Hillside, CO is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Hillside is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Hillside and user-submitted reviews.
$4 - $10 / night
"Vault restrooms. No trash on site, pack in pack out. Ramp to launch rafts, kayaks..."
$28 / night
"Amazing to be right on the river but camp sites are pretty close to one another. Not much sun cover (camp map through state shows which sites have shade) and super windy. 360 views. So beautiful."
"Driving down to this campsite I was happy to have a small car because the road is very narrow to say the least. I cannot imagine the feeling of driving a large rig here."
"We arrived the Phantom Creek Road around 4:30pm. 10miles and 30 minutes later we found our spot."
"Gorgeous views of Crestone peak and other neighboring mountains. The only negative was the mosquitos. They are horrendous."
"Loved hearing the creek roaring in the background and feeling the sun on my skin surrounded by cactus - an I in Texas!?"
"This was my first time solo tent camping. It went well. The space had a fire ring and picnic table. I might have been the only person at the park and it was quite peaceful!"
"Views were terrific, whether you want something a bit more open or further into the canyon where it’s surrounded by gorgeous red rocks. I chose an open site and if you do, beware of the wind."
$50 - $200 / night
"We're happy to have this property on our platform. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love!"
"The Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts."
"The Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts."
"The hike in over the dune to a camp site with all your gear is frankly not easy, but it's short distance so it's manageable."
"If you’re seeking solitude and raw, untamed landscapes, this is the perfect spot to pitch your tent."
$25 / night
"Good tent sites. Have to carry gear to camp site but only shoeRt hike to campsite. Maybe 50 yards. Has a couple of sires with shelter. Picnic tables are big and heavy."
"Has a fire pit with grill, picnic table, and sites 2, 5, and 9 have the log covering. The sites are pretty close together, but we had no problem with our neighbors."
GuideThis campground used to be free when I first found it years ago while visiting the Royal Gorge. Since the city has invested money into fixing up the campsites with fire rings, tent pads, and what seems to be pretty good county road maintenance, it’s definitely understandable why they charge a fee.
No water is available. There are vault toilets.
There are NO bear boxes.
Rules worth nothing (according to the sign upon entering camp):
There’s lots of hiking and mountain bike trails near the campground, which brought lots of mellow mtb riders in during my stay.
Because of the rules/amenities, i felt the price was a little steep as others have mentioned. However it is clean, close enough to Cañon city that you can go to town if needed, but far enough away to “unplug” from the world in a beautiful location. Overall I’d recommend visiting this campsite! I’ll happily return.
GuidePiñon Flats was an awesome place to camp! It has restrooms as well as easy access to hiking trails, each spot has a fire pit and a big enough dirt pad to stake down a tent or awning. Quiet hours are also nice so you won’t be hearing generators at night.
GuideReally gorgeous camping spot with easy access to tons of different outdoor activities. Tent sites are very well maintained and very beautiful. Walk-in sites are very close to parking, I would barely consider them walk-in sites. My only complaint is that the tent pads are made of gravel and therefore extremely hard to properly stake down tents.
GuideStayed here 1 night with the backcountry permit through recreation.gov to see the stars and stay the night in the dunes. The hike in over the dune to a camp site with all your gear is frankly not easy, but it's short distance so it's manageable. Climbing in the sand is challenging with the extra weight of the pack and if the wind picks up you get whipped with sand BUT it is 100% worth it. We hiked in around 5/5:30pm at the end of the heat and were set up eating dinner around 8pm. Took a lot of breaks hiking in and went through a lot of water. In total we brought about a gallon of water each, and by the time we hiked out the next morning we were down to the last couple of ounces. Just the tent, no rain fly and using our sleeping bags as quilts was perfect in June. Even if you don't camp out the dunes are open for star gazing, and I highly recommend that. I tried hiking in both sneakers and just socks. Just socks was much better keeping your feet light and reducing cramping. Note: bugs come out at dusk so be ready with lots of spray and cover your limbs and bring good sunblock, you will get toasted.
ScoutThe reservoir and surrounding areas are beautiful, but we don't plan to return to this campground. The roads in are so rough and created so much vibration that it was actually damaging to our A-Liner camper (with an off-road package). The speed limit is 55 and we weren't able to go much faster than 10 mph without the vibration becoming unbearable. The campsites are totally exposed with no tree cover, but it was too windy to set up our shade tent. The winds were so strong that we slept poorly; a neighbor in a tent said the wind ripped off two of his rain fly straps overnight. We chose Site 612 because the sites in that loop looked more private and spacious, but we failed to note that there was no bathroom on that side of the campground, with the nearest facilities being a short drive away. We left after the first night.
TravelerSome friends and I camped here in early October. It got a bit chilly at night, two layers, smartwool socks, a Carhart beanie, sleeping pad plus a medium temp sleeping bag kept me semi warm in our tent. The hikes we went on were beautiful and the restrooms were clean and close to our site. Because it was a last minute reservation we ended up in the RV section of the campsite so it was a little nosier than neccessary. We saw the park ranger ride through about every half hour to hour during our weekend stay. I would defintely stay there again!
TravelerCampsites are compact and overlook the Dunes - we parallell parked at our site. Short hike to Medano creek and the dunes. Sites have bear boxes for food storage, picnic table, and tent pads. Not ideal for large travel trailers but great in tents, vans, or smaller trailers. Site 7 is behind a pit toilet and the breeze blows the stink at you perfectly. Most other sites seem ok.
GuideWe just left campsite 531 at Kettle Creek Loop! Our 3 kids loved playing around the little inlet of water and the playground was not too far! Very clean vault toilets close to that campsite and a bigger bathroom by the playground with showers! It’s a rocky tent pad so bring a footprint and sleeping pads. Shade provided over picnic table blocking the evening sun- it’s pretty sunny in the am but nice! It was HOT while we were there but it cooled off at night. Bring a shade tent! We will Be back!
RangerBackcountry dispersed camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park offers an unforgettable and truly unique wilderness experience. If you’re seeking solitude and raw, untamed landscapes, this is the perfect spot to pitch your tent. With no designated sites, you have the freedom to find your ideal spot beyond the busy dunes and under an expansive star-filled sky.
The journey begins with a hike deep into the park’s rugged terrain, where you’re surrounded by towering sand dunes, alpine forests, and sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The lack of light pollution makes stargazing an absolute highlight—this is one of the best places to witness the Milky Way.
Keep in mind, this is true backcountry camping: no facilities, no water sources, and you must pack out all waste. Permits are required, so be sure to plan ahead. The environment can be challenging, with extreme temperature swings and strong winds that shift the sand beneath your feet. Good preparation and Leave No Trace practices are a must.
The rewards are well worth the effort. From sunrise hikes to the serene sound of nothing but wind across the dunes, this camping experience immerses you in nature’s raw beauty like few others can. It’s an adventure you’ll carry with you long after you’ve left the dunes behind.
Highly recommend skipping the tent and sleeping under the stars!
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of Colorado, Hillside offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hillside, CO is AHRA Canyon Trading Post Recreation Site with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Hillside, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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