Best Cabin Camping near Keenesburg, CO

This was my first time staying at a KOA campground and I was blown away by the amenities offered here. Upon first pulling up to the campground, I was met by a security checkpoint and was directed to the main office to register and obtain a car pass. The attention to detail and security measures were another surprise to me, as I have always been more accustomed to primitive campgrounds. As previously mentioned, I was astounded by the variety of amenities offered to guests including wifi, a pool, mini golf, a massive playground, arcade, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits and more. This all in addition to the usual premium campground amenities such as showers, laundry facilities, RV dump station, camp sinks, an office store with basic goods and snacks, etc. 

This campground is super family friendly and seems to be much more focused on offering RV sites and cabin type lodging. As I am a tent camper, my review will be focused on what is offered for those at a tent site. There are 5 tent sites, which are only available from May 1stto September 30th. The sites are rather close together but in a lovely location right along the lake. The sites cost $45/night on week days and $50/night on weekends for one or two people with a single vehicle, additional guests cost $10/night, additional car $5/night and fire ring rentals are $5/night. Tent sites include a parking spot, a raised and level tent platform, picnic table and grill. Open fires, hammocks and clotheslines are not allowed even at the tent sites. 

Overall, this campground provides a very family oriented environment with luxurious amenities. This campground would be a great option for those wanting a camping experience without having to “rough it” whatsoever. The RV sites and cabin lodging also provide unique options for those not wanting to sleep in a tent. The price for tent camping seemed a bit steep for me, but made sense considering all of the facilities offered. The location just outside of Fort Collins provides easy access to town while still allowing for a more rural experience.

General: Many different options: tent sites (with or without hookups), back-in 50/30 amps FHU (with or without patio), Pull-thru 50/30 amps (options include patio and/or hot tub), camping cabins and deluxe cabins. 

Site Quality: All sites are level and have a concrete pad. Although the sites are close together with no privacy between them, there is some separation with a grass strip.

Bath/Shower: Code to enter and clean with soap and paper towels. 

Activities: So many options. My favorite was the half-mile fitness trail that circles the lake. Other activities include mini golf, volleyball, basketball, pickleball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, bike rentals, a fishing pier, a pool, and a nicely appointed playground. 

Other amenities include a library, laundry, train depot, paddle boats, and a small store. 

While this is not our preferred type of camping, it suited our needs for a night en route home, and I loved the gravel fitness trail. It was not high season yet so some things such as the pool and paddle boats were not available, and the campground was not full so it was quieter than it would be on a summer weekend.

Campground Review

My friends and I live in Boulder and this spot is a nice retreat about 90 minutes away near Fort Collins and is a good place to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities.

The campground is quite spacious and offers a lot of staying options. RV, car, cabins, tent – all of those kinds of sites are available. They opened a newly renovated information center about a year ago, and it’s a great place to stop in to plan out your activities in the area and make sure you have any questions answered by park ranger staff. You could very well just show up here to camp without much of a plan and after a visit to the center have more than a few ideas. They have maps.

This area has boat ramps, rock climbing nearby, and even some caves to explore. You could find some bike and hike trails too without much effort. We were there as part of a large group, so we rented three cabins near the water. Each cabin comes with a bunk bed and a double. A basic, summer camp-like mattress for each. They also have combined A/C Heater unit. I didn’t see showers here, but there were primitive toilets with TP. I noticed even the basic tent campsites came with a fire pit and picnic table.

We opted for some hikes near the campsite while some others went climbing.

Ranger Review

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am given product to test from time to time. For the last 2 months I've been testing out the Renogy Multi-Functional Solar Backpack. You can watch the video review here.

This is a 20L backpack with a lot of compartments best suited for those needing a daily activity/commuter bag. If you're looking for a true hiking/backpacking pack with solar panels, I recommend checking out Renogy's stand-alone panels.

How does it work?

The solar panel is slightly larger than a regular piece of paper (11.3" x 9.7") and can be configured to face inward when not in use for protection from abrasions. When in use, it provides a USB port to charge from (max output 1.2A and can charge a phone in 2.5 hrs.

Here's the thing: Renogy recommends you use the set up to charge to a power-bank, rather than directly to devices and I completely agree. This is because even in the best light, directly connected to my phone I was only able to maintain my power level, not improve it. I found out the panel is pretty sensitive because in partially cloudy conditions I could hear my phone beep when it would go on/off charge. Sometimes it would beep at me a few times a minute. With a power bank, you can still charge devices but also build up reserve power so at night you can recharge your electronics.

Who should buy this bag?

Anyone who wants a comfortable day pack with lots of storage options and loves the idea you can grab free energy to recharge your devices. I use it for all my media projects as it carries all my cameras, cables, and tripods plus in compartments so they aren't knocking into each other and the weight stays distributed evenly. Just check out the amount of stuff I put in this thing! It has pockets everywhere, and includes an option to slide this through larger luggage's extendable handles, making it a great carry on bag if you need to travel by a plane. You will need a different bag for long expeditions because you need more than a 20L pack for that, plus this bag lacks chest and hip straps.

Verdict?

If you're in the market for a 15-20L day pack and want something that provides power, buy this. Especially if you're outside a lot. The bag is lasting very well, the panel is going strong even after I spilled beer on it (it's waterproof and obviously it was an accident as I would never waste beer), it's comfortable, and I like how versatile I can configure it for all my stuff. In some social or business settings the solar panel isn't the greatest thing to be showing off, so it's great you can hide that away. Last I checked electricity isn't coming from a magic bean field, and I love how I'm able to go greener now by getting energy for my devices from the sun.

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!

We stayed at loop A of Reverend’s Ridge for 1 night on our way to California. We were the only ones in the campground and the views are gorgeous. Fire ring and picnic table at each site. The road to and in the campground was plowed. Pets allowed. Tons of beautiful hiking trails.

Things to keep in mind when visiting in the winter- water is not available, there are vault toilets near the pay area but not in campground itself. The GPS will tell you to take mountain base rd to the campground but it is closed for the winter. You need to take highway 46 to 119 to Gilpin road (see map).

Appears to be kid and pet friendly or just a nice place to stay overall but I will tell you first hand it was not. I’ve never in my life spent so much money to be treated with so little respect in my life. My family and our dogs stayed for a week (mind you we are quiet and keep to ourselves, our kids are respectful and we always clean up after our pets) during this time we had a woman that worked here at our camper at least 50 times a day “checking in on us” first thing was she didn’t like our solar lights we put out so we could see to put our shoes on when we had to make midnight doggie deposit runs (and not have to turn on our big light and disturb our neighbors)… next big thing was it rained for 3 days straight while we were here… which didn’t phase my kids who strapped on their rain gear and went to play on their play equipment… when the rain stopped and the sun came out- the same woman came knocking to let us know my kids had gotten their play equipment muddy and she expected them to go clean it off- which was no problem I sent them with the broom and some spray bottles. Little did I know, she was going to have someone power wash it 25 min after they had spent all day scrubbing and cleaning it… but my final straw was our last night here… we had left for a few hours to go do some things and we came back and my 2 year old daughters wagon (very clearly not a utility wagon- it’s pink!) was completely full of all the pet waste from the day I’m guessing, with a note taped to it saying “dump pet waste here” needless to say I’m fuming at this point.

As far as the facilities… We paid for 50 amp power and full hook ups for the duration of our visit- they instead put us in a 30 amp campsite (which is not a big deal we had adapters) but for the price difference I’m a little pissed looking at how we were treated. The shower houses are nice.. And the price gouging in the store is outrageous… almost 600% markup for even just a cold drink. I will try to add a positive note, as I try to do for even places such as these- they did have a very nice wash room for laundry. But having only one dryer that kinda worked (2 hours to dry a small load of laundry) kinda ended up being another strike against them as well. I’m not one to be nit picky, nor am I petty.. but how I was treated was completely outrageous. -20/10 makes me reconsider ever staying at a KOA again if this is how they are allowed to treat their campers!

Also beware of the goat heads! They’re everywhere. I got one in my foot, my son got one in his bike tire, and we had a flat on the camper due to one. When I say they are thick, they are THICK.