Campers coming through for Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Front Range foothills use Morrison as a base, though the camping mix here is narrow compared to what's available a few miles west. Red Rocks is the corridor's most-recognized landmark, and campgrounds close to it see heavy demand on concert weekends. Developed sites run through Jefferson County Open Space and private campgrounds along the canyon roads leading west. RV camping options near Morrison cover the hookup sites for larger rigs. The dispersed and tent options thin out quickly in this corridor given the density of the surrounding foothills development, so anyone targeting open national forest terrain typically heads west toward Evergreen or Conifer.
Evergreen is about 10 miles up the canyon, and Golden sits about 10 miles northeast. Denver is roughly 20 miles east with full resupply access. Most campgrounds within a close drive of Morrison book up on weekends year-round, not just summer. Confirm reservation windows early if you're targeting a Friday or Saturday night.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$36 - $200 / night
"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
"We stayed here two nights and chose the campground due to its proximity to Morrison and the Red Rocks Amphitheater. They have showers for $1 that last 5min which is more than enough."
"This was our first time staying at Bear Creek Lake. The park is not part of the Colorado Wilds or CPW State Park system, but daily vehicle fees are included with your camping reservation."
$68 - $85 / night
"Had a great spot right next to the Clear Creek walking path. The campground is clean and well looked after. Clean bathrooms and showers. Close to many hikes and mt trails."
"**Campground Review: ** Golden, CO is a super cute town on the outskirts of Denver. The city has a campground in a prime location, and we were lucky to book a site!"
$33 - $40 / night
"They use a keycode system to restrict access to the centrally-located bathhouse (there is only one in the campground), which I thought was clever. "
"The highway noise was very noticeable, but didn’t take away from the peaceful setting. It was a clean campground. The bathrooms and showers were clean and have a key code for entry."
$18 / night
"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
$28 - $432 / night
"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
"It is in the center of the city, but aside from the traffic on the dam in the distance you would not realize it. "
"Good location close to interstate to access all the cool towns and site seeing west of Denver."
"When I walked in the office, I was greeted by 5 wonderful sweet dogs. I love dogs so there couldn't have been a better greeting. Kathy was very friendly and helpful."
"good location for cute old mountain towns! also close to Denver and other must sees in Colorado!"
"8100’ high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don’t worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!"
"There's several creeks that run through the area and a network of trails that intersect the Colorado Trail and the road. The area is popular with mountain bikers."
"The area was well kept and obviously beautiful, it's Colorado after all. There was no running water, however the camo host drives an ATV around offering water from giant containers. I loved it."
GuideFound the spot that we were able to fit in in Pike national Forest outside of divide. Stayed for a week in early June and the temperatures were great. Very little AT&T cell phone coverage. The spot does have some tree cover, so Starlink is a little bit obstructed as well are solar panels.
ScoutThe spots are big enough, but every time we’ve gone there it’s been full- including Sunday afternoon (today) and mid-week. I’m pretty sure quite a few people came up Sunday morning, waited for people to leave, and left their gear there for next weekend.
ScoutArea was nice but really close to a main highway.
GuideStopped for 1 night. Sites are spacious, also lots of space between sites. Facilities are well cared for, clean and updated. Not too far from the interstate. Lake nearby if you have a boat or kayak. Our stay there was some strong winds during evening hours. Our site utilities on opposing side, luckily it was pull thru and we just reversed direction. Noticed the same issue with several other sites nearby.
GuideGreat spot close to town. There are around 10-15 designated spots on this road. It is close to a river, so there are a lot of mosquitos in the evenings (as of early June 2026) and is close to the highway. The highway noise didn’t bother us at all. It was a very peaceful spot with the sound of running water and great hammocking trees.
ScoutIt is now $15 a night or $65 for the week so make sure you bring cash if coming
TravelerNeeded a quick car camp out of society, Denver girly here. This is an awesome spot! Safe, good spots with space, and good service! Overall, can’t wait to come back!
ScoutNobody else here! Felt safe car camping as there was a thunderstorm. Beware of cows in the road as you enter the area, they’re kind if you are! Verizon cell coverage at the site I parked at was 1-3 bars.
ScoutJust up the hill and through a neighborhood. Lots of switch backs and narrow roads. Thank God I saw the review about the another guy wanting to turn around many time trees but sticking with it, because I legit hit a section in my Rav 4 that I thought I wasn’t going to make it through. To be fair I was here at dusk and I also had a cargo hitch on, which was getting tossed around on the rocks. The RAV4 made it up but highly freaked out my dogs who are fairly tolerant of this kind of stuff.
Someone was at the campsite when I got here, and I decided to pull in a private driveway across from it because there was no way I was driving back down the narrow stretch at night. (Edit: I went back down that narrow stretch later that night - it was easier on the way down)
There’s cell service with Verizon so at least I could call someone to talk me down after the not so fun adrenaline rush.
Camping sites near Morrison, Colorado range from lakeside recreation areas to forested mountain campgrounds within a 15-30 minute drive of town. Situated at elevations between 5,700 and 8,500 feet, these camping options provide access to both Front Range adventures and mountain recreation. Summer highs typically reach the 80s during day, while nighttime lows can drop into the 40s even in July.
Waterfront activities: At Cherry Creek State Park Campground, campers can enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming at the reservoir's swim beach. "Chatfield is such a great park; I've spent so much time biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, spending time with family," notes Jenny P., who visits weekly due to the park's proximity to Denver.
Mountain biking trails: The Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers exceptional mountain biking opportunities with trails for various skill levels. "Great camping spot, esp. if you like mountain biking. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels," says Andrew B. The area shows regrowth from a 1996 fire, which creates a unique landscape.
Archery and horseback riding: Near Morrison, campers can access specialty outdoor activities beyond hiking. "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding," shares Joshua H. about his experience at Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park.
Easy access to Denver and mountains: Many campers appreciate locations that provide convenient access to both urban and mountain destinations. "This campground allows easy access to Denver, Golden, and the foothills. Campers are close together, but there are some mature trees," notes Colorado C. about Dakota Ridge RV Park.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high on campers' priority lists. "Lovely setting right in the city. This place is huge and has many amenities. It's very well maintained. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were pay only and only with a bank card. $1.50 for a five minute shower," reports Stephanie S. about Cherry Creek State Park.
Off-grid privacy: For those seeking more seclusion, dispersed sites provide privacy while remaining accessible. "Great site for a quick weekend getaway. Able to find some privacy off the road. Excellent mountain biking and hiking!" writes Shauna S. about Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. This free camping area fills quickly on weekends but offers more space between sites than developed campgrounds.
Reservation essentials: Plan well ahead for camping near Morrison, especially during summer. "The campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit," advises Kay S. about Cherry Creek State Park.
No-fire zones: Fire restrictions are common in this area, particularly during dry periods. "There is an active fire ban in the area and the neighbors were lighting 5ft tall fires with gasoline which put us at risk. If you are going to be camping in BLM or Wildlife Areas please follow the restrictions," cautions Hayley K. about Buffalo Creek.
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds are affected by road noise due to their proximity to major highways. "The campground is right next to a major interchange where CR-6, I-70, 470, and US-40 all intersect. Expect some road noise as well as the sound of motorcycles from the bar across the street," advises Jason F. about Dakota Ridge RV Park.
Playground access: Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon provides family-friendly amenities. "This campground was tiny and a little cramped but was very clean and had running showers that was a plus. It was surrounded by trees but they were small which didn't help block the wind. We would stay here again because the staff was very friendly and they had a nice little store and playground," shares Pam B.
Swimming options: Families should consider campgrounds with swimming opportunities during summer heat. "We had a wonderful experience at the yurt and when tent camping. They have archery, a beach, horse stables and ring, large lake to fish, clean bathrooms," mentions Rebecca J. about Indian Paintbrush Campground at Bear Creek Lake Park.
Dog-friendly areas: For families with pets, dedicated dog areas make camping more enjoyable. "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," reports Jenny P. about Chatfield State Park.
Level site selection: At Clear Creek RV Park, RV campers should choose sites carefully. "Sites 8 & 9 are extremely unlevel, but the other sites are pretty fine," advises Janine R., who stayed for six weeks. This park offers electric hookups and coin-operated laundry facilities.
Urban conveniences: RVers appreciate the balance of nature and city access. "If you're looking for a solid RV park near Golden that's clean and dog friendly, this place is for you. Staff were very polite and helpful. This is a great base camp for exploring Denver as well as Jefferson and Clear Creek counties," notes Jason F.
Campground utilities: Pay attention to water pressure at parks near Morrison. "Be sure to have a water pressure regulator or you'll come back to a flooded RV," warns a reviewer at Dakota Ridge. Some campgrounds have unusual sewer setups too: "The sewer is 6 inches above grade and slinky support wasn't tall enough. You might be lifting your hose to assist emptying."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Morrison, Colorado?
Several excellent campgrounds are located near Morrison. Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park is one of the closest options, offering showers, a dump station, and water fill stations. For those seeking more seclusion, Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake provides beautiful lakeside camping just a short drive from Morrison. Other notable options include Chatfield State Park for amenities like full hookups, and Buffalo Creek Recreation Area for more primitive camping experiences. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months and concert weekends at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Are there RV parks available near Morrison, Colorado?
Yes, there are several RV parks near Morrison that accommodate various rig sizes. Dakota Ridge RV Park offers convenient access to both Denver and Morrison attractions. Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur is another option with easy highway access, making it ideal for visiting Morrison and Red Rocks, though it's not as secluded as wilderness camping. Additional options include Chatfield State Park Campground and Cherry Creek State Park, both offering full hookup sites with amenities like showers and dump stations. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during Red Rocks concert season when these parks fill quickly.
Is Indian Paintbrush Campground a good option in Morrison?
Indian Paintbrush Campground at Bear Creek Lake Park is an excellent option in Morrison. Campers report it's an ideal base for visiting Red Rocks Amphitheater, located just a short drive away. The campground offers practical amenities including $1 showers (5 minutes), a dump station, and water fill facilities. Daily vehicle fees are included with camping reservations, and towed vehicles are typically covered when checking in at the ranger station. The campground is located at the back of the park, providing a more secluded feel while still offering convenient access to Morrison's attractions. Reservations are recommended, especially during concert season at Red Rocks.
Can I camp near Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison?
Yes, you can camp near Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison. The closest and most convenient option is Indian Paintbrush Campground at Bear Creek Lake Park, specifically chosen by many campers for its proximity to Red Rocks. For those seeking dispersed camping options, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers more primitive sites within reasonable driving distance. Overnight camping is not permitted at Red Rocks Park itself or in the venue parking lots. During concert season, campgrounds fill quickly, so advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend shows.
Keep Exploring
