Masonville, Colorado sits at approximately 5,600 feet elevation near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, providing campers with mild summer temperatures and cooler nights even during peak season. The area receives around 300 days of sunshine annually with relatively low humidity, making tent and yurt camping comfortable throughout the late spring to early fall. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer months, typically clearing by evening.
What to Do
Hiking on Kruger Rock Trail: Access this moderate 4-mile round trip trail directly from Hermits Hollow Campground at Hermit Park. "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 one visitor.
Fishing at multiple reservoirs: Carter Lake offers year-round fishing opportunities just a short drive from Masonville. "The lake had some weird rules. You have to buy a county park pass when making reservation," mentions a camper at South Shore Campground. Many campgrounds provide direct water access for anglers.
Wildlife viewing: The area's diverse habitats support abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "We watched the fireworks for 4th of July in Estes from one of the trails," shares a visitor to Hermits Hollow Campground. Another camper reports, "Woke up to elk outside of the tent! Such a cool experience."
Paddleboarding and water sports: Horsetooth Reservoir provides excellent flat-water recreation options. "The lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking," mentions a South Bay Campground visitor. Rental equipment is available seasonally at several locations.
What Campers Like
Proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park: Glacier Basin Campground offers convenient access to popular hiking trails. "There are trails that leave right from the campground, the free shuttle bus makes a stop near the check in station, and the Park & Ride is a short walk away. The location is very convenient to the most popular hikes in RMNP," explains a satisfied camper.
Water features for cooling off: Multiple campgrounds provide lake or river access, particularly valued during summer. "The lake is beautiful with a walking path all of the way around and paddle boats," shares a visitor at Fort Collins Lakeside KOA, which maintains facilities year-round for winter yurt camping near Masonville.
Tree coverage for shade: While pine beetle infestation has affected some areas, many sites still offer good shade. "Wooded sites mean privacy from your neighbors and shade during the day," notes a Hermits Hollow visitor. Another camper at Riverview RV Park mentions, "Tree covered, and a river runs through it. About 10 mins outside of Loveland and 40 mins from Estes park."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area typically maintain high cleanliness standards. "The bathhouse was close, only open 6am to 10pm, pay showers minimum $2," reports a South Bay Campground visitor. Another camper notes, "Vault toilets are very clean, well kept. Staff and Rangers are very friendly and helpful."
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. A visitor to Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake advises, "First come, first serve. Got there around 6 and we found a great spot (site M74) that was not super close to anyone else and had beautiful views of the mountains." Plan to book several months in advance for weekend stays.
Additional fees beyond nightly rates: Many campgrounds charge separate entrance or day use fees. "Sites average prices, but they add an entrance fee to the park for each day on top of the fee," notes a Hermits Hollow camper. "The price for tent camping seemed a bit steep for me, but made sense considering all of the facilities offered," shares another visitor.
Road noise at some locations: Campgrounds closer to main roads experience traffic noise. "The only downside is the road is fairly close and creates a bit of noise, even late at night as there is some local traffic," reports a South Bay Campground reviewer. Sites further from roads offer quieter experiences.
Elevation considerations: The higher elevation can cause temperature fluctuations and affects some visitors. "The sites aren't sitting on top of each other, and some spots feel relatively secluded," notes a Hermits Hollow camper about the terrain. Evening temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months.
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity-focused campgrounds save driving: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive on-site entertainment. "We are a family of 4, our boys are 11 and 8. We spent 2 nights Tent Camping in June for Father's Day Weekend. The facility offered tons of activities for the kids and they wore themselves out daily to the point of falling asleep while eating dinner," shares one parent.
Wildlife education opportunities: Many campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. "Wildlife is very abundant. Bear Lake and Fern Lake are amazing hikes for the fam," notes a Glacier Basin camper. Morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Safety precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "The park provides every spot with a table, fire ring and bear box. The bear box is for more than just food. If you have anything that smells good, the animals (not just bears) WILL try to get into your vehicle to steal it," advises a Hermits Hollow camper.
Site selection for families: Choose sites with natural features for child entertainment. "This campground was better than expected--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. We were right on the waters edge," shares a visitor to Carter Lake South Shore Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "The pull-through site is very rough and difficult to get your trailer level. We finally just did as good as we could and called it done," notes a Carter Lake Eagle Campground visitor. Another camper adds, "Maps not accurate! When I booked the site it indicated a water source next to our site, but when we arrived NO WATER within 500' of site!"
Campground layouts vary significantly: Some campgrounds are more accommodating to larger rigs. "Sites were a bit close to each other, but everything else about the KOA was fantastic! Very quiet and clean, which was nice," reports a Fort Collins Lakeside KOA visitor. Research individual site dimensions before booking.
Hookup availability fluctuates: Not all sites offer full utilities. "Electric hookup worked, but no water at the site, and 'public water' in the area was a broken water fountain. We filled up at the dump station," reports a South Bay Campground RV visitor. "Bring quarters for the shower!" reminds another camper.
Winter camping options: For year-round yurt camping near Masonville, Colorado, Fort Collins Lakeside KOA remains open through winter months with heated accommodations. "The bathrooms were clean. They have electricity. Also there is a dump area for a $15 fee," notes a camper.
