Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Hayden, CO

I’m not quite sure what the story is with this park. There are about six primitive sites plus one wheelchair accessible site down at the boat launch area of this expansive county park. There is no signage at all to indicate if the sites are day use or overnight stays allowed? We figured it doesn’t explicitly state ‘no camping’ so we spent a peaceful Wednesday night here and had no company until locals showed up in the morning to use the dog park located right in the area (which is also a wonderful trail along the Yampa). The sunrise over the Yampa was spectacular and we saw many species of birds and several deer crossing the River. All and all this site exceeded our expectations. Do note that there are sparkling clean bathrooms in the playground area of the park, but that area is a good 500 yards away. No restrooms at all at the actual campsite.

This is a pet friendly campground around a square park right on 40. They have electric and non electric sites, but the majority were electric (and cost more). This was advertised $15 - $20 but the prices online were $38.50 for an electric site for one night (granted, it was a Saturday in August). There were not pet fees. There were lots of spaces available when we visited.

There is no office here, you pay for your rental online or on an iPad in the kiosk (if working). There is WiFi at the kiosk, but it does not reach many of the campsites well.

Sites are close together but level. Felt safe and it was quiet at night save for occasional passing cars. No fire pits or individual picnic tables, but there is a shared covered picnic area.

Clean bathrooms. Showers were more of a 2.5/5. Not super clean and water smelled rusty. Water from sink was fine though.

Morning became very busy with travelers stopping to use the public restrooms, which may help you decide where to park.

Established campground with basics like a fire ring, picnic table and vault toilets. No water. If you are wanting a few days away from everything and willing to drive on dirt/gravel roads to get here, it is an awesome place to camp. Bring everything you need because there are no quick trips to a store out here. The river that flows into the lake is adjacent to campsite #1 and makes for a great night of sleep. The view waking up to the lake with the snow capped mountains in the background is truly a Colorado experience if that is what you’re looking for.

I was wandering from Yellowstone/Tetons en route to Colorado Springs when I reach a necessary point for rest. After trying my luck near Steamboat, I glanced through FCFS campgrounds close by and found Meadows. It’s just off the highway, really easy to bypass if you aren’t paying much attention, but it upheld as a quite space to rest. Even driving in at 1am, there were plenty of spaces available. 

The grounds includes a bathroom facility and spaces for both tent and RV camping. The grounds is relatively inexpensive for the beautiful space that it is located. Definitely saved me from getting to restless on the ride through.

First, SO many mosquito! They were biting through our jeans. This multi lake site has multiple vault toilets that may be just shy of a mile walk. Once we managed to get out on the lake to SUP, they follow you for hundreds of feet.  The center of the lake was nice n chill. A no wake zone lake, so the 2 fishing boats were no bother to our manually powered craft.
Many dogs off leash with little concern for those of us with leashed dogs.
Nice mountain views, and some wildlife, saw an otter. Though we heard much more through the night, the heavy steps and gutterall sounds nearby. Too dark to see from within the safety of our tent from mosquito swarms, so we didn't risk it to see what was just beyond our bear fence.
No firepits/grates. Circle some rocks and there ya make it.