Camping options near Livermore, Colorado range from basic tent sites to full-service campgrounds at elevations between 5,500-8,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during day with nighttime lows of 45-55°F, creating ideal conditions for outdoor recreation. The Poudre Canyon area offers camping access with multiple recreation opportunities throughout the Roosevelt National Forest.
What to do
Fishing the Big Thompson River: Riverview RV Park provides excellent river access for anglers. As one camper noted, "My husband enjoyed the catch & release fishing. Fishing was good according to him." The river runs directly through the property, creating convenient fishing opportunities without traveling elsewhere.
Hiking to viewpoints: At Hermits Hollow Campground, visitors can access the Kruger Rock Trail directly from the campground. "The Kruger Rock Trailhead is inside the campground, and it is a nice hike with an amazing view of the Rockies and Estes at the top. Bring your crayons - there are two trailmarkers on the trail that you can do rubbings of," explains one visitor.
Paddle boating: The South Bay Campground at Horsetooth Reservoir offers water recreation options. A camper mentioned, "The lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking," making it an excellent base for water activities just 30 minutes from Livermore.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds near Livermore offer well-spaced sites. At Glacier Basin Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Sites are a little close together, but well taken care of. The beetles have caused many of the trees to be removed; however, despite what the reservation site says, loop C has enough trees to hang a hammock."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area is rich with wildlife spotting chances. A visitor to Hermits Hollow noted, "We enjoyed seeing the kids playing in the playground and riding around the park on their bikes. Nearly every day a deer would come munch on the greenery right behind our rig."
Proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park: Many campgrounds serve as convenient baselines for park exploration. One camper at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake shared, "Close to Estes Park downtown and a short drive to Rocky Mt Park entrance. Clean facilities, friendly staff and very affordable!"
What you should know
Limited drinking water access: At some campgrounds, water access can be challenging. One camper at South Bay Campground noted, "Electric hookup worked, but no water at the site, and 'public water' in the area was a broken water fountain. We filled up at the dump station."
Seasonal weather variations: The area experiences significant weather changes, with possible sudden wind storms. "It can be suddenly and very windy here, so most campers did not use awnings," reported a visitor to Riverview RV Park.
Coin-operated showers: Several campgrounds charge for shower use. At Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake, "The bathrooms are nice and clean, but the showers are coin-operated. Now, I don't mind paying for a good shower, but when you're already paying forty-five bucks a night, throwing eight quarters into a machine for six minutes (if that) of hot water seems a bit like robbery."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: For families traveling with pets, Riverview RV Park offers dedicated pet areas. A visitor mentioned, "We had a great time at this campground. We spent 4 days in a spot right next to the river. Close to Rocky Mountain National Park. Really enjoyed the river, dog park, live music on sat. night and laundry."
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. A camper at CanyonSide Campground shared, "There's communal fire pits, a jungle gym for kids, and hiking trails into and up the Poudre Canyon."
Budget-friendly glamping near Livermore: Families seeking glamping near Livermore without premium prices should consider Estes Park. "We stayed in site 14, which is a deluxe site. Full hookups, raised patio and propane fire pit. The KOA is small but very nice," noted one visitor to Estes Park KOA.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions to campgrounds: Some areas have challenging access roads. At Vedauwoo Wagon Road, a camper reported, "The dirt road was easy to drive down. Some of the secondary roads that go off the main dirt road are a bit more tough. Would not recommend hauling a big trailer down some of them (although I did see a lot of big trailers)."
Site spacing and privacy: RVers often seek adequate space between campsites. At AB Camping, one visitor noted, "The spots were close to each other. The showers were cold in the women's bathroom. Nice place to crash for the night," indicating that spacing can vary significantly between properties.
Hookup availability: Full service options exist but may come with tradeoffs. A camper at South Bay Campground explained, "Our site was well spaced from our neighbors, but other areas were fairly dense. Electric hookup worked, but no water at the site," highlighting the need to verify utility connections when booking.
