The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Parachute. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Parachute is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Colorado camping adventure.
Rifle Mountain Park- Sawmill Gulch
1 hr 1 min away
Near De Buque Dispersed
1 hr 16 min away
$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."
"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"
$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."
$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."
$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!"
$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!"
"There’s a certain ancient tranquility that settles over you when you step into nature’s embrace."
"Some cows wandering around."
"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."
GuideThis is a great spot for free, dispersed camping! As others have stated, it is a bit rough getting into but I saw, regular street cars pulling into the …”parking lot”. Most were simply going over to the reservoir to fish or hike. I was up on the next to the highest spot and wasn’t bothered by any of this activity. The higher spot was too intimidating for me to pull my camper up to but later found there is another road up to it that’s not as steep(still daunting for most! One camper stayed a few nights in the…”parking lot” so If say that’s an option if you don’t want to head up any hills…. Bring lots of leveling blocks. I used all of mine to get my camper fairly level…
GuideStayed with some friends at the upper group site for the weekend. Easy access to mountain bike trails and the greater Carbondale area. During our stay in June, the upper loop was overrun by grazing cattle. Solid choice for those looking to explore the Roaring Fork Valley without breaking the bank. No water. Pit toilet in each loop. FCFS.
ScoutMy least favorite part about this place is that they strictly forbid EV charging. Why? If I’m in a big camper with two a/c running plus big TV, fridge, etc then I’m pulling just as much power as my EV charger would. Plus it is so much more convenient charging overnight. I won’t be back to this place for this reason alone.
GuideAug 25 '25: directions to BLM 174 were right on target and areas to disperse camp is spacious with many level areas. At camping entrance there are two porta potties. Temps at arrival around 89 was overcast w/ short rain shower. No issues as terrain dried quickly. Only stayed one night and would definitely revisit is passing through again. There must be a project near by with construction trucks passing down road across from were campers were parked. Lastly keep fur babies on leash and close. There are coyotes. Heard them around 7pm and at sunrise.
ScoutIt was a great spot once I finally found it. Waze took me through privately owned land. Google had it right. There’s a T in the road just outside of De Beque. Don’t go on the road marked no outlet! Make the right instead.
ScoutI brought my dog up there yesterday. We car camped overnight without any issues. Only saw a couple of cars, and one group camped 3/4 mile from me. I had a lovely time checking out the bouldering and climbing. While there we couldn't find a clean or easy route to the top of the hill, it made for an interesting charge over loose impediments and various cliff bands. If you go this route, I recommend hiking boots and a pretty good level of mountaineering ability as you could potentially slip or get in a tough cliff band.
Only bummer is that there is no burn season right now (mid-August), so we just enjoyed the night sky.
GuideVisited here back in early season May 2025. There are probably less than 10 spots when you go all the way up the long drive, all with great views, most are on the small side. We ended up making camp in the large open area.
Would recommend 4wd for the last part of the drive to the sites.
TravelerStayed four days, and had an awesome experience. Beautifully maintained park with all amenities you could ask for. The ladies in the front office were accommodating, and the maintenance team were fast and professional!
TravelerWe really liked this campground. Most of the campsites are shady and private. We were the only campers when we were there so we took a more exposed spot with river access. The toilets were clean and the Larry, the camp host, was so friendly!
The campground is next to a trailhead. We stopped at the cave, but didn’t go in and then took the Cliff Lake Trail up a couple of miles. Beautiful views. The trail was a little overgrown so I was glad I had on pants.
Overall, a great place to camp!
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.
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.
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