Meeker sits at an elevation of 6,240 feet in northwest Colorado's White River Valley, with cool summer nights often dropping below 50°F even in July and August. The camping season typically runs from late April through October, with hunting season bringing the heaviest demand for accommodations. Winter camping is available at some RV parks, though services may be limited during snow months.
What to do
Fishing access: Trail and Hitch Tiny Home Hotel and RV Park is located near prime fishing spots. "Meeker Airport is just across the highway so every once in awhile you could see cool helicopters, airplanes come in and fly away," notes one camper, indicating the easy access to local amenities.
Mountain hiking: Take advantage of trails near Rifle Falls State Park Campground where "There are 13 RV/tent sites and 7 walk-in tent sites. The campground gets crowded during the weekends with hikers and fishermen so parking can be an issue." The park features "easy trails, fishing, great waterfalls and friendly staff."
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening wildlife sightings are common at campgrounds along the White River. One visitor to a local campground mentioned, "Right along the white river, flowing strong in late May. Saw deer 2 mornings."
What campers like
Proximity to water: Bear Lake Campground offers "2 great lakes that are stocked (3 kids + 1/2 hr = 12 trout) within walking distance." Another camper noted, "The fishing was great from the bank and also from a float tube."
Clean facilities: Many RV parks maintain their bathrooms daily. One camper at Wilderness Rendezvous RV Park appreciated that "bathrooms and showers were cleaned daily" during their two-week stay.
Spacious sites: The area's campgrounds typically provide adequate space between camping spots. A visitor mentioned, "Sites are well spaced out, site 14 had a huge front area next site was ~50 yards away." Another camper appreciated that "Tent sites are set back and space and trees separate sites."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Cell reception varies dramatically by provider and location. One visitor noted, "No Verizon service, decent TMobile service" while another mentioned, "No cell and weak WiFi reception, so I was not able to use phone or computer."
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings can be extreme, even in summer. A winter camper at an RV park near Meeker reported getting "hit with 40-60 mile an hour winds - Strongest I've experienced in six years traveling in this RV."
Advance bookings: First-come, first-served campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. At Rifle Gap State Park Campground, "The view of the reservoir is very nice" but because it's "super for that! Clean, quiet, and patio spots," reservations are recommended.
Tips for camping with families
Waterfall explorations: Kids enjoy exploring the caves and falls in the area. "Be sure to explore the caves by the water fall the kiddos loved it" mentions one parent after visiting a nearby state park.
Tent site accessibility: For tent campers with children, look for walk-in sites with convenient amenities. At certain campgrounds, "they provide wheelbarrows to haul your stuff into the sites (which wasn't far)," making the process much easier with kids.
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secured as small animals are common. "The chipmunks were a little intrusive but my dog was fully entertained by them," noted one camper, suggesting both a caution and potential entertainment for children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campgrounds near Meeker vary in site levelness. One camper mentioned "Less expensive spots are not level so I chose the more expensive option." Bring leveling blocks for comfort.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require slow driving. One visitor shared, "The road is very washboard the entire way, so plan on about 45 minutes to get there from Yampa."
Sewer connections: At River Camp RV Park, "The sewer connections are varied distances, extensions are probably needed. Our sewer connection has a small uphill to it, but still slightly below our tank bottoms." This insight helps RVers prepare with appropriate hose extensions.
