Megan M.
Scout
ScoutShavano Mountain
Low key and easy
The road up is rocky but nothing crazy. Distant views of foothills and mountains. Lotsss of designated sites but also seems to be a well known favorite for dispersed camping.
Camping near Hillside, CO
276 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Hillside, Colorado is situated in a region with diverse camping opportunities ranging from established campgrounds to primitive dispersed sites. The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area provides several developed campgrounds with river access, while the nearby Lake Deweese State Wildlife Area offers more remote camping experiences. Camping options include RV sites with hookups at places like Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek, primitive tent sites in the National Forest, and cabin rentals at Bighorn Park and Valley View Hot Springs. Many locations feature mountain views of the nearby Collegiate Peaks and access to the Arkansas River, making this area particularly popular for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water recreation and hiking opportunities.
Road conditions and seasonal accessibility vary considerably throughout the region, with some areas requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate rough forest service roads. Most developed campgrounds operate from May through October, closing during winter months due to snow and freezing temperatures. "This site is on Marshall Pass Road off of highway 285. The dispersed sites are spread along the creek just off the Forest Service Road," notes one camper describing the primitive camping options. Several campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends, while dispersed camping in places like Cloverdale Mines typically follows Forest Service regulations with 14-day stay limits. Elevation ranges from approximately 7,000 to 9,000 feet, resulting in cooler temperatures even during summer months and potential for afternoon thunderstorms.
The Arkansas River corridor provides some of the most popular camping experiences in the area, with numerous campers highlighting the scenic value and recreational opportunities. Along the riverbanks, established campgrounds like Five Points and Salida East provide access to fishing, rafting, and kayaking. "We stayed here for one night and it was beautiful! The river flows through the campground at a sedate flow. Our campsite was right next to and parallel to the river which provided some soothing sounds at night," shares one visitor. For those seeking more solitude, the higher elevation forest service roads leading into the mountains offer dispersed camping with fewer amenities but greater privacy. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, bighorn sheep in certain areas, and abundant bird species, particularly near water sources.
Best Campgrounds near Hillside (276)
1. Alvarado Campground
"I absolutely love this area of Colorado. It's breathtaking no matter which direction you look. Decent campground that was a bit too big for my taste."
"There are several hiking trails nearby. The vault toilets were right by us and we didn’t have any issues with smell, and they were the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability2. Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek
"Close to everything you need but you will feel away from it all."
"Our family and another reserved two sites next to each other. The pools on site were perfect for the kids. On site mini golf was a blast. The views in the campground were awesome."
from $60 - $300 / night
Check Availability3. Lake Deweese state wildlife area
"Colorado State wild life areas (SWA) require a permit that’s ~$40 a year, or if you have a year fishing or hunting lisence you camp for free."
"Views were nice and plenty of spots but the spots are pretty close to each other and there was a decent amount of trash left behind. We picked up as much as we could."
4. Valley View Hot Springs—Orient Land Trust - CLOTHING OPTIONAL
"The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen."
5. Five Points Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
"Our original spot ended up being closed and this was near by. Great little campground. The sites are a bit small but we fit our 2 tents."
"It tends to be a bit loud at night being so close to a major roadway but the breeze that blows through the canyon takes the edge off the heat."
from $28 / night
Check Availability6. Hayden Creek Road
"Creek steps away from wooded private spot! Only issue is there were locals up all night till 1:30 am with flashlights beaming into site which kind of scared me."
"Tent camped in the dispersed area because Hayden creek was full, near Rainbow trailhead, entire area to ourselves 98% of the time besides two groups of hikers over 2 nights almost 3 days."
from $22 / night
Check Availability7. East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge
"Right next to the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City Colorado, the highest suspension bridge in North America ! Do the Segway tour over the bridge!!"
"Paved & gravelled roads, hiking trails, free camping, sightseeing, off roading, atv, handicap accessible, dogs off leash, picnic tables, firepits, kid friendly."
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Hayden Creek Roadside Camp
"Sites are really close to the creek, which made for great white noise and easy water access. Restroom was close by and kept clean. Road in is dirt but easy to navigate for most vehicles."
"Great site that is right next to the creek for the kids to explore. Lots of flat spots for tents, but also a nice big flat spot for the van. The road is easy to navigate for 2wd vehicles."
9. Cloverdale Mines Dispersed Area
"We hiked some of the surrounding areas and found bear scat close to our pull off. Intermittent cell service for AT&T and Verizon. Periods with no connection."
"The trails can get confusing so remember your way in!"
10. Lake Creek Campground
"The small Creek runs through it and it's right next to many of the camping sites. There is a downside though."
from $25 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 37 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 29 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 53 min from Boulder, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Hillside, CO
536 Photos of 276 Hillside Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Lake Deweese state wildlife area
Sweetwater River Resort
Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek
Valley View Hot Springs—Orient Land Trust - CLOTHING OPTIONAL
Hayden Creek Roadside CampK
Hayden Creek Road
Vallie Bridge Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Alvarado Campground
Cotton Creek TrailheadS
San Isabel Lake
Five Points Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Recent Reviews near Hillside, CO
1676 Reviews of 276 Hillside Campgrounds
- AAllison E.Scout
Shavano dispersed
Great spot by the creek
Great spot by creek, far enough from road and can hear creek all day and night.
- Kristina S.
GuideSugarbush Campground
Sugarbush liquor store campground
Nice stream runs through the campground. Great playground for the kids. Nice dog park. A bear had been in the trash a few days earlier, that was a little unnerving but I didn’t see the bear. Thank goodness.
All in all, a nice enough place with full hookups. Super friendly staff.
- Kristina S.Guide
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Joyful Journey 👍🏼
Campers get to soak, dinner and breakfast is included. Electric if you need it. Good deal. The reflexology is awesome!
willem V.
TravelerMonarch Park
Monarch Park campground
Basic recreation.gov campsite. Just opened after 2 years of closure. Only 14 smaller sites. No water available., only dump toilets Road to campsite is well maintained. Information on website is minimal. First come first serve. Infoboard is out of date from 2 years ago ( still 38 sites)Pay cash ( 22$) at the entrance. Brand new, well designed sites with fire ring. Fires allowed today.Cold temperatures, but pretty views
Michael E.TravelerBuena Vista Overlook
Excellent views of Mt Princeton
Multiple dispersed spots with plenty of room in between. Access to 4-Mile trails. Some ATV and dirt bike activity but not bad at all. Quite at night. Definitely one of our favorite spots in the area. We were able to get an off-road toy hauler to the furthest site possible.
Gerard E.
LegendMueller State Park Campground
September 2, 2026
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 Arrived at mueller at 1720, partly sunny. 68 degrees site 33, level and gravel with fire pit and table Electric 30/30 amp Two pit toilets at the end of the rd. Nice and clean T-Mobile is 2-3 bars LTE at site, 5G on the road.
Dish washing gray water station just south of the conifer ridge area. Restrooms were clean and newer, the showers are coin operated. Pit toilet at the end of conifer ridge was clean and nice.
No dogs on the trails. No bugs noticed. No burning of wood in the pits. Propane devices are allowed.
Wednesday, August 2, Sunny and 46 at wake-up, light breeze, very nice.
- BBrian B.Traveler
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Dispersed Sites — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Salida Dispersed
Great dispersed sites just outside of Salida. The road in is rutted and rough but I got my AWD Sprinter up here. I wouldn’t recommend larger RV’s or pull behinds. There are plenty of sites available once you get up here. The views are spectacular. No services. Truly dispersed camping only. I came in on a Tuesday and have the place to myself. No other campers in any of the sites. I am sure it gets busy on weekends though.
- KKevin V.Scout
Zapata Falls
Not really camping
This is before the actual paid campground up the mountainside. Just the soft shoulder section of the paved road leading up. not viable camping in my opinion.
You're better off camping just to the south at Lake Como road, there are endless free camp spots
Guide to Hillside
Hillside, Colorado sits within a region of diverse camping opportunities stretching from the Sangre de Cristo mountain range to the Arkansas River Valley. Lake Creek Campground, located directly in Hillside, provides established tent and RV sites in a forested setting with creek-side spots. The surrounding area includes both developed sites with amenities and dispersed options like Cloverdale Mines Dispersed Area, offering primitive camping experiences. Several campgrounds feature varying accommodation types, from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, cabins, and even glamping facilities at places like Cutty's Resort and Valley View Hot Springs.
Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly throughout the region's campgrounds and dispersed areas. Many sites remain open seasonally from May through September or early October, with higher elevations closing earlier due to weather conditions. "The road around the lake is a little rough but we got our 25' travel trailer back here no problem," noted one camper about Lake Deweese State Wildlife Area. Some dispersed areas like Cloverdale Mines require vehicles with decent clearance, especially after rain when water runoff creates challenging conditions. Cell service remains intermittent in many locations, with visitors reporting spotty coverage for major carriers. Many campgrounds maintain toilet facilities, though amenities like showers, potable water, and trash service are primarily found at developed sites.
The Sangre de Cristo mountain views represent a significant draw for campers throughout the area. Lake Deweese State Wildlife Area provides particularly notable vistas, with one visitor describing "incredible views of the Sangre de Cristo range" and "spectacular" fall colors. Water access features prominently in campground selection, with sites along creeks, lakes, and the Arkansas River receiving positive mentions. Several campers noted the relaxing sound of flowing water as a highlight of their stay. Privacy between sites varies considerably, with Lake Creek Campground offering "tall trees and vegetation that offer nice privacy" despite relatively close spacing. Wildlife sightings, fishing opportunities, and stargazing under dark skies are frequently mentioned experiences, with one camper noting "you can see the Milky Way" during new moon periods at Lake Deweese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hillside, CO?
What camping is available near Hillside, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hillside, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 276 campgrounds and RV parks near Hillside, CO and 83 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hillside, CO?
Which is the most popular campground near Hillside, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hillside, CO is Alvarado Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hillside, CO?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hillside, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 83 free dispersed camping spots near Hillside, CO.
What parks are near Hillside, CO?
What parks are near Hillside, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Hillside, CO that allow camping, notably Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve.
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