Best Campgrounds near Parshall, CO

Parshall, Colorado serves as a gateway to several camping areas in the Arapaho National Forest and along Williams Fork Reservoir. The Williams Fork Reservoir Campground provides established sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and toilet facilities, while lacking hookups for electricity and water. Nearby, the Hot Sulphur Springs State Wildlife Area offers free dispersed camping with more primitive conditions. Camping options range from developed sites suitable for RVs and tents at Williams Fork to more remote dispersed areas that provide greater solitude. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.

Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with some areas closing earlier depending on weather conditions and elevation. Williams Fork Reservoir sites now require advance reservations, a change from previous years when they operated on a first-come basis. Cell service becomes limited or non-existent at many camping locations, particularly those farther from highways. "Our boys were raised camping on this lake. Great fishing, boating, kayaking, camping, and crawfishing. Make sure to reserve before getting here because there is little to no service once at the reservoir," noted one visitor about Williams Fork.

The mixed-use campgrounds around Parshall provide access to fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities. Williams Fork Reservoir attracts families seeking water recreation, while the more primitive sites in the surrounding national forest appeal to those seeking quiet and solitude. Campers frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, including moose sightings in the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. Proximity to Grand Lake and Hot Sulphur Springs offers additional recreation options within a short drive. The area balances accessibility with a genuine mountain experience, though amenities are limited at most sites. Several visitors highlighted the family-friendly atmosphere of Williams Fork Reservoir, with one camper noting the excellent opportunities for "fishing, boating, kayaking, camping, and crawfishing" that make it a destination worth returning to year after year.

Best Camping Sites Near Parshall, Colorado (447)

    1. Williams Fork Reservoir

    14 Reviews
    Twin Lakes, CO
    4 miles
    Website

    $27 / night

    "An easy drive in from highway 40 in any size rig. This place is great it is FREE plus there are a lot of sites to choose from. "

    "Has bathrooms and a road around the lake. Hiking near RMNP and Grand Lake aren’t too far!"

    2. Arapaho National Forest Stillwater Campground

    28 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    17 miles
    Website

    $32 - $73 / night

    "The entire campground is basically two loops next to the water so pretty much every campsite has gorgeous view of the lake and the mountains. I visited in July of 2020 and it was beautiful."

    "This campground is well-laid out and has some great views of the mountains and Lake Granby, but there are few trees, which means little to no shade and little to no windbreaks."

    3. Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain

    14 Reviews
    Granby, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 557-0200

    $51 - $350 / night

    "Pool, hot tubs, bar/restaurant, general store, arcade, mini bowling alleys, lake for paddle boarding, access to fishing on the Colorado River. Views are beautiful and a very easy drive from Denver."

    "There are all kinds of things to do on the grounds, plus you have quick and easy access to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Arapaho National Forest, and Roosevelt National Forest."

    4. Hot Sulphur Springs SWA - Joe Gerrans Unit

    6 Reviews
    Parshall, CO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 725-6200

    "The first couple of sites are close together, but if you drive further in, they space out more. Had a really good time camping close to the Colorado River."

    "Nice area to set up camp and fish on the Colorado River. There is a bear-proof dumpster and a portapotty (BYO TP) available."

    5. Williams Fork Reservoir Campground

    6 Reviews
    Parshall, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 893-2444

    $25 / night

    "Sites this year(2023) are free even though the land is privately owned by Colorado Electric. The lake is clean. Vault toilets are clean. Sites are currently first come first serve."

    6. Pioneer Park

    6 Reviews
    Hot Sulphur Springs, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 725-3933

    $15 / night

    "Great because its free, but no real amenities

    Close to town too, close to the river, nice open spots with big trees. 

    Next to Colorado Open Space and SWA"

    "Raising our boys in Hot Sulphur Springs right next to Pioneer Park, this camping spot is our home base."

    7. Green Ridge Campground

    27 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    20 miles
    Website

    $29 - $88 / night

    "Our campsite was great and pretty quiet, kind of tucked away from people. The pit toilets were really clean. Very close to Grand Lake for dining."

    "There is a boat ramp and dock

    The campground is nestled at the base of Shadow Mountain with the Colorado River running alongside the campground. "

    8. Willow Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Granby, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 887-4100

    $17 / night

    "Willow Creek Campground is located on Lake Granby, six miles north of Granby, in north central Colorado. Great canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hiking."

    "We spent that morning roaming around highway 14 near SFSP looking for moose - and found two!"

    9. Ute Pass Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    Heeney, CO
    15 miles

    "The more popular Colorado gets, the faster these spots fill up so get up there early to lock it down! Some spots are bigger than others but all can fit groups."

    "Camping spots are far away from each other."

    10. Stillwater Campground

    19 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 887-4100

    $5 / night

    "I would imagine that this location is heavily trafficked during the summer months due to its proximity to the water and the surrounding towns. "

    "The lake was amazing and the sites are somewhat distance from others. On the flip side you here the next highway, but once I was asleep I didn’t hear anything :)"

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Recent Reviews near Parshall, CO

2682 Reviews of 447 Parshall Campgrounds


  • B S.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Idlewild Campground

    Fall stay

    Stayed two nights with my sons. Grabbed one of the walk-in sites Friday at 1pm.

    Pros: Availability (one of the only sites in Winter Park), beautiful surroundings

    Cons: Right next to the highway so traffic (trains at times) can be heard at all hours of the night, most walk-in sites don't have a tent pad

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite

    Great view of the Lake + porta-potty

    We took a left at the fork and found a site with the best view and a porta-john at the end of the driveway. The site appears to have been freshly cleared. There were lots of twigs and rocks and no grass, so it became a muddy mess as soon as the rain began. Site had plenty of space and a good amount was flat. No fire ring, but there was a burn ban anyways. Nice and secluded but could still hear the neighbors a bit but it wasn’t bothersome. Gunfire and ATVs were much louder but stopped around sundown. Would go back to this site.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    Camp camp camp

    Went on a bit of a rainy weekend so it got super cold at night. The roads are super rocky as you get up to the reservoir and with the rain there were some large puddles but with the right vehicle should be all good. The views were amazing and the hike up is so pretty. So many great sites all the way up to the reservoir as well.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot, right on the water

    High clearance 4x4 recommended but could be doable without if you’re an experienced driver. Beautiful lakes and some campsites are right on the water. Only one other person camping on a Wednesday night. There is currently a fire ban so be sure to respect our forests and be updated.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    Camping near Rocky Mtn NP

    What a wonderful campground! Friendly hosts, full hookups offered, beautiful scenery and right outside the entrance to the national park!

  • Trish M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely beautiful

    My husband and I are addicted to dispersed camping 🏕 and every weekend, we try to go somewhere different. This place was beautiful beyond words! The road getting there really wasn't bad, but you do need a little ground clearance. We got in around 9 pm, so it was dark, and we didn't know where we were, so there was a spot open right as you get to the top that we parked in. The moon was so bright we could see the mountains around us and could even see the like big of snow up there. Woke up the next morning and fell in love with our spot, so we stayed. We decided to take a walk around the lake and check out the upper lake. Definitely loved it here. Will be back for sure.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Nice view of Gold Lake

    Overlook of Gold Lake

    Beautiful camp site setup. Huge Rock fire pit. Piled firewood. At a high point with views of gold's Lake roads to site have been deactivated so it would be necessary to walk in. AT&t cell service a little bit spotty. Nice open areas up there. Roads in sight. Very secluded

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Pinion Pine Dispersed Campground

    Dispersed camping witha view of the Colorado river

    Camped here in order to do the hike to the Radium Hot Springs down the road.

    The access track (off Trough Rd) had one huge rut that a smaller car might find a bit hairy but we saw a small SUV had gotten in there.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Trough Road Dispersed

    Camping no longer allowed

    There is now a lot of signage prohibiting camping. Go to Pinion Pine Dispersed Camping up the road to the north east.

    Definitely come here for the hike to th hot prongs though. The road accommodated our big Revel van easily.


Guide to Parshall

Camping near Parshall, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, perfect for all skill levels. One camper mentioned, "The hiking trail to Sprague Lake is about a mile with plenty of birds and other critters" while staying at Glacier Basin Campground.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep your eyes peeled for moose and elk. A visitor at Timber Creek Campground shared, "Wonderful place. Moose in campground, and elk calling at night."
  • Fishing: The lakes around Parshall are great for fishing. One camper at Arapaho Bay Campground said, "We saw a moose in the morning drinking from the lake."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful landscapes. A review from Moraine Park Campground states, "Just beautiful and in the park so don’t deal with timed entry."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are well-maintained. A visitor at East Portal Campground noted, "Clean bathrooms, hot showers, friendly hosts."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful surroundings. One reviewer at Prospector Campground mentioned, "The campground was mostly private with a lot of little trees in-between sites."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, lack basic facilities. A camper warned, "The road is in very poor condition and there were at least 2 large piles of trash."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at Arapaho Bay Campground said, "The whole campground was full by the time we got there at 8pm on Friday."
  • Seasonal Closures: Some campgrounds have specific open dates. For example, Glacier Basin Campground is open from May 23 to September 11.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A camper at East Portal Campground mentioned, "Big playground and not crazy expensive."
  • Plan for Wildlife: Teach kids about local wildlife. One family at Timber Creek Campground enjoyed, "We saw elk and mule deer in the campground on multiple occasions."
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids entertained. A visitor at Prospector Campground suggested, "The fam stayed here for 3 nights and we had a nice experience."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits. A camper at Peak One Campground noted, "We had no trouble fitting our 29' Class C."
  • Look for Hookups: Some campgrounds offer electric hookups. A review from Heaton Bay Campground mentioned, "The sites are nice but there is no personal hookups for water."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Arrive early to secure a spot. A visitor at Glacier Basin Campground shared, "Camping at this campground also gives you a time+ entry permit good for bear lake road."

Camping near Parshall, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there rental cabins available in Parshall, Colorado?

Yes, rental cabins are available near Parshall, Colorado. Winding River Resort offers beautiful cabin accommodations along with family-friendly activities and direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River. It's perfect for those who want comfortable lodging while enjoying outdoor adventures like fishing. Additionally, Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain near Granby provides cabin rental options with modern amenities in a convenient location. Both resorts offer a good balance of comfort and wilderness access, ideal for visitors wanting to explore the Parshall area without tent camping.

Where can I find the best camping spots in Parshall, CO?

Parshall offers excellent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Williams Fork Reservoir West Ramp is a top choice with great fishing, boating, kayaking, and family-friendly amenities. The reservoir area offers plenty of space for camping with beautiful mountain views. Another excellent option near Parshall is Williams Fork Reservoir Campground, which features reservable sites, toilet facilities, and is big-rig friendly. The area provides easy access to water recreation and scenic Colorado mountain landscapes, making it perfect for both tent camping and RV setups.

What is The Berm Pit in Parshall and can you camp there?

The Berm Pit is a local recreation area near Williams Fork Reservoir in Parshall that's primarily known among locals. While not an official designated campground, some dispersed camping may be possible in the surrounding area following Forest Service regulations. For reliable camping options near this area, consider Hot Sulphur Springs SWA - Joe Gerrans Unit, which offers drive-in access with basic toilet facilities and is free to use. Alternatively, explore Ute Pass Dispersed Camping for a more primitive experience. Always check current regulations with the local Forest Service office before camping in non-designated areas.