236 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Planning a camping trip from Parker, CO means heading west or southwest. The immediate area is suburban Denver sprawl with no campgrounds in town, and the closest dispersed and developed sites involve a drive into the foothills or down toward Pike National Forest. Most developed campgrounds in this direction require a 45-minute to over-an-hour drive. Parker works as a launching point for mountain camping, not a base for it.
"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
"Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth."
from $28 - $432 / night
Check Availability"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability"We’re a one night in each location maybe 2 as we tour the US in 4-6week chunks."
"When we arrived we found out our spot was by the train we asked to be moved and they were extremely accommodating and put us in another spot up higher away from train."
from $50 - $170 / night
Check Availability"This was our first time staying at Bear Creek Lake. The park is not part of the Colorado Wilds or CPW State Park system, but daily vehicle fees are included with your camping reservation."
"Note: If the GPS takes you to a dirt road with a closed gate at the end, get back on the highway and take the next exit to the park entrance."
"My 9 yr old son and I have been “jeeping” around Colorado for about 8 months now. We make it a point to wake up to a different view every day."
"Fun place to camp lots of sites and pretty trails, however this is known for its off-road ATV riders. If you're staying for a night or you're ATV for the weekend this is your spot."
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
"Just outside Elizabeth and an easy drive to Colorado Springs area and the Parker/Denver areas."
"Quiet,small,friendly,close to town,walmart,Safeway. A little overpriced, but it's still pretty."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"There's several creeks that run through the area and a network of trails that intersect the Colorado Trail and the road. The area is popular with mountain bikers."
"The area was well kept and obviously beautiful, it's Colorado after all. There was no running water, however the camo host drives an ATV around offering water from giant containers. I loved it."
"Must have access to military bases. The service Personnel were very helpful and courteous. The Base was exceptionally clean (was an Air force Base becoming a Space Force Base)."
"We stayed three nights; the location is great for military families, retirees, etc. It provided a clean, safe place to stay with plenty of room between campsites."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"Lots of good food nearby."
ScoutVery open, tons of spots to choose from. Generally clean with made-up fire pits everywhere. Unsure why, but we were the only ones here. We saw a couple of vehicles and ATVs go up the road, but no one stopped by us. We stayed here Saturday - Monday.
GuideThe drive up isn’t for the faint of hearts, which probably explains the complete absence of sedans. It is very bumpy, very narrow at times, and very muddy after heavy rains with large and deep puddles here and there.
With that said, this is a stunning location for camping, biking, hiking, etc.
Weekends get too crowded with practice shooters, off-road vehicles, and people partying it up loudly but the week is dead quiet.
Plenty of wildlife - including bears - and you should also plan for unpredictable weather.
ScoutFirst time in Colorado, finally found the dispersed camping spots on the mountain. Beautiful views. The roads are definitely rough getting here
ScoutThey require a $15/day vehicle pass on top of your camping fee. Unlike every other state, they do not include PARK ENTRANCE with your campsite! So if you’d like to use the campsite you paid for, that’ll be an extra $15/night. Also, your parking fee expires at noon the next day, so forget exploring the park after leaving your campsite. On TOP of that they charge for coin-operated showers, and quite a bit. Greediest camping experience I’ve seen outside of national parks. To top it off, if you have a pet, even on-leash hiking is not permitted, so hopefully you can leave them in the car if you plan to see the trails. Terrible state park experience, and we’ve been to state parks in over 20 states.
ScoutNice spot around the dispersed camping loop. Some good views of Pike’s Peak. The road in is a bit choppy
TravelerWe stayed in #37 very secluded and quiet spot. The road coming in sucks but I parked a 36' pusher down in there with no problems.
ScoutBeautiful spot, just not for normal cars
RangerThere are quite a few ample- sized spots here. The road is terrible washboard. Many spots have a great view. It was very busy, even on weekdays.
TravelerHi guys! Everyone we met here was so helpful. We stayed at Aspen meadows 014 and it was quiet, bathrooms were clean, and so spaced out. Would totally come again.
Camping near Parker, Colorado provides access to varied terrain and elevations ranging from 5,900 feet in town to over 8,000 feet in nearby mountain areas. The region experiences a semiarid climate with approximately 15 inches of annual precipitation, concentrated mainly from April through September. Most dispersed camping options require self-containment as facilities are limited or nonexistent outside established campgrounds.
Mountain biking trails: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area has extensive trail networks ideal for riders. "Great camping spot, esp, if you like mountain biking. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels. Much of the area still shows scars from the 1996 fire here, but the sprouts and smaller trees show you a preview of how nature heals," reports one visitor.
Water recreation: Cherry Creek State Park Campground offers swimming and boating opportunities. "Nice Swim Beach with brand new Bldg. Many covered Picnic sites, but again, you MUST arrive at the break of day to secure one," advises a regular visitor. The reservoir gets crowded during summer months, with capacity limits enforced.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide opportunities to see deer, rabbits, and various bird species. The campground areas report frequent rabbit sightings. "Lots of cute rabbits running around," notes a camper from Dakota Ridge RV Park.
Easy mountain access: Campers appreciate locations that serve as convenient basecamps. "Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park" gets high marks for accessibility. "Close proximity to the highway. Clean level spots. Lots of park amenities like horse stables, archery range, swim beach, boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic areas," reports a camper.
Variety of camping options: From primitive to full-service sites within short distances. "Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur" offers highly developed family camping. "This place is really cool (if you got the cash). Tons of amenities, pancake breakfast with characters for the kiddos. Water slides," reports a visitor.
Concrete pads at developed sites: Some campgrounds feature improved surfaces for easier setup. "The sites are also all concrete so leveling was very easy," notes a camper who stayed at Dakota Ridge RV Park.
Seasonal crowding requires planning: Summer weekends fill extremely quickly at most sites. "Buffalo Creek Recreation Area" demonstrates this pattern. "Beautiful spot with easy access to lots of trails and Wellington lake. Only downside is that it is very difficult to find a spot on a weekend. We got up there around 6:30pm on Friday night and after driving around for a couple hours ended up bailing and going home."
Noise factors: Train tracks, highways, and other campers can impact experience. "The train was expected, so it didn't bother me too much. The site we were assigned did not have a fire pit in the site, it was up the road by another camp site," reports a camper from Jellystone Park.
Additional fees: Many parks charge day use fees on top of camping fees. "There is also an $11 day pass fee not included in your camping stay," warns a Cherry Creek State Park visitor.
Kid-specific amenities: Some campgrounds cater specifically to families. "So much to do for the littles!! Recently completely redone the entire park and it is all so wonderful! The campsites are amazing and the activities are so much fun," writes a visitor to Jellystone Park at Larkspur.
Arrival timing matters: Early arrival improves experience at popular sites. "If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth," warns a Chatfield State Park Campground visitor.
Safety considerations: Glass and other hazards exist at some locations. "Looked at 3-4 different sites all had a decent amount of broken glass so be careful with pets/little ones," cautions a visitor to Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring equipment. "The A3 site chosen is gravel with a hole or two and significantly tilted low to the front left....requiring a 4 high stack," reports an RVer at Dakota Ridge RV Park.
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited capacity for larger rigs. "Don't go up if you are pulling anything larger than a tear drop trailer," warns a visitor about Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping. The narrow switchback roads make navigation difficult for larger vehicles.
Hookup details: Availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "There are no bathrooms, showers, and sewer hookups. If you want to stay there for one or two days I think it's ok… But little pricey for no amenities," notes a visitor to Casey Jones RV Hideaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Parker, Colorado?
Cherry Creek State Park Campground is one of the most convenient options, offering well-maintained sites just minutes from Parker. The park features full hookups and modern amenities, though it's best to arrive early on weekends as entrance lines can be lengthy. For those willing to drive a bit further, Casey Jones RV Hideaway provides a peaceful alternative with clean facilities, shaded sites under pine trees, and convenient access to both Parker and Colorado Springs. Both locations offer easy accessibility while providing different camping experiences—Cherry Creek for water recreation enthusiasts and Casey Jones for those seeking a quieter woodland setting.
What types of camping facilities are available in Parker, CO?
The Parker area offers diverse camping facilities to suit different preferences. Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur provides a family-friendly RV park experience with easy highway access and proximity to both Denver and Colorado Springs attractions. For those seeking more amenities, Dakota Ridge RV Park offers full-service facilities including on-site propane, nearby trails, and accommodating staff. The region supports various camping styles, from fully-equipped RV parks with hookups to more rustic state park campgrounds. Most facilities in the area offer restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits, with many providing shower facilities and dump stations for longer stays.
Are there any lakeside camping options near Parker, CO?
Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake offers beautiful lakeside camping within a reasonable drive from Parker. The sites are somewhat close together but work well for groups. While there are no hookups, the area provides bathroom facilities and a visitor center where you can purchase firewood. Another option is Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, which features more secluded sites, including some corner spots that provide privacy while still offering lake access. Both destinations allow campers to enjoy water activities while being close enough to Parker for convenience.
Are there good fishing opportunities at campgrounds near Parker?
Chatfield State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities within a reasonable drive from Parker. The reservoir is regularly stocked and supports a variety of fish species including rainbow trout, bass, and walleye. Another good option is Colorado Campground near Manitou Lake, which provides fishing access in a scenic mountain setting. The location offers a peaceful fishing experience while still being close enough to Parker for convenience. Both locations require a valid Colorado fishing license. For the best experience, plan your fishing in the early morning or evening hours when fish are most active and the waters are less crowded.
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