Best Campgrounds near Idaho Springs, CO

It is beautiful. Plenty of sites with electric hook-ups, tent sites, nice bathrooms (showers are coin operated & out of order), 1 water spout.

With amenities comes weekend warriors. Groups of teens and 20 something who party. Loud after 11pm. It was Easter weekend, and sites were left semi trashed.

For the most part, it's a great place. Water views. Locals are sweet. The little store, the cashier woman, was kind and a fresh breath of fresh air. The prices aren't bad either.

We tent camp in a massive 27ft canvas. It was mostly peaceful! HAPPY CAMPING!

This was a great site! Trails everywhere, lots of beautiful sites. Some have mountain views, others are more covered by trees. I stayed in a loop site that was super cozy. All sites have fire rings and plenty of dead trees/branches in the area to gather for firewood.

A beautiful and peaceful place to chill out! The spots are plenty spaced out from others. Just a heads up that many of the spots aren’t flat for parking or even for a tent.

This spot is beautiful! Stayed here one night and loved it. Got a big windy and cold but the views are worth it. Plenty of space between sites. The road gets pretty rough in some spots and I made the silly mistake of going down one side of the road that I shouldn't. My car is fine and other vehicles with higher clearance would be fine (I drive a Subaru crosstrek sport. Saw some Elk on that side which was really cool. Sunrise was beautiful. Would camp here again✌🏻

I drove for an extra half an hour and still didn't find this site. I ended up at a nearby trailhead which was nice and quiet. I think there are multiple entry points to this site and most of them were closed. The trailhead was nice, had bathrooms and was quiet.

Stayed here for a month and a half with electric only (full hook up spots for extended stays were already taken but that was okay). Staff is extremely helpful and accommodating. They have extremely clean bath houses cleaned daily and coin0op laundry (office has quarters available). Along a gorgeous walking path to the mountains, within immediate walking distance to multiple breweries and restaurants, and extremely accessible to the mountains. Love it here!

Sites 8 & 9 are extremely unlevel, but the other sites are pretty fine.

Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area. There's a few playgrounds within the campground and park area, with access to trails to the lake, a boat launch and boat rental, equestrian stables, and archery. You get a bench and fire pit at your site. Only drawback might be the bathrooms have no night lighting and you have a dumping station instead of sewage hookups. Also water is available but not at the site. But all in all a really great find and affordable for the area!

The coordinates on Dyrt are a little off from the actual location but if you drive down roads that lead to toward views of the canyon, you’ll get there. The road passes through lots of private property, which can trick you into thinking you’re driving down the wrong road. The trailhead parking lot has one giant rut that you must be careful to navigate around. 2 Wheel Dr. and low clearance vehicles can do it, but should be extremely careful in how they approach. Parking lot is a short walk to some beautiful views of the canyon! Please be respectful as many people live within eyesight of the trailhead

I've been twice now, once in fall and that was gorgeous. The campsites are clean, not numbered and there are no fire pits or anything. We were hoping to walk around the lake but it was private and the locals were pretty protective as others have said. My friends RAV4 AWD made it up the road fine in early fall when there was no snow. I went back in February and my 4runner made it up the road fine in the snow, they plow the main dirt road which makes the campsites difficult to get into because the snow banks block them, getting into the site was the hardest part of the drive. The snow was pretty deep in and especially behind the campsite, probably 3 feet at some places from accumulation. It was windy and snowing in February but overall a very good time! I will defiantly be going back but it's sad that you can't even walk around the lake.

We arrived here on a Friday afternoon in late August 2024 and were pleasantly surprised to find several spots still available, even later in the day. While many of the campsites are quite small and located right along the roadside with limited parking, we were lucky to find a fantastic, more spacious spot. It had plenty of room for our truck, a large tent, and a canopy —perfect for spreading out and relaxing. 

One of the best parts was the privacy. Our site was far enough from the neighboring spots that we couldn’t see or hear other campers, making it feel peaceful and secluded. From our site, we could easily walk down to a peaceful little valley and open space.

The views were absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping mountain scenery that made every moment feel special. Being at a higher elevation, one person in our group did experience some mild altitude discomfort, even though we’re from the Denver area—something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to elevation changes. 

Wildlife was another highlight—there were clear signs of moose activity nearby, and fellow campers just up the road mentioned seeing a moose wander around their site. It added a sense of adventure to the trip, and we’ll definitely be returning to this area again for another camping getaway.

Our family loves this spot, the privacy and natural beauty all easily accessible for a 1 night trip for a family breaking in some unruly toddlers to the camping experience.

Panorama Point offers amazing views that even my 70 year old parents were able to join us on.

PP gets really busy but get there early enough after camping and you'll have it mostly to yourselves.

Frazer Meadows is also a fun hike that you can easily accomplish with a kid carrier.

Great spots in here! Lots of shade in the morning at our spot. We were by a dirt road and did have a few vehicles drive by but not bad. There is bear scat, not old and not new, in the area but no wildlife was seen.

I started camping this area a couple of years ago and have been coming back several times a year. Over 30 dispersed campsites along a moderately smooth dirt road. Sites are spaced well apart, some sites are covered in trees while others are wide open. I haven’t seen one there yet but it’s good to stay BEAR AWEAR. Sites are clean. I camped at sites 15, 18, 22(twice), 26 (twice ), and there’s two sites close to Wellington lake that I’ve stayed three times . Yes it’s a good place to camp and only about a hour from Denver. My visits were between May to October. Only a fire ring is provided,everything else you’ll need to bring……AND PACK OUT when you leave so the next camper can enjoy the site like you did.

My first experience was a couple of years ago (2022) I paid for three days camping . It snowed and was unable to camp….no refunds… The following year I bought 6 day passes to go fishing and only used 3. They said no refunds….. told them to keep the money and give the passes to the next three people who came in and wanted one….they said that they couldn’t do that.. So, I still tell people about how beautiful the place is…..and I also tell them that they WILL keep your money no matter what happens…. I’ll camp in the dispersed camping sites on the road that takes you to the private over priced campground….. Oh by the way…it’s catch and release. So, if you want fish for supper you better bring your own.

Had a great time here with hardly anyone there so very peaceful.

If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth. Once the capacity for the Park is reached, you will not be allowed in.

Nice Swim Beach with brand new Bldg. Many covered Picnic sites, but again, you MUST arrive at the break of day to secure one.

Please plan to pack your trash out. Seems to be a severe shortage of dumpsters or trash cans and people leave behind huge bags of trash - or, sadly, just trash strewn around. Please respect our space!

Campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit.

I live close to the Park and visit every month of the year.

Heaton Bay Campground, located near Dillon Reservoir in Colorado, offers a stunning lakeside camping experience with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The campground is set in a picturesque location, making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy water activities, hiking, and enjoying the serenity of nature.

The sites at Heaton Bay are spacious, well-maintained, and equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, providing a comfortable setting for both tent campers and RV travelers. There are flush toilets and potable water, but no hookups for RVs, so keep that in mind when planning your stay. The campground is nestled among tall pines, providing some shade and a peaceful atmosphere, though there are few trees at some sites, so be prepared for full exposure to the sun.

One of the biggest highlights of Heaton Bay is its proximity to Dillon Reservoir, where you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. The campground is also just a short drive from the popular town of Dillon and the many hiking opportunities in the area, including access to the nearby Swan Mountain Trail and many 14ers.

The only downside is that during peak summer months, the campground can be busy, as it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends. The nights can also get chilly, so it’s essential to pack warm layers, even in the summer.

Overall, Heaton Bay Campground offers an excellent lakeside camping experience with a perfect balance of nature, water activities, and mountain views, making it an ideal spot for a Colorado getaway.

A hidden gem in the Colorado Rockies, Rainbow Trout Ranch offers a serene mountain retreat. With its riverside setting and towering trees, this campground is perfect for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The sites are rustic but well-kept, and the peaceful environment is ideal for disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of Denver. Nearby hiking trails and wildlife add to the charm.

AIM for a site along the creek. And beware of the rules. No wildfires nor swimming in the creek.