Leona A.
Scout
ScoutCottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park
Nice, level spots. Great mountain and lake views. Great views of all your neighbors. 😉
Camping near Pinewood Springs, CO
393 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The region surrounding Pinewood Springs, Colorado features diverse camping opportunities in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Located between Estes Park and Lyons, this area provides access to both developed campgrounds and dispersed camping. Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds like Moraine Park and Glacier Basin lie approximately 20 miles northwest, offering established sites with amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Several dispersed camping areas including Hell Canyon Dispersed and Allenspark Dispersed Camping provide free, primitive options for those seeking a more rustic experience. Both tent and RV camping are accommodated throughout the region, with certain developed campgrounds also offering cabin rentals.
Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly by location and season in this mountainous terrain. Many campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park operate seasonally, with Glacier Basin open from late May through early September. Reservations are essential for developed campgrounds, particularly during summer months when sites frequently reach capacity. Dispersed camping areas like Hell Canyon require high-clearance vehicles in some sections, with primitive road access and no facilities. Winter conditions often limit access to higher elevation sites, while spring snowmelt can impact trails and roads. Cell service is unreliable in many camping areas, particularly in dispersed sites and remote sections of national forest land. A visitor noted that "dispersed camping near Allenspark has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down you will find many more unnumbered campsites."
Campers consistently praise the scenic mountain views and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the area. Several developed campgrounds provide easy access to hiking trails, with some sites positioned near lakes or streams. The proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park represents a major draw, allowing day trips for hiking and sightseeing while maintaining a base camp. Areas near Estes Park provide convenient access to town amenities while still offering natural settings. Dispersed camping locations typically provide more privacy and solitude compared to established campgrounds. A review highlighted that Allenspark Dispersed Camping earned high ratings, noting "This is one of my all-time favorite places to hike and camp in Colorado. You simply cannot find more scenic and free camping in Colorado." Mixed-use campgrounds accommodating both tents and RVs are common in the region, with most developed sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables.
Best Campgrounds near Pinewood Springs (393)
1. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park
"Took the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back."
"Very enjoyable spot, close access to trails and entrance and exit of the park."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability2. Glacier Basin Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park
"Firewood sold next to the entrance by the same husband and wife that have been selling firewood there for 35 years. There is a shed full of firewood."
"The spaces are large, but quite close to one another with few trees for privacy. Each site here is variable, with some open with no trees and others nestled in some mature trees."
from $35 - $70 / night
Check Availability3. Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake
"There’s access to a small playground for kids. The pool looked nice, the lake is right across the road. Overall a good campsite."
"Since there was construction going on at the national park campgrounds and none were available, we found Mary’s Lake to be a great alternative to take our chances at camping in the park."
from $45 - $70 / night
Check Availability4. Hell Canyon Dispersed
"4x4 drive is a requirement. Good Verizon signal. Narrow road, however not busy at all. Stayed here for 4 days, no issue. The Google Maps directions is slightly wrong."
"I would not tow any trailer but one designed specifically for off road with an articulating hitch. Once on top you will find beautiful sites with amazing views!"
5. Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park
"Best place to camp in Estes Park/Northern Colorado! Wooded sites mean privacy from your neighbors and shade during the day. Vault toilets are very clean, well kept."
"Hermits Hollow is a nice place to camp near Estes, offering a quiet retreat away from the crowds. We only stayed the night, arriving late and leaving early. "
from $35 / night
Check Availability6. East Portal Campground at Estes Park
"The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site. They had a very nice playground for the kids with a climbing wall."
"Estes Park Campground at East Portal is a short drive away from both RMNP and the city of Estes Park, so you are nearby everything."
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability7. Allenspark Dispersed Camping
"We found a spot with several fire rings close to the water and just a short walk from parking along the road."
"Take the road far enough and you’ll get past those with homes and find some decent BLM off road camping/overnight parking places. Road gets a bit more 4x4 like as you keep going"
8. Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed
"You are pinned up against private property around the lake, the camp sites are in the dirt area when you get to the lake down to the left."
"Like many Colorado disperse camping spots."
9. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Estes Park
"Minutes away from NP entrances and Estes Park, yet totally secluded in the mountain wilderness. We got a site furthest away from the entrance / highway, up a steep road (Yogi’s “Hey Hey Highway”)."
"We stayed in site 100 and the other sites were a bit close by. No trees between us and the site on either side, but we did face the hill so the view was nice."
10. Estes Park KOA
"Convenient access to the park, quiet hours were well respected, and the tent site we stayed at (listed on the website as “best view in the campground”) did have an incredible view."
"We didn't feel the "Oh, God... another tourist" vibes we got from basically everyone else in Colorado. On the contrary, they couldn't have been happier to see us and welcome us to their little city."
Drive Time
- 30 min from Boulder, CO
- 53 min from Fort Collins, CO
- 54 min from Greeley, CO
- 57 min from Denver, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Pinewood Springs, CO
903 Photos of 393 Pinewood Springs Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Allenspark Dispersed Camp Spot
LaVern M. Johnson Park
Hell Canyon DispersedL
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Estes Park
Johnny Park Road Camping
Pinewood Reservoir Campground
Big Thomson Campground at Carter LakeJ
South Shore Campground at Carter Lake
Forest Road 119
Bobcat Campground — Hermit ParkL
Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park
Eagle Campground at Carter LakeM
Recent Reviews near Pinewood Springs, CO
2834 Reviews of 393 Pinewood Springs Campgrounds
Finn S.
GuideMoraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park
The campground itself is great! The sites can be pretty hit or miss. Some are very exposed and crowded up with other sites; some are set back in the trees and lovely! If you have strong preferences, be careful when picking your site.
Brian T.
TravelerHermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park
Hermits Hollow
From a Sprinters point of view.
Sites are $45.00 a day plus parking
Sites were sloped, we took the flattest one we could find and it took 6” to block our van level.
Pit toilets were very clean.
Sites had trees and boulders, spaced roughly 50’ apart, but there visible traffic on the main road below.
It was a nice campground but we liked the Bobcat Campground a couple miles farther up the road.
See separate review.
- Brian T.Traveler
Bobcat Campground — Hermit Park
Bobcat Campground
We took our Sprinter for its maiden voyage, this camp ground was beautiful, private and secluded.
Camping was $45.00 a day plus a parking fee.
Paid at the entry point to an extremely friendly attendant. Reservations can be made on line ahead of time and highly recommended in peak season, especially on weekends.
Site were 50’ to 100’ apart.
Sites were wooded and tucked into granite boulders.
In the 24 hours we were there we saw one car and two people walking their dogs.
Sites were pretty level, each with fire pits and picnic tables.
The pit toilets were very clean and with in 100’ of most sites.
Road in had signs stating you had to be in four wheel drive to avoid damaging the roads but they were very well graded.
Tom J.GuideBoulder County Fairgrounds
Logan Fairground
Clean facility quietly located in a metro area.
Mariena M.ScoutDenver Meadows RV Park
Convenient
Not the nicest but the owners have helped me out a lot.
- CCaroline B.Traveler
Grays Peak Summer Trailhead Dispersed Camping
In the clouds
So beautiful, dispersed camping at 11,200 feet surrounded by mountains. Area is busy with day hikers, go past the parking lot and set up at one of the handful of spots. Definitely for small rigs or tents, don’t come up here with a non 4x4 vehicle, and trailers would be close to impossible.
- RReed M.Guide
Falcon’s Landing RV Park
Demonic greedy owners
Horrible demonic should have been homeless The owners are the most greedy disrespectful sheep in wolf's people, smiles with, dont walk away they will stab you. Within the time I was there, we had a stalker( mar- may), a theif, a overdosed body( mar 7), a trailer firer( aug), health department investigation( aug) A drug raid( july) it all public information, police blotter? The owners were never around nor asked questions or concerns.( 11-2 mon, we'd, fri if lucky). Probably building there mansion in Longmont or in Missouri probably running there tax free business... The showers and bathrooms along with around the park. there great. Even if we have spending 1$ per min. They do have an amazing maintenance manager who is worth more then, cause he know and dose EVERYTHING. He been with them for years. The rest of the park not so grat, NOTHINGbut dirt road, pot hole ends up very muddy. Most tenant start off nice, but once ginger and Amanda get there venom into them turn in to snakes. I
- aamber H.Guide
Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area
beautiful area too much trash
I was pulling a camper and couldn't make it to the higher up spots. the spots near the entrance are littered with gross trash. I cleaned my area but there's too much . Hiking around has beautiful views.
Guide to Pinewood Springs
Dispersed and established camping options surround Pinewood Springs, Colorado, nestled in proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. The area provides access to multiple camping environments, from the free Hell Canyon dispersed sites to developed facilities like Moraine Park and Glacier Basin campgrounds within the national park. Campground categories include established sites with amenities, primitive dispersed areas on public land, and private camping operations such as Estes Park KOA and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Most established campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, while some sites like Allenspark Dispersed Camping primarily serve tent campers seeking a more rustic experience.
Road conditions and access vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles or 4x4 capabilities. Sites in Hell Canyon and Allenspark areas follow forest service roads with limited signage and sometimes challenging terrain. Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through September, while dispersed sites may be accessible year-round depending on snow conditions and elevation. Fire restrictions frequently apply, particularly during summer months when wildfire danger increases. A visitor noted of the Hell Canyon area: "There were a few spots following up the trail. Beautiful area and pretty quiet overall. The weather was so nice we slept in hammocks all week."
Campgrounds with amenities such as flush toilets, showers, and electric hookups cluster near Estes Park, where they serve as convenient basecamps for Rocky Mountain National Park exploration. LaVern M. Johnson Park in Lyons provides family-friendly camping with playgrounds and water features, situated within walking distance of town services. Dispersed camping areas receive mixed reviews regarding privacy and site quality. One camper reported: "Initially, the campgrounds were hard to find. Keep driving down Ski road until you find a fork in the road, and from there onwards are the campsites. Good whitenoise from the creek." Cell service remains sporadic throughout the region, especially at primitive sites and in canyon areas. Wildlife encounters, including bears, occur regularly, necessitating proper food storage at all camping locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Pinewood Springs, CO?
What camping is available near Pinewood Springs, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Pinewood Springs, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 393 campgrounds and RV parks near Pinewood Springs, CO and 130 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Pinewood Springs, CO?
Which is the most popular campground near Pinewood Springs, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pinewood Springs, CO is Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 103 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pinewood Springs, CO?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pinewood Springs, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 130 free dispersed camping spots near Pinewood Springs, CO.
What parks are near Pinewood Springs, CO?
What parks are near Pinewood Springs, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Pinewood Springs, CO that allow camping, notably Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland and Rocky Mountain National Park.
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