Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Manitou Springs, CO

PROS: It's FREE, as the great outdoors should be. Gravel roads are well maintained. Spots are far enough off the road w/o being too far from your car (~250 ft). Easy to access for any mobility-level or age. Peaceful and quiet except for the occasional passing car which is to be expected. Spots are relatively well spaced apart. Fire-pits galore! And our spot came w/ wood the last people left - thank you whoever you are! There's also plenty of other wood to gather if you aren't so lucky/didn't bring any. Absolutely gorgeous views - mountains, aspen, pine, wildflowers, etc.

CONS: We got there later in the evening and didn't have any issues with bugs but the next day the bees were out in full force for our lunch. There were some ants but they never really crawled on us or our stuff. Did see one tiny spider on the ground but otherwise didn’t seem like a very spider-ey place.

NOTES: Parking is only along the right side of the road so heads up. No restrooms. No water/stream access from the sites which is always nice to have but still. Farish Recreation Area is right down the street (although military only) and Rampart Reservoir is open to the public for $7/car in the same general area. 

Overall, cannot complain especially given that it's free! It's a gorgeous spot right outside of Woodland Park and only 35 minutes from Manitou Springs.

YES YES YES!! I loved this site it was close to everything I wanted to do and had the remote feeling I was looking for. I was able to visit rainbow Falls ( Graffiti Falls) in Manitou and Seven Falls in Colorado Springs from this site with no problem in the same day.

Sites were simple but had two different options with and without connections. When I was there it was considered winter rates which were $18 for no connections or $28 for full connections.

They do not require a reservation for this campsite and during the winter months are not full at all. I was there during the week and basically had the place to myself . But from what I was told they are very busy during prime months so it is suggested to get a site in advance especially for weekend stay.

This facility is very nice with several really interesting features including conference rooms and an amphitheater which you can rent.

One thing I wasn't expecting was pay showers so when I arrived I forgot to ask about that and had to make sure I had some cash when I returned from my adventures for those. I almost arrived to late for showers to be functioning, during cold weather months well into spring they are cut off for obvious concerns in freezing.

This site was around 20 minutes from Manitou Springs where I saw the Graffiti Falls and only about 10 minutes from Seven Falls. It was located in an area with quick access to Colorado Springs and the many amenities it has to offer in way of shopping and food without being right in the middle of the city.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes boondock style camping but can't find a spot due to the more strict rules in Colorado Springs, it is inexpensive and gives you a place to also have some really great amenities.

TIPS:

• If you are camping a lot in Colorado check out their State Park pass which is available for $70 and allows discounts and admission to state maintained facilities.
• Bring cash for showers!! Don't be like me be prepared.

Awesome campground. Activities for the kids. Helpful and kind staff. Rented golf cart to ride trails there the kids loved it. Nice dog park. Close to everything in Colorado Springs. Can't wait to go back.

As it is very close to the city, the temperature stays consistent with Denver temps. So in the summer, it will not be as cool as some mountain spots. That being said, it is very easy to get to and you’ll have the lake right there to cool off!

Entrance into the state park is about $7/day. There is a dog park within the state park that allows off leash and has some ponds the dogs can swim in. Entrance to the dog park is $2.

Easy , fast, but the water in the dog park is no bueno

This is a really neat spot. Big dog park, hot air balloons, ice fishing.

Chatfield is such a great park; I’ve spent so much time biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, spending time with family; picnics areas are even great to have lunch. 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. And it’s close to Denver - so we go here weekly!

This park is definitely well visited, but for good reason. It is located in Woodland Park, a lovely mountain town about 30-40 min. outside Colorado Springs. Lots of sites, mostly RV but there is a nice tent only section with a good number of spaces. We stayed overnight in early July and actually pitched our tent next to our family RV underneath the awning, safe from the summer showers that seem to pass thru almost daily in the summer months. Lots of amenities, including parks with play equipment for the kiddos, a dog park, nice bathrooms & showers.

We stayed in site # 43 and had electric and filled with water there it was a nice site. It was a pull thru site Conifer ridge loop. I had 2 bars with Verizon, nice restrooms, showers & a laundry room. 

The BEST sites in our loop were #40 & 41 big pull thru sites facing Pikes Peak.  Site # 36 is great to it's a back in site. Nice hikes though out the park it's well maintained. Pets are not allowed on the trails & they do have rangers hiking looking for rule breakers. 

Went to Mike's barbecue had a great meal & ask for the candied bacon he doesn't advertise it, sells out quickly. Also went to McGinty's slow service but a good dinner. 

Pikes Peak is close & what a beautiful Mountain. We saw lots of wildlife, wildflowers, very winding road with switchbacks going up and the summit at the top. It was cold up there had a cloud come in & it covered the peak. They sell a shirt Got Oxygen we bought one it's  true. Elevation is 14,115 Crystal reservoir was beautiful. Had some snow patches up higher.  They hit a limit & part way up you may have to stop & take a bus the rest of the way (it's free) but we lucked out and got to drive the entire way up. Coming down they will stop you at a 1/2 way check point & check your breaks are not overheated. If they are you have to wait a 1/2 hour I believe to go back down. Drive in Manual and you will be fine.

Garden of the Gods isn't far that's beautiful too & the drive there is nice. Manitou  Springs is a nice little town and Cripple Creek the other direction is really a cool town. springs

I personally loved staying at this campground. It is in Cascade, CO right off of Highway 24. It is minutes away from Pike's Peak, Manitou Springs, Cave of the Winds, Red Rocks Open Space, and Colorado Springs. This puts it in a really convenient location while still feeling on the more secluded side. The common area has lots of cool arcade games, and the showers were always clean.

This campground is very clean and well managed. the staff are super friendly and very helpful. It is close to the highway and right on the Fountain river. Great stopping point for one night or use it as your base like we did. Great location to visit Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Falls, Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, or the Cliff Dewellings which are less than an hours drive away.

It was a little windy at the end of February, but not too bad. We stayed for 8 days and enjoyed the hiking and town close by. Manitou springs is only 20 minutes away. Co springs is 10 minutes away.

I asked for a space for my rv. The owner, Lauren offered me a site with only water and charged me 50.00. REALLY!!!!!!! No dog park. The stream that goes through the campground is VERY POLLUTED. No where to walk. The shower room had a vent that is so DIRTY that it is no ventilation. Muddy mess when it rains everyday. No pavement through the park. Owner is too busy dating someone who walks around like he owns the place.

I had a great experience at Garden of the Gods RV resort. They must have changed owners or management in the past year because the older reviews I saw weren't as glowing.

The park was clean, staff was helpful and friendly, there's 24 hour laundry, showers, electric and sewage hookups with a general store and food truck in the mornings.

It was easy to walk to downtown Old Colorado Springs and there's a free shuttle that'll take you to Manitou Springs. It feels safe even as a single female camper!

When we pulled into the grounds I instantly knew we needed to move. We left so quick I didn’t get any pictures. While this might have been the nicest place in Manitou Springs, that’s not saying a lot. There’s tons of places that are much better around the area.

I typically disperse, but needed a quick night. Stopped in. The visitor center employee was not friendly. I tried to home with her and was super nice. I got nothing. Saw some deer and elk. Quick access to CO. Springs and Manitou Springs. I'd stay again if I want full convenience. Showers and laundry. $50

The information above stating the campground is closed is incorrect! 

General: Small (47 site) RV park at the eastern edge of downtown Manitou Springs, next to Schryver Park. This park is best suited for smaller RVs (although we did see some larger rigs).

Site Quality: As is typical for RV parks, sites are close together and without privacy separation. There are trees for shade though. Sites 1-24 back up to the recreation path (with access to the path) and sites 26– 47 back up to the creek. Although being creekside would be nice, these sites are closer to the road, and you will hear more traffic noise. 

Restrooms: These require a code to enter and have showers. Cleaned daily from 11 am– 1 pm and they were very clean (with soap and paper towels). 

Activities: So much to do in Manitou Springs including the cog railway to Pikes Peak, the Manitou Incline (for the very fit), shopping, and restaurants. Close to Garden of the Gods City Park in Colorado Springs. Schryver Park is nice. There are eight mineral springs, and you can do a walking tour to visit all of them. Each has a different taste to the water. If you stop by the Chamber of Commerce, you can pick up a collapsible tasting cup. 

Sheryl, the General Manager, was very friendly and accommodating. We had not planned to stay here but were pleasantly surprised there was availability on Memorial Day weekend when we stopped in. Although we don’t typically like or stay in RV parks, this was a perfect base for us to explore what the area had to offer. WiFi is included.

Rocky Top is close to Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, & Woodland Park. It has rv sites as well as a hotel and is located off I-24. Site #23 had full hookups and was a partially paved site, with a picnic table. Few trees are located within the rv park itself. Bathhouse was clean and required a code to get into them. There is also an attached laundry room that had 4 washers and 4 dryers (coin operated). Small playground located at the front of the park, but it looked like they were still working on it. Park provides free WiFi but it is iffy at times and cell signal is non existent for AT&T. Overall would camp here again.

This CG was one of the first we used in Colorado and still a great go-to as it is large enough that you can often find a spot with less planning than some of the more popular sites, but it is near many attractions and the CG itself is nice.  All spots are nicely spaced apart, it is fairly wooded, a creek runs along the backside and it is near Woodland Park, Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak wilderness.   The hosts at this CG are wonderful and take pride in their area.. Spots are immaculate and vault toilets are clean... Sites have fire-pits and picnic table and they offer back-in and pull-though spots and most sites we saw were fairly level.  Trash and water spigots are equally dispersed through the CG.

We wanted to spend time in Colorado and Manitou Springs, but not be in town overnight. This is just off a main road, but is far enough away to not hear the noise. The first night we were in site 197 and it was really close to other sites. The second night we moved to 482 and it was much better. We faced the hills and didn’t have any neighbors. If it is busy the sites would be close together.

The hook ups were okay. The black water hook up was old and didn’t screw in place; we had to place the metal plate over the top to keep it down and in place. Other campgrounds have nicer stub ups that are treaded.

WiFi was not reliable, but didn’t miss having the device for a couple days.

Staff was really nice and helpful.

This RV campground is along the creek that runs through Manitou Springs. We specifically asked for a creekside spot. I slept great listening to the creek. Good shade trees, friendly staff and clean shower house/restrooms. Another nice feature is the free shuttle for Manitou has a bus stop along the road just outside the entry. I was suprised upon arrival the campground changed ownership since our last visit. It is obvious a lot of work is being done to improve the property. Adjacent park to the property and acess to a exercise trail behind the campground.

Review is in the context of urban camping.  This park is nestled in cottonwoods and willows of Fountain Creek nearly in downtown Manitou Springs.  It is walkable to the Manitou historic and tourist district and to Garden of the Gods Park.  Facilities are little dated and shabby, but clean and reliable.  There is some road noise from Manitou Ave, but not too bad.  The price is a little high, but worth it for the access.  Many sites are shaded for large parts of the day, though all are very close.  I reserved one star for price, tight spacing, and minor upkeep issues.  Staff is very friendly and helpful, IMO.