Glamping options near Montezuma, Colorado range from full-service resorts to primitive forest sites at elevations of 8,000-9,700 feet. The area experiences dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, with summer afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Nearby camping areas offer access to both alpine terrain and lower forest environments across multiple national forest zones.
What to do
Climb a mountain peak: The trails near Peak One Campground offer various hiking difficulties for visitors. "This was an unplanned visit, and a surprisingly good one. One of the quietest and cleanest campgrounds I've been to," notes one camper who appreciates the easy access to Lake Dillon from all sites.
Fish at local lakes: Several camping areas provide direct lake access for anglers seeking trout and other mountain species. Campers at Echo Lake Campground report good fishing opportunities. "It's only a short walk to Echo Lake and there's a lodge nearby with excellent pie!" mentions one visitor who combined outdoor recreation with local treats.
Drive scenic mountain passes: The roads around the camping areas provide remarkable vistas. "The drive up to Mount Evans is a must and spending a day in Breck was perfect," writes one camper at Selkirk Campground, describing the spectacular views from Boreas Pass, which connects the camping areas to Breckenridge.
What campers like
Forest surroundings: Many sites feature mature tree cover that creates natural boundaries between camping spots. "The campground has all the amenities you need - water, (really) nice bathrooms with running water, and a fire pit with a picnic table. A simple campground that would be great for kids," reports a visitor at Peak One Campground.
Trail access: The Colorado Trail runs alongside several campsites in the region. At Kenosha East Campground, "The trail is surrounded by aspen grove with thick wildflowers and wild grasses. The reward on the short hike we did is the view of the South Park valley."
Wildlife viewing: The mountain ecosystems support diverse animal populations. "The camp host informed us moose frequent the area," notes a camper at Kenosha East. Another camper at Burning Bear Campground reports seeing "deer, moose, and lots of birds from my site" during their three-night stay.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most campgrounds in the region offer basic amenities only. "Bring your own water. Busy area with tourists and traffic to Mt Evans. Road noise settles down after dark," advises a visitor to Echo Lake Campground.
Reservation patterns: Some campgrounds see high no-show rates that may benefit last-minute campers. "There were a lot of no shows on reserved sites. You might get lucky in getting a site by showing up and asking for the one where someone hasn't checked in," reports a camper.
Weather considerations: The high elevation means rapid weather changes are common. At Timberline Campground, a visitor cautions, "It did unexpectedly hail for about 20 minutes but we had our camper and could seek shelter."
Highway proximity: Several campgrounds sit near major roads. "The big downside is the highway is very loud here which really took away from the peace," states a Kenosha East camper. Another adds, "This campground is located right off of Hwy 285. This is the main thoroughfare to the central mountains in Colorado. The traffic is heavy day and well into the night."
Tips for camping with families
Find campgrounds with clean facilities: Parents appreciate well-maintained bathrooms. At Kenosha East, one visitor noted, "The camp hosts take great care of the bathrooms. We stayed 3 nights and there was always toilet paper. The bathroom smelled as good as it could possibly smell with the amount of people that used it all weekend."
Look for spacious sites: Families need room to spread out equipment and for children to play safely. "The campground is very clean. Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you to situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Enormous amount of room," reports a visitor to Reverend's Ridge Campground.
Consider noise levels: Some families may prefer quieter settings away from highways. "If you're looking to party it up all night, this is not the place for you. Rick [camp host] follows the quiet hours to a T!" mentions a camper at Echo Lake who appreciated the enforced quiet time.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Many mountain campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. At Robbers Roost Campground, one RVer noted it was a "Perfect little campground for popup and teardrop trailers" but might be challenging for larger rigs.
Prepare for uneven terrain: Mountain camping often means sloping sites. "The sites are not very level so be prepared to use your blocks," advises an RVer at Reverend's Ridge Campground.
Consider elevation for generator use: The high altitude affects equipment performance. "At 8100' high, 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs... Don't worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!" reports a camper at Denver West-Central City KOA, noting the effects of high elevation on both people and equipment.
