Best Campgrounds near Masonville, CO

Camping areas near Masonville, Colorado span across several public lands and state parks, with options ranging from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites. Boyd Lake State Park's Cottonwood Campground provides full hookup sites for RVs with amenities including showers, drinking water, and sanitary dump stations. Nearby Horsetooth Reservoir offers multiple campgrounds including South Bay and Inlet Bay with tent and RV sites, plus cabin options at South Bay. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Hell Canyon Dispersed camping area provides free primitive sites without amenities.

Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping access throughout the region. Many campgrounds like Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park remain open year-round but fill quickly during summer months. Dispersed camping areas often require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain or snow. Reservations are essential for developed campgrounds, especially during peak season from May through September. Elevation varies considerably, with some sites sitting above 8,000 feet where temperatures drop significantly at night even in summer. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many locations, particularly in canyon areas and dispersed sites. As one camper noted about Hell Canyon, "If you are looking for the true Colorado experience-look no further. This campground is complete with stunning views, a rolling river, well maintained fire pits and hiking trail heads you can walk to!"

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Masonville area. Horsetooth Reservoir campgrounds provide direct lake access with opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Several campers specifically mentioned the quality of views as a highlight of their stay. "This camp ground has the best view! We have camped in Colorado for over 15 years. By far the campsites with the best views!" wrote one visitor about South Bay Campground. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with moose sightings common in higher elevation areas near Rocky Mountain National Park. Tent campers will find suitable sites at most developed campgrounds, while RV owners should verify hookup availability and site length restrictions before booking. Primitive camping options provide solitude but require proper preparation as they lack facilities and often have limited or no cell service.

Best Camping Sites Near Masonville, Colorado (305)

    1. Cottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park

    44 Reviews
    Loveland, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 669-1739

    $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."

    "Boyd Lake State Park is situated near the city of Fort Collins with distant views of the mountains. It has a large lake that is used by boaters, fishermen and sandcastle builders all summer."

    2. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    91 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $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."

    3. Riverview RV Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 667-9910

    "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."

    4. South Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir

    18 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $30 - $115 / night

    "We have camped in Colorado for over 15 years. By far the campsites with the best views! And you can rent cabins too. Just love this place. Lake gets busy In the summer."

    "The sites are picked up but not manicured by any means and there is road noise due to the proximity of the roads around the region."

    5. Fort Collins Lakeside KOA

    22 Reviews
    Laporte, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 484-9880

    "It’s not your run of the mill KOA by a highway. The lake is beautiful with a walking path all of the way around and paddle boats. The pool is nice. The miniature golf is pretty with mature trees."

    "Lake, boats, water cannon boats, fishing, bikes, peewee golf, jumping thing. Walking path around lake."

    6. Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir

    12 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $45 / night

    "Sites are fairly close together strung out along the lake edge. In September, lake level is purposefully lowered about 20 feet from summer levels."

    "Vault toilets with electric lights and a shower facility at each location. Located close to marina/boat ramp."

    7. Pinewood Reservoir Campground

    16 Reviews
    Drake, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $30 - $45 / night

    "This was our second visit to Pinewood Lake and while some things stayed the same others were much the same.  Our first visit last fall was during the final stages of a blizzard. "

    "Even with the snow and us being novices we set up without a hitch and were soon enjoying the magical panorama of the lake below us and the hills and mountain tops around us."

    8. Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    46 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 964-7806

    $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."

    9. Hell Canyon Dispersed

    29 Reviews
    Pinewood Springs, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "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!"

    10. Upper and Lower Ansel Watrous Campgrounds

    25 Reviews
    Livermore, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6700

    $29 / night

    "There is a hairpin switchback to get into the lower loop and the website states that it is not accessible to trailers longer than 20 feet."

    "Fees: $23.00 standard single $7.00 for 3rd vehicle 

    Reservations: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

    Out of season: FCFS 

    Firewood for sale by camp host located at Upper Ansel Watrous Campground."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 305 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Masonville, CO

2179 Reviews of 305 Masonville Campgrounds


  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Forest Service Road 700 Designated Dispersed Camping

    multiple free dispersed sites

    There’s a long winding dirt road with several designated dispersed camp sites, beware the road is rutted, though we saw numerous larger trailers that made it with no issue. Large scenic boulders all around, even spotted a moose, so keep your pups in sights.

  • 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!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Curt Gowdy State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Great pull thru campsite and a view of the lake. Nice spacious spots with good distance between other campers.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    vedawoo campground

    Wonderful

    Beautiful campground! Destination worthy. Lots of trails and rock formations. Pristine vault toilets. Paved sites. No hookups. Come to site with full water tanks and empty gray & black tanks. Located just of Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    A. B Camping

    Noisy and crowded

    Overcrowded, noisy and tacky - certainly not worth the money. Also, the price advertised is wrong and they advertise they accept AAA and they do not. Keep driving !

  • 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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Poudre Canyon Road Camp

    Low key but functional

    Full disclosure: I crashed here after driving straight through eastern Wyoming so my standards may have been a little low at the time. I would have preferred to stay at Pingree but it wasn’t an option so I snagged a site here for a few nights and explored the canyon during the day. Overall I found it comfortable and quiet. The sites are spaced far enough apart for privacy. The view of the canyon isn’t spectacular; the opposing hillside is a little scruffy looking. But there are still trees and vegetation around the site so I wouldn’t call it ugly by any means. It just depends where you look I guess.

    There were a handful of flies buzzing through the campsite which my dog took great personal offense to. But otherwise it was a very mellow, low-key site. I would describe it as a serviceable alternative if your first choice is full and you are tired of driving.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Vedauwoo Wagon Road

    Great location

    I went on Labor Day weekend, it was quite busy BUT I was still able to find a spot. Need high clearance and a good off roading car to get all the way through. Also side note, turns out the road goes all the way through! Both ends go straight to a high way which is sweet. There are many animals so make sure everything is bear proof and prepared for one to come by!

    The road winds through and there are many different roads that brand off and have a bunch of sites at too


Guide to Masonville

Camping near Masonville, Colorado, offers a fantastic mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, including those in Rocky Mountain National Park. One camper mentioned, "The hiking trail to Sprague Lake is about a mile with plenty of birds and other critters" at Glacier Basin Campground.
  • Wildlife Watching: Expect to see a variety of wildlife. A visitor at Timber Creek Campground shared, "Moose in campground, and elk calling at night."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are near lakes and rivers. One camper at Beaver Park Reservoir noted, "Caught about ten rainbow trout in a couple of hours."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning landscapes. A review for Moraine Park Campground states, "Just beautiful and in the park so don’t deal with timed entry."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A visitor at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake mentioned, "Clean bathrooms with hot pay showers which are $2 for 6 minutes."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful environment. One reviewer at East Portal Campground said, "Quiet, no generators heard as big rigs won’t fit!"

What you should know:

  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Glacier Basin Campground is open from May 23 to September 11.
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities. A camper at Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area noted, "There’s huge piles of trash everywhere."
  • Crowded Conditions: Some popular spots can get busy. A visitor at Cottonwood Campground mentioned, "There were a LOT of spots but they were right on top of each other."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A camper at East Portal Campground said, "Big playground and not crazy expensive."
  • Plan for Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared to see animals. One family at Timber Creek Campground enjoyed, "We saw elk and mule deer in the campground on multiple occasions."
  • Bring Entertainment: Keep kids engaged with games or crafts. A visitor at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake appreciated the "pool for the kids."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Size Restrictions: Some campgrounds have limits on RV sizes. A reviewer at Timber Creek Campground noted, "RV allowed up to 30 feet."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need amenities, choose campgrounds with full hookups. A camper at St. Vrain State Park Campground mentioned, "Electric hook ups on North campground and some full hookups on the south one."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds are near roads. A visitor at Saint Vrain State Park said, "There is road traffic noise but becomes background noise after a day or so."

Camping near Masonville, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it's a great spot to enjoy the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Masonville, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Masonville, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 305 campgrounds and RV parks near Masonville, CO and 91 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Masonville, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Masonville, CO is Cottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 44 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 91 free dispersed camping spots near Masonville, CO.

What parks are near Masonville, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Masonville, CO that allow camping, notably Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG and Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.