215 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Deep Creek Campground's pet-friendly sites sit along the creek with fire rings and picnic tables, offering free camping in a quiet setting. Bellyache Road and Upper Colorado River BLM Dispersed camping areas also welcome pets in their primitive sites. Sylvan Lake Campground at Sylvan Lake State Park provides more developed options with electric hookups, showers, and sewer connections while still accommodating pets. Riverdance RV Resort offers full hookup sites with pet access to open areas and the river. Most sites require pets to be leashed when outside vehicles or tents. Campgrounds throughout the area maintain clean facilities with toilets and access to water recreation opportunities. Multiple campers note the peaceful sounds of creek water at Deep Creek make for amazing nights.
The dispersed camping areas require different vehicle capabilities for access. Bellyache Road features extremely rutted terrain requiring 4x4 vehicles with high clearance, making it unsuitable for travel trailers or sedans. Upper Colorado River BLM area provides easier access from I-70 with spots overlooking the Colorado River, though it's essentially a dirt parking area with some level spaces for camping. Deep Creek Trailhead Camp offers both river-adjacent sites and additional spots further up the canyon on a smooth road, with established fire rings at most locations. Campers should be aware of potential ticks at Deep Creek sites, particularly when sitting around campfires. The river access at these sites allows dogs to cool off during summer months, though spots near the water fill quickly, especially on weekends.
"We camped right by the creek and it was peaceful to sleep next to the white noise of it. No issue setting up a tent but make sure to bring layers for night time if you go early May. "
"There aren't a ton of spots, we counted about 5 before coming up on the location marked and went up about another mile. Very narrow, exposed road. I would not recommend a trailer or larger RV."
"Great views overlooking the Colorado River. It is an open area with some flat spots and some areas requiring leveling. Can handle big rigs, but space is limited."
"Super close to the highway, so some noise."
"There are a few campsites next to the river and additional camp sites up the canyon."
"Easy to find the site, ours was near the river. Lots of bugs so bring bug spray. Very calming and felt safe. Would recommend!"
"Located 15 miles south of Eagle off of I-70 in the White River National Forest sits Sylvan Lake State Park."
"Slyvan Lake State Park is located outside of the Town of Eagle, CO. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from town to the park. Upon entering, there is a multitude of activities you can partake in."
from $28 - $190 / night
Check Availability"Perfect river access for paddlers which can take you downtown glenwood or jump on the bike path to go get your car from Grissly rest stop. "
"Loved the location. Right on the Colorado River. Bike path is right out the front. We rode it from Aspen down valley and right back to our campsite. A feature we really liked. The sites were tight."
"The trail is heavily rutted, and if it just rained gets incredibly muddy. Would definitely recommend a vehicle with decent 8”+ clearance, and decent all terrain tires if using the trail post rain."
"Bringing one up could lead to a serious situation , since there are no places to turn around whatsoever. That said, views were absolutely breathtaking."
"Camped here after a day floating along the Colorado River. Awesome views and really nice campsites. Only a few sites and each offers great seclusion right along the river."
"Private campsites, around 5-6, probably could find a few more if you searched. Right next to the river, beautiful and peaceful little area."
"We loved tent camping here with our dog. We saw plenty of trailers and smaller RVs as well. The road around the loop is paved but the sites themselves are not. You tent peg into the dirt."
"The drive from Basalt was stunning as only Colorado can do. The whole area was so scenic and beautiful and the water is a two minute walk away."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"Driving through the Vail valley and we needed a place to cam. No answer on the phone but when we arrived there was a number on the door for the weekend attendant."
"Showed up late after driving through vail valley. This made for a nice stop. Kids were happy to play in the field and win in the river. Showers were nice and clean."
from $75 / night
Check Availability"North facing slope behind me and not too much wind! Only seen one car since 7 and only 3 other people on the long road! Pretty solid little two truck site!"
GuideAbout 30 minutes from Gypsum and I had no service the whole way. The road takes you past many private farms, but you just have to watch for the established campsites. Very quiet and right next to a beautiful creek. Some of the sites are only 4wd accessible, but others are easy to get into.
RangerI cannot thank Leslie, Frederick and Tom for their support with my RVing needs! We ended up staying an extra night--such a lovely campground with special touches at every site. If we visit again, I would definitely request a back-in site along the river! Just walking along the river pathway was breathtaking! The dog park is huge and has fun obstacle course activities to encourage interactions with pets. Everything about this KOA is great! We took a day trip to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs (fun!) and to the Rifle River water falls (an easy little hike but WOW! Cool water falls and caves to explore!) Come visit this KOA! You won't be disappointed!
Guidefirst place I went camping in Colorado and I loved it so much I paid for an extra day. it rained on the last day but it was still wonderful. felt lost in the mountains and loved it
TravelerEasily 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.
GuideDrove out with some friends from Kansas in early October this year and the views and weather was Amazing! Campsite has “fees” through an honor system so you no host to worry about you come and camp as you go here. Place has fire pits bathrooms! One of my favorite spots to camp in Colorado so far.
LegendGore Creek Campground is a true gem of the National Forest Service. If you are looking for a great boondocking location that is close to great trails and breathtaking views, this just might be the place for you. The entrance to the campground is ~2 miles off of I-70 Exit 180 on Bighorn Road. Only 10 minutes from Vail Village and 25 minutes from Frisco.
We stayed in Site #8, which provided plenty of room for our 22’ travel trailer and pickup. The sites each have a large picnic table and fire ring.
Pit toilets are spread through the campground and were very clean and well maintained. The campground hosts do a great job of keeping everything tidy and looking great. They also have bundles of firewood for sale for $7 at their site just inside the entrance to the campground.
I can’t say enough about this place. It’s probably my favorite spot to camp in Colorado. I almost didn’t post this review for fear of the secret getting out.
ScoutSome spots close to the road but it gets quiet at night as Independence pass is not heavily trafficked after dark. It is in a great location, close to Twin Lakes but also all the hiking up the pass. All first come first serve. Pets are allowed, we had our dog with us.
RangerLet’s just start with the only downside- this campground is not near Glenwood. It’s about 20-25 miles into Glenwood Springs from here. So just know that going into it and everything else is great.
Now onto the awesome campground itself. The people are really friendly and the spots are perfectly level.
Our spot was right on the river which is beautiful. The campground maintains nice grass in the area, fire pits and picnic tables. The park is an all encompassing RV resort. There is a splash pad, a bbq/ picnic area, a trail around the river, a nice store, a pool, a dog park and to top it off big grassy areas to play in. It’s a very nice park.
I would also recommend checking out Rifle Falls (video attached) and Rifle Gap State Park which are both nearby!
GuideSpotless bathrooms and sites! We were only passing through and needed one night to stay. Arrived after office hours but late arrival registration was easy and we got a site no problem. Showers and bathrooms were spotless. Dog walk and park were also very clean. Nice to see since many “dog walk areas” are filthy and people don’t clean up after their pets. Not the case here!
Dispersed camping near Gypsum, Colorado offers options at elevations ranging from 6,400 to 8,500 feet in the White River National Forest and surrounding BLM lands. The camping season typically extends from May through October, with summer temperatures reaching 80°F during day and dropping to 40°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for sub-freezing temperatures and potential snow conditions.
Hiking nearby trails: Deep Creek Trailhead Camp provides access to hiking trails with scenic mountain vistas. "We got there after dark and headed into the dispersed camping. Even though the actual campground was full, we found a spot less than a quarter mile away and there were plenty more. The views in the morning were breathtaking," reports Nina M.
Fishing opportunities: Sylvan Lake Campground offers excellent trout fishing in a mountain lake setting. "I love this lake. It's beautiful and you can always walk away with some fish," notes Nathan L. The lake permits non-motorized boats, making it ideal for fishing from canoes or kayaks.
Water activities: Lyons Gulch Campground provides direct river access for cooling off during hot summer days. "Beautiful spot right on the river. We picked this one because it was almost exactly in between Glenwood Springs and Eagle to explore both," explains Kate R. The campground includes several sites within walking distance of the water.
Morning wildlife viewing: Yeoman Park offers opportunities to spot elk, moose and deer. "We were able to secure a great spot on a hill overlooking the valley. In the morning we were treated to a herd of elk crossing the creek," writes Lord of A. The campground sits in a valley surrounded by forest where wildlife is active at dawn.
Dark night skies: Remote camping locations away from town lights provide exceptional stargazing. "The night sky was so beautiful. This site was on the end of the road and felt secluded, saw deer and moose in the area," shares Stephanie C. about Yeoman Park. The higher elevation and distance from light pollution create optimal conditions for astronomy.
River sounds: Deep Creek Trailhead Camp features sites along the creek where flowing water creates natural white noise. "Easy to find the site, ours was near the river. Lots of bugs so bring bug spray. Very calming and felt safe," notes Molly R. The sound of running water masks road noise and helps create a peaceful atmosphere.
Tick awareness: Campers at Deep Creek have reported tick encounters, particularly in early summer. "The biggest complaint was the multiple ticks we discovered while sitting around the camp fire. Make sure to keep a close eye for ticks," warns Spencer B. Regular tick checks and appropriate clothing help mitigate this seasonal concern.
Road conditions vary significantly: Bellyache Road dispersed camping requires vehicles with higher clearance. "Had no problem getting up in a Subaru Forester, but very rutted out. Not recommended for trailers or sedans," states Allison K. Another camper noted: "The road has huge gashes and impossibly to diagonally do a dance to get through it."
Limited cell service: Most dispersed camping areas have inconsistent or no cell coverage. "There is no cell signal. The road to this point is narrow but smooth. It's in a valley with many trees, so Starlink appears to work but not optimally," reports James W. about Deep Creek Campground. Plan communications accordingly and download offline maps.
Wildlife education opportunities: Take advantage of ranger programs at established campgrounds. "Wildlife dept offers educational entertainment on Saturday evenings at their tiny amphitheater. Great for children," recommends Ladawn S. about Yeoman Park. These programs typically run on summer weekends.
River access for hot days: When camping with children during summer, prioritize sites with safe water access. "It was so nice to jump in the water in the morning! We were surprised to find most sites open even getting there on a Sunday afternoon," shares Isabelle K. about Lyons Gulch Campground.
Bear safety: Multiple campgrounds provide bear-proof storage lockers at each site. "Bear locker on site was helpful to store food, also the fire pit was clutch! Was able to park car at campsite," explains Katrina M. Keep all food, toiletries, and scented items secured, as black bears are present throughout the region.
Length restrictions: Upper Colorado River BLM dispersed camping provides level spots for larger vehicles, but space is limited. "Great views overlooking the Colorado River. It is an open area with some flat spots and some areas requiring leveling. Can handle big rigs, but space is limited," advises Stephen K.
Road navigation challenges: RV owners should scout routes before committing to certain campgrounds. "Absolutely requires four-wheel drive for two and a half miles of extremely rough unpaved road that goes up a thousand feet. I don't regret bringing my travel trailer up here because it's meant rough roads but had I known the road was this rough I wouldn't have started," cautions Steve M. about Bellyache Road.
Pet friendly camping options: Many campgrounds near Gypsum allow dogs with standard leashing requirements. "The sites are on Coffee Pot Road with a little brook nearby. No issues getting our Sprinter up here," reports James W. about pet-friendly Deep Creek Campground. Camping with pets requires planning for water access and shaded areas during summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Gypsum, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gypsum, CO is Deep Creek Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Gypsum, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 215 dog-friendly camping locations near Gypsum, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
