Camping spots near Johnstown, Colorado provide easy access to both mountain recreation and urban amenities. Located at approximately 4,852 feet elevation in the Front Range region, Johnstown's camping options experience a semi-arid climate with warm summer days and cool nights. Water levels at nearby reservoir campgrounds fluctuate seasonally, with spring typically offering the highest water levels for lakeside activities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Pinewood Reservoir Campground, visitors can fish in a less crowded setting than larger nearby lakes. "Quiet and peaceful. Electric hook ups. Quiet and peaceful," notes one camper about this reservoir that sits at a higher elevation than others in the area.
Water recreation: South Shore Campground at Carter Lake offers multiple water activities from swimming to boating. "We drove to the small swimming beach but could have easily brought our chairs and hung out on the lake at our campground," reports one visitor who stayed at site 28, mentioning it was "on the end which made it very big."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature walking paths around their lakes or into surrounding foothills. "We took the 3 mile hike behind campground which is beautiful but rocky - wear shoes that can withstand rocks. Must return the same way so 6 miles total," advises a Carter Lake camper who appreciated the natural surroundings.
What campers like
Shower facilities: St. Vrain State Park Campground receives high marks for its facilities. "Very clean, well kept sites. Stayed on the sandpiper loop which was close to potable water source as well as electric hookup for RVs. Beautiful views, great showers," notes one visitor, though they warn about "the exceptional amount of mosquitoes and lack of shaded area."
Lakeside views: Many campers highlight the morning vistas at Inlet Bay Campground on Horsetooth Reservoir. "When you wake up in the morning it sounds so peaceful from all the nature sounds. If you are looking to get away and go somewhere quiet and beautiful, this is the place to be!" shares one enthusiastic camper who gave the location five stars.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds near Johnstown offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Nearly every day a deer would come munch on the greenery right behind our rig," reports a visitor at Riverview RV Park, adding "The staff were super friendly and I believe we received good value for our payment considering the prices and sold-out state of other nearby parks."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance bookings, especially during summer months. At Boulder County Fairgrounds, campers face strict stay limits: "14 day max per year and they are a real stickler. We stayed here 13 days total on and off during weekends when we can't get a spot at campgrounds and they just kicked us out for the year."
Road noise: Several campgrounds near major roads experience traffic sounds. "I-25. The interstate is so close as I type this I can hear in my travel trailer every truck, motorcycle, and car. Going to have to use earplugs tonight to sleep," warns a St. Vrain State Park visitor who otherwise found the park "Clean, Afforable, Easy Access."
Tree sap issues: Some campsites with mature trees present unexpected challenges. A reviewer at Loveland RV Resort noted: "The trees drop a horrible yellow sap that was on EVERYTHING after only one night, our shoes, our floors, our dogs, our rig, our vehicles, it was a mess. In the end, I would stay again in a pinch, but the tree sap is ultimately what would keep us away."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Fort Collins Lakeside KOA caters specifically to families with multiple amenities. "This is a great campground. Excellent Staff and amenities on site. The lake is great for catch and release. Grounds are well maintained no observed litter on the property," writes one visitor, while another notes it "provides a very family oriented environment with luxurious amenities."
Swimming access: When summer temperatures rise, water access becomes important. At Horsetooth Reservoir's South Bay Campground, "The lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking," writes one visitor, while another mentions "getting to go swimming and it was a fun spot."
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "Great family campground near the water and a nice walking/biking path to the beach. Perfect for families," notes one visitor about Boyd Lake State Park, which also provides fishing opportunities and bike-friendly paths.
Tips from RVers
Electric reliability: For RVers requiring stable power, campground electrical service varies. At Inlet Bay Campground, a two-week visitor reported, "Electricity was stable," and noted the "dump station is outside the campground, but is a good one. Good water pressure and potable water."
Site width considerations: RV site dimensions differ significantly between standard and premium sites. At Loveland RV Resort, one camper advised: "We stayed in a premium pull through because the basic pull through were soooo close together," highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate site type for larger rigs.
Seasonal water access: RVers should verify water availability during shoulder seasons. One visitor to Horsetooth's Inlet Bay noted: "Called to make sure freash water was on for the season and was told it was. Showed up at 5pm and water was NOT on!" This highlights the importance of double-checking amenity availability during early spring camping trips.
