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Camping near Penrose, CO

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    The landscape surrounding Penrose, Colorado features a mix of Bureau of Land Management sites and established campgrounds that serve as gateways to the region's outdoor attractions. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites provide free, primitive camping with basic vault toilets but no water or hookups, appealing to self-sufficient tent and RV campers. Within a 30-minute drive, the Penrose Common Rec Site offers dispersed camping options popular with off-road vehicle enthusiasts. For those seeking more amenities, Arkansas Point Campground at Lake Pueblo State Park (about 25 miles southeast) provides electric hookups, showers, and water access. East Ridge Campground near Royal Gorge offers spectacular canyon views with basic facilities, while Red Canyon Park in Canon City features scenic rock formations with roadside camping spots.

    Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many BLM and dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles for access. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, while winter brings occasional snow at higher elevations. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, particularly from June through September. According to a local reviewer of Red Canyon Park, "The campsites are basic and roadside. Some are more level than others. The road through the park can get rutted from time to time, and if it rains a lot for our desert climate, the road can turn into a muddy mess." Visitors to Penrose Common Rec Site should be aware of heavy off-road vehicle use, as one camper reported significant damage to their trailer from an accident involving a side-by-side vehicle.

    Many campers use the area as a base for exploring nearby attractions like Royal Gorge, Canon City, and Colorado Springs. The proximity to these destinations makes the camping options near Penrose practical despite their often primitive nature. Sites with shade are highly valued during summer months when temperatures climb. Cell service is generally available near Penrose but becomes spotty in canyon areas and more remote BLM lands. Wildlife sightings are common, with mule deer frequently observed near campsites. Weekends see significantly higher usage, especially at free sites, while weekdays offer more solitude. Most campgrounds in the area are open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months.

    Best Campgrounds near Penrose (247)

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      1. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites

      4.5(40)8mi from PenroseTents

      "Look for the off-trail spots to find a more private campsite."

      "Free BLM sites along Phantom Canyon Road, an hour outside Colorado Springs. Small creek that follows the road to camp along. Pre-existing fire rings."

      2. Arkansas Point Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park

      4.3(39)19mi from Penrose95 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This was first camping trip staying in a Colorado State park and it was great! We had an electric only back-in site next to the bathhouse which was clean and had 4 separate bathrooms with showers."

      "We were visiting a friend in Pueblo and this place was close by. (Downtown Pueblo has a really nice riverwalk. Found a free museum that honored Medal of Honor recipients.)"

      from $36 / night

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      3. Haggards RV Campground

      4.8(11)6mi from PenroseRVs, Tents

      "The sites were large and plenty of room for my slideout and not too close to next site."

      "The views are great (Pikes Peak nearby). Close enough to Pueblo and 35 mins to Colorado Springs. A few horses, and dog park in this park are great."

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      4. Penrose Common Rec Site

      3.8(12)5mi from Penrose

      "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."

      "There’s lots of trails in the area (OHV) but other than that, not much else to do. There is a clean vault toilet at the entrance, no trash services. Plenty of spots as you keep driving up the hill."

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      5. Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort

      4.5(16)12mi from PenroseRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "A great midpoint basecamp location for going up to Colorado Springs area or down to Canon City(Royal Gorge) areas.  The campground was always quiet in the evenings and felt secure. "

      "This is a lovely park about 30 minutes south of Colorado Springs. We camped here for 5 nights in a back in spot with full hookups, site 51."

      from $69 - $79 / night

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      6. East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge

      4.3(25)16mi from PenroseRVs, Tents

      "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!!"

      "Paved & gravelled roads, hiking trails, free camping, sightseeing, off roading, atv, handicap accessible, dogs off leash, picnic tables, firepits, kid friendly."

      from $20 / night

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      7. Red Canyon Park

      4.4(24)18mi from PenroseRVs, Tents

      "Fun to explore by day through the little canyon or along the rocks above, there's a walk for everyone here. Best enjoyed in fall and spring, summer is quite hot. The campsites are basic and roadside."

      "Some great spots close to red bluffs and seasonal river. Went in the autumn and hike along the river bed and climb the falls. Vaulted toilets, fire rings, covered tables and Flatish camp spots."

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      8. East Ridge Campground - Royal Gorge

      4.6(17)16mi from PenroseRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "This campsite is a little hub for a great trail system around the area. Was able to hop some trails with my bike just a few feet away from my campsite."

      from $20 / night

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      9. Phantom Canyon

      4.4(8)11mi from PenroseTents

      "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."

      10. Golden Eagle Campground

      4.0(29)21mi from PenroseRVs

      "We booked 2 adjacent sites."

      "It was nice and quite, away from road noise, surrounded by mountains. The bathrooms were nice and the water pressure was amazing."

      from $39 - $77 / night

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    Recent Camping Photos near Penrose, CO

    559 Photos of 247 Penrose Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Penrose, CO

    1512 Reviews of 247 Penrose Campgrounds

    • N. Cole P.
      Oct. 25, 2026

      Starlite Vintage Resort

      Super cute campground, well kept, beautiful views, very close to the Royal Gorge. Camp hosts were very responsive, we got in a little late and they were quick to help us out. A few things that are important to know: they have a lot of stickers, the super sharp prickly ones and the super sticky ones. They have a decent size dog run(dog park) area that is great because of the stickers. It’s a good spot to take your dogs let them run off some energy. I would suggest a small cover down there due to all the weather. We really thought the sauna and hot tub should be available to the patrons staying here at the facility and so we went to go check it out and it cost $29 for an hour. Which was a bummer.

    • Daniel H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 16, 2026

      Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort

      Great spot for relaxing weekend getaway for our family. Plenty of room for the kids to explore and they even had a blow up bouncy house for them during the day. Hot tub under the stars at evening time. Very clean bathrooms!

    • Juliana J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      Phantom Canyon

      Love a little history/camping combo!

      Cool spot. I like there were different sized spots and a clearly marked line where a 4WD/AWD vehicle is needed and no large rigs. I found a spot that was visible by the road, but there was water access and cool surroundings. The main road was well paved, but turning into my site was a bit rough and I needed the 4WD. There were large animal (I assume black bear) prints to give that extra bit of camping excitement, but no actual sitings (one day, Juliana. One day). Some mosquitos but not overwhelming. The scenery was gorgeous. Definitely a bit desert-esque but it was legitimately perfect weather in mid September. Cool creek rocks and a stunner of a sunset. Would absolutely return again. No numbered sites. Toilets about 1/4 mile beyond the drive through boulder.

    • Juliana J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      Cripple Creek BLM Area

      Worth the trek! Stunning landscape right on the creek

      Quite the drive but worth it. They were repaving some of the road and I personally had no issues getting to a site. It’s gravel, but doable for most vehicles. There was a propane tank and some trash left behind when I got there (always disheartening to find), but it didn’t feel “lived in” like some other spots have so I ultimately felt pretty safe. It was truly beautiful. I got a spot right at the creek that was tucked away from the main road. Maybe a handful of cars passed throughout my stay, so very peaceful and quiet. Zero amenities, so come prepared. No Verizon cell service. Lots of milky quartz laying about, beautiful birds and minimal bugs. Would make the trek here again in a heartbeat.

    • Lauren P.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 13, 2026

      Five Points Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

      Very close to the highway

      Basic amenities, but clean and easy to find. The campsite is very close to the highway, so if you're looking for something more off the beaten path, keep looking. However, if you just need a place to sleep with great views, this is a solid spot. We saw bighorn sheep and even heard what sounded like a bobcat possibly mountain lion at night.

    • Shannon F.
      Oct. 13, 2026

      Pikes Peak RV Park

      New owner are not good people

      I want to start on a positive because that is the type of person I am, and because this review is going to have a lot of negative. This park is a great location for sightseeing, especially if you are going to Pikes Peak by way of the Cog or shopping in Manitou. My GM and I worked hard to make the park as great as we could with the very little funding that we got. As seen in the reviews we had excellent customer service and had high standards for keeping the park clean. I was very good at my job and I loved doing the work until the new owners took over. When the park was sold, we had high hopes that the new owners would be good people and want to put real work into the park. We were very disappointed that they turned out to be money grubbing horrible people. Ken, one of the owners, treats people and his business very Trump like. He and his wife must state that they are religious more than a few times when having a conversation; I personally think this is to make themselves look good to cover the toxicity that truly lies under the surface. When they meet people, they put on a façade and lie and say whatever they think people want to hear to get what they want; proven to me by the broken verbal promises they made to me. They are not community driven; they are money driven; you can make money and still be good people, but they chose not to be. They practice wage theft just like big corporations by over working employees and under paying them; in their words“you must wear all hats”. They are the type of people that use others until they don’t need them then throw them away like garbage. I was bullied into quitting on a phone call where Ken was very disrespectful and unprofessional with me. The phone call was me trying to explain that I could no longer do the FB post due to our deferent ethical viewpoints, and he would not let me talk by saying“you are not doing your job, are you going to quit” repeatedly. I found out that I was not allowed to post about Manitou Pride parade because he said,“it is not family friendly, and the company and I do not promote the LGBTQ+ community”. I am a proud member of that community and so I should not be the one to post on FB for the company. The groundman quit a day later because of disrespect and broken verbal promises. Then a few days later my boyfriend was fired and then Sheryl the GM was fired.(I believe they were fired for retaliation) Ken only wants employees that are easy to exploit or controlled, because he is incapable of managing people without fear and bullying. He boasted that he is called the grim reaper in business, but I don’t think that is the flex he thinks it is. But yes, he was the destruction of the community we put so much work into. I also want to voice my disappointment in Dana, who Sheryl worked hard getting to be allowed to come back as an employee. Dana did great work her first summer with us, so it was a shock to see her true colors show when she started to brown nose Ken. She spread multiple rumors, I feel the worst one was about Melinda’s daughter and the things she wrote about in her diary. I also did not like how she used David, the guy that does the golfcart tours in Manitou, was nice to his face then talked so badly about him when he was not around. I truly think Jesue and her father would be ashamed of her for how she acted to get her new position.

    • Keith P.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 12, 2026

      Willow Creek Trail

      Small pullouts along road

      Easy access with a Honda. Chilly nights

    • VThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 9, 2026

      Red Canyon Park

      Great secluded spot

      Found a great spot a bit further in surrounded by Juniper trees and a bit of grassy patches and rock fire pit. Love the open space and secluded spots! Definitely not ideal for the cacti. Our pup ended up sniffing one and got the needles in her muzzle. 😬 Weather is pretty nice with highs in the 80s and lows in the 40s

    • LThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 4, 2026

      Mueller State Park Campground

      Nice and well kept

      Our Campsite was nice, very clean and well kept. It did seems like the sites were a bit to close together and every spot filled. Pads were level, area around the picnic table spacious. Pit toilets were clean. The dump station was very nice and easy to use. We were driving down through Colorado to view the Fall  Aspen leaves. I wish we would have stayed longer at this campsite. We stayed at the Conifer Ridge loop site 46 ...

    Guide to Penrose

    Dispersed camping options near Penrose, Colorado stretch beyond the main BLM lands into the surrounding mountains and canyons. The area sits at approximately 5,500 feet elevation where summer nights can drop 30-40°F from daytime highs, creating comfortable sleeping conditions even during hot periods. While many sites lack formal amenities, campers find the trade-off worthwhile for the privacy and direct access to recreation.

    What to do

    Rock climbing access: Head to Shelf Road for limestone sport climbing routes that remain accessible year-round. "We 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. You need to go a few more miles and you will see signs for BLM land," reports Gregg & Sally W.

    Mountain biking trails: The network near East Ridge Campground offers routes for multiple skill levels. "What we really loved about this place was its access to some great hiking trails! We took the Canyon Rim trail to the Overlook trail and got some gorgeous views of the gorge (out and back hike, a little over 4 miles)," notes Shannon C.

    Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide prime viewing hours for mule deer and pronghorn. "Stunning views of the canyon and great star gazing. Just get there on a weekday or all of the off the road spots will be taken up," advises Matthew L., who camped at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.

    What campers like

    Secluded creek sites: Campers appreciate finding spots away from main roads. "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope. We parked up top and lugged everything down the slope. It was tough but so worth it. There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water," explains Madi G. from Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.

    Stargazing opportunities: The area's limited light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "We stayed in Yuca Flats, site 459 for 4 days in July. Sunsets were beautiful and the nighttime show of stars spectacular!" reports Kristin K. who stayed at Arkansas Point Campground.

    Hot shower access: After dusty days exploring, clean facilities become a priority. "The bathhouse is extremely clean, with several private bathroom/shower rooms. There is also a laundry with 4 washers & dryers," notes Lori C. who stayed at Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort.

    What you should know

    Fire restrictions: Regulations change frequently during summer months. "We had to melt snow. Pack in your stuff and pack it out!" advises Sebastian from Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites, highlighting the need to plan for water access.

    Bugs and wildlife: Prepare for seasonal insect activity. "BRING BUG SPRAY! Mosquitos were a bit annoying but DEET helped. BE SMART ABOUT FOOD! We did have a bear encounter as we were driving out of the park," warns Abby D. from Red Canyon Park.

    Road conditions: Many sites require careful navigation. "The road is dirt and goes for 7+ miles if you keep going to exit the park a different way. Be warned that after 2/3 miles the road gets extremely rough for several miles to a point that we considered turning our 4Runner around," shares Kallie B. about Red Canyon Park.

    Tips for camping with families

    Choose sites with physical barriers: Look for natural features that contain young explorers. "Not easy but highly worth the hard work as you're secluded from the road and have a lot of tree coverage for hot days. Also great to utilize this if you have young children who like to wander. We didn't have to worry about them being near the roads," suggests Madi G. about Phantom Canyon.

    Consider campgrounds with amenities: When roughing it becomes too rough, options exist. "The tent set ups are perfect and the facilities are a bonus. Love the location to bounce around the area," notes Alex F. from Golden Eagle Campground.

    Pack extra water: Limited access means planning ahead. "There is no running water, had to melt snow," reports Sebastian from East Ridge Campground, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency even at established campgrounds.

    Tips from RVers

    Level site selection: Trailer owners should scout carefully. "The sites were large and plenty of room for my slideout and not too close to next site. About 30 min from Pueblo and 30 from Canon City on Hwy 50 just east of Hwy 115," advises Tj H. from Haggards RV Campground.

    Off-road vehicle awareness: Some areas have significant OHV traffic. "We got in at about 10:00 pm with no problems at all, 2wd Truck. Found a beautiful spot to park up for the night before doing the Royal Gorge," shares Matthew W. about Penrose Common Rec Site.

    Watch for road hazards: Some access roads pose challenges. "Very narrow roads in with no real place to turn around. More for tent campers. Disappointed because I was hoping to stay there," warns Lynne W. about East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Penrose, CO?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Penrose, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 247 campgrounds and RV parks near Penrose, CO and 65 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Penrose, CO?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Penrose, CO is Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites with a 4.6-star rating from 40 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Penrose, CO?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 65 free dispersed camping spots near Penrose, CO.

    What parks are near Penrose, CO?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Penrose, CO that allow camping, notably PSICC and Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.

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