The St. Vrain canyon corridor puts Lyons at the crossroads of several national forest access routes, with both developed campgrounds and free dispersed sites within a reasonable drive of town. Elevation here is lower than many Front Range destinations, so the camping window runs longer into fall and opens earlier in spring than sites higher up the canyon.
Lyons-area dispersed sites are the starting point if you want no reservation and no fees. Boulder, about 18 miles south, has additional developed campground options if Lyons fills up on peak weekends. Bring water regardless of the site type, as piped water is only at designated developed campgrounds.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$35 - $70 / night
"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."
$35 - $70 / night
"Firewood sold next to the entrance by the same husband and wife that have been selling firewood there for 35 years. There is a shed full of firewood."
"The spaces are large, but quite close to one another with few trees for privacy. Each site here is variable, with some open with no trees and others nestled in some mature trees."
$45 - $70 / night
"There’s access to a small playground for kids. The pool looked nice, the lake is right across the road. Overall a good campsite."
"Since there was construction going on at the national park campgrounds and none were available, we found Mary’s Lake to be a great alternative to take our chances at camping in the park."
"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."
"The location is great, there’s about 10 designated camp sites to choose from and great hiking trails nearby. The drive in is easy."
$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."
"4x4 drive is a requirement. Good Verizon signal. Narrow road, however not busy at all. Stayed here for 4 days, no issue. The Google Maps directions is slightly wrong."
"Driving down to town during the day, there were some people (probably from the adjacent campground) hiking the road. Overall quiet at night (other than some road noise from 36). Not a bad spot!"
$35 / night
"Best place to camp in Estes Park/Northern Colorado! Wooded sites mean privacy from your neighbors and shade during the day. Vault toilets are very clean, well kept."
"Hermits Hollow is a nice place to camp near Estes, offering a quiet retreat away from the crowds. We only stayed the night, arriving late and leaving early. "
$36 - $41 / night
"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."
"We enjoy Boyd Lake because it’s so easy to bike to town. A major northern Colorado bike path system goes through the park."
"All of the sites are awesome and have room for you to move around. We stayed Thursday-Monday and there were plenty of people every night. Close to Lyons and closish to estes."
"We found a spot with several fire rings close to the water and just a short walk from parking along the road."
$52 / night
"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."
"Nice campground downtown Lyons and on the river. Full hookups. Tents sites right next to the river. Slow and not reliable wifi but 5G. Showers nearby closed and further showers you need to pay for."
TravelerIdk how anyone thinks this place isn’t awesome. It’s $35 a night for a spot super close to the water. The spots are pretty spread out. We are taking our toddler and dogs swimming 100 times a day. Picnic tables, beautiful views, water spigots, bathrooms, etc.
GuideCampground is along the Fraiser River Trail, a local Greenway which sees a fair amount of bike and foot traffic. Easy access from the road, sites are close together. Vault toilets were well maintained. Site 19 is directly on the river, listened to the water all night.
TravelerWe had a hard time deciding what to rate this because there truly were so many pros, however the cons were fairly plentiful as well. We had a great time don’t get us wrong but… decide for yourself.
The pros: -Honestly I loved the location in relation to fellow campers. We had nobody to the south of us and our neighbors north of us were blocked by a bush. We were up the hill overlooking to the reservoir above the neighbors west of us. However to the east of us was the main road in and out of the area. So expect road noise over neighbor noise. -Shower house and flushing toilet that were clean and very well maintained. Climate control and comfortable and very well lit. However the shower token system didn’t take our bills so we couldn’t use our showers (I note a camper passing by on our first day telling us about the shower house “it’s a pain in the ass…”) -close to the dumpster and literal feet from the water. -could walk down to the water (even got picked up by some friends on a boat)… or travel north for a social trail along the water with some killer fishing areas.
The cons- while not deal breakers for us we couldn’t give this site any more stars because of them -The road noise is a lot. We were lucky to be in an RV however tent camping would be a different story. -again with tent camping although this site felt private you would be amongst only rvs and trailers.
Well that’s my review for site S46 at south bay campground of Horsetooth… attached are some videos of the site as well as a spot I was able to walk to just north of this site.
GuideThis campground is stunning, even with lower than normal water levels. The camp hosts were so sweet and helpful. We were only 17 minutes away from Adams Falls trail in RMNP. Easy hike and also beautiful. Spots are close together, but the view more than makes up for it. 109 has the flush toilet right behind it with small walking paths to it.
ScoutGreat location for RMNP, friendly staff, locals and free music on Saturdaysin the summer, clean restrooms. Dirt roads and sites are rough. Ground squirrel holes everywhere. No mail delivery. No wifi or other amenities.
ScoutThe road isn't too bad all the way around if you have decent clearance and even easier with 4wd. There are spots in every direction once you enter the campground service road.
ScoutBeautiful location with views of the mountains and walking trails throughout the property. Clean, large bathrooms, showers, laundry and game room on site. They also offer breakfast for a small price but we did not try this. The camp sites are very close together but have a nice table and chairs, bench, and brand new propane grill with propane tank. I don’t think our grill had even been used yet.
ScoutIt’s easy to pull right off of 125 for a night or two. Next to a creek. We were by ourselves, ford 450 with a 33ft pull behind. Could probably fit one more rig in here although I’m glad we were alone because another rig would be make the area crowded.
ScoutCame here for Memorial Day weekend and it was easy to get to. Enjoyed being right in the canyon with river views. Close to a ton of trails and good fishing. And hummingbirds everywhere.
Because the campsite has electric hookups, it was very quiet as there were no generators.
Dispersed camping options abound in the mountains near Lyons, Colorado, where elevations range from 5,300 feet in town to over 8,500 feet at higher sites. Access roads to many camping areas require careful navigation, with several primitive sites accessible only via unpaved forest service roads. Fire restrictions frequently change throughout summer months based on precipitation levels and drought conditions.
Hiking from campsites: At Hermits Hollow Campground, trails start directly from the camping area, including the Kruger Rock Trail with mountain views. "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," notes Erin K.
Wildlife viewing: Glacier Basin Campground offers excellent opportunities to see elk, deer, and other animals. "Wildlife is very abundant. Bear Lake and Fern Lake are amazing hikes for the fam," reports Troy C. Early mornings and evenings provide the best wildlife viewing times across most campsites near Lyons.
Fishing at reservoirs: Beaver Park Reservoir allows fishing, though the water itself is technically private property. Nearby camping spots offer lake views and fishing access. "Beautiful lake with several good sized RV spots. We have a 25 foot camper and feet nicely in. Road in was good as well (May 2025)," states James S.
Mountain biking: Multiple trails around Hermit Park accommodate mountain bikes on designated routes. The area offers both technical riding and more moderate options suitable for various skill levels. "Lots of trails for hiking and biking in the park. Each campsite had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring," reports Hannah F.
Proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park: Moraine Park Campground serves as an ideal base for park exploration. "Great place to take the family, as it's in the middle of RMNP. They do not take reservations, so go early or during the week! It fills up! Gorgeous views of the mountains. Lots of wildlife!" shares Heather B.
Cost-effective options: Hell Canyon Dispersed camping offers free sites with basic amenities. "Road up is a bit rough but I saw many SUVs make it, the gate sign recommends 4x4. Great views and only got busy on the 4th of July," mentions Jon S. Most dispersed sites provide fire rings but few other facilities.
Clean facilities: Cottonwood Campground at Boyd Lake State Park maintains excellent restrooms and shower buildings. "The bathroom facilities are spectacular. Super clean, flushable toilets. Spaces are very close in proximity but everyone was very friendly," notes Nathan P.
Winter camping opportunities: Several camping areas remain accessible year-round, including Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area. "This dispersed site is pretty and is close to the highway, the road seemed a little sketchy in the snow but my RAV4 AWD made it just fine to most of the sites. It snowed on me overnight and the road was still very passable," reports Catalina H.
Bear awareness: Bears are active throughout the region, especially at higher elevations. "You ARE in bear country - be bear smart and safe and use your bear box! We had our own bear box in our campsite - I believe each site has its own food locker," warns Amanda M. at Moraine Park Campground. Some dispersed sites don't provide bear boxes, so bring bear-resistant containers.
Road conditions: Many camping spots require careful driving on unpaved roads. "My 2wd van made it up a little but I couldn't get passed one of the big hills. Not very many sites," cautions Emily M. about Hell Canyon Dispersed camping. Always check recent road reports before heading to remote sites.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds now operate on reservation systems. Boulder County Fairgrounds Campground has specific stay limitations: "14 day max per year and they are a real stickler. We stayed here 13 days total on and off during weekends," notes Nicole G.
Cell service limitations: Expect minimal to no connectivity at most sites. "ATT cell service was pretty good, Verizon okay," reports Paul Y. about Glacier Basin Campground, but this is an exception rather than the rule. Most dispersed sites have zero service.
Select campgrounds with amenities: Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake offers facilities that make family camping more comfortable. "Very nice campground and clean facilities (note: you must pay to shower)! Woke up to elk outside of the tent! Such a cool experience. The campsite is close to town, which is very nice too!" shares Erin S.
Look for educational opportunities: Many established campgrounds host ranger-led programs. "Nightly talks/shows at the amphitheater," mentions Haley C. about Glacier Basin Campground. These programs typically run from June through August and cover wildlife, geology, and history.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds remain quieter than others. "Very well maintained campground. Price is good compared to other campgrounds near by. A couple down falls, no shade trees for Rv full hookup sites and lower sites are alittle crowded when filled up," reports Dary R. about Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake.
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain camping near Lyons means preparing for significant temperature changes. "Still some snow on the ground in late May," notes Megan B. about Moraine Park Campground. Even summer nights can drop below 40°F at higher elevations.
Know site limitations: Many campgrounds restrict RV length. "There is a limit of 35 feet for RV/Trailer length. Due to pine beetle infestation in the area, many of the trees have been removed," explains Judy B. about Glacier Basin Campground. Always check specific site dimensions before booking.
Prepare for parking challenges: Some areas have limited turning radius for larger rigs. "Road up is a little rough for a pop up camper. More for tents," mentions Justin H. regarding Hell Canyon Dispersed camping. Call campgrounds directly for specific RV accessibility information.
Utilize hookup options: Boulder County Fairgrounds Campground offers affordable RV camping with essential services. "Clean, a little cramped but nice showers and bathrooms. Beautiful flowers on perimeter. Full hookups $25 or $15 for none. Pleasant surprise and on way to Estes Park," shares Uli C.
Consider weather impacts: High winds affect many camping sites near Lyons. "We loved our time in RMNP. The campground had a ton of spots so was very busy. It was well maintained and quiet despite how busy it was," reports Mary M. about Moraine Park Campground. Secure awnings and use stabilizers in windy conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Lyons, CO?
Lyons offers several excellent camping options with the most popular being LaVern M. Johnson Park, located right on the edge of town with easy access to Main Street. For a true Colorado mountain experience, Roosevelt National Forest Camp Dick Campground is a nearby gem featuring stunning views, a rolling river, well-maintained fire pits, and hiking trailheads within walking distance. Both locations offer beautiful settings along water, with Camp Dick providing a more immersive forest experience while LaVern M. Johnson Park offers convenient access to town amenities and family-friendly facilities including playgrounds and tubing.
Can I camp at LaVern M. Johnson Park in Lyons?
Yes, camping is available at LaVern M. Johnson Park in Lyons. The park offers both RV and tent camping options within a beautifully maintained setting along the St. Vrain Creek. Campers enjoy access to walking trails, river recreation, playgrounds, and a soccer field. The park's location on the edge of Lyons means you're within easy walking or biking distance to various restaurants and shops in town, making it convenient for supplies or dining out. This campground is especially popular during the Lyons Outdoor Games, which features running races, biking, kayaking, beer, food, and music events within a short walk from the camping area.
What RV camping options are available in Lyons, CO?
Lyons offers several RV-friendly camping options. St. Louis Creek Campground is well-maintained with clean pit toilets and some longer RV sites, though it's best suited for RVs 25 feet or less. For larger rigs, Winding River Resort is a beautiful family-friendly option with direct access to the Colorado River headwaters and various activities. Both campgrounds offer different experiences - St. Louis Creek provides a more rustic setting with fewer amenities but good access to outdoor activities, while Winding River Resort offers more facilities and organized activities. Most RV sites in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months.
Is dispersed camping available near Lyons, Colorado?
Yes, several dispersed camping options exist near Lyons. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers approximately 15 numbered sites, with additional unnumbered campsites further down road 233.1 that feature excellent views. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail is another popular option, though it requires 4x4 capability to navigate the rocky, bumpy terrain to reach the best spots. Both areas provide free camping opportunities in beautiful natural settings, but come prepared with your own water and supplies, and remember to practice Leave No Trace principles.
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