Best Campgrounds near Louisville, CO

The mountains and foothills surrounding Louisville, Colorado feature a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas within a 30-minute drive. Campers can find both developed facilities like Golden Gate Canyon State Park with cabins and yurts, and primitive backcountry sites at locations such as Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area. The region includes designated campgrounds with amenities ranging from basic tent sites to full RV hookups, while the nearby Roosevelt National Forest and Arapaho National Forest provide more remote options for those seeking solitude. Many campgrounds balance accessibility with mountain views, particularly along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.

Road conditions and elevation changes significantly affect camping access in this region, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. The Nederland area provides several free camping zones, though visitors should prepare for rough forest roads. Camping availability peaks from late May through September, with some established campgrounds like St. Vrain State Park remaining open year-round. Most dispersed camping areas close with the first significant snowfall. Fire restrictions commonly affect summer camping, particularly during drought years. A visitor noted that "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," highlighting the need for proper vehicles when accessing backcountry areas.

The highest-rated camping experiences near Louisville tend to be sites with mountain views or water access. Campers consistently mention the proximity to hiking trails as a major benefit, with several campgrounds providing direct trail access. Developed campgrounds in the region typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, while dispersed sites offer more privacy but fewer amenities. Several visitors mentioned the value of camping in this area as a base for exploring nearby public lands. A camper at Sugarloaf Campground shared that it's "perfect for those who live in Boulder or the nearby surrounding areas" and noted that "the best [sites] are found only where you can drive with a high clearance vehicle." Cell service varies widely throughout the region, with coverage more reliable at established campgrounds closer to towns.

Best Camping Sites Near Louisville, Colorado (344)

    1. Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    48 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $18 / night

    "area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"

    "Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."

    2. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    54 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    19 miles
    Website

    "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."

    3. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir

    24 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 541-2500

    "It was nice to be tucked away in the corner with no groups behind us or next to us. There were other campers near by but it felt pretty private. The weather was great."

    "The Gross Resevoir outside Boulder is a great place for people to go for some recreation just outside the city. People commonly drop in a paddleboard or kayak."

    4. Standley Lake Regional Park

    15 Reviews
    Westminster, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 425-1097

    $35 - $55 / night

    "Take a friend and a picnic for a lovely day on this beautiful lake right here in Arvada. Your worries fall away and you can experience the joy in nature around you. Maybe weird but true!"

    "5 stars because of the lake, Mountain Views, and it not being far from town. Rent a floatation device or bring your own and enjoy the warmth on the lake☀️"

    5. Dakota Ridge RV Park

    41 Reviews
    Golden, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 279-1625

    "This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."

    "Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."

    6. Clear Creek RV Park

    28 Reviews
    Golden, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 278-1437

    $32 - $80 / night

    "Had a great spot right next to the Clear Creek walking path. The campground is clean and well looked after. Clean bathrooms and showers. Close to many hikes and mt trails."

    "**Campground Review: **

    Golden, CO is a super cute town on the outskirts of Denver. The city has a campground in a prime location, and we were lucky to book a site!"

    7. Boulder County Fairgrounds

    20 Reviews
    Longmont, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 682-6762

    $35 / night

    "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."

    8. Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    30 Reviews
    Rollinsville, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $28 - $90 / night

    "This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."

    "Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."

    9. Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    14 miles
    Website

    "However, proximity to Boulder is a huge plus if you are looking for a quick and easy get away."

    "This si the place my friends and I go to just for a night away from everything. It is just out of reach of the city and far enough away where we can find some peace and quiet."

    10. St. Vrain State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Firestone, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 678-9402

    $36 - $41 / night

    "Very convenient campground with great access to North Denver/Boulder area. Only downside is proximity to I-25 and traffic noise. But there are many nice trails and lakes to fish from."

    "It is near I-25 highway so there is road traffic noise but becomes background noise after a day or so. But if that bothers you you won’t like it."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 344 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Louisville, CO

2561 Reviews of 344 Louisville Campgrounds


  • B S.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Idlewild Campground

    Fall stay

    Stayed two nights with my sons. Grabbed one of the walk-in sites Friday at 1pm.

    Pros: Availability (one of the only sites in Winter Park), beautiful surroundings

    Cons: Right next to the highway so traffic (trains at times) can be heard at all hours of the night, most walk-in sites don't have a tent pad

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite

    Great view of the Lake + porta-potty

    We took a left at the fork and found a site with the best view and a porta-john at the end of the driveway. The site appears to have been freshly cleared. There were lots of twigs and rocks and no grass, so it became a muddy mess as soon as the rain began. Site had plenty of space and a good amount was flat. No fire ring, but there was a burn ban anyways. Nice and secluded but could still hear the neighbors a bit but it wasn’t bothersome. Gunfire and ATVs were much louder but stopped around sundown. Would go back to this site.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    Camp camp camp

    Went on a bit of a rainy weekend so it got super cold at night. The roads are super rocky as you get up to the reservoir and with the rain there were some large puddles but with the right vehicle should be all good. The views were amazing and the hike up is so pretty. So many great sites all the way up to the reservoir as well.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot, right on the water

    High clearance 4x4 recommended but could be doable without if you’re an experienced driver. Beautiful lakes and some campsites are right on the water. Only one other person camping on a Wednesday night. There is currently a fire ban so be sure to respect our forests and be updated.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Chief Hosa Campground

    I-70 off-ramp camping

    The campground is unfortunately too close to the highway and the noise makes it difficult to sleep or relax. Nice parking spot if you need to see the sights for a day or two.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    Camping near Rocky Mtn NP

    What a wonderful campground! Friendly hosts, full hookups offered, beautiful scenery and right outside the entrance to the national park!

  • Trish M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely beautiful

    My husband and I are addicted to dispersed camping 🏕 and every weekend, we try to go somewhere different. This place was beautiful beyond words! The road getting there really wasn't bad, but you do need a little ground clearance. We got in around 9 pm, so it was dark, and we didn't know where we were, so there was a spot open right as you get to the top that we parked in. The moon was so bright we could see the mountains around us and could even see the like big of snow up there. Woke up the next morning and fell in love with our spot, so we stayed. We decided to take a walk around the lake and check out the upper lake. Definitely loved it here. Will be back for sure.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Nice view of Gold Lake

    Overlook of Gold Lake

    Beautiful camp site setup. Huge Rock fire pit. Piled firewood. At a high point with views of gold's Lake roads to site have been deactivated so it would be necessary to walk in. AT&t cell service a little bit spotty. Nice open areas up there. Roads in sight. Very secluded

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Gold Lake Roosevelt Forest dispersed camping

    Peaceful. Nobody around

    Adjacent to boundary fence line between the private Lake and the national Roosevelt Forest. Nice high spot. Well shaded. Very large fire pit for fires when they're allowed. Weak AT&T.


Guide to Louisville

Cabins, tents, and RVs offer varied camping options near Louisville, Colorado at elevations ranging from 5,400 to 9,000 feet throughout the area. Most primitive sites lack potable water, requiring campers to bring sufficient supplies. Seasonal closures affect availability with many dispersed sites becoming inaccessible after October due to snow accumulation.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At St. Vrain State Park Campground, multiple stocked ponds provide accessible fishing. "Numerous ponds, stocked ponds, trails, biking, birds, paddle boarding. The view of the mountains is to die for!" reports Kate B., who visited in 2025.

Hiking trails: Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers extensive trail systems for day hiking. A visitor notes, "The park has great trails for hiking and mountain biking. There is also a high elevation lake as well as fantastic views of the continental divide."

Paddling: Non-motorized boating at Gross Reservoir provides water recreation minutes from Boulder. A camper at Winiger Ridge shares that it's "a great place for water activities, but no swimming allowed." The area requires adherence to specific regulations as "you can only launch your boat at the boat launch on the southeast side of the reservoir that is monitored by a ranger."

What campers like

Mountain access: The proximity to trails and outdoor recreation makes Reverend's Ridge Campground popular despite crowds. "This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike," according to Meghan H.

Urban convenience: Clear Creek RV Park offers walkable access to Golden's amenities. A long-term visitor reports it's "within immediate walking distance to multiple breweries and restaurants, and extremely accessible to the mountains."

Wildlife viewing: Eagles and other birds attract nature photographers. At St. Vrain State Park, campers can see "a nest of eagles" according to Michele W., while Alli J. mentions "a couple of bald eagles nesting in the tree in the middle of the lake that is amazing to watch!"

What you should know

Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require appropriate vehicles. At Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, "Recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach some of the spots, especially if there is poor weather," according to Quinton T.

Site limitations: Certain campgrounds prohibit specific camping setups. Standley Lake Regional Park doesn't allow tent camping despite some listings suggesting otherwise. A frustrated visitor noted: "Clearly states on website and phone that there's no tent camping so idk why it says that on here but it's wrong."

Noise factors: Highway proximity affects sound levels at some locations. At St. Vrain State Park, a camper reported, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Park amenities: Campgrounds with playgrounds and facilities make family stays easier. Golden Gate Canyon State Park provides clean bathrooms and showers, though a visitor mentioned "Showers weren't warm at the end of a long day and will cost ya $1.00 for the first 4 minutes and 25 cents every minute after."

Site selection: Choose sites based on terrain and spacing for comfort. At Reverend's Ridge, a visitor noted that "Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Mostly level, fire rings, and very large metal picnic tables."

Swimming restrictions: Water access rules vary significantly by location. At Gross Reservoir, rules are "strictly enforced" as "There is no swimming in the reservoir, which is very tempting" and violations are "punishable by a fine."

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring equipment. One camper at Boulder County Fairgrounds mentioned, "Tight spots for our 38 ft fifth wheel but, we made it."

Hookup availability: Electrical connections vary widely between locations. At Dakota Ridge RV Park, visitors get "clean pool, laundry facilities, daily trash pickup and so many helpers on site," though "campsites are very close and showers could be a bit cleaner."

Reservation periods: Length-of-stay limitations affect long-term campers. Boulder County Fairgrounds has a "14 day max per year and they are a real stickler," with one camper reporting they "just kicked us out for the year" despite the campground being "totally empty."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Louisville, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Louisville, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 344 campgrounds and RV parks near Louisville, CO and 96 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Louisville, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Louisville, CO is Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon with a 4.6-star rating from 48 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Louisville, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 96 free dispersed camping spots near Louisville, CO.

What parks are near Louisville, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Louisville, CO that allow camping, notably Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland and Rocky Mountain National Park.