Omar E.
Scout
ScoutIdaho Springs
Great service and nice quiet place hard to reach
4wd suv is definitely recommended with the gravel road
Camping near Wheat Ridge, CO
370 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds around Wheat Ridge, Colorado offer camping options from urban RV parks to developed state park facilities. Applewood RV Resort (formerly Prospect RV Park) offers a convenient base with full hookups near Denver's city limits, while nearby Golden Gate Canyon State Park provides more natural surroundings with both Reverend's Ridge and Deer Creek campgrounds offering tent and RV sites. The region includes a mix of privately managed RV resorts and public recreation areas like Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek State Park, which feature both tent and RV camping opportunities within reasonable driving distance from Wheat Ridge.
Access to most developed campgrounds remains available year-round, though mountain parks like Golden Gate Canyon may have seasonal limitations during winter months. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during peak summer months when Denver-area facilities fill quickly. The proximity to major highways makes most sites easily accessible without specialized vehicles, though higher elevation campgrounds may present more challenging conditions during inclement weather. RV parks near the city maintain consistent availability but often come at premium prices compared to more distant options. One camper noted, "This park is good for what it is. If you want to be close to the city and have easy access to any kind of shopping imaginable, this will meet your needs."
Campers frequently mention the trade-offs between urban convenience and natural settings when staying near Wheat Ridge. Several visitors highlighted the benefit of proximity to urban amenities while still having access to outdoor recreation. The Clear Creek greenbelt receives positive mentions from RV park guests seeking walking paths and open space without leaving the city. "Located right behind it is a large green belt with ponds, a park, biking and walking path as well as Clear Creek," noted one reviewer of Applewood RV Resort. Mixed-use campgrounds in the area typically feature gravel sites with standard hookups, while state parks offer more separation between campsites and natural surroundings. Sites with trees and shade are limited in urban RV parks but more common in the state park campgrounds surrounding the metro area.
Best Campgrounds near Wheat Ridge (370)
1. Chatfield State Park Campground
"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."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability2. Dakota Ridge RV Park
"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."
3. Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park
"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."
"Note: If the GPS takes you to a dirt road with a closed gate at the end, get back on the highway and take the next exit to the park entrance."
4. Clear Creek RV Park
"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!"
from $68 - $85 / night
Check Availability5. Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon
"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."
from $18 / night
Check Availability6. Cherry Creek State Park Campground
"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. "
from $28 - $432 / night
Check Availability7. Chief Hosa Campground
"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."
from $33 - $40 / night
Check Availability8. Applewood RV Resort by Rjourney
"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."
9. Standley Lake Regional Park
"It’s $35 a night for a spot super close to the water. The spots are pretty spread out. We are taking our toddler and dogs swimming 100 times a day."
"Take a friend and a picnic for a lovely day on this beautiful lake right here in Arvada. Your worries fall away and you can experience the joy in nature around you. Maybe weird but true!"
from $35 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon
"This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."
"Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."
from $28 - $90 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 13 min from Denver, CO
- 25 min from Boulder, CO
- 55 min from Greeley, CO
- 58 min from Fort Collins, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Wheat Ridge, CO
885 Photos of 370 Wheat Ridge Campgrounds
Nathan S.
Standley Lake Regional Park
Rita R.
Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park
Sabin R.
Mountain View Campsite
Danielle V.
Chief Hosa Campground
Minette and Ron G.
Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon
Lynae C.
Closed
Rico B.
Chatfield State Park Campground
Kelly Z.
Cherry Creek State Park Campground
Gordon B.
Rifleman Phillips Campground — Golden Gate Canyon
Britt H.
Aspen Meadows Campground — Golden Gate Canyon
Anthony N.
Frazer Meadow Campground — Golden Gate Canyon
Fabio O.
Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir
Recent Reviews near Wheat Ridge, CO
2760 Reviews of 370 Wheat Ridge Campgrounds
Garet W.
GuideGopher Gulch RV and Campground
Spotless facility!
Very nice campground just outside Longmont. Easy hookups and very nice facilities. In another few years the trees will be providing some nice shade. My only criticism is that the woman at the Front Desk really didn't seem like she wanted to deal with people.
- JJulia G.Scout
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Estes Park
NOT SAFE for large RV's
**Site#98 is NOT Safe for Large RVs**
We stayed at Jellystone Park Estes Park for three nights in site#98 with our 36-foot fifth wheel. We paid$325.50 for our stay and left with expensive damage to our truck because, in my opinion, this site should never be assigned to an RV of this size.
Site#98 is located on a hill and requires a very tight left turn from a one-way road, with a drop-off on one side and a large boulder retaining wall on the other. When an employee escorted us to the site, he immediately told us it was a difficult site for big fifth wheels and even said another camper had ripped off his fender trying to back into it.
My husband is very experienced backing our fifth wheel, and after several attempts with direction from the campground employee, he was able to get us into the site. Unfortunately, getting OUT was even worse.
When we left, my husband had to swing the truck as far to the right as possible to keep the fifth wheel tires from going off the drop-off on the left. At one point, half of our left-side tires were hanging off the edge. While I was outside watching the tires and trying to help navigate this extremely precarious situation, the truck caught one of the boulders from the retaining wall on the right, which became wedged underneath our running board.
We then had to JACK UP OUR TRUCK—with our 36-foot fifth wheel still attached and sitting dangerously close to the edge of a hill—just to get the truck off the boulder.
What makes this situation especially frustrating is what happened afterward. A very kind campground employee who came to help us expressed his own frustration that they continue putting large RVs in this site. He explained that after the cabins across the road were installed, along with the retaining wall, there was no longer enough room for big RVs to safely pull out of site#98.
While I waited to speak with the manager, a THIRD employee also acknowledged to me that they have had issues with this site.
Yet when the manager finally came to speak with us, she claimed she had NO knowledge of site#98 being a problem and told us they allow RVs up to 38 feet in it. When I told her they should not be putting RVs that large in this site, her response was,**“It’s 2026 and they can’t tell people what they can put in a site.”**
That response was unbelievable to me. A campground absolutely can—and should—determine what size RV can safely fit into and maneuver through a particular site.
Three separate employees either warned us about this site or acknowledged problems with it, including one who specifically said there is no longer enough room for large RVs to pull out after the cabins and retaining wall were added. Yet management continues allowing RVs up to 38 feet in the site.
We were offered no solution for the damage to our truck, and management took no accountability for continuing to place large RVs in a site their own employees acknowledge has had problems.
We paid$325.50 for three nights and walked away with a damaged truck and an incredibly stressful—and potentially dangerous—experience.
We will NEVER stay at this campground again. If you have a fifth wheel or RV over 30 feet, I would strongly recommend staying elsewhere and specifically avoiding**site#98**.
Campgrounds have a responsibility to assign rigs to sites they can safely enter AND exit. Based on our experience, Jellystone Estes Park failed to do that.
Sam D.GuideRampart Range Recreation Area Designated Dispersed Camping — Psicc
beautiful area!!!
kind of a difficult drive in for a small car. but if you go slow youll be fine. beautiful and spread out camp sites
- Sam D.Guide
Redskin Creek Rd Designated Campsite
great area
about 4 miles of dirt road that leads up to drive in campsites all along the road. They're all pretty spaced out, also big sites. It was absolutely beautiful. Its pack in pack out, so please prepare for that. no service whatsoever. Getting a spot on the weekend will be impossible, it gets busy. We went on a Wednesday.
Shaun L.ScoutDakota Ridge RV Park
Location location location.
Perfect spot to stay when going to a concert at red rocks.
Omar H.ScoutGopher Gulch RV and Campground
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- LLynn
RangerForest Road 332 Dispersed
Great spots, rough road
Because of this road, I'll have to replace my camper's stabilizing jacks, and I feel lucky that's the only damage. If you have a 4WD high clearance vehicle, you should be fine. There are several spots and beautiful views for all! I hiked around trail nearby, Sugarloaf Mountain Trail and really enjoyed it.
- JJeff H.
TravelerBailey Area Dispersed
Quiet spot, open landscape
4 stars for the quiet area. Went Monday thru Wednesday and didn't see anyone. A bit open in areas due to fire scar but flat areas for the RV. Peaceful and nice walking/hiking all around.
Guide to Wheat Ridge
Camping sites near Wheat Ridge, Colorado provide year-round access with elevations ranging from 5,300 feet in the city to over 8,000 feet at nearby mountain parks. Located just west of Denver along Clear Creek, this Front Range community serves as a gateway to both mountain recreation and urban amenities. Most campgrounds maintain accessible sites from April through October, with some facilities offering winter camping options during milder Colorado winters.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers extensive trail networks for all skill levels. "The park is enormous. The options for trails are endless. Great for mountain biking or hiking enthusiasts," notes one visitor. The park feels secluded despite its proximity to urban areas: "Golden Gate Canyon SP is absolutely gorgeous! We loved the experience at the park, the trails are great and the views are wonderful."
Water recreation: Bear Creek Lake Park provides multiple water activities within 20 minutes of Wheat Ridge. "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding," shares a camper. The park combines natural settings with recreational facilities.
Wildlife viewing: Chatfield State Park attracts diverse bird species and wildlife. A reviewer mentions, "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos." The reservoir and surrounding habitat support year-round wildlife observation opportunities with several miles of nature trails.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Clear Creek RV Park maintains well-kept amenities. "Nice clean campground! Beautiful setting with lots to do nearby," notes one visitor. Another camper adds, "The spots are a little close, beautiful area w/lots of Hiking, biking, walking trails. Golden is an awesome area to explore & very close to Denver."
Convenient location: Reverend's Ridge Campground balances accessibility with natural surroundings. "We stayed here in early June to avoid the chaos of RMNP and were not disappointed. The drive from Golden up into the park is beautiful and you truly feel like you are leaving the noise of Denver and the metro behind," explains a reviewer. This location provides a mountain experience without long travel times from Wheat Ridge.
Family-friendly amenities: Standley Lake Regional Park offers dedicated spaces for children. "Perfect for a spontaneous overnight trip, we were wishing we would have brought paddleboard and fishing gear but next time! Bathrooms were clean even with all the campers everyone was very nice and quiet!" reports a visitor. The lake features rentable paddle craft and designated swimming areas.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during summer months. At Standley Lake Regional Park, "Trying to reserve online was a bit of a challenge (may have been user error) but I was able to call and the ranger I talked was very helpful in getting a reservation day of and answering all the questions I had."
Site conditions: Campground pads vary significantly in quality and levelness. At Dakota Ridge RV Park, "Sites are a pretty good size, it's close to a lot of stores, restaurants, etc, it has a small pool and hot tub, and it has a cool hill you can climb and see views of Denver." However, some sites require adjustment: "Smaller sites and not much grass for dogs."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping in Wheat Ridge?
Where can I find camping in Wheat Ridge?
Wheat Ridge offers limited camping options within the city itself, with Applewood RV Resort by Rjourney being the primary option. This RV park is conveniently located in the city with reasonable rates around $42 plus tax. It provides easy access to stores, gas stations, and Denver. For more camping options, consider Chatfield State Park Campground just a short drive away, which offers both RV and tent camping sites, though it tends to fill up quickly on weekends.
How quickly can I find last-minute camping spots in Wheat Ridge?
How quickly can I find last-minute camping spots in Wheat Ridge?
For last-minute camping near Wheat Ridge, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area is a good option with around 15 numbered sites and additional unnumbered spots further down the road. Another option is Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail, which offers more flexibility for spontaneous trips, though 4x4 capability is recommended. Dispersed camping areas typically have better availability for last-minute plans compared to developed campgrounds, especially during weekdays.
What are the best campgrounds in Wheat Ridge for weekend trips?
What are the best campgrounds in Wheat Ridge for weekend trips?
For weekend trips from Wheat Ridge, Roosevelt National Forest Camp Dick Campground offers a true Colorado experience with stunning views, a rolling river, well-maintained fire pits, and hiking trailheads you can walk to. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir is another excellent option, particularly Site 5 which provides privacy for larger groups. Both campgrounds are within reasonable driving distance from Wheat Ridge and offer the perfect weekend escape into nature while still being accessible for a short trip.
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