Best Campgrounds near Parachute, CO

Dispersed camping opportunities and established campgrounds surround Parachute, Colorado, with options ranging from free public lands to full-service RV parks. The area features several notable camping areas including Pyramid Rock Camp, a popular dispersed camping location about 15 minutes off Interstate 70, and Love's RV Hookup with dedicated RV sites right in Parachute. The landscape transitions from high desert terrain to mountain foothills, providing both tent and RV camping possibilities across various elevations and settings throughout the region.

Road conditions vary significantly depending on the specific camping area, with some sites requiring careful navigation on unpaved roads. Pyramid Rock Camp access involves dirt roads that become challenging during wet weather. "The road was smooth coming in. I parked right below the marked spot because the road got a little more rough to get up there. But there is plenty of dispersed camping before and after the marked spot," noted one visitor about Pyramid Rock Camp. Most dispersed sites lack facilities such as water, toilets or trash service, requiring campers to pack in supplies and pack out waste. Summer temperatures in this high desert region can become extremely hot during daytime hours, while spring and fall generally offer more moderate conditions for camping.

Many campers appreciate the solitude and scenic views available at dispersed sites near Parachute. Pyramid Rock Camp receives consistently positive reviews for its panoramic mountain vistas and spacious camping areas. A reviewer described it as having "wild west feel" with "stunning views" and excellent stargazing opportunities. Several visitors mentioned the presence of gnats or mosquitoes during certain seasons, particularly in early evening before sunset. The established campgrounds in the broader region, including state parks near Rifle and Grand Junction, provide more amenities but typically require reservations and camping fees. Free dispersed camping locations may have varying stay limits depending on land management regulations, with most Bureau of Land Management areas allowing up to 14 days of camping within a 28-day period.

Best Camping Sites Near Parachute, Colorado (152)

    1. Rifle Gap State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Rifle, CO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 625-1607

    $28 - $41 / night

    "Loved the site and the location.. easy access to Rifle Falls and the surrounding trails and climbing walls.. close to access for UTV and off-road vehicle areas as well."

    "There is a loop with full hook up but there a little further than the lake but nice. Our site had a nice covered area with the picnic table under it & a great view from it."

    2. Pyramid Rock Camp

    15 Reviews
    De Beque, CO
    15 miles

    "It is a designated OHV area so no worries about people stopping you from ripping around and exploring."

    "Nothing extreme or crazy with this site, you get privacy, open space and 360 views of the surrounding scenery and free range cows. Road relatively easy to pass through"

    3. Island Acres Section Camping — James M. Robb Colorado River State Park

    38 Reviews
    Grand Junction, CO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 464-0548

    $26 - $41 / night

    "Great walking path along the river for evening or morning stroll. Tucked in the canyon, surrounded by cliffs."

    "Add $9 daily for Colorado State parks. Full hookups (near I70/some road noise), and Electric only, and, Tent

    Pit long-drop toilets (fly haven)

    Lovely park on banks of Colorado river."

    4. Glenwood Springs West/Colorado River KOA

    24 Reviews
    Silt, CO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 876-4900

    $45 - $64 / night

    "After a long, long day of driving, this was a true treat to pull into. As soon as we set up we ventured off to “duck island” after crossing their little bridge over the Colorado."

    "After a long, long day of driving, this was a true treat to pull into. As soon as we set up we ventured off to“duck island” after crossing their little bridge over the Colorado."

    5. Love's RV Hookup-Parachute CO 826

    1 Review
    Parachute, CO
    1 mile
    Website

    $37 - $599 / night

    6. Rifle Falls State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Silt, CO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 625-1607

    $28 - $36 / night

    "In Colorado! What a unique place.

    The camping is reserved for a very small number of spots that are unique."

    "A hidden gem in Colorado! Awesome hike in camp sites along the river, but also drive up spots with camper hook ups. Amazing little hiking trails and a super impressive waterfall!"

    7. Palisade Basecamp RV Resort

    27 Reviews
    Palisade, CO
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 462-9712

    $43 - $137 / night

    "Located on the Colorado River. Winery’s & Distillery’s close by. Clean restrooms & laundry, a general store with just about everything you might have forgotten."

    "Super clean and close to endless Colorado adventures!"

    8. Near De Buque Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    De Beque, CO
    17 miles
    Website

    "There’s a certain ancient tranquility that settles over you when you step into nature’s embrace."

    "Some cows wandering around."

    9. Cow Creek Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Rifle, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 876-9000

    "Took that as a sign to go back towards the entrance a bit before setting up. Campgrounds are well maintained and close to creek. Very spacious. Nice and flat."

    "I didn’t want to go all the way down to the creek so I stayed on the info round around."

    10. Saddlehorn Campground — Colorado National Monument

    68 Reviews
    Fruita, CO
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 858-3617

    $11 - $22 / night

    "This is one of my favorite campgrounds, because Colorado National Monument is so stunning."

    "Colorado National Monument is one of the treasures of the National Parks system."

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Recent Reviews near Parachute, CO

810 Reviews of 152 Parachute Campgrounds


  • Donnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Lands End Camp

    LONG views from the edge of the mesa

    Only 2 spots out here at lands end that are actually on the edge of the mesa. No tree cover out on the edge of the mesa. Alt is around 10.5k so won't get super hot. Glow of the city lights from below at night is pretty. During the daytime in clear weather, you have 100+ mile views.

  • J
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Saddlehorn Campground — Colorado National Monument

    Gem on the Mesa

    Beautiful campground in the Colorado National Monument. Sunrise vistas over the Grand Valley. No water hookups or electric but clean, flush toilet bathrooms, water spigots around the campground. Bring levelers! Sites are not level.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    BLM Camping off 139

    It’s ok

    This works for an overnight place to pull off and sleep. There are at least a dozen deer carcasses throughout the camping area and bones everywhere. Trash has been dumped in the ravine. Lots of flies.

  • Chris C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    Big Areas, Long Access Road

    Four Mile Park is in the White River National Park, accessible by AWD/4WD/RVs with easy off-road access using County Road (CR) 300.  It is a big place with many open spaces and turnouts (I went over Labor Day weekend).  

    The Dyrt's coordinates did not work for me, so I'm posting a photo of the Long/Lat I took 5.6 miles off the main paved road at the entry signpost.

    The road is long, so plan to stay without fresh water, utilities, etc. There was a brackish creek this time of year which could be filtered, treated and boiled with some work.

    My campsite was remote and safe for me to do some target practice with my pistol.  (Coordinates for my campsite, 13 miles on the CR are: 39.404077970907224, -107.35463653617066).

  • Chris C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Harvey Gap BLM Dispersed

    Quick Access, Great View

    This is an elevated, dispersed site with a great view of Grass Valley Reservoir, located in the Harvey Gap State Park. Partial shade with privacy on most sides, the east side has a rural residence.  Take Forest Road (FR) 8126 to the site located very close to Harvey Gap Road (0.3 mile). The FR road is dirt, 4-WD, fairly narrow (no turnaround).  There is a good campfire ring and space for more than 1 vehicle (see photos).

  • Beau G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Nine Mile Hill

    Great spot for a stopover

    Only two other campers, very spaced out. Little bit of noise from the road but by 2300 was dead quiet.

    Tent camped and watched the Milky Way roll overhead.

  • Jill C.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Meadow Ridge Campground

    Stunning Secluded Campground

    If you’re looking for a quiet, beautiful spot-this is it! Great for smaller units and tent campers. The road leading towards the campground is a bit rough, but if you take it slow, it’s a breeze. The camp hosts are quite welcoming and informative. There are no utilities however, there are several water spigots throughout the small campground. Two vault toilets. The hiking trail is gorgeous and takes you to the beautiful lake. The water and rocks are gorgeous! We enjoyed sitting around the fire pit watching the wildlife. As this is in higher elevation and well shaded, it was nice and cool during our mid summer visit.

  • k
    Sep. 14, 2025

    RV Ranch at Grand Junction

    Clean, well maintained

    Nice level sites. Some longterm/perm campers. Bathtooms updated and clean. Wifi spotty.


Guide to Parachute

Camping near Parachute, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the beautiful trails around the campgrounds. Many campers rave about the mountain biking trails, especially at North Fruita Desert Upper Campground. One reviewer mentioned, “Amazing ****ing campground! The MTB trails are top notch downhill flowy trails!”
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at nearby lakes. Campers at Jumbo Campground have caught plenty of rainbow trout, with one saying, “We saw bald eagles, caught tons of rainbow trout.”
  • Water Activities: Spend time by the water at places like Rifle Gap State Park Campground. A visitor noted, “This campground is great for a family site. Has a lake to swim/boat in as well as plenty of hiking trails around.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One happy camper at Elk Creek Campground said, “The campsites are small in size, but very clean.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the welcoming atmosphere. A reviewer at Palisade Basecamp RV Resort shared, “The staff was incredibly kind and friendly.”
  • Scenic Views: The breathtaking views are a big hit. A visitor at James M. Robb Colorado River - Island Acres Section Camping remarked, “Watching the sunlight play out on the canyon walls sold me.”

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with activities for kids. One camper at Palisade Basecamp RV Resort said, “The bathhouse was very clean and convenient,” which is great for families.
  • Plan for Walk-Ins: Some sites require a bit of a trek to reach. A visitor at Rifle Gap State Park Campground mentioned, “You have to park and carry your stuff in around 25-50 yards.”
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having extra supplies on hand can make a big difference. A camper at Ami's Acres Campground appreciated the “extra clean shower on hand,” which is a nice touch after a long day.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Palisade Basecamp RV Resort noted, “The Van sites have almost no space to put out an awning.”
  • Be Ready for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially in summer. A visitor at North Fruita Desert Upper Campground mentioned, “Finding a spot will be hard.”
  • Bring Cash for Extras: Some amenities may cost extra. A camper at Rifle Gap State Park Campground advised, “Turned out that the showers cost extra, so bring cash.”

Camping near Parachute, Colorado, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the camping amenities available in Parachute, CO compared to Rifle, CO?

Camping options in Parachute tend to be more basic, with Love's RV Hookup offering essential RV services but fewer recreational amenities. In contrast, Rifle offers more developed facilities at Rifle Gap State Park Campground, which features access to a reservoir for water activities, nearby trails, and climbing walls. While Rifle Gap has no WiFi and limited cell service, it provides a more immersive outdoor experience with greater recreational opportunities. Both areas serve as gateways to western Colorado's outdoor adventures, but Rifle generally offers more comprehensive camping amenities and natural attractions.

Is dispersed camping allowed in the Parachute, Colorado area?

Yes, dispersed camping is available near Parachute. Hubbard Mesa West offers free drive-in dispersed camping opportunities. Another option is Cow Creek Dispersed, providing free primitive camping in the area. When dispersed camping, remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, camp at least 200 feet from water sources, and check current fire restrictions with the local BLM office or Forest Service before your trip. Most dispersed sites in this area are accessible by standard vehicles, but some remote locations may require high-clearance 4WD.

Where can I find camping options in Parachute, Colorado?

Parachute offers several camping options nearby. Love's RV Hookup-Parachute CO 826 provides convenient drive-in access with water and toilet facilities for RV travelers. For those willing to drive a short distance, Rifle Gap State Park Campground is approximately 30 minutes away, offering well-maintained sites with easy access to nearby trails and climbing areas, though be aware there's limited cell service. The Parachute area serves as a good base for exploring western Colorado's diverse camping opportunities.