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.
$30 - $60 / night
"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."
$60 - $300 / night
"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."
"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."
"The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen."
$28 / night
"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."
$20 / night
"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."
$22 / night
"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."
"It had everything we needed: plenty of shade, the creek rolling by right next to us. I loved falling asleep to the sound of the water."
"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!"
$25 / night
"The small Creek runs through it and it's right next to many of the camping sites. There is a downside though."
$50 - $150 / night
"You can absolutely see stars at night and are surrounded by the mountains. Only down side is how remote the tent sites are. Need to go across walking bridge."
"Driving in my car. Didn't have a tent. tenting campground is across a bridge that is only on foot. They compensated for me camping in a car."
Travelergreat weather, great views, easy to find and navigate. a little bit of a bumpy road coming up, but nothing too bad at all. i haven’t seen anyone and i’ve been here all day. also great T - mobile connectivity
ScoutBeautiful area! Spacious RV spots with full hookups. Really nice, heated bathrooms with showers. Staff guides you to your spot and is very informative. The only downside was that the on site store was not open due to “winter hours”.
LegendThere were alot of great spots but we opted to not stay as we have a dog and there were tons of young cactus to be cautious of.
RangerIt rained on us for 15 hours while we were here and we woke up in a cloud so we were cold and wet but other than that it was a very pretty and secluded campsite
RangerIt was an amazing and extremely beautiful lake that my buddies and I camped at but due to the summer monsoon it was almost constantly raining when we were there but that made it almost even more pretty with the clouds cutting through the mountains, all in all a pretty solid campsite
ScoutI’ve camped here and hiked here many times. Good spots. The road can be rough especially at the end, but I’ve seen sprinter vans and trailers make it through here easily enough.
Fire rings, not a lot of folks aside from holidays. Common shooting area and hunting.
GuideRight off Hwy 24! Easy to get to. Name says of CR 306 it’s actually CR 305. Nice big site.
TravelerWe typically spent a great deal of time researching our next camp spot for Memorial Day weekend. We’re from Iowa so like to plan out a couple different options if others aren’t available by the time we get in. The just caught us on our way in (Th) and told us she was full but she did have one spot that wasn’t a technical spot but she called it the back 40. This spot is right by the road pulling in but nice and quiet and private. We had our our out enclosure for bucket/pit toilet and a small creek flowing through the back end with high rock formations alongside. We often compare to this as we loved it so much.
RangerGreat spot for a night on a roadtrip. Pulled in late at night with plenty of spots open. Didn’t stay too long, but was very quiet despite being next to the highway.
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?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hillside, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 264 campgrounds and RV parks near Hillside, CO and 76 free dispersed camping spots.
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 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hillside, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 76 free dispersed camping spots 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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