Camping options around Centennial, Colorado range from urban to semi-rural settings within state parks and private RV facilities. Cherry Creek State Park and Chatfield State Park offer developed campgrounds with full amenities within 15 miles of Centennial, providing tent sites, RV hookups, and even glamping options. Rampart Range Recreation Area southwest of the city provides more primitive camping experiences. Most campgrounds in this Front Range region maintain year-round accessibility, though some like Bear Creek Lake Park operate seasonally from April through October.
Reservations are highly recommended for all developed campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer weekends when Denver residents seek nearby outdoor escapes. Many campgrounds require both entrance fees and camping fees, with Cherry Creek and Chatfield State Parks charging daily vehicle entry fees in addition to camping costs. "For a park that is almost right in the city this place is really awesome," noted one visitor about Cherry Creek State Park. Campground amenities vary considerably, with state parks offering showers, laundry facilities and full hookups, while more rustic areas may provide only vault toilets. Winter camping is available at several locations, though water systems are typically winterized, requiring campers to bring their own water supply.
The proximity to Denver creates a unique urban camping experience throughout the region. Campers frequently mention appreciating the convenience while noting the occasional downsides. One visitor explained, "Located in the city, but once you're in the park you don't feel like you're in the city at all." Several reviews note highway noise at Cherry Creek State Park despite its natural setting. Most camping areas provide easy access to water recreation, with Cherry Creek and Chatfield offering swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. Wildlife viewing remains surprisingly good despite the urban proximity, with deer sightings common at Cherry Creek. Campground facilities generally receive high marks for cleanliness and maintenance, especially at the state parks where rangers and hosts maintain facilities year-round.
$36 - $200 / night
"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
$28 - $432 / night
"Easy access to the sand beach on Cherry Creek reservoir, plenty of hiking and biking trails, and close proximity to Aurora, Centennial, and the greater Denver metro area."
"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
"This was our first time staying at Bear Creek Lake. The park is not part of the Colorado Wilds or CPW State Park system, but daily vehicle fees are included with your camping reservation."
"Note: If the GPS takes you to a dirt road with a closed gate at the end, get back on the highway and take the next exit to the park entrance."
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
$68 - $85 / night
"Had a great spot right next to the Clear Creek walking path. The campground is clean and well looked after. Clean bathrooms and showers. Close to many hikes and mt trails."
"**Campground Review: ** Golden, CO is a super cute town on the outskirts of Denver. The city has a campground in a prime location, and we were lucky to book a site!"
"My 9 yr old son and I have been “jeeping” around Colorado for about 8 months now. We make it a point to wake up to a different view every day."
"Fun place to camp lots of sites and pretty trails, however this is known for its off-road ATV riders. If you're staying for a night or you're ATV for the weekend this is your spot."
"Good location close to interstate to access all the cool towns and site seeing west of Denver."
"When I walked in the office, I was greeted by 5 wonderful sweet dogs. I love dogs so there couldn't have been a better greeting. Kathy was very friendly and helpful."
$33 - $40 / night
"They use a keycode system to restrict access to the centrally-located bathhouse (there is only one in the campground), which I thought was clever. "
"The highway noise was very noticeable, but didn’t take away from the peaceful setting. It was a clean campground. The bathrooms and showers were clean and have a key code for entry."
$40 / night
"Must have access to military bases. The service Personnel were very helpful and courteous. The Base was exceptionally clean (was an Air force Base becoming a Space Force Base)."
TravelerExcellent spot! Navigate in daylight! Do NOT go all the way to the coordinates if you’re in a sedan, STOP at the “entering national forest” sign. There’s plenty of camp space behind the sign. You will not make it to the coordinates. Internet service went in and out
ScoutNice spot by the resovoir - as others have said the actual water is private and difficult to get to, the camp spots do not actually have a view of the water. Nice walking routes nearby. We parked up in the open spots close to the resovoir and had to move in the night because of intense wind - pick your spot carefully! A bit of rubbish/old tents around the place which was sad!
ScoutThe Park is located in the city with a nice large lake to walk or bike to from the camping sites. The park has many easy walking trails that can be relaxing if there's not a lot of people!
GuideYou will need DOD ID to enter base, there is only 38 spots, clean bathrooms with showers and laundry facilities. Well maintained and very friendly staff.
GuideWe spent the weekend here to try out and fix some things on our travel trailer for the upcoming season.
In the off-season, only one loop is open, there's no water, and none of the bathrooms are open except the main shower building. Fine for us, just an FYI. The park was really well-maintained. It was quiet and peaceful since it wasn't crowded.
The sites are actually pretty spaced out for a bigger campground, but there's not a ton of shade. I think this one is best for spring and fall.
TravelerTraveled down, the road head/trail head have a non flush bathroom, nice full circle roundabout, and level parking for 5-10 vehicles. Didn't go beyond the road closed sign so didn't see any of the camp sites.
ScoutVery accessible, pet friendly and the kids love it! Lots of room and a fire pit with a built in grill!
ScoutIf you are looking for a seamless mountain getaway, this park in Idaho Springs is a must-visit. It perfectly balances the rugged beauty of Clear Creek County with the convenience of a well-managed facility. The Location One of the biggest draws here is the accessibility. Often, mountain parks require navigating tight switchbacks or steep grades, but this spot is incredibly easy to get to. It serves as a perfect "base camp" for exploring the local area—you’re minutes away from the historic downtown and local hotspots while still feeling tucked away in the scenery. Service & Atmosphere The owners truly set this place apart. From the moment you pull in, you’re treated like family. Their hospitality is genuine, and they clearly take immense pride in their property. It’s rare to find a park where the staff is so consistently friendly and helpful with local recommendations. Facilities & Amenities • Immaculate Grounds: The entire park is kept exceptionally clean, from the sites to the common areas. • On-Site Store: The store is a lifesaver. It’s well-stocked with the essentials you forgot and a few great local finds, saving you a trip back into town. • Top-Tier Amenities: Whether you’re looking for reliable hookups or well-maintained guest facilities, they’ve clearly invested in making sure the guest experience is comfortable. Final Verdict Whether you’re just passing through on I-70 or looking for a long weekend in the mountains, this park is a standout. Between the stunning views and the top-notch service, it’s easily one of the best managed spots in the region. We will definitely be back!
ScoutStayed at site 34- which I believe was the last of this run. Went further up the road to Wellington lake after we set up. There was maybe 3/4 other sites during that drive.
Super cool area. Can walk around each site to explore and up to Wellington lake(very low water level). Welling ton lake also has camping but it is paid. There is also a fee just for day use as it is a private owned lake $14(adults 18+). Catch and release fishing. Unfortunately the hiking trail to the waterfall was closed due to May trees down :(
Rangers, sheriffs, and nps were up and down the road strongly enforcing the fire ban. I get it. When you camp you want a fire but unfortunately Colorado's winter sucked leading to it being dry as heck. Bring extra propane as camp grills are okay.
Camping spots near Centennial, Colorado range from easily accessible frontcountry sites to more remote dispersed camping areas. Located at approximately 5,900 feet elevation in the Denver metro area, Centennial experiences typical Colorado Front Range weather patterns with significant temperature variations between day and night. During summer months, afternoon thunderstorms frequently roll through camping areas southwest of the city where elevations quickly rise into the foothills.
Mountain biking trails: Several campgrounds near Centennial provide direct access to trail systems. At Bear Creek Lake Park, "Super clean campground. Close to Red Rocks and Denver. You have to drive a bit to get to the lake. Some nice hiking and biking trails off the campground. Beautiful views of the mountains."
Water activities: Multiple reservoirs within 20 miles of Centennial offer fishing, paddling and swimming options during summer months. At Chatfield State Park Campground, "This is one of our favorite spots to stay when visiting Denver area. Great for biking and all kinds of water sports. Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites."
Off-highway vehicles: Motorized recreation opportunities exist in the mountain areas southwest of Centennial. At Rampart Range Recreation Area, "If you have ATV's you really need to discover this area. Drawbacks are the ATV noise during the day (and it starts pretty early). But if you have toys to drive on the trails you will fall in love with this place."
Easy access to Denver: The proximity to urban areas allows for convenient supply runs during longer camping trips. A camper at Clear Creek RV Park noted, "This small, but clean, campground is located perfectly a walk, or bike ride, away from the town of Golden. Not too far from hwy 70 it a great overnight stop or a destination. The staff was great!"
Uncrowded weekday camping: While weekends fill quickly, mid-week visits offer more solitude at many locations near Centennial. One camper at Rampart Range Recreation Area explained, "We came up Sunday and drove around for an hour trying to find a spot. It was so busy with campers and there were dirt bikers everywhere! Sunday evening it cleared up and we were the only ones there mon-tues!"
Winter accessibility: Many camping areas around Centennial remain open during colder months. At Chatfield State Park, sites are available year-round, though water systems are winterized. Campers should bring additional supplies during winter visits, including extra water and cold-weather gear.
Reservation requirements: Most developed campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during summer. At Cherry Creek State Park Campground, "Campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit."
Highway noise: Several campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to major roads. One camper at Chief Hosa Campground mentioned, "Campground is close to the highway and even with the fans on at night in the pop-up we could still hear some of the highway noise, but it wasn't a big deal. I'm sure it would be a bigger deal to tent campers."
Additional fees: Most state park campgrounds charge both entrance and camping fees. Cherry Creek State Park requires "$11 day pass fee not included in your camping stay." This means a single night can cost $35-50 total depending on hookups and vehicle fees.
Safety precautions: High elevation camping requires sun protection even on cooler days. At Chief Hosa Campground, located at 7,700 feet, UV exposure increases significantly compared to Denver, requiring extra sunscreen application for children.
Wildlife education: Bears occasionally visit campgrounds in the foothills. One camper noted at Chief Hosa, "We stayed at Chief Hosa for 2 nights in early August... the campground hosts had spotted a black bear in the area a few days earlier." Teach children proper food storage protocols.
Playground access: Some camping areas feature dedicated children's facilities. Bear Creek Lake Park offers a "play set for kids" though it's described as "small" by reviewers. The campground also provides access to swimming areas during summer months.
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds provide sanitary facilities, but availability varies seasonally. At Cherry Creek State Park, "There were full hookups. The sights were concrete and level. It was a little pricey, but we would stay again when visiting family, because there is definitely a lot to do!"
Leveling requirements: Some campsites require significant leveling. One RVer at Dakota Ridge RV Park reported, "The sites are also all concrete so leveling was very easy," while another noted at a different campground that "The A3 site chosen is gravel with a hole or two and significantly tilted low to the front left...requiring a 4 high stack."
Limited big rig access: Several camping areas have size restrictions or difficult access roads. When selecting dispersed camping at Rampart Range Recreation Area, "RV campers may not be able to find a level, accessible site at this time of year (Mid-March) as the main roads are maintained but the pull offs don't appear to be."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best times for fall camping near Centennial?
Fall camping near Centennial is spectacular from mid-September through mid-October when aspen trees display brilliant gold colors. Colorado Campground in Pike National Forest offers an excellent fall camping experience, situated close to Woodland Park and Manitou Lake with proximity to numerous hiking trails amidst changing foliage. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail is another excellent fall destination with 4x4 access leading to stunning high-country views and colorful autumn landscapes. Weather can be unpredictable in fall, with warm days and freezing nights possible, so pack layers and cold-weather gear. Campgrounds are typically less crowded after Labor Day, though weekend spots can still fill quickly during peak foliage season.
Where can I find camping spots near Centennial, Colorado?
Centennial offers convenient access to several excellent camping options. Cherry Creek State Park Campground is one of the closest options, offering full hookup sites with hot showers and flush toilets. The Gold Rush loop accommodates large RVs with plenty of space for vehicles and equipment. For those seeking a more natural setting, Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake provides beautiful lakeside camping just a short drive from the Denver metro area. While sites are somewhat close together, it's ideal for groups. Other options include Chatfield State Park and Bear Creek Lake Park, both offering well-maintained facilities within a reasonable drive from Centennial.
Where are the best tent camping locations around Centennial?
Tent campers near Centennial have several picturesque options within a reasonable drive. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers both numbered sites and additional unnumbered campsites further down road 233.1, some with exceptional views. For a more secluded experience, Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir provides private sites that feel tucked away, with Site 5 particularly good for larger groups. For those willing to drive a bit further, Kenosha East Campground offers first-come, first-served camping among beautiful tall pines, aspens, and wildflowers. These sites fill quickly on weekends, so arriving early is recommended.
What RV campgrounds are available near Centennial?
RV campers near Centennial have several excellent options. Dakota Ridge RV Park provides full hookups and is convenient to the Denver metro area, though it tends to be on the pricier side. Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur offers easy highway access and proximity to attractions in both Colorado Springs and Denver. While not deep in the wilderness, it provides convenient RV accommodations with full amenities. Other options include Chatfield State Park with spacious sites for larger rigs and Flying Saucer RV Park near Sheridan. Many campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months.
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