on Lake Granby with an onsite marina and nice beaches. "

    "Nice drive on Trail Ridge Road to Rocky Mountain National Park. The town of Grand Lake is nearby and a nice place to visit."

    6. Arapaho Bay Campground

    31 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    $29 - $58 / night

    "The sunsets were amazing, we saw a moose in the morning drinking from the lake. Plenty of trails, and being right on the water kept us busy all day."

    "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"

    7. Winding River Resort

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

    $40 - $60 / night

    "This campsite is only minutes from Grand Lake so you can go to town fairly easily. I would come back here again."

    "If you enjoy trout fishing, be sure to explore the North Fork of the Colorado River that flows through the southend of the property."

    8. East Portal Campground at Estes Park

    40 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 964-7806

    $45 - $80 / night

    "Estes Park Campground at East Portal is a short drive away from both RMNP and the city of Estes Park, so you are nearby everything."

    "The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site. They had a very nice playground for the kids with a climbing wall."

    9. Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite

    19 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    4 miles
    Website

    "Very close to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. Didn’t look like there were too many spots but the spots I did see were nice. Had no trouble finding a spot on a Sunday evening"

    "Great site and location about 10 minutes from downtown Grand Lake. The sites had tons of space and a great view of the mountains."

    10. Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    46 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 964-7806

    $45 - $70 / night

    "There’s access to a small playground for kids. The pool looked nice, the lake is right across the road. Overall a good campsite."

    "Since there was construction going on at the national park campgrounds and none were available, we found Mary’s Lake to be a great alternative to take our chances at camping in the park."

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Recent Reviews near Grand Lake, CO

2870 Reviews of 444 Grand Lake Campgrounds


  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Spruce Lake RV Park

    Nice location

    There are a few of these campgrounds in estes park. They are all about the same. All close to the park and to restaurants and shops in town. This one, spruce lake rv is a little better because it had a pond you can fish in. But its not amazing just a gravel lot with a pond in the middle. Has a playground for the kids. Verizon 5g signal is good. But you are packed in tight here and overpaying

  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Hell Canyon Dispersed

    Good dispersed road

    Good spot for dispersed camping. Maybe 6 spots total going all the way up the road. 4x4 recommended. Fires allowed in established rings only, always check with Roosevelt National Forest website to see if fires are allowed during your stay as this varies by season.

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Elk Meadows Lodge & RV Resort

    Nothing special

    This place is right outside the national park. Thats about the main feature. Its a huge open gravel lot where if its busy, 100s of rv are packed in as tight as they can get them. Standard hookups and cabins available. Nice mountain views and full verizon 5g signal. But this is just a sardine can. The plus side is you will probally see or hear elk

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    St. Vrain State Park Campground

    Great Stop Through State Park

    We were surprised how nice this was. Great little walks around ponds with Mountain View’s in the background. Only stayed a night on way to Tetons, but definitely was a surprise of the trip being right off the high. Would definitely use this as a stop again.

  • Haley B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping

    Great place for one night, confusing if you show up at night!

    We ended up driving too far and just parking next to the lake for the night to camp. Lots of dirt trails near the lake, maybe not for camping but we showed up after driving 6 hours. The gps takes you past the 2 visible pulloffs that would be great for campers

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Comanche Peak View Campground

    Solitude

    Great spot near Red Feather Lakes and probably the only dispersed spot around that has AT&T service. Nobody else was here while I was camping and hardly anyone drove by, it’s pretty far out here. Good views at the end of the road of the meadow if you can make it up, other wise the lower spots have some cool rock formations to check out.

    Highly recommend for car camping instead of trailers or RVs, though it is do-able. I came up here with a small off-road trailer just fine, and my family made it up with a 25ft RV but did bottom out at the first turn into the campsite as it is really rutted (short tho). If you come in, come in through Red Feather Lakes on 74E, that way you only have 8 miles of dirt road. Otherwise if you come in from the north it’s like 20 miles + of dirt and gravel, not anything bad but it is washboard-y.

    Also go check out Elf Lane (Illy road) in Red Feather if you like weird stuff 🤓

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Bevercreek Dispersed Camping

    Quiet overnighter

    It's a nice dirt road up the hill to these three or four sites. The first site is about a quarter mile before the last three sites. It can be windy as all the sites are completely exposed. No facilities or access to water available. Relatively flat pads that are quite generous in size could fit two or three smallish campers per site. Big rigs could pull in here as well.

  • L
    Oct. 16, 2025

    LaVern M. Johnson Park

    Downtown Lyons

    Nice campground downtown Lyons and on the river. Full hookups. Tents sites right next to the river. Slow and not reliable wifi but 5G. Showers nearby closed and further showers you need to pay for. Very nice camp host. I will return.

  • Hillary B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Peak One Campground

    Convenient and beautiful

    Convenient to town and all that Frisco/Dillon has to offer, but also right on the perimeter trail (6-mile dirt) and also the Dillon Reservoir loop (18-mile paved). Our site had a small path right to the beach.

    No hammocks are allowed here (we learned this by having one). There are bathrooms, but they were locked during our stay. Potable water was still available.


Guide to Grand Lake

Rocky Mountain National Park's western side offers diverse camping near Grand Lake, Colorado at elevations between 8,000-9,500 feet. The region sees significant temperature fluctuations with nighttime lows often dropping into the 40s even in summer. Many campgrounds in this area operate seasonally from mid-May through September, with extended seasons at some locations like Timber Creek Campground which remains open until November.

What to do

Hiking directly from camp: At Green Ridge Campground, campers can access trails without driving. "I didn't have to take my car to trailheads - hiked nearly 20 miles of low traffic trails with the trailhead right across from my site," reports one visitor.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Moose sightings are common at Timber Creek Campground, where campers regularly encounter animals near their sites. "We have seen moose and elk just yards away from our tent. When the sun goes down you can see millions of stars," notes one reviewer.

Water recreation: Lake access makes Stillwater Campground popular for paddlers. "This park has a LOVELY location right on the lake... saw lots of fishing and paddleboarding. Great stay!" shared a camper after their visit.

What campers like

Close proximity to park entrances: Winding River Resort sits just outside the national park boundary. "Resort is right outside the gates of Rocky Mountain National Park. Grounds were clean and well maintained," notes one visitor.

Wildlife encounters: Timber Creek Campground consistently delivers wildlife sightings. "Elk/deer all over. The river is close by and the star viewing was amazing. Quiet campground even being full every night we were there," writes one reviewer.

Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the maintenance at Green Ridge. "Restrooms kept clean & well stocked over the 2 weeks we were here. Access to the park from the west side was great and there were moose who wandered right into the campground to take a swim in the lake regularly."

What you should know

Reservation timing matters: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Arapaho Bay Campground, "The first come first serve sites fill up by early Thursday. Get there earlier in the week and you will have a better chance of getting a spot."

Bear safety is essential: Multiple campgrounds provide bear boxes, but rules vary. At Timber Creek, "each spot had shared bear lockers for storing food," while other sites have individual bear containers.

Post-fire landscape changes: The pine beetle infestation and recent fires have altered the terrain. At Stillwater Pass, one camper noted: "The fire damage is severe and heart breaking. Be very aware of 'Snag Hazards' from the fire damage. Limbs or even trees may come down with just a bit of a breeze."

Tips for camping with families

Animal attractions: East Portal Campground offers consistent wildlife viewing. "Elk frequent the campground! It is a busy/good sized camp but if you get a spot on the edge you'll feel secluded," notes one camper with children.

Campground amenities: Some locations offer additional activities beyond just camping spots. At Winding River Resort, "They offer all sorts of activities such as horseback riding, ice cream social, chuckwagon breakfast, square dancing, cowboy church."

Weather preparation: Mountain weather can change rapidly. One camper at Timber Creek reported, "Both visits we have had rain every day around 5-8 PM, temps in mid 40s at night, mornings are stunningly perfect usually."

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: At Green Ridge Campground, "Loop A and Loop B are esthetically like 2 different campgrounds. Trees being older in Loop A we had much more privacy & beauty in Loop A. Sites had more space in general as well."

Size limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions. At Timber Creek, "There is a limit of 35 feet for RV/Trailer length. Due to pine beetle infestation in the area, many of the trees have been removed."

Road access challenges: Getting to some campgrounds requires careful driving. For Arapaho Bay, a visitor warns: "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to camp at Grand Lake, Colorado?

The prime camping season at Grand Lake runs from late June through early September, with July and August being the busiest months. Willow Creek Campground fills quickly during this peak summer period, particularly after July 4th when many campgrounds in the area reach capacity. For those seeking a quieter experience, consider late May to mid-June or September when temperatures remain pleasant but crowds thin considerably. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, with Moraine Park Campground visitors noting occasional summer rain showers that typically pass quickly. Fall brings spectacular color but cooler temperatures, especially at night. Winter camping is available in some areas but requires proper cold-weather gear and experience, as services are limited and many roads may be inaccessible.

Where are the best campgrounds in Grand Lake, Colorado?

Grand Lake offers several excellent campgrounds for your Colorado adventure. Timber Creek Campground is ideally located within Rocky Mountain National Park, adjacent to the Colorado River and close to both the Kauwuneeche Visitor Center and Grand Lake town. It features running water, sinks, and toilets. For those seeking resort amenities, Winding River Resort provides spacious sites with water and electric hookups, clean bathrooms with warm showers, and numerous onsite activities including a popular pancake breakfast. Other notable options include Green Ridge Campground, which offers quiet sites and clean facilities just minutes from Grand Lake, and Stillwater Campground, which provides easy access to Lake Granby for water recreation.

Is tent camping available at Grand Lake, Colorado?

Yes, tent camping is widely available around Grand Lake. Moraine Loop Campground offers excellent tent-friendly sites with level areas specifically designated for tents alongside picnic areas. The campground provides clean vault toilets though lacks water fill stations or shower facilities. For a more immersive nature experience, Primitive Sites — State Forest State Park offers excellent backpacking opportunities along the American Lakes Trail with dispersed camping options. This area is renowned for its moose population and scenic beauty. Other tent-friendly options include Willow Creek Campground and Green Ridge Campground, both offering quiet surroundings and basic facilities. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, though tent campers should check site dimensions when making reservations.

What activities can you do while camping at Grand Lake?

Grand Lake offers abundant recreation opportunities for campers. Water activities dominate the scene, with Arapaho Bay Campground providing spectacular lake access for swimming, fishing, and paddling, plus frequent wildlife sightings including moose, bald eagles, and bears. Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate Stillwater Campground as a jumping-off point for numerous trails into Rocky Mountain National Park. The area boasts excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly moose watching in the mornings. Grand Lake town is just a short drive from most campgrounds, offering dining and shopping options. For those seeking elevation and mountain views, the dispersed sites along NFSR 120 provide panoramic vistas overlooking both Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake.