Looking for an adventure where you can explore Penrose and then fall asleep in your tent? Find the best information on tent camping near Penrose, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Penrose, Colorado's most popular destinations.
$50 - $90 / night
We have everything you need to have a great time in the Colorado Rockies. Tent sites, RV sites, and Camper Cabins! Relax in your shady site or take a dip in our heated outdoor pool. We also have a fishing pond, stocked with rainbow trout, a retro arcade, 24/7 lounge serving locally roasted coffee each morning, playground, and laundromat.
We’re outside the city lights at the base of Pikes Peak- 7600 feet elevation – yet our proximity to all the area’s many attractions makes us an ideal location for families looking for a summer adventure or folks just passing through for a couple of days. We strive to make every stay special. You will love it here at “the Duck”!
$40 - $87 / night
Open year-round; visitors come for the spectacular rock climbing adjacent to the campground. Approximately 15 miles north of Cañon City, Colorado, The Bank Campground overlooks Shelf Road and is located at an approximate elevation of 6890 feet. The Bank has 33 campsites. The dirt road leading to the campground is very rough and not recommended for large RVs and travel trailers.
The Bank Campground offers easy access to the popular rock climbing area, Shelf Road. Climbers can access nearly 1000 bolted routes via the Cactus Cliff and Dark Side trails. A variety of other recreation opportunities easily accessed from the campground include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding as well as 4wd routes. In addition to campsites, The Bank Campground offers a day-use parking area for recreationalists.
The dirt road leading to The Bank campground is steep and rough. This 33-site campground was recently renovated and has 31 individual sites, 2 group sites, and 4 vault toilets. The individual sites are limited to 2 vehicles and 8 people. Group sites are limited to 4 vehicles and 20 people. Each campsite includes a parking space, a metal fire ring and a picnic table. The sites are small and designed for tent-camping. Large camp trailers and RVs are not advised. Drinking water, electric hook-ups and trash service are not available at The Bank Campground so please bring your own water and plan to take your trash with you when you leave. Bring your own firewood.
The Bank Campground and the surrounding area is well known amongst rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts for the long bands of limestone cliffs dominating the landscape. Stunning rock features paired with the piñon pine and juniper vegetation, enhance the dramatic vistas and a picturesque camping environment.
The region around Shelf Road offers numerous attractions and recreation opportunities. Popular activities include visiting the Royal Gorge via the Royal Gorge Bridge, the Royal Gorge Train, hiking trails or a rafting trip with one of a number of river outfitters. The Arkansas River offers whitewater rafting as well as outstanding angling. There are numerous trails for all activities in the region as well as agricultural and heritage tours along the Gold Belt National Scenic Byway. The local communities offer a range of shopping and dining experiences.
Visit the Royal Gorge Region web page for more information about local attractions:
Explore - Royal Gorge Region: royalgorgeregion.com
Part of Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. Mount Herman Trail begins at a small parking area on a switchback on Mount Herman Road. This trail provides a 2-mile one-way hike to the summit of Mt. Herman.
Davenport Campground was one of the first Forest Service campgrounds, and is near the now-abandoned Squirrel Creek Campground, the very first Forest Service campground in the country. In 2010, Davenport was rebuilt to evoke the original 1920s design. Adirondack shelters and a common cooking shelter with stone fireplaces were built and old-style log picnic tables add to the historic character of this campground. The campground offers access to an array of hiking, mountain biking, motorcycle and off-road vehicle trails.
The 4.5-mile Squirrel Creek Trail is open to hiking, biking, horseback riding and motorcycle riding. This trail meets the original Squirrel Creek Campground site where a major flood, in 1947, washed out the never-reopened road and campground. Silver Circle, Second Mace, and South Creek Trails can be accessed nearby, too. Anglers enjoy casting for brook trout in Squirrel Creek.
The campground sits in a grassy meadow surrounded by aspen and spruce trees at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Squirrel Creek runs alongside this scenic facility in the Wet Mountains of southern Colorado.
Bishop's Castle, a replica of a medieval castle, is about 2 miles from the campground, just off Highway 165. The always-in-progress structure is an interesting display of labor-intensive masonry and intricate wrought ironwork. Beautiful Lake Isabel is less than 10 miles away. Visitors enjoy canoeing, kayaking and fishing in the stocked lake. Several mountain trails weave through the area. Pueblo Mountain Park in Beulah Valley is about 7 miles east. This scenic park offers hiking trails, educational programs and a stone labyrinth.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$25 / night
The most stars you will ever see. The most beautiful sunsets over the mountain ranges.
$50 - $200 / night
Scout
This is a lovely campground, overlooking Colorado Springs. There are some pull through sites and many back in. The wind can be a little fierce. The showers and other facilities are clean and well-maintained, and my only complaint is the showers are more lukewarm than hot.
GuideBeautiful location. Clean, modern restrooms. Well maintained services building with showers and laundry. Nice level sites.
Legend
Situated of 9,400 ft. Altitude ! Not for everyone! Clean, in the forest.
Traveler
Small park, plenty of room to relax. Trash receptacles close. Creek on the south side of park. Many pit toilet. Camp host during operation. Both times we stayed here the host was very helpful and friendly.
Traveler
The sky is GORGEOUS. The road is very rocky & very rough, so you'll want to have decent clearance and be prepared to take it slow. I've never seen so many stars!
Scout
Couldn’t get to trail head due to private gate blocking the road.
Traveler
Was pretty busy, hard to find a spot at first but found a campsite across the stream that you cross a log on. Beautiful drive to get to.
Scout
The artwork on뉴토끼 webtoons is top-notch. Absolutely stunning!
Guide
Wanted to stay for two nights but only did two days, because a mountain lion tore a deer to shreds about a day or two prior to my arrival by my campsite and i was spooked. Had two dogs but had an eerie feeling and left early but it was gorgeous. Loads of OHVs tho
TravelerTons of level, large spots. Road is meant for ATV use, and was a fair amount of traffic throughout the day but tolerable. Hardly any at night. Restrooms at base of road. Found our spot 2.5 miles up the road, definitely needed AWD.
TravelerDrove ~3 miles along the service road to find our spot, it was the second pull off “open-area” with several fire pits to choose from. Road was a little bumpy but would be fine with a 2WD. Gorgeous, secluded spot next to the creek. No Verizon service.
Traveler
Pretty smooth mountain road, lots of site options. We found one that was down back from the main road and near the creek. Needed 4WD to get down there, but other sites 2WD would be fine. Appears to be a local cow wandering around, she approached our campsite but went the other way.
Traveler
From Texas, got married in Colorado two years ago and came back again this year to celebrate. Absolutely love camping and hiking, staff was friendly and everything has been clean so far. Super worried at first about hiking up to campsite but they have carts donated to help carry gear. This is one of the farther tent campsites on this side of the park and we had no issues getting there. Other than a bloody nose from elevation change. Beautiful view lots of wildlife:)
Guide
We had a great time. Our family and another reserved two sites next to each other. The pools on site were perfect for the kids. On site mini golf was a blast. The views in the campground were awesome. Aside from the aforementioned, there was a small store on site with ice and wood (can't bring your own wood) and the food they served at the mess hall was fire.
Scout
We had a good time.. activities were fun and location is beautiful!
Guide
This place was great! We originally planned just to do a daily soak before heading to our next campsite but ended up just staying here because we enjoyed it so much. The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen. We participated in the clothing optional experience but didn’t feel like we had to. Great people all around from guests to staff. Highly recommend!
Guide
Handful of spots stretched out along the road. It was hard to find some open space on a Saturday around 3.
Guide
I camped here one night before I hiked up to the Devils Playground. Bring cash for the site, it is first come first serve. Great sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Very kind host.
Travelerloved this spot even stayed a couple extra days right by nice size creek the cooler weather was nice and meant not alot of bugs. more traffic on road than expected but not bothersome. people close by but not close enough to hear or bother you in anyway. site was clean. there were more shaded ones but we chose next to water. were a couple empty close by on a holiday weekend.
Guide
Stayed One night for Tent Camping, came with everything needed. Clean bathroom and showers. Great scenery and amazing night sky view.
Guide
The campground itself is very nice and had all of the makings for a peaceful camping trip. However, when we got there we found our neighboring campground had overtaken our campground because they didn't think we were going to show up (we arrived somewhere around 4 and check-in is at 3). Fortunately they moved their tents out of our campground pretty quickly. There was a separate campground that stayed up until 4 in the morning playing music very loud which was highly irritating. Very surprised there was no enforcement of quiet hours. All in all it was a good spot but definitely felt like it could use a campground host of some sort to help ensure all campers have a good experience.
Legend
We had to change plans last minute and arrive here on short notice. They had sites to accommodate us and they were very welcoming. This was hands down the nicest privately owned rv park/campground we have ever stayed at! The bathroom suites have recently been remodeled and they are so nice! Best shower of our 10 day road trip. Nice laundry facilities, community rec room, hot tub, and even a hiking trail to the top of the mountain. Highly recommend.
Legend
Quick stop. Very clean. Self pay station if you do not have state park pass. Vault restrooms. No trash on site, pack in pack out. Ramp to launch rafts, kayaks...
GuideCame mid August. Arrived about 5pm on a Saturday and there were a handful of spots left. I was right next to the river. Had 2 groups close to me that I could see, but it wasn’t an issue. Easy enough to get to.
Guide
This was my first time solo tent camping. It went well. The space had a fire ring and picnic table. I might have been the only person at the park and it was quite peaceful!
Guideprobably one of my favorite spots along the road trip. multiple really rad drive through tunnels and towering canyon walls that blew me away. got there after dark and took and it's definitely a popular place so I would recommend getting there with some day light left. a smidge chilly during the night but does heats up quick. would absolutely come back again!
RangerWhat a great find close to Co Springs. It’s about 30-40 minutes south, and you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere! A perfect alternative to the crowded campgrounds nearer to the city. The sites are nicely spaced, especially the pull-thru where we stayed. Owners are friendly and helpful, and overall it was super quiet. Phone service was spotty, but there was decent WiFi. We especially enjoyed watching the many hummingbirds zipping about. We would definitely return if we’re back in the area. Thanks for a great stay.
Camping near Penrose, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Penrose, Colorado, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Penrose, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Penrose, CO is Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Penrose, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
