Rocky Mountain National Park's eastern gateway region offers various glamping and camping options near Pinewood Springs, Colorado. Located at approximately 6,000 feet elevation in the foothills west of Loveland, this area experiences typical mountain climate patterns with afternoon thunderstorms in summer months and snow possible from October through April. Most campgrounds remain open seasonally from May through September, with limited winter accessibility at lower elevation sites.
What to do
Hiking trails behind campgrounds: At Hermits Hollow Campground, trails begin directly from the camping area. "The Kruger Rock Trailhead is inside the campground, and it is a nice hike with an amazing view of the Rockies and Estes at the top. Bring your crayons - there are two trailmarkers on the trail that you can do rubbings of," notes camper Erin K.
Wildlife observation opportunities: Elk and deer frequently appear around camping areas. At Peaceful Valley, visitors appreciate the natural surroundings. "Stayed at site #1, right by the river, for a night. The host, Preach, will make sure your site is taken care of and in great condition for your stay," shares Grant W. The riverside location provides excellent opportunities for wildlife watching.
Accessibility to mountain recreation: Campers can reach multiple trailheads within a short drive. "This campground was pretty enough (in the woods, not much of a mountain view), but it was mostly a negative in our group's eyes. The rangers walked by LITERALLY every 30 minutes to an hour max," reports Megan H. about Hermits Hollow, highlighting the trade-off between convenience and privacy.
What campers like
Mountain views from certain sites: At Glacier Basin Campground, the surrounding peaks create memorable vistas. "We stayed here for a night in August. Very nice and well-maintained campground. The views of the surrounding peaks were great from our site!" shares Ryan L. The campground's elevation provides excellent mountain panoramas.
Stream and waterfront locations: Several campgrounds feature water access points. "This was a campground located right on Carter Lake. We drove to the small swimming beach but could have easily brought our chairs and hung out on the lake at our campground," notes Lauren L. about South Shore Campground at Carter Lake.
Proximity to activities: Most sites sit within 30-45 minutes of both Rocky Mountain National Park and nearby towns. At Riverview RV Park & Campground, campers appreciate the central location. "Good Sam's RV park with full amenities. We booked a water/electric online, but got bumped up to full hookups. Beautiful river going beside many of the sites," says Aaron.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings during peak season. "Sites were well maintained and level. Good separation. Close proximity to lake and easy access. Wild turkey sitings. No fresh water in campground in April. But available nearby," explains Larry E. about Carter Lake South Shore.
Weather considerations: Mountain storms can appear quickly, especially in afternoon hours. "Stayed here for a few nights in July. Great location for the popular attractions in RMNP, also convenient that the shuttle stopped at the campground, and was located across the street. Nightly talks/shows at the amphitheater. Only downfall was the loop that we stayed in was almost treeless because of trees that have died, so wind was a problem with our tent," notes Haley C. about Glacier Basin.
Limited services at some sites: "Wildlfe is very abundant. Bear Lake and Fern Lake are amazing hikes for the fam," states Troy C. about Glacier Basin, though campers should note that not all campgrounds offer showers or electrical hookups.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated activity areas: Estes Park KOA provides family-friendly amenities. "Small, cozy, good location KOA about 25 minutes from the main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. We had a very pretty site, but the tent pad was so hard it was almost impossible for my hulk of a husband to stake the tent down," shares Amber J.
Pack for variable temperatures: Mountain evenings cool down significantly, even in summer. "We stayed here for a week. The weather and views were absolutely amazing!" explains Sarah E. about Glacier Basin, where temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night are common.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours strictly. "This campsite was pretty enough (in the woods, not much of a mountain view), but it was mostly a negative in our group's eyes. The rangers walked by LITERALLY every 30 minutes to an hour max. They will reprimand you for having alcohol above 3.2 (seriously, is this Prohibition era??), even if you aren't drunk," reports Megan H. about Hermits Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many mountain campgrounds have limited space. "First come, first serve. Got there around 6 and we found a great spot (site M74) that was not super close to anyone else and had beautiful views of the mountains," shares Hannah L. about Mary's Lake Campground.
Consider leveling requirements: Mountain terrain often means uneven sites. "The pull-through site is very rough and difficult to get your trailer level. We finally just did as good as we could and called it done," explains Vanessa L. about Eagle Campground at Carter Lake.
Look for sites with hookups: "We have stayed here 3 or 4 times due to the close proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. The campground is extremely well managed, clean and well maintained," says Christopher H. about Estes Park KOA, noting the convenience of full hookups when available.
