Idaho Springs serves as a convenient basecamp for RV travelers at 7,500 feet elevation in the Clear Creek valley. The surrounding area offers year-round camping options with varying levels of amenities and accessibility depending on the season. Many campgrounds require advance reservations during peak summer months when temperatures typically range from 45°F to 80°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Clear Creek provides accessible fishing spots for campers. At Clear Creek RV Park, campers appreciate the location near water recreation. "There is so much to do at this location; aside from the sectioned off RV area, there are lots of paths and locals parks to adventure around. Tubing & swimming in the creek is wonderful especially in summertime. Our favorite is the fishing, so much fun fishing in all the different spots along the creek," noted one visitor.
Access to mountain towns: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring historic mining towns. Staying at Dakota Ridge RV Park puts you within reach of multiple destinations. "This campground allows easy access to Denver, Golden, and the foothills," explains one camper. Another adds it's "Close By: 20 minutes to Denver, 10 minutes to Red Rocks, 8 minutes to the Coors Brewery, 25 minutes to Idaho Springs."
Winter recreation: Some RV parks around Idaho Springs remain open during winter months for cold-weather activities. Tiger Run RV Resort serves winter enthusiasts: "We stayed in March for some spring skiing. Not only was it one of few if not the only park open during the winter months but is located right in between Breckenridge, Keystone and A Basin. Vail is even less than an hour."
What campers like
Proximity to hiking trails: Several RV campgrounds near Idaho Springs connect directly to trail systems. According to a visitor at Spruce Lake RV Park, "The selling point of this campground is location. It's as close to Rocky Mountain National Park as you can get without actually camping on NPS property. You are completely surrounded by the mountains and the views are amazing. There's a beautiful river flowing nearby."
Reliable utilities: Campers note the dependability of hookups at several rv campgrounds around Idaho Springs. At Cottonwood RV Campground, full hookup sites remain available throughout the winter months. One reviewer at Clear Creek RV Park mentioned: "We had a back-in full-hookups site that backed up to the walking path/sidewalk beside the river. Our site was long enough to stay hooked up. The campsite pads are level, wide enough for our slide without being on top of the neighbors."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to see native wildlife. "We had Elk & deer in the campground which is nice to see," noted a camper at Spruce Lake RV Park. Another added: "The park may have been closed but the Bull elk and his harem were not detoured. The park does have great views of the national park."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites in the area require significant adjustment. As one camper at Prospect RV Park noted about a nearby campground: "Sites 8 & 9 are extremely unlevel, but the other sites are pretty fine." Another camper experienced similar issues: "The A3 site chosen is gravel with a hole or two and significantly tilted low to the front left....requiring a 4 high stack."
