270 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Johnstown, Colorado lies near multiple established campgrounds that cater to both RV travelers and tent campers. Prominent facilities include Boyd Lake State Park's Cottonwood Campground and Loveland RV Resort, both within 15 miles of Johnstown. The area features a mix of state park campgrounds with water access and privately operated RV resorts with full hookups. Most developed campgrounds in this region provide electric service, water connections, and shower facilities, with several also offering cabin accommodations and glamping options for those seeking more comfortable overnight experiences.
Weather patterns in the area typically allow for year-round camping at many established sites, with summer being the peak season when facilities operate at full capacity. State park campgrounds like Boyd Lake feature designated swimming areas and recreational facilities that attract families during warmer months. Most private RV parks remain open throughout winter, though visitors should verify seasonal amenities availability. Campground reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when occupancy rates are highest. As one visitor noted about Boyd Lake State Park, "There are a lot of spots for RVs so you are a little bit packed. The view from campsites are neither beautiful neither ugly."
Campground experiences vary significantly between the more urban-adjacent private RV parks and the state park facilities. Several visitors highlighted the amenities at Loveland RV Resort, noting its convenient location near shopping and restaurants. "This place is expensive ($440 a week) but very nice... They also have an art night, and a farmers market and other weekly meetups here," reported one camper. Proximity to Interstate 25 provides easy access to most developed campgrounds in the area, though this occasionally results in road noise at certain locations. Sites with water views tend to book first, particularly at Boyd Lake State Park where campers appreciate the lake access and adjacent trails. Most developed campgrounds near Johnstown provide designated picnic areas, fire rings, and access to potable water, creating comfortable base camps for exploring northern Colorado.
"All sites have great access and close to the ponds. Variety of fish in the ponds. They allow ice fishing as long as the ice is safe."
"We enjoy Boyd Lake because it’s so easy to bike to town. A major northern Colorado bike path system goes through the park."
from $36 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Very convenient campground with great access to North Denver/Boulder area. Only downside is proximity to I-25 and traffic noise. But there are many nice trails and lakes to fish from."
"It is near I-25 highway so there is road traffic noise but becomes background noise after a day or so. But if that bothers you you won’t like it."
from $36 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Campground is situated along the Big Thompson River. Big cottonwood trees. Easy accessibility for big rigs. Some items … water valves leak in lakes around entire park and many are leaking."
"Right next to the river. Close to some easy MTB trails. Would definitely stay here again."
"Plenty of shops and restaurants that are within walking distance. Only negative is that we were extremely close to our neighbors. We would stay here again."
"We only stayed one night while traveling through Colorado. It was convenient and easy. The grounds were nice and clean, very pretty, they had good amenities."
"We have camped in Colorado for over 15 years. By far the campsites with the best views! And you can rent cabins too. Just love this place. Lake gets busy In the summer."
"The sites are picked up but not manicured by any means and there is road noise due to the proximity of the roads around the region."
from $30 - $115 / night
Check Availability"Arrived in Colorado little after midnight, got a spot right away plenty of availability and close enough to some good hiking areas"
"We couldn’t find anything near family in Highlands Ranch in July, but ran across this place- Tight spots for our 38 ft fifth wheel but, we made it."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"It’s not your run of the mill KOA by a highway. The lake is beautiful with a walking path all of the way around and paddle boats. The pool is nice. The miniature golf is pretty with mature trees."
"Lake, boats, water cannon boats, fishing, bikes, peewee golf, jumping thing. Walking path around lake."
"Sites are fairly close together strung out along the lake edge. In September, lake level is purposefully lowered about 20 feet from summer levels."
"This spot was well maintained, had just enough shade, incredibly close to hiking trails, close to the water, and walking distance to the camp store, and also close to a vault toilet."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"This was our second visit to Pinewood Lake and while some things stayed the same others were much the same. Our first visit last fall was during the final stages of a blizzard. "
"Even with the snow and us being novices we set up without a hitch and were soon enjoying the magical panorama of the lake below us and the hills and mountain tops around us."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Carter lake is a staple visit in our family."
"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."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability
ScoutEach year, the person responsible for hiring a Company to clean sites and bathrooms fails in that task. Sites aren't being raked and bathrooms and showers are barely touched. We have been going for 26 years and every year for the last 4 years it gets worse. What are you paying them for? Management of the park is disgraceful.
TravelerLittle pricey for a night but worth it. You get hot showers and they have laundry!
TravelerThey have shower big plug! Extreme quiet and cozy id say.
Travelerthis was the first campsite my family ever took me to, and we have been back every year since. great quiet spot near the river, not too far from home
TravelerDefinitely worth a visit. slightly steep coming in. The road is still closed off at the end.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground many spots along the road both drive in and walk in. There are quite a few wonderful hiking trails. The only reason I am rating this camp a 4/5 is because the reservoir was not at full capacity, we could still fish but the campsites were not all the way to the water like usual. Other than that it is a fantastic spot!
ScoutStayed two nights. Got there around 2 pm on Friday and had our pick of spots. By 8 pm all spots were taken. Saturday there was near constant side-by-side, quad, and dirt bike traffic starting at 10 am and lasting until 6 pm. Due to the high traffic the dust was very fine and covered everything. Most of the drivers were courteous but some drove very aggressively with music blasting. Some off-roading stragglers were out until about 9 pm.
TravelerIt’s very beautiful up here. Nice roads to walk around. Busy during the holiday weekend.
TravelerNice flat sites on the water. Beautiful surroundings with geese, bats, and deer visiting the site daily. Easy water access for SUPs and kayaks. The road is noisy but becomes background noise but there’s also a high voltage power buzzing above site 45. We had 44 and 45 and the kids had plenty of space to run around the sites were fairly private. It also was cooler at the site than the surrounding area and we had a nice breeze coming of the res and some shade from trees.
Camping spots near Johnstown, Colorado provide easy access to both mountain recreation and urban amenities. Located at approximately 4,852 feet elevation in the Front Range region, Johnstown's camping options experience a semi-arid climate with warm summer days and cool nights. Water levels at nearby reservoir campgrounds fluctuate seasonally, with spring typically offering the highest water levels for lakeside activities.
Fishing opportunities: At Pinewood Reservoir Campground, visitors can fish in a less crowded setting than larger nearby lakes. "Quiet and peaceful. Electric hook ups. Quiet and peaceful," notes one camper about this reservoir that sits at a higher elevation than others in the area.
Water recreation: South Shore Campground at Carter Lake offers multiple water activities from swimming to boating. "We drove to the small swimming beach but could have easily brought our chairs and hung out on the lake at our campground," reports one visitor who stayed at site 28, mentioning it was "on the end which made it very big."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature walking paths around their lakes or into surrounding foothills. "We took the 3 mile hike behind campground which is beautiful but rocky - wear shoes that can withstand rocks. Must return the same way so 6 miles total," advises a Carter Lake camper who appreciated the natural surroundings.
Shower facilities: St. Vrain State Park Campground receives high marks for its facilities. "Very clean, well kept sites. Stayed on the sandpiper loop which was close to potable water source as well as electric hookup for RVs. Beautiful views, great showers," notes one visitor, though they warn about "the exceptional amount of mosquitoes and lack of shaded area."
Lakeside views: Many campers highlight the morning vistas at Inlet Bay Campground on Horsetooth Reservoir. "When you wake up in the morning it sounds so peaceful from all the nature sounds. If you are looking to get away and go somewhere quiet and beautiful, this is the place to be!" shares one enthusiastic camper who gave the location five stars.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds near Johnstown offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Nearly every day a deer would come munch on the greenery right behind our rig," reports a visitor at Riverview RV Park, adding "The staff were super friendly and I believe we received good value for our payment considering the prices and sold-out state of other nearby parks."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance bookings, especially during summer months. At Boulder County Fairgrounds, campers face strict stay limits: "14 day max per year and they are a real stickler. We stayed here 13 days total on and off during weekends when we can't get a spot at campgrounds and they just kicked us out for the year."
Road noise: Several campgrounds near major roads experience traffic sounds. "I-25. The interstate is so close as I type this I can hear in my travel trailer every truck, motorcycle, and car. Going to have to use earplugs tonight to sleep," warns a St. Vrain State Park visitor who otherwise found the park "Clean, Afforable, Easy Access."
Tree sap issues: Some campsites with mature trees present unexpected challenges. A reviewer at Loveland RV Resort noted: "The trees drop a horrible yellow sap that was on EVERYTHING after only one night, our shoes, our floors, our dogs, our rig, our vehicles, it was a mess. In the end, I would stay again in a pinch, but the tree sap is ultimately what would keep us away."
Activity-focused campgrounds: Fort Collins Lakeside KOA caters specifically to families with multiple amenities. "This is a great campground. Excellent Staff and amenities on site. The lake is great for catch and release. Grounds are well maintained no observed litter on the property," writes one visitor, while another notes it "provides a very family oriented environment with luxurious amenities."
Swimming access: When summer temperatures rise, water access becomes important. At Horsetooth Reservoir's South Bay Campground, "The lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking," writes one visitor, while another mentions "getting to go swimming and it was a fun spot."
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "Great family campground near the water and a nice walking/biking path to the beach. Perfect for families," notes one visitor about Boyd Lake State Park, which also provides fishing opportunities and bike-friendly paths.
Electric reliability: For RVers requiring stable power, campground electrical service varies. At Inlet Bay Campground, a two-week visitor reported, "Electricity was stable," and noted the "dump station is outside the campground, but is a good one. Good water pressure and potable water."
Site width considerations: RV site dimensions differ significantly between standard and premium sites. At Loveland RV Resort, one camper advised: "We stayed in a premium pull through because the basic pull through were soooo close together," highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate site type for larger rigs.
Seasonal water access: RVers should verify water availability during shoulder seasons. One visitor to Horsetooth's Inlet Bay noted: "Called to make sure freash water was on for the season and was told it was. Showed up at 5pm and water was NOT on!" This highlights the importance of double-checking amenity availability during early spring camping trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in and around Johnstown?
Johnstown offers diverse camping options within driving distance. Falcon's Landing RV Park in Johnstown provides family-owned RV accommodations with ongoing site improvements. For those willing to venture a bit further, Horsetooth Reservoir South Bay Campground offers stunning lakeside views and cabin rentals. The surrounding area also features dispersed camping in national forests, developed campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park, and private RV resorts in neighboring communities like Loveland and Fort Collins. Options range from primitive sites to full-hookup RV parks, accommodating various camping preferences and budgets.
Where are the best campgrounds in Johnstown, Colorado?
While Johnstown proper has limited camping options, the surrounding area offers exceptional campgrounds. Winding River Resort stands out with beautiful grounds, family-friendly activities, and direct access to the Colorado River headwaters. Camp Dick Campground in Roosevelt National Forest delivers the quintessential Colorado experience with stunning mountain views, well-maintained fire pits, and streamside sites with adjacent hiking trails. For dispersed camping enthusiasts, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers numbered sites and additional unnumbered spots with impressive views if you venture further down forest road 233.1.
How much does it cost to rent a camper in Johnstown?
Camper rental prices in the Johnstown area typically range from $100-250 per night depending on the RV size, age, and amenities. Smaller trailers and older models fall on the lower end, while luxury or larger Class A motorhomes command premium rates. For budget options, consider Dakota Ridge RV Park, which offers competitive rates even during winter months, though prices throughout Colorado tend to be higher than national averages. Most rentals require a minimum 2-3 night stay and may have additional fees for mileage, generator use, cleaning, and insurance. Book well in advance during peak summer season (May-September) when prices typically increase by 15-25%.
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