Best Campgrounds near Granite, CO

The Twin Lakes region near Granite, Colorado provides multiple camping areas across diverse terrain, from lakeside developed campgrounds to remote mountainside dispersed sites. Public land camping concentrates around Twin Lakes and Clear Creek Reservoir, with established campgrounds like Lakeview and White Star offering picnic tables, fire rings, and basic amenities. Dispersed options exist along Forest Road 130 and throughout the surrounding White River and San Isabel National Forests, accommodating both tent and RV camping. The proximity to 14,000-foot peaks makes this area particularly popular with hikers and climbers seeking convenient base camps for mountain adventures.

Road conditions vary significantly depending on location and season, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles for access. The camping season typically runs from May through September, with many campgrounds officially closing in mid-September due to high elevation weather concerns. Twin Lakes dispersed camping areas provide free options but can become extremely crowded on summer weekends, particularly at trailheads serving popular hiking routes. Most developed campgrounds require fees ranging from $18-24 per night, while dispersed camping follows standard 14-day stay limits. Water availability remains limited to developed sites, and visitors should prepare for dramatic temperature changes even in summer. A camper described the area as having "killer views, great hiking, beach days and a peaceful location."

Waterfront sites consistently rate highest among visitors, particularly those at Twin Lakes with views of Colorado's highest peaks. Lakeview Campground, situated on a hillside overlooking Twin Lakes, provides panoramic mountain vistas while offering convenient access to the Colorado Trail and South Mt. Elbert trailhead. Forest Service roads leading to dispersed camping areas often provide more solitude but fewer amenities. Campers report active wildlife including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and occasional bears. Morning traffic can disturb sleep at sites near popular trailheads, as hikers often begin their ascents before dawn. Twin Lakes area particularly attracts visitors seeking water activities combined with mountain adventures. Sites nestled among tall pines provide protection from high winds while offering cooler temperatures during summer heat.

Best Camping Sites Near Granite, Colorado (429)

    1. White Star

    28 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 486-0749

    $29 - $30 / night

    "This campground is located on the north side of the Twin Lakes just south of Hwy 82. "

    "We love Twin Lakes! White Star campground is in a great location. Paddle boarding and fishing are great daytime activities here. Several sites have access to walk straight to the water."

    2. Turtle Rock Campground

    38 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 269-8500

    $20 - $40 / night

    "This place is so easy to get to and is very close to the city of Buena Vista. Any type of car can make it to the campsites and there are bathroom facilities available."

    "Over 50 sites available, some grouped together, others you can just drive in and have plenty of privacy. There are even public vault toilets available."

    3. Twin Peaks Dispersed Campground- Colorado

    21 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    7 miles
    Website

    $23 / night

    "Easily one of my favorite places to camp in Colorado! It’s a must stay every year for me. Killer views, great hiking, beach days and a peaceful location."

    "Twin Lakes, outside of Leadville, is one of my go to spots within a few hours of Lone Tree (Denver)."

    4. Clear Creek Reservoir

    19 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    2 miles

    "This is exactly what we were looking for in Colorado, thanks to the previous reviewer we found it by dumb luck! Primitive camping at its finest. Absolutely stunning views."

    "We were able to find dispersed camping if you keep driving down the road past the private ranch. There was a fire pit, shade, and a short walk to the river. Super dusty though."

    5. Lakeview Campground

    20 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 486-0749

    $30 / night

    "The campground’s location on the hillside allows for an excellent view of Twin Lakes and the surrounding mountains. Also close to the South Mt Elbert and Colorado Trail for easy hiking."

    "high altitude. no showers, so come prepared. the camp manager is very helpful and gave us great tips for the mountain hike. it is some distance from the trailhead (although there is a trail from the campsite"

    6. Twin Lakes View Dispersed

    19 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "The tallest mountain in Colorado is close by; I highly recommend the hike to the summit of Mount Elbert if you have half a day and nine miles in ya! It is an easier 14er, just long."

    "I travelled to Twin Lakes the weekend after Memorial Day weekend to explore more of Colorado. The drive from Denver was beautiful and the Twin Lakes topped it all."

    7. Twin Lakes Dispersed

    18 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "I live around the corner from Twin Lakes so it's literally my backyard getaway.. Most recently spent the 4th of July out here. It's all BLM camping equiped with fire pits."

    "Immediate access to Colorado Trail, cycling, hiking, and Twin Lakes activities.   The road can get rough, and is narrow in one spot. Accessible with smaller trailers. "

    8. Forest Road 130

    20 Reviews
    Leadville, CO
    10 miles

    "Just up the road from Turquoise Lake and away from the apparent popularity of that spot you can drive up this well-maintained forest road for some peace and quiet and minimal bugs!"

    "You pull off the highway onto some dirt road and drive about 3 miles past the private land onto numerous beautiful drive up campsites."

    9. Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping - Site 2 West

    14 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    7 miles

    "The Colorado trail/CDT passes close by and was a great evening hike from our camp. We ended up leaving around 9pm because there were 3-4 campfires around us, one super smoky and we have a baby."

    "Great spot to camp, saw hikers off in the distance a few times but overall all to myself. This site definitely requires high clearance! There were quite a few campsites nearby which were taken."

    10. Chaffee County Road 390 Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    5 miles
    Website

    "Located near the town of Granite, this forest service road is host to trailheads and lots of dispersed camping."

    "Take County Road past the campground into the valley and you’ll find plenty of roadside sites."

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Recent Reviews near Granite, CO

2387 Reviews of 429 Granite Campgrounds


  • MP M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Shavano Mountain

    So many spots!

    Great access, up to 100 spots?! Largest dispersed I’ve seen.

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Round Mountain

    Free site 200 yards down road

    Hard to stomach a paid site with no hookups when a free blm campground is within site. This place has picnic tables and bathrooms that is about thenonly difference. They do have a water pump but no hook ups at site. Low verizon signal. Sites are close together and open. Just save some cash and gondownnthe road 1/4 mile

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    North Round Mountain

    Cool rocks, can see Pikes peak

    This is a nice little dispersed campground. The main road is pretty good. You can see Pikes peak off in the distance behind the trees. The area is covered by these big rocks and boulders which makes walking around fun. There is atleast 1 very large site for a medium size rig when you first pull in on the left. Other than fire pit no real amenities. Was literally no one around for miles in october. 1-2 verizon bars depending.

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Dan's Land Free Camp

    Small circle cool spot

    This is just like a 20 yard circle right off a dirt road. Cool idea from Dan to offer this. Its a great off the highway spot. Only a mile down an easy dirt road. No amenities just a place to park and sleep. Dont be suprised if someone else pulls in close and parks. Not a ton of space but a great location with good views and 2 bars verizon cell

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Salida North BLM

    Cool location close to highway

    Right off the highway. Cool place with a little canyon. Reminds me of a state park campground. Very close and open sites with campfire rings and picnic tables. The road gets pretty bumpy going to the back half but I bet they fix that soon. Some easy family friendly hiking. Verizon cell is 1-2 bars. No bathrooms!

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Mountain Goat Lodge

    Cute private area with great views

    Right off the highway but has an amazing backdrop. The property is fun to explore with hiking trails and alot of character. Really a gem highly recommend. Good cell service

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Salida BLM Land

    Close to town good cell

    This place ia close to salida which is nice. Your Google maps may not get you here . Instead put in race track trail trailhead and it will take you right to to main parking lot. The road to the dispersed sites goes up from there. Its not great but 2wd van is fine if careful. Good cellphone signal. But the spots are small, close together, and super uneven. It makes no sense why some of them are so slanted, but its fine for a 1 night stay. I wouldnt recommend this as a destination

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Browns Canyon Dispersed

    Great

    Some nice campsites not too far from civilization, but far enough away that you don’t see many people besides a few other campers. The spots are spaced out well, some larger than others. The road coming in is very rough, I drive a subaru impreza hatchback and felt very nervous because I don’t have high clearance. Beautiful view.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Midland Bike Trail Dispersed

    Pretty location in the Mountains

    Car camped overnight here a the way through from Denver to Gunnison. There was porta potties and a few sites also a small parking lot.


Guide to Granite

Camping sites near Granite, Colorado range from primitive dispersed options to established campgrounds with basic facilities, all situated between 9,000-10,000 feet elevation. The area's high mountain ecosystem creates dramatic daily temperature swings, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months. Most camping locations require advance preparation as cell service remains inconsistent across many sites.

What to do

Morning fishing: 5-6am is prime time at Clear Creek Reservoir where the reservoir shoreline provides ample access. "The sites were pretty spacious, but a handful are right off the road that tends to be pretty busy," notes a camper who visited to fish the reservoir.

Colorado Trail sections: The trail passes directly through several camping areas, making day hikes convenient. "The Colorado trail/CDT passes close by and was a great evening hike from our camp," reports a visitor at Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping - Site 2 West, offering hikers immediate access to portions of the 567-mile route.

Mountain biking: Forest roads and designated trails offer routes for different skill levels. "Turtle rock is a bit difficult to get to in an RV, but is a great spot with climbing mountain bike and hiking trails," mentions a camper who frequently rides the area trails.

Winter camping: For those prepared for extreme conditions, some areas remain accessible year-round. "I drove up this past weekend for some mid January winter camping and was not disappointed. The road appeared to be rarely traveled and it took some effort just to get my Tacoma to the start of the dispersed camping with no hopes of making it further down the road due to deep snow."

What campers like

Morning wildlife viewing: Early risers often spot diverse wildlife near campsites. At Forest Road 130, one camper noted, "This general area is also the only region in the US where you can see gray jays. They're mainly in Canada but can also be found along the Rocky Mountains. They're weirdly tame and so so cute."

Low bug populations: Many higher elevation sites report fewer mosquitoes than lakeside options. "Definitely the place for some space and solitude without hiking out to a spot. Just up the road from Turquoise Lake and away from the apparent popularity of that spot you can drive up this well-maintained forest road for some peace and quiet and minimal bugs!"

Swimming opportunities: Several creek-side camping spots offer natural swimming holes. At Chaffee County Road 390 Dispersed, a camper reported, "We didn't see a single fish in this river BUT there was an awesome little swimming hole, maybe 5 feet deep with a little make shift diving board already in place."

Proximity to 14er trailheads: Many campers use these sites as base camps for summit attempts. "We ended up just claiming the first one that caught my eye with no one around didn't even try going to the one I had initially planned on going to, you'll be driving around 5 mph with all the rocks and bumps in the road."

What you should know

Road conditions change seasonally: Expect challenging access early and late season. "As of March 3rd, 2021 the lakes are frozen and snow still on the ground. The road is loose gravel, and seems to be maintained well as the only person I saw was the truck plowing what snow was leftover."

Weekend crowding: Summer weekends can reach capacity by Friday afternoon. At Turtle Rock Campground, a camper observed, "I came here planning on staying a couple of nights, but I think I'm going to go ahead and stay an entire week. This place is fantastic. I don't think I've been anywhere that is this nice for free before."

Generator noise: Unrestricted generator use can impact tent campers' experience. "We spent the limit. By the time I left the Brinkly had departed (48') but the meth head (per rumors) spent a few nights in county so maybe those days don't count. His dogs have been barking this long gruesome groan since day one. The wkends are total chaos and noise of all kinds."

Vault toilet maintenance varies: Availability and cleanliness of vault toilets fluctuates throughout the season. "The pit toilets were DISGUSTING (I'm talking far worse than other campgrounds)."

Tips for camping with families

Swimming spots for kids: Several camping areas offer safe creek access for children. One family at Clear Creek Reservoir reported, "This spot was awesome for kids! Labor Day weekend and as we drove around we could see plenty of spots left in the surrounding area."

Optimal tent sites with shade: Identify tree-covered areas for temperature regulation. At White Star Campground, a family mentioned, "The weather was awful this past weekend with snow, rain, and cold temps, but we had a great time. Sites were clean with a table and pit. The hosts sold firewood which was a huge plus, as the cold temps had us burning more wood than normal."

Early arrival timing: For family-friendly sites with adequate space, Thursday arrivals are recommended. "My kids and I have camped here many times. The hosts are always nice. The grounds are clean and uncrowded. Views of the lakes surrounded by mountains are gorgeous!!"

Bathroom access planning: Know which sites have facilities within walking distance. "The vault toilets are always clean & always have TP. Great views of the lakes & the mountains. Can't wait to get back there this summer!!!"

Tips from RVers

Turnaround limitations: Many forest roads lack adequate turnaround space for larger rigs. "If you go on 130S, only go to the first big site you see on the left if you have a trailer. If you go past that, there is NO good turnaround and the road ends. I learned this the hard way."

Generator quiet hours: Established campgrounds enforce specific quiet hours. "The latrines were well maintained and RV'ers were considerate of the generator quiet hours."

Designated RV areas: Look for the front sections of dispersed areas. "Open space for Rv/campers/ect in the front with little shade. If drive farther back though shaded campsites and river can be seen (larger vehicles can get father back as well just remained more up front during our stay)."

Cell service for work: Several dispersed camping areas offer surprising connectivity. "I work remotely so sadly cell signal is something I look for and I've had consistent reception here. It's usually 5G, sometimes drops to LTE but still usable."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Granite, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Granite, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 429 campgrounds and RV parks near Granite, CO and 164 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Granite, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Granite, CO is White Star with a 4.8-star rating from 28 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Granite, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 164 free dispersed camping spots near Granite, CO.

What parks are near Granite, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Granite, CO that allow camping, notably White River National Forest and Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.