pike national forest (CR 511)
Not to far off of a paved road. You do have to open and close 1 gate. Just a lot of people walking dogs on the nearby trail.
14 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Peyton, Colorado provides access to a range of campground options within a short drive, from full-service RV resorts to primitive sites. The area includes established facilities like Falcon Meadow RV Campground and the Falcon/Colorado Springs NE KOA Holiday, which offer amenities such as electric hookups, water, and shower facilities. Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping represents the more primitive end of the spectrum, with free camping on public land. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, while several also feature cabin rentals and glamping options for those seeking more comfort.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the area, with most established campgrounds operating year-round despite Colorado's variable weather patterns. Dispersed camping areas may have seasonal closures or fire restrictions, particularly during dry summer months. The proximity to Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs makes these campgrounds popular bases for exploring regional attractions like Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and numerous hiking trails. Visitors should check current conditions and make reservations well in advance during peak summer months. A visitor commented that Colorado Campground offers "a great area central to the Pikes Peak wilderness area so many trails are nearby and activities while still being close to civilization if you forget something."
Campers consistently mention the convenience of staying near major attractions while still enjoying natural surroundings. The mixed-use campgrounds near Peyton serve as practical basebases for day trips throughout the region. Several developed campgrounds feature amenities like laundry facilities, camp stores, and recreational areas that appeal to families. As one camper noted about the Colorado Springs KOA, it provides a "great location to visit Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Falls, Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, or the Cliff Dwellings which are less than an hours drive away." Wildlife sightings are common at campgrounds throughout the area, with many reviews mentioning deer and various bird species. Road noise can be a factor at campgrounds situated near highways, though most visitors report this as a minor concern compared to the convenience of location.
"Only downside is it’s right by the highway. Doesn’t bother me too much but there are other sites that aren’t as close. Has two bath houses & a laundry room."
"stayed here 2 days, near Colorado Springs, plane noise from Air Force academy & road, backin site, full hookups, go In store when checking in,"
"Campground Review Note: This is a military campground only, on the grounds of the US Air Force Academy just north of Colorado Springs, CO. "
"Downtown Colorado Springs is minutes away and close to attractions. Plus you can take advantage of on base shopping and more."
"The park is conveniently located close to everything to do in Colorado Springs. Spaces were VERY close together. There is no view of any of the surrounding beauty."
"This campground is a great central location for everything around Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. It is very close to Garden of the gods park and red rock open space."
"If you enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies, drive in dispersed camping and putting your off-roading skills to the test, this dispersed campsite is a must visit!"
"30 minutes and kick back and please crack a cold one for Colorado being the best place."
"Very Clean and convenient location to Colorado Springs. Thought highway traffic noice would be a problem but, could not tell rv park is next to the interstate."
"It is close to the highway and right on the Fountain river. Great stopping point for one night or use it as your base like we did."
"This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."
"It is in Cascade, CO right off of Highway 24. It is minutes away from Pike's Peak, Manitou Springs, Cave of the Winds, Red Rocks Open Space, and Colorado Springs."
Available next weekend
from $40 - $87 / night
"** General: Small (47 site) RV park at the eastern edge of downtown Manitou Springs, next to Schryver Park."
"Another nice feature is the free shuttle for Manitou has a bus stop along the road just outside the entry. I was suprised upon arrival the campground changed ownership since our last visit."
"Great campground on Monument hill about 25 miles north of Colorado Springs. It has a outstanding view looking south of front range."
"It’s a little tight at the entrance with the tree of shame. I didn’t hit the tree. So get there early enough that light is still out. Not like we did rolling in late."
"good showers available, and lots of walking trails. close to the Garden of the Gods, and just at the edge of town, so lots of accessibility to food, shopping and other attractions. we were right in with"
"We had a walk in sight that was beautiful! Great view, private, and even saw some deer walk by at dusk. Showers cost a couple bucks coins and only last 4 minutes, so scrub quick."
from $28 - $144 / night
Not to far off of a paved road. You do have to open and close 1 gate. Just a lot of people walking dogs on the nearby trail.
Bathrooms were very nice and clean. Lots of sites with minimal privacy. Pretty packed and noisy in October. Our site had electrical hookups and its own water. Picnic tables and fire rings available as well. Looks like a very family friendly campground. Stayed one night.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
Beautiful drive out here past window rock!
This middle section of the road has mixed spots some are wooded some are wide open it really just depends on whats available. People pour in around dusk so get there early and get a good spot with a mountain view and maybe you will see a moose like i did. Road is good cell is 1-2 bars in this secrion
Campsites near Peyton, Colorado provide access to diverse terrain at an elevation around 6,900 feet with temperatures typically 5-10°F cooler than nearby Colorado Springs. The region experiences afternoon thunderstorms during summer months while winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing. Most dispersed camping options remain accessible from May through October, weather permitting.
Fishing opportunities: 5 miles north at Peregrine Pines FamCamp, which allows military personnel and their families to fish in stocked waters. "Our third time staying here. Opinion - best FamCamp in the system. Love the ability to base from here in the Colorado Springs area and branch out for all adventures you can imagine," notes Jeffrey C.
Mountain biking: Under 30 minutes from Peyton at Cheyenne Mountain State Park with over 20 miles of trails. According to Amanda B., the park offers "Nothing technical, well manicured trials with amazing views. Lots of wildlife, beware of rattlesnakes. Awesome Mountain Biking, great for family's and beginners."
Off-roading adventures: 45 minutes west on Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping for those with 4x4 vehicles. "If you enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies, drive in dispersed camping and putting your off-roading skills to the test, this dispersed campsite is a must visit!" says Monte P., adding that "in warmer seasons this would be easy access for most stock 4x4 vehicles. No lift necessary, just a desire for the boundless views afforded at the summit."
Urban-wilderness balance: Garden of the Gods RV Resort offers proximity to attractions while maintaining natural surroundings. Sarah S. explains: "Go here for the location and views. Good park for the kids to enjoy... This isn't the spot to hang out but you're so close to the places you'll want to be spending your time that this is a fine place to rest."
Peaceful water features: Several campers highlight stream-side sites at nearby campgrounds. At Lone Duck Campground and Cabins, chester R. recommends "campsite 46 very nice 47 even nicer two best lots here for us cuz we like being the by the water. The rush go by all night let's just sleep so good."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to spot native animals. According to Emilie K., while staying at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, "If you are looking to stay near Colorado Springs this campground is perfect! It is darn enough away to be fairly quiet at night but close enough that all the fun stuff in Colo Springs is under a 20 minute drive!"
Noise considerations: Highway and rail noise affects some campgrounds. At Peregrine Pines FamCamp, Jeffrey C. warns about "the routinely travelled train tracks with mandatory horns. Regardless, we would return without question." Similarly, at Colorado Springs KOA, Shannon A. notes it's "located right off of the freeway so VERY noisy."
Limited privacy: Many established campgrounds feature close quarters. Teresa R. at Falcon Meadow RV Campground observes: "Unless you get one of the spots in the back of the campground, all you see are these run down rigs. Not the mountains. It's depressing."
Water pressure variations: Water systems at some campgrounds require regulators. Anthony B. noted at Peregrine Pines FamCamp: "Water pressure here is really strong so make sure you have a water pressure regulator handy."
Pool amenities: Available May-September at several campgrounds including Lone Duck Campground and Cabins. Tessa S. shares: "The staff was super friendly and helpful! The facilities were always very clean. They had breakfast for you in the morning if you wanted for $5."
Playground access: Garden of the Gods RV Resort features "a rather extensive arcade for kids and me," according to C.W., who adds there's also a "cute kid bungalow, multiple laundry locations, pool (not available during this time), saw a deer just chilling in our backyard."
Budget-friendly activities: Plan for free attractions near your campsite. At Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping, Kristina W. notes "The Pilot in Monument has showers and was an added bonus for being 15 minutes from our spot," providing an affordable way to clean up after hiking.
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully at crowded campgrounds. At Garden of the Gods RV Resort, Jason F. warns: "I paid $63/night for a Deluxe Plus Back-In spot. I was given D18 which was not only incredibly narrow, but very difficult to get into. Other, cheaper sites around the campground were much more spacious."
Leveling challenges: Some terrain requires extra equipment. At Colorado Heights Resort, Brenda A. found "Our location is quite unlevel. It took four blocks under all tires on one side of our Class A to bring near level. We had to put blocks under the rickety picnic table to even use it."
Access limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. At Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping, Jaymin B. cautions: "I recently purchased a 26ft sustainable travel trailer and decided to take it out for the first time. Well the road up is very tight. Very skinny switchbacks... Don't go up if you are pulling anything larger than a tear drop trailer."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping allowed near Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Peyton, Colorado?
Camping is not allowed within Paint Mines Interpretive Park itself, as it's a day-use only park with no overnight facilities. However, camping options are available nearby. Falcon Meadow RV Campground is one of the closest options, located about 15 miles west of the Paint Mines. For those seeking a more natural setting, dispersed camping is permitted in certain areas of Pike National Forest, though you'll need to drive approximately 30-45 minutes to reach these sites. Always check current regulations before planning your trip, as rules may change seasonally.
What camping amenities are available near Paint Mines in Peyton?
Campgrounds near Paint Mines offer varying amenities to suit different camping styles. Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur provides extensive facilities including water hookups, showers, and family activities, though it's located closer to the highway. For those seeking a more rustic experience with some amenities, Lone Duck Campground and Cabins offers a good balance as a comfortable basecamp with facilities like fire pits, picnic tables, and access to nearby attractions. Most campgrounds in the region provide at least basic amenities such as toilets and designated camping pads, with RV-specific sites offering hookup options.
What are the closest campgrounds to Paint Mines in Peyton, Colorado?
The closest developed campgrounds to Paint Mines include Falcon/Colorado Springs NE KOA Holiday which is about 15 miles from the park and offers full hookups for RVs. Colorado Springs KOA is approximately 25 miles away and provides a convenient location with clean facilities. For those willing to drive a bit further (about 35-40 miles), Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers beautiful campsites with access to numerous hiking trails and modern amenities.
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