335 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Longmont sits at the edge of the plains and the foothills, with the mountains still a drive away, which makes it more of a base town than a camping hub. Developed campgrounds within close range are limited, but the town's position puts campers within reach of the Roosevelt National Forest road network and the more active camping corridors near Boulder and Lyons to the west. Boulder-area dispersed camping is the closest high-traffic dispersed option and reachable without significant additional driving. National forest dispersed sites near Loveland are to the north and worth checking if Boulder-area spots are crowded. Summer weekends push demand up across this whole Front Range corridor, so midweek arrivals give more flexibility.
"Plus it’s close to Longmont where we found a couple cute breweries/cideries."
"Almost all spots on water, close to trails. Picnic tables and level pads. Full hookups. Very clean with access to bathrooms. Fishing. Downside is right next to the busy interstate."
from $36 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Arrived in Colorado little after midnight, got a spot right away plenty of availability and close enough to some good hiking areas"
"We couldn’t find anything near family in Highlands Ranch in July, but ran across this place- Tight spots for our 38 ft fifth wheel but, we made it."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Had a really tough time getting an rsvp for a place near Longmont where my daughter lives. Online reserving said nothing available."
"All sites have great access and close to the ponds. Variety of fish in the ponds. They allow ice fishing as long as the ice is safe."
from $36 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Tents sites 1-8 are “car camping” sites, but those are adjacent to the rec field so lots of people walking by in the daytime. The park is in town so easy access to stores restaurants and an arcade!"
"On the edge of Lyons, this place is great for families. Tubing, playgrounds, and soccer field. Just blocks away from Main Street. A great family spot with small children."
from $52 / night
Check Availability"So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites."
"Getting here is easy, only a few miles away from Nederland and I had cell service (verizon) the entire time."
"Took the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back."
"Very enjoyable spot, close access to trails and entrance and exit of the park."
from $35 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Location good for rocky mountain national park & brewery nirvana: Longmont, berthoud, loveland, & ft Collins. $$$36/nite+$9/day entry. Electric only, vault toilets."
"Carter lake is a staple visit in our family."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Campground is situated along the Big Thompson River. Big cottonwood trees. Easy accessibility for big rigs. Some items … water valves leak in lakes around entire park and many are leaking."
"Right next to the river. Close to some easy MTB trails. Would definitely stay here again."
"Colorado 66 is right over the fence and it seems busy and loud all the time. So what could be a peaceful getaway is bombarded with highway noise."
"The good - Clean, well spaced sites, new facilities, friendly staff, well maintained, reasonable rates, convenient location, semi-rural location, pond on site has a covered dock and a paddleboat for rent"
from $65 - $95 / night
Check Availability"You are pinned up against private property around the lake, the camp sites are in the dirt area when you get to the lake down to the left."
"Like many Colorado disperse camping spots."
ScoutJust off Hwy 70 clean park, spotless showers and bathrooms. Friendly staff. Each site is level. Benches and nice hillside layout. Red Rocks concert Amphitheater park is 20min away👍👍
GuideMultiple options, great views. Close to Denver. Accessible! Saw a show at Red Rocks. 30-40 min out. Nice spot for a night or few.
GuideBeautiful site bear proof trash, bear proof food storage at each site, vault toilets, fire rings (although there is a fire band at present), 14.50/night with discount.
TravelerGreat backcountry spot 1 mile in from the East Portal. Water access is near and it includes a privy! Easy enough for my sea-level living 5 year old to make it there in less than an hour!
TravelerBusy site but plenty of space, about 1 1/2 miles from town with a hourly shuttle bus. Very clean bathrooms and laundry Pool not heated while we were there. Truck campers not allowed to remove campers, which makes visiting the surrounding mountains a little tricky.
TravelerSmall campground near St Louis Creek (accessible via small trails through the willows; tight but fun small creek fly fishing). Nice access to mtn bike trails (talk to the host!)—no e-bikes allowed. Fires banned (see Watch Duty if you want to know what’s burning in the dry West). Pit toilets were clean (thank you for the small trash barrel and night light). We loved our stay, saw a family of bluebirds, missed the fox, but watched a moose amble nearby. And the monsoon thunderstorm!
TravelerWe stayed at the dispersed camping along Ski Road with a small 17' trailer, which is very, very light, but still had some damage to the stabilization jacks from the many rocks sticking up on the road to get to camping spots. There are also big dips that will catch those kinds of things. It was our first big camping spot as we are new to nomad life, so ot was definitely a learning experience. There are barely any places to turn around, so once we started on the road, we were committed. I would only camp there with tents or a truck camper to avoid that issue in the future.
That said, this is a glorious spot for camping if you love the sound of creek water, being nestled in beautiful pines, and excellent hiking options.
There is ZERO service, and it takes a drive to nearby Lyons before you get it. I was able to use Starlink for remote work and to make phone calls.
Thw temps were also wonderful! It was in the 90's in "town", but only upper 60's and 70's on the mountain.
Our great pyrenees dogs really loved being able to go into the freezing creek at their leisure.
Check it out! It's absolutely lovely here!
TravelerNice little campground with hiking nearby. Two small sites and two very large ones. There was a fire band when we were there. Very nice hiking trail across the bridge and a short hiking trail from the campground to a waterfall that was beautiful. You can get in the water if you’re careful. Many people driving through on a weekend, looking for sites when none were available. Pit toilet with no dumpster or available water. It was very quiet in the evenings.
TravelerWhat a hidden gem! The campground host from another campground recommended this and they were right. It is right on the river and has many places to jump in the cold water and swim. There were people tubing and even a little sandbar area where it was safe for kids to play. The toilets are pit toilets but there is a shower house that takes quarters. I think it was .50 per shower. There is a lot of shade and several double sites and a group site. There is also a hiking trail right from the campground and a little general store up the road. It was very scenic to sit at our site and look over the river and to the rocks across the way.
Camping spots near Longmont, Colorado sit primarily within Boulder County, where elevations range from 5,000 feet in town to over 9,000 feet in nearby mountain terrain. Winter camping requires preparation for below-freezing nights, while summer temperatures average 85°F with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August. Many local camping areas require advance entrance permits purchased separately from camping fees.
Water activities at reservoirs: Fishing, paddleboarding and swimming options exist within 30 minutes of Longmont. At St. Vrain State Park Campground, campers can enjoy multiple fishing ponds. "Numerous ponds, stocked ponds, trails, biking, birds, paddle boarding. The view of the mountains is to die for!" notes Kate B. The park also has wildlife viewing opportunities with several water bodies where "one even had a nest of eagles."
Hiking nearby trails: The area offers trails of varying difficulty, from family-friendly paths to challenging mountain routes. At Pinewood Reservoir Campground, visitors can access a 3-mile loop trail around the lake. "The view was great and the trail hike was nice and not difficult to navigate," comments Daniel. For more adventurous hiking, Gordon Gulch near Nederland connects to numerous forest service trails.
River activities: Several campgrounds offer direct river access for tubing, wading, and relaxation. At LaVern M. Johnson Park, "There is a river that runs right behind it and it's so pleasant to listen to and fun for the kids to play near," according to Lindsay R. The park also offers "tubing, playgrounds, and soccer field" with access just "blocks away from Main Street."
Mountain views: The proximity to the Front Range provides scenic backdrops at most area campgrounds. At Cottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park, campers appreciate the vista. "Clean, relatively quiet. During week not crowded. Look for a spot with a tree to park in shade. Nice path along lake," says Michael. The park remains accessible year-round with some campers noting winter stays.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities across various campgrounds. St. Vrain State Park offers eagle watching with Alli J. noting, "There are a couple of bald eagles nesting in the tree in the middle of the lake that is amazing to watch!" At Pinewood Reservoir, campers reported seeing bears with one reviewer mentioning, "Bear warning was on, but smokey left us alone for the weekend."
Proximity to towns: Many campers appreciate the balance between natural settings and access to services. South Shore Campground at Carter Lake earns high marks for its location. "Location good for rocky mountain national park & brewery nirvana: Longmont, berthoud, loveland, & ft Collins," according to George R. Sites cost "$36/nite+$9/day entry. Electric only, vault toilets."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially during summer months. Boulder County Fairgrounds limits total stays to 14 days per year, with one camper reporting, "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."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds more than others. At St. Vrain State Park, noise from I-25 can impact the camping experience with Paul Z. warning, "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." Similarly, Ronda C. advises to "Check the map of the campground and choose a spot far from the Interstate highway, it's closer than you think!"
Seasonal changes: Facilities vary significantly depending on time of year. Several campgrounds shut off water systems during colder months. At Riverview RV Park & Campground, winter visitors note certain limitations: "We stayed in Nov so water and bathrooms were closed. But it's a safe place to hook up to electricity so we enjoyed it," explains Lanie M.
Playgrounds and amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. LaVern M. Johnson Park provides extensive recreation options with Max B. noting, "This campground has everything. Full hook up, shower, restrooms, a great playground and a fantastic river." Another camper mentions the park features "Two playgrounds, splashpad, and kid zip line."
Swimming access: Look for designated swimming areas with gentle water entries. Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers varied family camping options including cabins and yurts. A reviewer mentions it's "Great for families" with "nice facilities for bathrooms and even dishwashing."
Spacing between sites: Family privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. At Boulder County Fairgrounds, sites can feel cramped with little separation, while South Shore at Carter Lake offers more generous spacing. "The tent sites were well spaced for privacy, and even on a busy weekend, we felt like we had our own space to enjoy nature," reports one visitor.
Hook-up availability: Electric hookups are common at most established campgrounds, but full hookups are limited. Riverview RV Park offers complete services for RVers, with one camper noting, "Beautiful river going beside many of the sites. Newer bathrooms. Huge park with playground for kids. Our site was very wide and open, but we might just have been lucky."
Leveling considerations: Many campgrounds in the foothills have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. Cottonwood Campground at Boyd Lake State Park features "pull through and back in spots" with relatively level concrete pads according to reviewers, making it suitable for larger rigs.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer on-site dump stations. Carter Lake campers mention the availability of "sanitary-dump" facilities, while visitors to Pinewood Reservoir need to plan for off-site dumping as no sanitary services are available on the grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any lakeside camping options near Longmont?
Several stunning lakeside camping destinations surround Longmont. South Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir offers some of the best waterfront views in Colorado according to longtime campers. With both traditional campsites and cabin rentals available, it's a popular summer destination that requires advance reservations. South Shore Campground at Carter Lake provides electric hookups with convenient access to both water recreation and nearby attractions. Just $36/night plus a $9 daily entry fee, it's well-positioned for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. For a more remote experience, Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail offers lakeside sites, though 4x4 vehicles are necessary to navigate the rugged access road.
Where are the best campgrounds near Longmont, Colorado?
Longmont offers excellent access to diverse camping experiences within a short drive. Roosevelt National Forest Camp Dick Campground delivers the quintessential Colorado experience with stunning mountain views, a rolling river, well-maintained fire pits, and hiking trailheads accessible directly from camp. For those seeking a more rugged experience, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area provides free camping with spacious sites and mountain views. The area features numbered sites along the main road, but venturing further on Forest Road 233.1 reveals additional unnumbered sites with even better views. Other excellent options include Ceran St. Vrain Trail for streamside dispersed camping and CR 47 for spectacular mountain views (though 4WD is recommended).
What RV camping facilities are available around Longmont?
RV campers near Longmont have several excellent options with varying amenities. Boulder County Fairgrounds offers big-rig-friendly sites with water and toilets just minutes from downtown Longmont. For those seeking a resort experience, Winding River Resort provides beautiful RV sites with family-friendly activities and direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River. The resort is particularly popular during summer months. Riverview RV Park & Campground near Loveland offers full-service sites with water and electric hookups in a convenient location. Most RV parks in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer season, and typically offer at minimum electric hookups with dump stations available onsite or nearby.
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