Best Campgrounds near Lafayette, CO

July 2024.  Stock 2005 GMC 4x4 work truck,  very basic.  Some obstacles that were pretty much to the limit of my truck capabilities.  New Bronco in front of me turned around.  Once past the obstacles (which is why we do this, right?) lots of nice camping.  The only drawback is the large power lines in the vicinity.   No Verizon.  Great views.  This will probably be my go-to overnight place on my way from Nebraska to exploring more of Colorado.

Lots of trees. The drive to the site was slightly adventurous and our site in particular had a large ditch we had to drive over to park and several large rocks we had to avoid. Water to fill your fresh water tank was nearby as well as clean restrooms. They have electricity. Also there is a dump area for a $15 fee. The spot is pretty large.

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.

While the park initially seemed promising, our experience quickly took a turn due to ongoing electrical issues and unprofessional management. Staff were not only rude but also inconsistent and overly strict with selective enforcement of rules. For example, we were told our dogs' leashes were too long, despite seeing several others with dogs off-leash or on even longer leads—some reaching the road. Our dogs remained within our designated area at all times.

There was also constant confusion regarding what was allowed outside—one day items were prohibited, the next they were permitted, all while others had the same items out without issue.

For the price range of $1,500 to $25,000, we expected a far better experience. Save your money and consider a quality hotel or a well-managed RV park instead. We will not be returning.

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.

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.

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.

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.