Near Red Cliff, Colorado, dispersed camping opportunities extend across elevations ranging from 8,000 to over 10,000 feet in the surrounding White River National Forest. Seasonal temperature fluctuations are significant, with summer daytime highs typically reaching 70-80°F while nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F even in July. Winter camping requires specialized gear as temperatures regularly fall below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trail access: Many campgrounds connect directly to extensive trail systems. At Gold Park Campground, visitors can reach Missouri Lakes trailhead within a mile. "Outstanding camping experience. Small campground on the river with plenty of trees for relaxing in nature. Stay here and you'll be ~1 mile from the start of the Missouri Lakes hike. One of CO's best," notes one camper.
Fishing spots: Trout fishing remains popular across several lakes and streams near Red Cliff. The creek at Camp Hale Memorial provides accessible fishing. "Got a last minute weekend reservation thru recreation.gov (someone must have canceled). Stayed here to hike La Plata which was about 50 minutes away but the closer campgrounds were only FCFS and full," reports one visitor who found value in the location.
Historical exploration: The area contains significant historical sites including Camp Hale, where 10th Mountain Division soldiers trained during WWII. "Crazy to think of the 15,000 or so soldiers training here during WWII," observed one camper at Camp Hale Memorial, highlighting the educational component of camping in this historically rich region.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Most campgrounds near Red Cliff feature well-separated sites. According to a camper at Halfmoon Campground, "The campground has seven sites fairly spread out from one another. Got there around 5pm on a Friday and there was no one else there. A few more campers showed up on Saturday morning, but it wasn't ever fully booked."
Clean facilities: Despite being remote, most campgrounds maintain good standards. A visitor at Gold Park Campground reported, "The grounds had vault toilets but it was very very clean. Lots to do around white river national forest and I would stay here again!"
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. "I could see the back side of Vail Ski Resort from there. The best part about the site were the stars at night - I saw multiple shooting stars," shared one visitor who chose a dispersed site along Notch Mountain Road.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most glamping close to Red Cliff operates mid-May through September only. At Peak One Campground, which offers yurt accommodations, the season typically runs "May 24 - Sep 7" according to forest service information.
Road conditions: Access roads to remote sites can challenge standard vehicles. A visitor to Halfmoon Campground noted, "I drove up Notch Mountain Rd from Hwy 24 to reach the campground and Holy Cross Trail Head. The road was dirt, bumpy, rocky and has several low dips that would definitely fill after rains, but it was totally passable in my low-clearance 2WD old pickup."
Weather variability: Temperatures fluctuate dramatically even in summer. A camper at Baby Doe Campground observed, "Gorgeous campground with a few extra mosquitos, but not unusual for waterfront camping. Be sure to bring warm clothes for nights because it's gets chilly at night."
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: Several locations provide safe water recreation options for children. At Sylvan Lake Campground, "This park has so much character that it should have it's own tv show. There are conservation areas, trails galore, historical buildings, and a beautiful lake that is surrounded with alpine forests," explained one visitor detailing family-friendly amenities.
Kid-friendly trails: Trails with manageable distances suit younger hikers. "We really enjoyed this spot! Those sites on the lake seem primo but our site still had some good space and not too close to others. Enjoyed skipping rocks and even some mountain biking for our 9 year old," shared a family that stayed at Peak One Campground.
Mosquito preparation: Bring appropriate repellent, especially for lake-adjacent sites. One reviewer at Baby Doe warned, "I was really surprised at how bad the mosquito's were at the lake and at this elevation, definitely the worst mosquito experience I had while living in Colorado."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most glamping close to Red Cliff lacks full RV hookups. A review from Turquoise Lake Primitive Camping states, "Great neighbors nearby, very calm and quiet seniors. A little too crowded for my taste though. There are about a dozen campers in this meadow and no kids in the group."
Generator noise considerations: In primitive camping areas, generator etiquette matters. One camper noted, "Happy for the neighbor 12 feet away with the cheap generator, if it weren't for the noises POS I'd have to listen to them yell at each other. Really people, show some compassion."
Site selection for level parking: Look for designated RV sites when available. At Camp Hale Memorial, a visitor advised, "We stayed in site #17, a nice spot for our trailer with solar panels, but it might be rather exposed if you don't have some kind of shade. Other spots perfect for our trailer with views are: sites 11 (near toilets), 14 and 15."
