The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Rand. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Rand, CO. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
The Moraine Park Campground and Headquarters East Utility Project is underway. Moraine Park Campground is closed.
Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles (570 km) of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain peak climbs. Visitors enjoy the park's various lake trails (Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Mills Lake), waterfall trails (Adams Falls, Alberta Falls, Ouzel Falls) and summit trails (Deer Mountain, Twin Sisters Peaks, Flattop Mountain). The park also offers some unforgettable scenic driving routes, including Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183 feet (3700 m) above sea level and is America's highest continuous highway. It climbs above the park's evergreen forests to its windswept alpine tundra, where visitors enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Driving along the historic Old Fall River Road is like motoring through an earlier era. Constructed in 1920, this steep, one-way, uphill, gravel road punctuated by switchbacks quietly leads travelers from Horseshoe Park through the park's wilderness to Fall River Pass, 11,796 feet (3595 m) above sea level. Several visitor centers are within the park, offering ranger-led activities, education and history about the park, and seasonal nighttime programs.
A pleasant mix of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine and the occasional Engelmann spruce forests the campground, offering partial shade in this open area. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows. Wildlife is plentiful in the park; mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are the most commonly seen. Black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose inhabit the region as well, but can be harder to stumble upon.
The town of Estes Park lies just outside the park's main east entrances, and is a short drive from Moraine Park Campground. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding and golfing opportunities await. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding and fishing.
Please refer to Rules and Reservation Policies for information on changes and/or cancellations.
$30 - $60 / night
Timber Creek Campground is currently closed for the winter 2024/2025 season. This is only campground located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Timber Creek Campground will open for the summer 2025 camping season at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The campground will close at noon on Monday, October 6. All campsites are available by reservation only and reservations must be made online at www.recreation.gov, through the Recreation.gov Mobile App, or by calling 1-877-444-6777. For some campsites, reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of a desired camping date. Timber Creek Campground is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park and accessed via Trail Ridge Road/U.S. Highway 34. The campground is eight miles (13 km) north of the park's Grand Lake Entrance. It is located at an elevation of of 8,900 feet (3000 m). Camping in a Trailer or RV? Please be advised, this campground has a total vehicle length limit of 30 feet (9 m). RVs and combined vehicles and trailers that exceed this limit cannot stay in Timber Creek Campground. Things to Know When Looking At Campsite Availability: Any sites that are open are listed as "A" for available. Any campsite listed as _ NR _ has Not Yet Released; this means that those campsites are not yet available to be reserved. A number of campsites are available to be reserved up to 6-months in advance on a rolling window. Some campsites are available to be reserved 2-weeks prior to your desired camping date. Some campsites are available to be reserved 1-week prior to your desired camping date. Is a Timed Entry Reservation Included with my Camping Reservation? Yes. Campers with reservations for Timber Creek Campground have a "Timed Entry (does not include access to Bear Lake Road)" reservation included with your campground reservation. Your campground reservation will serve as your vehicle timed entry reservation. Campers can enter RMNP via the Grand Lake, Beaver Meadows or Fall River Entrances beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of your camping reservation. Remember to print and bring a copy of your campground reservation with you and keep this in your vehicle. You will be asked to show your campground reservation confirmation at the park's entrance station upon arrival. Planning to visit destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor? Campers staying at Timber Creek Campground will also need to make a "Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road" reservation or they will need to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor during a time of day when reservations are not required. For details, visit the park's timed entry webpage . When Can I Check into My Campsite? Check In begins at 1 p.m. for all campsites in Rocky Mountain National Park. What Time is Check Out? All campers must check out of their campsites in Rocky Mountain National Park by noon. How Many Nights Can I Stay at Timber Creek Campground? In Rocky Mountain National Park, there is a 7-night limit for all campgrounds during the summer season. This means that campers can stay a total of 7 nights inside the park. This limit includes overnight stays at all campgrounds. For instance, a camper could spend 7 nights at Timber Creek Campground or they could stay 4 nights at Timber Creek Campground and 3 at Glacier Basin Campground.
Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles (563 km) of hiking trails. There are many wonderful trails to explore on the west side of the park, including the Colorado River Trail, Coyote Valley Trail, Green Mountain Trail, and more. Enjoy fishing along the banks of the Colorado River. The park also offers some unforgettable scenic driving routes, including Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. Enjoy the scenic views in the land above trees while exploring the alpine tundra or visit Alpine Visitor Center. Are you interested in history? Take a step back in time and explore the Holzwarth Historic Site, just down the road from Timber Creek Campground.
Timber Creek Campground has been impacted by both mountain pine beetle infestation, which killed many of the trees, but also by wildfire. This results in almost no shade in the campground, but it provides for an opportunity to see forest regrowth. Wildflowers can fill surrounding meadows and a mix of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and ponderosa pine are all around as you explore the park. Wildlife is plentiful in Rocky Mountain National Park. Mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are commonly seen. Black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose also inhabit the area, but are less common to see.
The town of Grand Lake lies just 10 miles south of the campground (2 miles outside the park's west entrance). Dining, shopping, and other recreational activities can be found there.
$35 / night
Glacier Basin Campground is currently closed for the winter 2024/2025 season. Glacier Basin Campground will open for the summer 2025 camping season on Thursday, May 22. During the summer season, all campsites at Glacier Basin Campground are available by reservation only. Reservations must be made online at www.recreation.gov, through the Recreation.gov Mobile App, or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Glacier Basin Campground is located on the east side of RMNP at an elevation of 8,500 feet. There are 150 campsites available. To get to Glacier Basin Campground, drive up Bear Lake Road approximately 5 miles. The entrance to Glacier Basin Campground is across from the Park & Ride Parking Area. Any sites that are open are listed as "A" for available; this means those campsites are available to be reserved. Any campsite listed as _ NR _ has Not Yet Released; this means that those campsites are not yet available to be reserved. A number of campsites are available to be reserved up to 6-months in advance on a rolling window. Some campsites are available to be reserved 2-weeks prior to your desired camping date. Some campsites are available to be reserved 1-week prior to your desired camping date. Group campsites are available to be reserved 1-year in advance on a rolling window. Is a Timed Entry Reservation Included with my Camping Reservation? Yes. Campers with reservations for Glacier Basin Campground have a "Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road" reservation included with your camping reservation. Your campground reservation will serve as your vehicle timed entry reservation. Campers can enter RMNP via the Grand Lake, Beaver Meadows or Fall River Entrances beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of your camping reservation. Remember to print and bring a copy of your campground reservation with you and keep this in your vehicle. You will be asked to show your campground reservation confirmation at the park's entrance station upon arrival. When Can I Check into My Campsite? Check In begins at 1 p.m. for all campsites in Rocky Mountain National Park. What Time is Check Out? All campers must check out of their campsites in Rocky Mountain National Park by noon. How Many Nights Can I Stay at Glacier Basin Campground? In Rocky Mountain National Park, there is a 7-night limit for all campgrounds during the summer season. This means that campers can stay a total of 7 nights inside the park. This limit includes overnight stays at all campgrounds. For instance, a camper could spend 7 nights at Glacier Basin Campground or they could stay 3 nights at Glacier Basin Campground and 4 at Timber Creek Campground.
Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain climbs. One of the most popular activities in the park is wildlife viewing. There are excellent wildlife viewing opportunities to see elk, Mule deer, Bighorn sheep, hawks, a wide range of songbirds and more throughout the park. Rocky Mountain National Park offers some unforgettable scenic views along of the land above trees, over 1/3 of the park is alpine tundra. Enjoy incredible scenic drives along Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road.
A pleasant mix of Douglas fir, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine and the occasional Engelmann spruce forests the campground, offering equal amounts of sun and shade. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows. Wildlife is plentiful in the park, and while mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are the most commonly seen, black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose inhabit the region as well.
The Town of Estes Park is a short drive from the campground, located outside of RMNPs Beaver Meadows and Fall River Entrances. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, and golfing opportunities await. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding, and fishing.
$35 - $70 / night
Stillwater Campground is located on Lake Granby, six miles southeast of Grand Lake, in north central Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its great boating, fishing and hiking opportunities. The necessary Arapaho National Recreation Area pass can now be purchased online (Interagency Age and Access passes are also valid)!
Lake Granby is part of the Arapaho National Recreation Area. It offers boating, sailing, swimming and fishing. Anglers cast for kokanee salmon and rainbow, brown, mackinaw and cutthroat trout. A boat ramp and dock are located on-site. National Fishing Week is held annually the first week of June. Numerous hiking and horseback riding trails are located within the Arapaho National Recreation Area, including the East Shore Trail (which is part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail), Roaring Fork Trail and Monarch Lake Trail.
The campground is situated on the northern shore of Lake Granby, at an elevation of 8,300 feet. Afternoon thunderstorms should be expected during the summer months. Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and consequent removal of hazardous trees, the campground has little to no shade.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 529-0578.
Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance is located north of Grand Lake. With lush valleys and craggy peaks reaching elevations higher than 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the park.
$32 - $73 / night
So close, yet feels so far away from the hustle and bustle of Estes Park. This very popular campground is located at an elevation of 8,300 feet at the end of a beautiful road just west of town. There are wonderful views of the snow covered peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park and access to the East Portal Reservoir which has ample opportunities for fishing. This double loop campground offers shady sites suitable for tenters and campers with small RVs and trailers shorter than 22 feet in length. It is especially well-suited for families and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore nearby nature and trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Sites at this campground open up to views of Rocky Mountain National Park and starry nighttime skies. A mature blend of ponderosa and lodgepole pines interspersed with groves of aspens makes it a wonderful home away from home. It is an ideal setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation. The camping season runs from mid-May to late September.
The Estes Park Campground at East Portal has 66 sites suitable for tents and small trailers and RVs. There is a maximum length of 22 feet for RVs. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings, some with ADA accessibility. Guests also have access to drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers, water & electric hookups, dump station, firewood and ice sales, and a playground for the kids. Cell phone service is spotty and there is no wi-fi, so please plan accordingly.
$35 - $50 / night
This campground with 89 RV sites and 28 tent sites is the perfect destination for all types of camping enthusiasts from retired big riggers to families who enjoy the simple comforts of tent camping.
$20 - $55 / night
Green Ridge Campground is located on beautiful Shadow Mountain Reservoir, southwest of Grand Lake in north central Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its great boating, fishing and hiking opportunities.
Shadow Mountain Lake is part of the Arapaho National Recreation Area. It offers boating, swimming and fishing. Anglers cast for kokanee salmon, as well as rainbow, brown, mackinaw and cutthroat trout. A boat ramp and dock are located within the campground. The Colorado River can also be accessed from the campground. National Fishing Week is held annually the first week of June. Numerous hiking and horseback riding trails are in the vicinity, including the East Shore Trail (which is part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail), Roaring Fork Trail and Monarch Lake Trail.
The campground is situated between the southern shore of Shadow Mountain Lake and the banks of the Colorado River, at an elevation of approximately 8,300 feet. Afternoon thunderstorms should be expected during the summer months. Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and consequent removal of hazardous trees, there is little to no shade available in the campground. Since 2008, 3,000 pine seedlings have been planted to remedy the problem in the future.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 529-0578.
Rocky Mountain National Park's west entrance is located north of Grand Lake. With lush valleys and craggy peaks reaching elevations higher than 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the park.
$29 - $88 / night
$60 / night
$40 - $60 / night
The Arapaho Bay Campground is located in the Arapaho National Recreation Area on Lake Granby, southeast of Grand Lake. Visitors enjoy the area for its great boating, fishing and hiking opportunities.
Lake Granby is part of the Arapaho National Recreation Area. It offers boating, sailing, swimming and fishing. Anglers cast for kokanee salmon and a variety of trout, including rainbow, brown, mackinaw and cutthroat. National Fishing Week is held the first week of June each year. Numerous hiking and horseback riding trails are located within the Arapaho National Recreation Area, including the Roaring Fork Trail, Monarch Lake Trail and the East Shore Trail (which is part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail).
The campground is situated on Arapaho Bay, on the eastern tip of Lake Granby, at an elevation of 8,300 feet. Afternoon thunder showers should be expected during the summer months. Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and consequent hazardous tree removal, the campground offers little to no shade.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 529-0578.
Rocky Mountain National Park's west entrance is just north of Grand Lake. With lush valleys and craggy peaks reaching elevations over 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the park.
$29 - $58 / night
Guide
Absolutely stunning secluded spots. Some are more accessible than others, but main road is well maintained. Definitely buggy during the summer, buy manageable. Most if not all sites are right next to the creek.
Guide
If you have low clearance, you will definitely have to be careful and take the road slow. The sites are secluded, and wildlife is prevalent!
Guide
Road is very rutted and would be virtually impassable in any sort of heavy rain. I did sucessfully get my honda civic down the road on a prayer, but was only successful because it was very dry. Other than that, the view was pretty and camping comfortable. There was also a nearby hike down to the Colorado River and natural hot spring, so definitely worth it!
Traveler
I have camped here twice so far. The first time I came was a Tuesday-Friday in late Sept, and I did not see a single other person! It was fabulous. I came back with a friend in late October, and the roads were extremely compromised (2-3ft deep mud puddles) so we did not camp near the river but it was still lovely. The sites are clearly marked and easily accessible. The river area is very green, but keep in mind that the mountains in front of you have been stripped due to fire. There is some road noise audible at these sites and I’d estimate about 8-10 planes flew overhead a day.
Guide
I stayed here twice over the last 2 years. Our first time we were near the entrance on top of the hill looking at mountains. The second time we were in the back in the trees. Each stay provided a completely different experience. I would definitely go back!
Ranger
Robbers Roost dispersed camping area near Fraser, Colorado, is an excellent spot for campers seeking a peaceful retreat close to nature. Located just outside Winter Park, this camping area offers easy access to the Rockies while still being relatively convenient to town for supplies or activities.
The campsites are well spread out, providing plenty of privacy and space to enjoy the outdoors. The views are breathtaking, with towering pines and a mountain backdrop that’s hard to beat. It’s a great base for hiking, mountain biking, mushroom foraging or simply relaxing and soaking in the fresh air.
Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so campers need to come prepared with everything they need and pack out all trash. The dirt road leading to the camping area is manageable for most vehicles, though a higher-clearance option is recommended if conditions are wet or snowy.
One of the highlights of Robbers Roost is the proximity to Winter Park and stream access. You can explore the local trails by day and head into town for dining or entertainment in the evening. At night, the stargazing is spectacular, thanks to the minimal light pollution in the area.
If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and love the outdoors, Robbers Roost is a hidden gem worth discovering. Just be sure to practice leave-no-trace principles to help preserve the beauty of this spot. Finally beware of the busy nearby road, especially if you are traveling with off leash pets.
Traveler
About 4 sites for tents, 4 for RV, both 1/4 mile downhill hike to river. Bring waders, steep banks make fly casting tough. Cost to camp is $20/night as of August '24. Potable water a walk aways...may need 3 hands to operate. Excellent hiking opportunities.
Traveler
Bumpy ride up, but we were able to do it in our car SLOWLY. Absolutely beautiful place. Lots of campsite options. I was under the impression fires were allowed, as there were fire pits, but signs everywhere stating no campfires. Columbine Lake is a pretty hefty hike from the trailhead, but so worth the view. Had the entire place to ourselves pretty much all Friday. Beautiful beautiful beautiful
TravelerCamp sites were plenty when I visited on a Thursday. Only people I saw were the forest service workers who were friendly and just out reminding people of the fire ban.
Guide
$35/night. What a wonderful place to camp under the stars. One of the cleanest NP campgrounds I’ve come across. Closed until May 2025.
Guide
Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Guide
Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Guide
The place fills up on the weekend. I drove through most of the trail system and did not find a spot. Came back during the week and took a closer spot so as not to risk it. Trash is everywhere. Multiple poop spots are within 100ft of the fire pit with copious amounts of used tp lying around. Trees are slashed, cut, and the forest is not doing well. There are multiple long term campsites here so watch out for squatters. I stayed near the start and then a bit deeper, which prompted me to take photos. I forget the site numbers but honestly it’s not looking good in most places. At the very back are what look like a few nicer spots because they are hard to get to with a non off-road vehicle. It breaks my heart how this campground exists.
Guide
Couldn’t find any spots over the weekend. Drove through the whole campground. There is an absurd amount of trash everywhere, especially at closer campsites. There are multiple ‘long term’ campsites by the looks of the trash, gear, and supplies left out. The forest is not in good shape either.
Came back mid week and stayed at site #4 because it was close and I did not want to roll the dice on not securing a spot again.
Keeping it brief: -I thought someone had been through my campsite when I was sleeping due to things moved -I might have met the squatter at the site. Couldn’t be sure, but determined there were red flags after talking to the guy and did not want to stick around to find out -so much trash it breaks my heart
The county needs to do something about this campsite and the similar one North of Ned.
TravelerGreat location with single tracks for hiking and mountain biking. Camping spots are well-marked. WiFi was decent. The sad part was the trash left behind from former encampments in some of the camping spots.
Scout
Doggies loved it, not many people
Guide
Two beat up, broken down cars at the entrance. Road is very rough, full of potholes from the start. Did not feel comfortable staying here.
Traveler
I arrived after 6pm and the office was closed. However, self service was available. Though the only option was to pay by cash since the office was closed. Water Dump was not available and some toilets were closed. It has a great view of the lake from some spots, however, you can hear the road during night. Cell phone reception is poor but available.
Guide
This spot was really easy to get to and had at least one bar of service for Verizon and T Mobile. The spot was nice and secluded, but there was some trash left behind from previous campers:(
Traveler
A little off the beaten path and may need 4wd to get down and out from campsite. Overlooks the beautifulu valley and is amazing to Lake Granby on three horizon. A little windy up there and trees are burnt up but the view is worth it. Very secluded at this spot. Did see 4 or 5 other cars/campers at other spots but very spread out.
Scout
Place has very good views from the mountain, however, the terrain isn't level. I found it difficult to get a good spot for my camper to be leveled.
Guide
When I arrived, I found out the water had been turned off for the season and the dump station was closed, this should be noted on the website in a spot where you can’t miss it Almost all the spots are on the slope so there are steps you have to go down to your table. Spots are very close to each other, no privacy. Tables are old, wooden, and slanting in a lot of the spots. The worst part is the traffic noise, I definitely won’t return to this campground.
Traveler
-Moderate to heavy foot traffic -Busy, mostly big groups staying at sites having their own fun but plan ahead for finding a site -Friendly and respectful people -Very well maintained sites, trails, signage, and other infrastructure -I’d recommend at least AWD but 2wd should absolutely be able to go on the main road and access most sites (2-4) wil require awd/4wd
Scout
This is not a campsite this is mishawaka owned land. There is a campsite there for employees by the flags in the trees
GuideLoved this campground in Rocky Mountain NP! Full of new growth pine trees. Elk wondered through on some days. Depending on site, lots of privacy. Not for big rigs, but perfect for vans, tents and smaller trailers. Bathrooms clean, flush toilets. Only drawback to this stay - the dump station was already closed down for the season. Water was available. We found a dump station down the road in Stillwater Recreational area.
GuidePlenty of spots available. But land and trees are decimated from fire in 2020. But hey it’s a free spot to sleep
Traveler
Wish I had more time to spend at this spot! The views are amazing! The road up was designed for more of an off-road rig. Fire ban was in effect. Just like the rest.. you will here atvs all night ripping trails in the distance. And the trains !! Still a great area!!
Camping near Rand, Colorado, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or rolling in with an RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.
Camping near Rand, Colorado, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rand, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rand, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 355 campgrounds and RV parks near Rand, CO and 128 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Rand, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rand, CO is Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 89 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rand, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 128 free dispersed camping spots near Rand, CO.
What parks are near Rand, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Rand, CO that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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