G
Glen B.
Legend
LegendPhantom Canyon
Almost perfect
I love canyon camping and this was a guddin. Would be a 5 but for trash and traffic. Found a nice little creekside pull through between the tunnels that scratched the itch.
Camping near Cañon City, CO
284 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Cañon City works as a base for Royal Gorge and the Arkansas River corridor, with campground options ranging from full-hookup RV parks to dispersed sites on the surrounding national forest land. The town sits at lower elevation than most of Colorado's camping destinations, which keeps it accessible year-round when higher passes are closed. Check-ins logged on The Dyrt here run steadily across spring, summer, and fall, with reviewers flagging the river access and canyon views as the main draws.
Cañon City dispersed camping covers the free and undesignated options on Pike and San Isabel National Forest roads if you want to skip the reservation window entirely. Developed campgrounds closer to the Royal Gorge entrance book up on summer weekends, so mid-week arrivals give you more options. Pueblo is about 40 miles east if Cañon City sites are full.
Best Campgrounds near Cañon City (284)
1. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites
"Stopped in Cañon City then drove out to phantom canyon gold belt tour. The coordinates will take you to where the paved road turns to dirt."
"I was nervous about going here in my Nissan Versa because I had read it was a 4 wheel drive road on several sites, however I was also optimistic after speaking to someone at Canon City because they mentioned"
2. East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge
"Cañon City deserves a lot of praise for this fantastic spot that provides a great opportunity to enjoy all the views that the Royal Gorge has to offer."
"Right next to the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City Colorado, the highest suspension bridge in North America ! Do the Segway tour over the bridge!!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. East Ridge Campground - Royal Gorge
"Tucked away and very nice campground close to the Royal Gorge and Canon City if you need to get camping supplies. Get water and ice at the filling station by the Goodwill store for a great price."
"Cañon city view and rock climbing minutes away."
from $20 / night
Check Availability4. Red Canyon Park
"The park is fairly remote from Cañon City and has plenty of trails to explore. Sites are large and relatively easy to access by dirt road."
"Cañon City local here! Red Canyon Park is a Cañon City-owned "mountain park." Fun to explore by day through the little canyon or along the rocks above, there's a walk for everyone here."
5. Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA
"Beautiful views and a great walking path for my dog. I could have gone for miles. People are super friendly and it’s clean! Close to hiking. Well worth the visit"
"The site we got had our door facing another camper's door and our picnic tables were next to eachother, so we didn't spend much time hanging out outside."
6. Penrose Common Rec Site
"Easy access and not too far out of Pueblo or Cañon City. We didn't venture much further than the gate at the latrine, but we saw people coming out so I can assume there are spots further in."
"It’s not the best dispersed camping, but feels like a paid campsite with individual campsites, vault toilets close by, and a simple drive to get to."
7. Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins
"The camp store was well stocked with firewood, camping supplies, a s’mores bar, cold drinks and lots of Colorado made items. The view from the hot tub was amazing!"
"We had a great tent spot up on the hill with a great view of the valley behind. So it was a quiet tent spot to ourself, but 30 seconds down the hill foe access to the amazing restroom and showers!"
from $45 - $74 / night
Check Availability8. Phantom Canyon
"It is a bumpy road, but we had an F150 and a Santa Fe, that both made it in fine, though some spots are walking only."
"I’m a rooftop tent camper and the views are amazing but was hoping to be close to the water and isolated from other campers."
9. Sand Gulch Campground
"Nice views of rock walls and surrounding mountains. Pit toilet clean enough. Decent buffer between sites. Direct access to multiple trails."
"There was nearly no one else camping here. It was beautiful. It is more open with little shade but we had storms so it was just fine."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability10. The Bank Campground
"Close enough to canon city (bout a 20 min drive) so easy to get gas and supplies at local Walmart."
"Off-roads/trails near by with even better views. Loved this place."
from $20 - $40 / night
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Drive Time
- 34 min from Pueblo, CO
- 55 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 1 hr 47 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 10 min from Boulder, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Cañon City, CO
618 Photos of 284 Cañon City Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
East Ridge Campground - Royal GorgeJ
East Ridge Campground in Royal GorgeJ
Phantom Canyon RV Ranch & CampgroundL
Indian Springs Ranch and Campground
Echo Canyon Campground - CLOSED
Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites
Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA
Cliff’s Edge CampsitesJ
Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins
Penrose Common Rec Site
Phantom Canyon
Red Canyon ParkZ
Recent Reviews near Cañon City, CO
1682 Reviews of 284 Cañon City Campgrounds
- MMallory F.
ScoutLazy Boy Campground — Eleven Mile State Park
Campground
Road was extremely bumpy not ideal for our motorhome. Very secluded again please consider road before taking a motor home!
- LLauren R.
TravelerRocking M Ranch Campground (RV Park)
Beautiful, calm, and well kept
The people who run this RV camp are so friendly and pleasant. We took a week-long road trip, and it was our favorite place we stayed. They are pet friendly, there is a small walking trail around the campgrounds, and a small dog park where dogs can be off leash. The place is surrounded by wooded area on the backside. We have Verizon phone carrier and had great service. We were told ATT has a dead spot here though.
Victor W.
GuideCheyenne Mountain State Park
Beautiful, clean, serene, spacious mountain park
Leveled, paved RV campsites with lots of space to back into. Comes with pea-graveled framed tent pad and fire grills.
Clean, modern bathhouse, laundry, and vending machines.
Showers are push-button, timed, auto-off shower.
Very beautiful, serene and tranquil place - exceptional mountain views.
- Victor W.Guide
Golden Eagle Campground
Rustic, Nature Campground
Pros: Nature-focused Basecamp - lots of wild life (deers and turkeys may walk by randomly).
There is a fishing pond ($10 daily fishing or 10am-10am), and a fun rugged hiking trail.
Camphosts and reception are really friendly and helpful. During a thunderstorm, they went around checking if people needed help.
Cons: Sites are not even, and the hookups are a little unconventional and far apart.
The bathhouse is dated and open-air, and so has quite a bit of insects and bugs, even in the showers.
- Victor W.Guide
Lone Duck Campground and Cabins
Compact, family-oriented, rustic, mountain basecamp
Good location (near Pikes Peak and Garden of God), with their own fishing pond ($6 per rainbow trout) and nice Fishing Cleaning Station. There's an arcade, a bathhouse, and a store & registration. The camp hosts are friendly and nice.
The campground is however pretty small and compact, and most are tight back-in sites.
- GGary M.Traveler
Juniper Breaks Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park
Clean, easy to get to quiet
I ended up at this campsite for a night or two while I wait for the rain to clear out in Western Colorado. The visitor center has wood and ice and signage makes it easy to get around. The campsites are spacious bathrooms, trash cans, and fire rings, picnic tables and metal covers at most campsites.
- BBecca B.Scout
320A Mt. Herman Dispersed
An amazing campspot
i really enjoyed this spot. the road up gets a little interesting, but if i can do it in my ford fiesta, im sure just about any car could!
Amber W.TravelerRampart Road
Beautiful area!
Plenty of trees, open space, big rig availability in this space and others within a mile. Lots of beautiful views and sun!
Guide to Cañon City
Campgrounds around Cañon City, Colorado range from established sites with amenities to primitive areas on public lands. The region includes several notable options like East Ridge Campground at Royal Gorge, offering tent and RV camping with picturesque views just minutes from the Royal Gorge Bridge. Phantom Canyon Road provides BLM dispersed sites for those seeking more solitude, while developed options like Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA feature cabin rentals and full hookups. Both public and private lands support diverse camping experiences within short drives of town, with some campgrounds positioned at higher elevations that capture panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Access to most camping areas remains seasonal, with some campgrounds like Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA operating from April through October. Many primitive sites have no drinking water available, requiring campers to bring their own supplies or fill containers in town. The dirt roads leading to several campgrounds are well-maintained but can become challenging during winter months or after heavy rain. Vault toilets are common at established sites, while developed campgrounds provide full shower and bathroom facilities. Maximum stay limits of 72 hours apply at some locations, particularly at East Ridge Campground. A camper noted, "Night temps were good for car camping in winter months. Hikes of any length can be started right from the campground or a short drive away."
Campers consistently praise the quiet atmosphere and scenic surroundings at most sites near Cañon City. East Ridge Campground receives particularly positive feedback for its level tent pads, metal picnic tables, and fire pits with cooking grills. Several visitors mentioned wildlife encounters, with one review noting "Lots of mule deer" and "the sounds of crickets and gentle breezes will help you sleep soundly." Proximity to outdoor recreation stands out as a major advantage, with multiple trails accessible directly from campgrounds for hiking and mountain biking. While sites closer to town offer convenience for supply runs, the more remote locations provide greater seclusion. The area's camping options balance accessibility with natural immersion, positioned between the higher elevations of Colorado's mountains and the more temperate climate of the lower Arkansas River Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Cañon City, Colorado?
Where are the best campgrounds in Cañon City, Colorado?
Cañon City offers excellent camping options for every style. East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge stands out with its spectacular views of Cañon City and proximity to Royal Gorge Bridge. Accessible via dirt roads on CR-3A, this city-maintained campground provides a perfect base for exploring the gorge area. For those seeking a natural setting, Red Canyon Park offers large, accessible sites with plenty of hiking trails to explore, though it's somewhat remote from town. Other notable options include BLM Shelf Road Banks and Sand Gulch Campgrounds for budget-friendly sites with basic amenities, and Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA for those wanting essential RV services. For a basecamp that allows exploration in multiple directions, Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort sits perfectly between Cañon City and Colorado Springs.
When is the best season for camping in Cañon City?
When is the best season for camping in Cañon City?
Spring and fall offer the most pleasant camping weather in Cañon City. Red Canyon Park is particularly enjoyable during these seasons, as summer temperatures can get quite hot in the area. April through May and September through early October provide moderate temperatures ideal for outdoor activities. In mid-April, temperatures typically stay above 40 degrees, making it comfortable for overnight stays. BLM Shelf Road Banks and Sand Gulch Campgrounds are accessible year-round but are most comfortable during spring and fall. Summer camping is possible but prepare for heat, especially at lower elevations. Winter camping is available for the adventurous, though you should be prepared for cold nights and potentially icy conditions on access roads.
What camping amenities are available near Cañon City?
What camping amenities are available near Cañon City?
Cañon City area campgrounds offer a range of amenities to suit different camping styles. Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA provides essential services including water and electrical hookups, located conveniently about 8 miles from Cañon City and 4 miles from Royal Gorge. For RV campers, Haggards RV Campground features spacious pull-through sites that can accommodate large rigs without unhooking, with full hookups available. Public campgrounds like East Ridge offer more rustic experiences with pit toilets and well-maintained sites. Most areas have picnic tables and fire pits, while BLM sites provide vault toilets and campground hosts. For water and ice, campers recommend the filling station near the Goodwill store in Cañon City. Cell service varies by location, with ATT coverage reported in many areas around the region.
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