Palmer Lake sits at approximately 7,200 feet elevation on the edge of Pike National Forest, creating unique camping conditions with cool nights even in summer. The area offers horse-friendly trails and equestrian facilities beyond Indian Creek, with several alternative options for riders. Trail access varies seasonally with snow possible into late spring at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Cheyenne Mountain State Park provides 21 miles of well-marked hiking paths. "The trails are superb and offer a variety of high plains and mountain views. Trail markings are remarkable, offering both self-guided tutorial placards and strategically located gps coordinates, in case of injury," according to Dave V. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Mountain biking options: Multiple trail systems accommodate riders of different skill levels. At Mueller State Park, visitors note the accessibility: "Lots of hiking and biking. We saw some deer that came through our site. Just a real nice relaxing place!" says Brian F.
Fishing opportunities: Several nearby lakes and reservoirs allow fishing. "Manitou Lake is a trail walk away. You can toss your canoe or kayak in, but unless you are simply trout fishing, its tiny size doesn't offer much variation," notes Dave V. about Colorado Campground.
What campers like
Diverse wildlife viewing: The mountain setting attracts various animals. "Wildlife aplenty. Mule deer sauntered by throughout the park and tom turkeys strutted their stuff for all to see. Colorful songbirds dotted the trail (my favorite...bright blue mountain bluebird)," reports a visitor at Colorado Campground.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain good standards. "Super clean. Nice spacious sites FHU sites at a reasonable rate," mentions Lisa D. about The Meadows Campground.
Easy trail access: Most camping areas connect directly to trail systems. "The end of the campground feeds into many trailheads, which are great for exploring," notes Alexis B. from Mueller State Park Campground.
What you should know
Altitude considerations: The high elevation affects activities and comfort. "Keep the elevation in mind when choosing activities. Being a 'flatlander,' it takes about 7-10 days for your body to adjust to high elevations, so allocate more time on the trails for recovery breaks and hydration," advises a camper at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality and maintenance. At Matukat Road Dispersed Camping, John M. reports: "Plenty of campsites to choose from and accessible with 2WD (at least during the summer). Arrived mid-afternoon on a Friday and had our pick of the sites, only saw one other group setup ahead of us."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. Colorado Campground and several others close from September to May due to weather conditions and maintenance needs.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Peregrine Pines FamCamp, Anthony B. notes: "There is a new playground that is huge for the kids with a rubber floor in case kids fall. In addition to the park there is tetherballs and open fields for fun ball or frisbee activities."
Kid-friendly trails: Shorter paths accommodate young hikers. "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," reports Cody R. about Colorado Campground.
Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness matters with children. Matthew J. mentions at Colorado Campground: "Great hiking for little kids around the lake," while noting the campground is "heavily wooded and spacious sites."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "There are full hookups. I picked this campground to be near Pikes peak and Garden of the Gods. It did not disappoint," shares Ryan L. about Colorado Campground.
Site spacing: Some locations offer more privacy than others. At Cripple Creek KOA, Judy F. reports: "Level sites with many pull thrus. Helpful owners. Sparkling bathrooms. Individual showers. Laundry rooms."
Water pressure considerations: Water systems can be powerful at certain facilities. "Water pressure here is really strong so make sure you have a water pressure regulator handy," advises Anthony B. about camping at Peregrine Pines FamCamp.
