Palmer Lake, Colorado sits at an elevation of 7,225 feet in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Camping options near Palmer Lake span from basic tent sites to fully-equipped RV resorts with most campgrounds operating between May and September when temperatures range from 40-80°F. Winter camping is limited due to snow accumulation and freezing overnight temperatures that can dip below 20°F.
What to Do
Hiking at Mueller State Park: Located 30 miles from Palmer Lake, Mueller State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems with mountain views. "Awesome hiking trails with views of the mountains. Easy access to local eateries and shopping," notes Kenneth F.
Fishing opportunities: Manitou Lake sits adjacent to Colorado Campground, offering trout fishing just a short trail walk away. "Easy hike to Manitou Lake Recreation Area for fishing, and we always get at least one fish on the line here!" reports Amanda M.
Wildlife viewing: Camp areas around Palmer Lake provide frequent wildlife encounters. At Diamond Campground, campers report regular wildlife activity: "We have uninvited friends, deers all over!" according to Ioan P., while others appreciate the natural setting: "Deer wander through the campground throughout the day."
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Diamond Campground & RV Park in Woodland Park offers generous campsites with natural separation. "Diamond Campground has it all. Kind staff, large sites, clean and a view of Pike's Peak from the gate," writes Ginny D.
Hot showers: Rocky Top Motel and Campground provides clean shower facilities at reasonable rates. "Super friendly owners, clean bathrooms, hot showers, great prices, very close to woodland park co and pikes peak," Michael C. comments.
Quiet camping environment: Despite proximity to roads, many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at Painted Rocks campground. "The campground is well maintained and well managed, with a friendly and efficient campground host," reports Bob K., who also noted that "the pit toilets were well-maintained and clean."
What You Should Know
Train noise: Some campgrounds near Palmer Lake experience train disruptions. At Peregrine Pines FamCamp, Janet A. mentions, "Great wooded campground, with large lots. Quiet, except for the trains running during the night."
Military access requirements: Certain campgrounds have restricted access. Peregrine Pines FamCamp is exclusively for active or retired military personnel. "You do have to be active or retired military to stay here, or have a sponsor with you," Megan R. clarifies.
Uneven tent sites: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for tent setups. At Painted Rocks, campers note that "Some sites have very little level ground. Even our tent pad was uneven."
Water availability varies: Water access differs between campgrounds. "Water is currently not working as they have repaired the source or found a new source. It has been tested, shocked, and currently awaiting final test results," reported one camper at Painted Rocks.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly activities: Lone Duck Campground and Cabins offers numerous family amenities. "All of the amenities. Pool, laundry room, gift shop/Grocery. Arcade, pond, clean bathrooms. Best place ever. And surrounded by mountains!" exclaims Cody K.
Easy wildlife encounters: Colorado Campground provides accessible nature experiences for children. "This is a great campground for introducing little ones to car camping. The campground is clean and well-maintained, the sites are good-sized and it's a short hike to decent fishing at Manitou Lake," says Cody R.
Year-round glamping options: Family glamping in Palmer Lake, Colorado offers climate-controlled accommodations through changing seasons. "The heated pool is awesome (and pretty darn warm!)," Amanda M. notes about Lone Duck, adding that "the little trout pond is nice for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Garden of the Gods RV Resort has variable site conditions. "We arrived around 5pm and were given a tight space that was a challenge to level with hookups on the wrong side of our unit," reports Caroline D.
Utility hookup considerations: Water connections may require additional equipment. "After getting setup I found out that I'd need to climb up the short retaining wall into my neighbors site to hookup our water hose. The spigot was shared between our sites," explains Jason F.
Site selection strategy: Luxury glamping near Palmer Lake offers varying levels of privacy between sites. "Go here for the location and views. Good park for the kids to enjoy. Tight spots and some 'pull through' sites aren't actually pull through," advises Sarah S., suggesting campers focus on location benefits rather than spaciousness.
