Lake Pueblo State Park's glamping options near Penrose, Colorado sit at approximately 5,000 feet elevation in a semi-arid climate that averages less than 12 inches of rainfall annually. The area experiences hot summers with daytime temperatures frequently reaching 90+ degrees, making climate-controlled accommodations particularly valuable during peak season. Fall and spring offer milder temperatures, with winter bringing occasional snowfall and freezing temperatures, though many camping facilities remain open year-round.
What to do
Hiking trails: 30+ miles available: Lake Pueblo State Park offers extensive trail networks for all skill levels. "The trails were beautiful, well maintained, and not crowded at all," notes a visitor at Mueller State Park Campground. For more challenging terrain, "nothing technical, well manicured trials with amazing views. Lots of wildlife, beware of rattlesnakes," warns a camper at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Shoreline fishing: 60 miles to explore: Anglers can access numerous fishing spots along cliff sides. "About a five minute walk to the lake, great little Cliff side fishing spots," reports a camper at Northern Plains Campground. The access varies by location - "The access to the lakeside water can be a bit tricky. Look for small trails that lead down to the lake. Lots of cliff spots and drop offs."
Mountain biking: 20+ designated trails: The region offers trails ranging from beginner to advanced. "Awesome Moutain Biking, great for family's and beginners," states a reviewer at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Some routes connect directly to camping areas, letting riders start right from their sites.
What campers like
Picnic shelters with shade: Nearly every glamping site includes a covered picnic area. "The picnic shelters, at every site, are a nice protection from the winds and sun," mentions a visitor at Arkansas Point Campground. This feature proves particularly valuable during summer months when natural shade is limited.
Individual bathroom facilities: The shower buildings at many locations offer private, individual rooms rather than communal facilities. "The bathroom/shower rooms are individual and tidy! This is rare and was much appreciated during Covid," shares a camper at Arkansas Point Campground. At Northern Plains Campground, "each individual bathroom has a shower, which is good and bad."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse wildlife populations. "We saw some deer that came through our site," reports a visitor at Mueller State Park Campground. Swift Puma Heights Campground offers similar experiences: "We had a 4" tarantula to play with," notes one camper, while others mention deer and birds regularly visible from glamping sites.
What you should know
Water access varies significantly: Not all sites have equal water access despite being near the lake. "The shoreline is very rocky and sharp so bring sturdy water shoes," advises a visitor at Northern Plains Campground. Another notes, "For some camps you would need to go through other sites to get to the lake. Or use the day use and fishing access areas."
Limited swimming areas: Swimming options are restricted in many areas. One disappointed camper at Northern Plains Campground shared: "There is nothing to do unless you have a boat. No swimming allowed & it was 90*. The 1 area that allowed swimming was closed."
Wind conditions can be challenging: The exposed location experiences significant wind. "The campground is exceptionally windy so best not to pop-up a shade structure unless you want to watch it fly away," warns a visitor. Another notes, "High plains camping-wind, wind and more wind," which can affect comfort and fire management.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Several locations offer play facilities for children. "Close to comfort station and playground," notes a camper about a specific site at Mueller State Park. For younger children, check locations that combine playgrounds with other features.
Junior Ranger programs: Educational opportunities exist for children. "We took our kids (2, 5, & 7) to the junior ranger class they host at the visitor center almost every Saturday. They learned about boat safety and got free sunglasses and emergency whistles," shares a visitor at Juniper Breaks Campground.
Site selection for privacy: Family groups should research specific sites before booking. "Pull up google maps and check out your spot from an overhead view to make sure the site orientation works with your set-up," recommends a family camper. "We have young kids so wanted to be able to see the door of our camper if the kids came out after bedtime while the parents were still up."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations between campgrounds: Electric-only sites are common in some areas while full hookups exist elsewhere. "Electric hookups only, 20, 30, and 50 amp. The picnic table had a nice metal shade. Fire pit. Spot well groomed and clean," reports an RVer at Northern Plains campground.
Site layout challenges: Some RV sites have inconvenient orientations. "Our back in spot put the door to our trailer on the opposite side of our fire and picnic table so we had to awkwardly walk around every time we went inside," warns a camper at Juniper Breaks. Others mention shared water spigots that require coordination with neighbors.
Reservation timing considerations: Many glamping locations near Penrose require advance planning. "You MUST make reservations well in advance," emphasizes an RV camper at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. The popularity varies by season, with some reviewers noting "very popular on weekends and holidays. Every site was taken but then almost completely cleared out on Tuesday."
