The Rocky Mountain region surrounding Hot Sulphur Springs sits at elevations between 7,500-9,000 feet, creating conditions where summer days range from 70-85°F with crisp 40-50°F nights. Campers should prepare for significant temperature swings and afternoon thunderstorms that typically roll in between 2-4pm during summer months. The local dispersed camping areas often fill by Thursday afternoon during peak season (June-August).
What to do
Fishing access: 30 seconds from camp: At Willow Creek Campground, campers enjoy direct lake access for fishing. "Great fishing on Willow Creek Reservoir—Rainbows, Browns, and some salmon. Boats with motors are prohibited, so there are many canoes, kayaks, and other non motorized activities on the lake," notes one camper.
Trail access without driving: Green Ridge Campground offers trails directly from your site. "I didn't have to take my car to trailheads - hiked nearly 20 miles of low traffic trails with the trailhead right across from my site," reports a visitor who appreciated the car-free convenience.
Winter sports near glamping sites: Winter visitors staying in glamping accommodations near Hot Sulphur Springs can access snowshoeing trails within walking distance of several sites. "We had a fox visit our site as well as a marmot & many other creatures. A great experience. Grand Lake town is lots of fun," shared one Green Ridge camper who enjoyed winter wildlife viewing.
What campers like
Uncrowded swimming spots: Arapaho Bay Campground offers semi-private lake access from certain sites. "The views were incredible, and we pretty much had private lake access for our paddle board and kayak. Not the most private campground (we could see both of our neighbors), but the views made up for it," notes a satisfied visitor.
Evening wildlife viewing: Many campers report moose and fox sightings right in the camping areas, especially around dusk. "We had many moose sightings in the campground during our stay. Kayaking and swimming in Lake Grandby and hiking nearby areas was a lot of fun," shared one Arapaho Bay camper.
Morning coffee with views: Stillwater Campground offers lake vistas from nearly every site. "Campground sits by itself on a small peninsula in Lake Granby, CO. Has many drive up spots with gravel tent pads. Sites are not right on top of each other so you will have some space. We arrived after dark and setup; the view in the morning was a wonderful surprise," writes one visitor.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Proper food storage is mandatory. "We had bears at our site and around the campground 2 out of 3 nights!" warns an Arapaho Bay visitor. Most sites require food storage in vehicles since bear boxes are limited.
Reservation windows open early: For popular glamping options near Hot Sulphur Springs, book 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends. Many first-come-first-served sites fill by early Thursday in summer.
Water access challenges: Lake levels fluctuate significantly. "Great view of Granby Lake from most of the camp sites. Not a lot of tree cover but it was very pretty," notes a Sunset Point Campground visitor, where beach access varies with seasonal water levels.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly animal interactions: Winding River Resort offers unique wildlife experiences. "The bathrooms are very clean and that's something that's very important to me. Their store is well stocked, everyone was helpful. The animals were adorable. Horseback riding was fun, staff was friendly," reports one visitor with children.
Plan for afternoon indoor activities: Summer thunderstorms typically arrive between 2-4pm. "Bring your kids here! They won't want to leave! Come for at least a few nights, if able, so you can make the most of it," recommends a family that visited Winding River Resort.
Early morning wildlife viewing: Schedule early morning walks (6-8am) for best wildlife spotting with kids. "We saw our first and only moose while camping up there. It was super cool! They also have horse rides available for purchase," shares a family camper.
Tips from RVers
Limited full-hookup options: Most campgrounds offer only electric or partial hookups. "There are a few hike in sites but most accommodate RVs. Plenty of trees for privacy especially if you're on the lake side. Typical NFS vault toilets but clean. Dumpsters for trash. Water spigots but not with threads so you can't hookup a hose," notes a Sunset Point RV camper.
Dump station locations: Plan to use dump stations at Stillwater or Arapaho Bay as many smaller sites lack this service. "We stayed in a first come first serve RV site with power and water during early season snow (the day after Labor Day!) with high winds. There is a dump station but it was closed due to freezing temps when we left," warns an RV user.
Wind exposure concerns: Many glamping sites near Hot Sulphur Springs have limited wind protection. "Be warned: road in across the dam is ROUGH to the point of hazard, and lacks guardrail. Significant safety concern for others or those with large or unwieldy vehicles," cautions an RV camper about Arapaho Bay access.
