Camping spots near Henderson, Colorado range from high-capacity state parks to smaller urban facilities, with many offering year-round accessibility. The area sits at elevations between 5,300-5,700 feet where temperatures can fluctuate significantly—summer highs reach 90°F while winter nights often drop below freezing. This Front Range location experiences consistent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months that frequently clear by evening.
What to do
Paddleboarding and water recreation: Standley Lake Regional Park offers rentals for various watercraft. A visitor noted, "I paddle with my friend and large smiles in the calm waters, heading toward Bird Island- you can hear the ruckus of Cormorants, Grebes, Heron, and others birds all marking their space."
Mountain biking on extensive trail networks: Golden Gate Canyon State Park features numerous interconnected routes for cycling enthusiasts. A camper mentioned, "Golden Gate Canyon State Park is enormous. The options for trails are endless. Great for mountain biking or hiking enthusiasts."
Fishing at stocked ponds: St. Vrain State Park maintains multiple fishing areas with good catch rates. As one visitor explained, "Numerous ponds, stocked ponds, trails, biking, birds, paddle boarding. The view of the mountains is to die for!"
Archery and specialized recreation: Bear Creek Lake Park includes dedicated facilities for target practice. One camper shared, "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding."
Wildlife watching opportunities: The area has notable bird populations including eagles. A visitor at Standley Lake noted, "Inside the visitor center there is a large 'Eagle Cam' TV with live footage of the endangered Bald eagles nesting their eaglets."
What campers like
Urban-adjacent natural settings: Clear Creek RV Park provides nature alongside city convenience. A reviewer remarked, "This small, but clean, campground is located perfectly a walk, or bike ride, away from the town of Golden."
Clean facilities with modern amenities: Campgrounds maintain good bathroom and shower standards. One camper at Chatfield State Park noted, "Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites."
Mountain views from camping areas: Several sites offer direct sightlines to the Front Range. A visitor to Chatfield State Park commented, "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos."
Off-leash dog areas at select parks: Dedicated pet recreation zones exist at certain locations. One camper shared, "The dog park is by far the best. Off leash- so much room; well taken care of and big lake for the dogs to swim."
Easy access to cycling paths: Many campgrounds connect directly to regional trail systems. A visitor at Clear Creek noted, "There is so much to do at this location; aside from the sectioned off RV area, there are lots of paths and locals parks to adventure around."
What you should know
Capacity limitations affect entry: Popular parks can fill completely, especially on weekends. A Cherry Creek State Park visitor warned, "If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays."
Highway noise impacts some locations: Several campgrounds sit near major roads. A St. Vrain camper noted, "The interstate is so close as I type this I can hear in my travel trailer every truck, motorcycle, and car. Going to have to use earplugs tonight to sleep."
Coin-operated shower facilities: Most state parks charge for showers. One camper mentioned, "Showers are coin-operated as well," while another specified, "Showers are pay only and only with a bank card. $1.50 for a five minute shower."
Limited-duration stays at county facilities: Boulder County Fairgrounds restricts total annual stays. A camper reported, "14 day max per year and they are a real stickler. We stayed here 13 days total on and off during weekends when we can't get a spot at campgrounds and they just kicked us out for the year."
Water restrictions at some facilities: Seasonal limitations apply to water access. A recent visitor noted, "It's nice. I like how close it is to stores and shops and such. Also not far from boulder. Price is high. It's $35 now and that's especially high considering there is no water now."
Tips for camping with families
Reserve early for summer weekends: Competition for family-friendly spots is intense. A camper advised, "Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit."
Choose campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Several parks offer child-specific amenities. One visitor mentioned, "We came to town for Cotopaxi's Questival and we were not disappointed in this site as our home base! It was close enough to everything we needed but wasn't overwhelming with generators or kids."
Consider noise levels when selecting sites: Some camping areas remain active into evening hours. A camper at Standley Lake observed, "Apparently quiet time is just a phrase here — multiple groups around us were loud well past 10pm but nobody came around to check."
Look for educational opportunities: Visitor centers offer learning experiences. One visitor shared, "Several times a day if you're patient you can view them being fed. Something to see."
Water recreation access varies by location: Swimming rules differ between parks. A camper at Indian Paintbrush Campground stated, "You can't swim/wade in the lake unless you're participating in water sports, so that's a bummer. they do have canoes, paddle bikes, and paddle boards for rent though."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges at specific sites: Some campgrounds have uneven pads. A camper warned, "We got site 47, which is labeled as an RV site, but it is NOT suitable for pop up campers. the site doesn't have even a hint of a levelable spot."
Water pressure considerations: Bring pressure regulators to certain parks. One RVer cautioned, "Be sure to have a water pressure regulator or you'll come back to a flooded RV."
Sewer connection elevation issues: Some hookups sit above ground level. A camper at Prospect RV Park noted, "The sewer is 6 inches above grade and slinky support wasn't tall enough. You might be lifting your hose to assist emptying."
Space limitations for larger rigs: Tight spacing affects comfort in some parks. A visitor at Dakota Ridge RV Park mentioned, "Must be an experienced driver to navigate the tight lots and roads. Smaller sites and not much grass for dogs."
Off-season facility closures: Winter camping has reduced services. One camper reported, "We stayed in Nov so water and bathrooms were closed. But it's a safe place to hook up to electricity so we enjoyed it."
