Camping near Lone Tree, Colorado provides easy access to both front-range recreation areas and mountain destinations. The region sits at approximately 6,000 feet elevation where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically between day and night, often dropping 30-40 degrees after sunset even in summer months. Unlike higher mountain campgrounds, many sites near Lone Tree remain open year-round due to the relatively mild winter conditions along the Front Range.
What to do
Fishing and paddle sports: Cherry Creek State Park offers an 850-acre reservoir with multiple water activities. "Really amazing and open campground with Mountains and City Life not far away! Rent a floatation device or bring your own and enjoy the warmth on the lake," explains one Cherry Creek State Park visitor.
Archery practice: Bear Creek Lake Park maintains an archery range for visitors. "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding," notes a camper at Indian Paintbrush Campground.
Bird watching: Standley Lake hosts remarkable bird habitats. "I don't know how you could not like a place with a huge lake that bald eagles nest beside. With a rookery, this is the spot for bird enthusiasts!" shares a visitor at Standley Lake Regional Park.
Mountain biking trails: The extensive network of trails at Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers challenging terrain. "Golden Gate Canyon SP is absolutely gorgeous! We loved the experience at the park, the trails are great and the views are wonderful," reports a camper.
What campers like
Proximity to Denver: Despite feeling remote, most campgrounds are just minutes from urban amenities. "Located in the heart of suburban Arvada! We go here weekly!" notes a regular at Standley Lake Regional Park.
Waterfront sites: Wellington Lake offers lakeside camping with no motorized boats allowed. "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos," notes a visitor to Chatfield State Park.
Dog-friendly areas: Several parks feature designated off-leash dog areas. "The dog park is by far the best. Off leash- so much room; well taken care of and big lake for the dogs to swim," shares a Chatfield visitor.
Glamping in Lone Tree: Bear Creek Lake Park offers yurt accommodations. "Was just beautiful all the staff was wonderful and made our first in CO wonderful... the yurt was awesome and we tent camped last night," reports a visitor who experienced luxury camping near Lone Tree.
What you should know
Reservations essential: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit," advises a Cherry Creek regular.
Entrance fees separate from camping fees: State parks charge daily entrance fees in addition to camping fees. "You will need to pay the $9 day fee in addition to the camping fee," explains a reviewer.
Limited shade at some sites: Several campgrounds have minimal tree cover. "The lack of trees here is concerning. I did admire the beautiful water," notes a Standley Lake visitor.
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railway disturbances. "This park is on the freeway. There is also no fence between the park and the frequently used railroad tracks," warns a Jellystone Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water park amenities: Jellystone Park at Larkspur offers extensive water play facilities. "This place is a campers with kids dream. It can get noisy and it's definitely not remote," notes a family camper.
Playgrounds throughout the parks: Many campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "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," reports a visitor at Bear Creek Lake Campground.
Character appearances: Jellystone Park features Yogi Bear character events. "From flag raising in the morning to hay rides, all day activities to the camp fire story times there is something for every kids to keep busy," shares a family visitor.
Shallow water areas: Some parks offer kid-friendly water access. "Cherry Creek is such a great park; I've spent so much time biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, spending time with family," notes a frequent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete services. "The sites were concrete and level. It was a little pricey, but we would stay again when visiting family, because there is definitely a lot to do!" advises an RVer.
Dump station access: Some parks restrict dump station availability. "Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Only drawback might be you have a dumping station instead of sewage hookups," explains a visitor at Bear Creek Lake.
Site leveling challenges: Uneven camping pads can create setup difficulties. "The campsite that I had was very uneven. It was practically a down hill slope. I had a hard time getting my camper level," warns a visitor at Casey Jones RV Hideaway.
