Searching for the best camping near Idaho Springs, CO? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Idaho Springs is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Idaho Springs, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$18 / night
"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
"8100’ high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don’t worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!"
"This location is about 39 miles from Downtown Denver or about 45-60 mins (with traffic). They should just say Central City KOA in the title."
$28 - $90 / night
"This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."
"Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."
$33 - $40 / night
"They use a keycode system to restrict access to the centrally-located bathhouse (there is only one in the campground), which I thought was clever. "
"The highway noise was very noticeable, but didn’t take away from the peaceful setting. It was a clean campground. The bathrooms and showers were clean and have a key code for entry."
"Resources were running low on a Friday night so it was great pull off great views close to idaho springs down town , nice hiking trails as well traffic is pretty much non existent after 9pm"
"Any unpaved areas around it are not flat."
"So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites."
"Getting here is easy, only a few miles away from Nederland and I had cell service (verizon) the entire time."
$26 / night
"Tons of forests to explore nearby. It was very busy- sign said campground full but after a drive around all the sites we found one that was open!"
"The proximity to Central City/ Black Hawk is crazy ( less than 2-3 miles) but the proximity to i70 is what makes it a hidden gem."
"Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes."
"It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving.
Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake. "
$26 / night
"This was a great place for a quick getaway, as its only 14 miles south of Idaho Springs. The campground is best suited for tent or small trailers. Its high altitude, nestled in the pines."
"Echo Lake campground is situated off Squaw Pass Rd next to Echo Lake and the start of Mt Evans Rd."
"If you’re looking for a solid RV park near Golden that’s clean and dog friendly, this place is for you. Staff were very polite and helpful."
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
GuideArrived Sunday afternoon to a pretty empty campground. Some sites have a little tree cover and others have none at all. It was a relaxing night. We left early Monday morning to hike Mt Bierstadt
TravelerSpent three nights here. Plenty of trail heads nearby and had moose visitors right by camp each day which was cool but be sure to respect the wildlife and give them space. Road is bumpy getting in but saw a few Crosstreks and Rav4s making it through at slow speeds but high clearance 4wd definitely recommend. 41 sites total which get more dispersed as you go farther up the road but it does get rougher and narrower past site 34 or so. Got busier when I left Friday morning but no shortage of open sites. Will definitely be back.
TravelerWe stayed three (3) nights at Glacier Basin during our week long visit to RMNP. We had a beautiful view from A-24 and was convenient to the restroom. Short walk to wood/ice house (on sale from 5-8pm). Much larger than Aspenglen and sites are pretty close together, but we enjoyed our neighbors! While large, close sites, and full the CG was overall quiet. ATT cell service was pretty good, Verizon okay. CG was clean and well maintained. One negative is that 4-6 sites had to share a bear box (Aspenglen has a bear box for each site. CG is on Bear Lake Road so no timed entry required (YAY!) and right across the street from the bus shuttle.
TravelerWe stayed four(4) nights at Aspenglen during our week long visit to RMNP. We had a beautiful view from B-07- and was convenient to the restroom as well as wood/ice house(on sale from 5-730pm). Due to the size, there aren't any big RVS. Lots of tent campers and small RVs like our teardrop- so quiet. Cell service is non-existent, but you can go a mile to the park entrance for service. CG was clean and well maintained. Each site has a bear box. CG is right outside of Estes Park and convenient to Trail Ridge Road. Also close to Sheep Lake where there are big horn sheep, elk, and moose. We liked it better than Glacier Basin CG, but of course Glacier Basin is on Bear Lake Road so you don't need a timed entry (trade-off).
TravelerBeautiful views all around and elk/deer all over. The river is close by and the star viewing was amazing. Quiet campground even being full every night we were there. Campsite and bathrooms were clean and each spot had shared bear lockers for storing food. Bring bug spray, mosquitoes are horrible.
GuideThe sites are very spacious. WIFI is good. The hosts were wonderful. We will definitely be stopping by again.
TravelerWe pulled in around noon and barely snagged one of the last open sites. Ours was higher up the road—still accessible, but just rough enough to turn a few others back. That bit of elevation gave us a quiet pocket, a breeze, and just enough distance from the traffic circling below. By 1 p.m., it felt like a game of musical chairs. Drivers looping, turning around, hoping someone packed up. If you’re aiming for a summer weekend, earlier is better—and be ready for company. Once the sun starts to set, the area shifts. Music carries from camp to camp, people laugh loud, shout louder, and sleep is reserved for those who can tune it out. Shade wasn’t a given, even with all the trees. In the heat of summer, the sun cuts straight through the gaps. I was glad we brought extra cover—without it, the tent would’ve turned into an oven by mid-afternoon. The place still has a certain calm to it. No cell service, no light pollution, no one glued to a screen. Just wind, water, and the low rumble of late-night playlists echoing off the hillside. If that’s your scene—or you can roll with it—Rock Creek delivers.
https://youtu.be/n579TkYZqVA
Traveler4WD to get there for sure, which means we saw very few people up here. It's beautiful, secluded, awesome area. Creek runs right by, plenty of shade, away from the road, highly recommend checking this spot out!
TravelerWe found the perfect spot about 4-5 miles away from the turn off of hwy 40! There are about 20 sites along this road, this was one of few with a good amount of shade.
Camping near Idaho Springs, Colorado, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Idaho Springs, Colorado, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an action-packed adventure, there's something for you in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Idaho Springs, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 416 campgrounds and RV parks near Idaho Springs, CO and 133 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Idaho Springs, CO is Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon with a 4.6-star rating from 48 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 133 free dispersed camping spots near Idaho Springs, CO.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Idaho Springs, CO that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
Keep Exploring
