Top Tent Camping near Rifle, CO

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Rifle? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Rifle, including sites, reviews, and tips. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Rifle campsites are perfect for tent campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Rifle, CO (22)

Showing results 1-10 of 22 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews In Rifle

537 Reviews of 22 Rifle Campgrounds


  • Isabelle K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifle Falls State Park
    Oct. 27, 2024

    Rifle Falls State Park

    Great camping spot

    A hidden gem in Colorado! Awesome hike in camp sites along the river, but also drive up spots with camper hook ups. Amazing little hiking trails and a super impressive waterfall!

  • Jennifer B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid Rock Camp
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Pyramid Rock Camp

    Easy overnight

    Easy to find with Google maps. Plenty of open space. 15min off 70.
    Dirt road, a bit bumpy, but we easily pulled our 21ft Micro Minnie and it was doable for almost any vehicle. We didn't go to far up into the sites so I can't speak to further in. Rolled in at midnight and was still simple to find in the dark.

  • UThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jumbo Campground — Jumbo Reservoir State Wildlife Area
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Jumbo Campground — Jumbo Reservoir State Wildlife Area

    Nice but buggy in July

    Stayed in spot 18 which was close to vault toilets, but they were stinky and full of bugs. Very buggy in general, not all are mosquitos but there are some of those too. Sites 1, 2, 4, 18, 21, 23 were all decent looking with some shade in the afternoon and relatively level pads. Lakes in area, one adjacent to campground and one that is down a trail to a day use area that is covered by the camp fee. Good spacing between sites. Some have electric. A little warm for July, probably 80 degrees in afternoon. Lots of aspen trees in the area might be good for a fall visit. Bear cans available for trash.

  • UThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from James M. Robb Colorado River - Island Acres Section Camping
    Oct. 17, 2024

    James M. Robb Colorado River - Island Acres Section Camping

    Good spot between DEN and SLC

    Stayed in site 5 Loop A which is right on the river. Could hear and see trains going by occasionally on the other side of river. Sites are pretty well spaced out and have a good shade structure over the picnic table. Lots of flying bugs and it was hot in early July. Have electric hookups but still quite warm. Flush toilets were okay, nothing special. Also have to buy a CO Park Pass, so thats another $10 on top of the reservation fee. 

    Food aside: Ate Kikkoman teriyaki rice noodles and Kalua pork, yum!!

  • UThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Elk Creek Campground
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Elk Creek Campground

    Pvt. Campground North of Newcastle CO

    Stayed in RV site along creek, which was quite nice with the sound of the water. Unfortunately, sites were not roomy, were close to each other and close to the campground road. Dogs next spot over were not restrained and roamed freely, in front of campground staff. Children wandered around. Smokers walked right by van and smoke smell came right in. 

    Showers and restrooms were decent and clean and had hot water but centrally located so a bit of a walk. 

    Food aside: Ate take out from pizza place in town, which was good. Breakfast was sausage and instant egg burritos. Yum.

  • Doris D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifle Falls State Park
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Rifle Falls State Park

    Peaceful

    Great little campground, I was there the first week in October and it wasn’t so busy. During the day there is some day use, but it’s in the back by the falls, so the campground stays pretty quiet. It has electric and water, but absolutely no Internet, which can be nice a good place to get away from it all.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Shady Creek RV Park
    Sep. 30, 2024

    Shady Creek RV Park

    Great little spot

    Kathy (the owner) was awesome. Cedaredge is a great little spot, really quiet. Not a big RV park, don’t bring truckloads of kids and your off road vehicles. Really happy with what we had here.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from McClure Campground
    Sep. 28, 2024

    McClure Campground

    Beautiful well maintained campground.

    I came down to Marble, CO from Carbondale with the intention of staying at the Marble campground on a Wednesday but it was full so I went up the road about 10 miles to the McClure campground and was very pleasantly surprised at how much nicer it was than the Marble campground. While Marble did have showers and some sites with water and electricity it was much more crowded and uneven than McClure. McClures sites were all nice and level and several were pull through that could handle fair sized rigs. McClure was a dispersed site at one time but now costs $14/night compared to Marbles $40+ fee. Of course Marble has showers which are worth the extra price to some but McClure had the most important item which was a clean vault toilet. When I got to the campground there were only a couple of other sites occupied so I picked a beautiful level spot only about 150' from the toilet, which is very important to an old man with artificial knees and a weak bladder. By Friday night all the sites were taken and as most other campgrounds were also full there were lots of campers coming through the campground looking for a spot to camp. I had only planned to stay a couple of days but I liked the site so much I stayed for 5 nights. I used it as my base to drive the Crystal River trail which is about 10 miles down the road at Marble. Let me warn you right now, don't do the Crystal River trail unless you have a strong heart and a very sturdy mid sized or smaller vehicle or off-road vehicle because it is very narrow and extremely rough. I've driven some rough country and have a big 4x4 pickup but that trail was all my rig could handle and I left lots of paint on the rocks and trees at the narrower spots. I'm sure half my tires on the drop-off side were in mid air at times and since it is a single track trail if you met someone coming from the other direction one of you would have to back up to a spot that you could pass each other. Very scary. Anyway, back to McClure. The nearest place to get cell service and supplies is Carbondale which is about 20 miles away but if you are self contained and don't need to be on the internet every few minutes this place is great. There was lots of wildlife sharing my site which was fun to watch. I had a doe deer and her boyfriend show up before I even got my tent set up and squirrels and chipmunks were everywhere as were the hummingbirds. I had hummingbirds buzzing up to a foot away from my face to check out my red cap thinking it might be some kind of giant exotic new flower lol. The only reason I didn't give the camp 5 stars is that it is right next to route 133 which it turns out is a main road through this area and traffic noise is sometimes pretty loud, especially early in the mornings on week days. If I am back near that area I will definitely stay in this campground. Almost forgot one other thing. The elevation is high enough that it gets pretty cool most nights, even in July and rain showers came through almost every early morning but the rain never amounted to anything and by mid morning it was beautiful. Camp fees are on the honor system and you need to have cash or checks.

  • Tamara S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ami's Acres Campground
    Sep. 28, 2024

    Ami's Acres Campground

    Great Hosts & awesome location

    We recently stayed here for two nights. The camp hosts and maintenance employees were incredibly friendly. There is some highway noise, but it didn't bother us with some ear plugs in and rain sounds playing on my phone. The night sky is amazing at this dark sky park. I can't say enough good things about this campground, we will define back.

  • Trey C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifle Falls State Park
    Sep. 26, 2024

    Rifle Falls State Park

    Awesome stay

    Walk in camping with wheelbarrows in the parking lot, connects to beautiful hiking trail! Very tidy campground. Table and fire pit, but you need to bring in firewood.

  • Doug The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid Rock Camp
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Pyramid Rock Camp

    Great views

    Apple map directions are spot on. Lots of room - I chose to go up a rutted road a ways, for privacy. There was one camper at the flat bottom. Check weather for rain chance if you don’t have 4x4.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Four Mile Road Dispersed
    Sep. 15, 2024

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    Where are all the great sites???

    Went here on a Saturday in Sept after reading all the great reviews.  Drove for miles and every site taken.  There aren't many sites like people would make you think.  Have these people been to the San Jaun Mountains - so much better.  Had to drive home because just nothing available.

  • Devin B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid Rock Camp
    Sep. 12, 2024

    Pyramid Rock Camp

    Peaceful

    This was a beautiful place to camp. There were a few places along the road you could stop and camp. We stayed at the farthest site out because there were other campers at the other sites. All sites could fit more that one camper if needed.

    Beautiful sunsets and sunrises at this location. The road leaving up was doable for our low clearance Winnebago solis.

  • Necia S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Glenwood Canyon Resort
    Sep. 7, 2024

    Glenwood Canyon Resort

    Established, on the River

    We’re Van camping in the lower campground, 50’ from the banks of the Colorado River. Electric & Water. Cabins avl. On the River and upper grounds. Our site, 44 is also located off set and below the deck of the resort event center. (Weekend celebrations may offend some, not us) quite time is 10pm. We’ve enjoyed watching Rafters, Kayakers & Geese float & fly the turns of the River. Wonderful staff. Available if needed. Kevin, manager; generous & helpful. Twilla, the work & stay host att. Is super attentive. Clean, accessible Bathhouse facilities. Discounts on rafting while booked at GCR. 1.7m to downtown Glenwood, (foodies, cute shops) bike path, or… just hang by the river near the boat launch & tent sites. (Our fav. spots!) Great place to R&R, Hot springs, Hike…

  • Amy K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Deep Creek Trailhead Camp
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Deep Creek Trailhead Camp

    Quiet spot

    Pretty good spot with ok views. Used starlink with no issues. Driver further up the road and found a good spot on the side of the road with a fire pit.

  • Jacob D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Coffee Pot Road Dispersed
    Sep. 3, 2024

    Coffee Pot Road Dispersed

    Dispersed road side camping

    Tried to camp at Deep Creek but had no luck with the very limited spots. If you keep driving up the road there’s about a dozen spots off the road; none very nice but are a free place to stay with great views.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Kebler Corner
    Sep. 3, 2024

    Kebler Corner

    Hidden Gem

    We stayed here Thursday through Monday over Labor Day Weekend. It is in an absolutely beautiful spot and the campground is kept immaculately. It is right on the river so my husband was happy to be able to fish right behind our RV. We stayed in#33 which is on the end so we had more privacy and room. It was a concrete pad so easy to level and fire pits were great. They have everything you could think of-ninja lines, playset, zip line, hammocks, jenga, frisbee golf, etc. There were tons of kids that had a huge time. Mine loved it! There is a trail to hike up to a beautiful meadow. They have a general store/liquor store on site with a really good selection of items. We were able to make a short drive to Black Canyon National Park as well as some really nice local produce stops. The town of Hotchkiss is 15 mins away and has propane/restaurants/etc. Highly recommend staying here.

  • Jacob D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Palisade Basecamp RV Resort
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Palisade Basecamp RV Resort

    Amazing amenities, hilly tent pads

    Stellar amenities, electricity at every pad, great showers, easy and very close river access.

    Really great spot but prepare to roll. All of the tent pads seem to be at a pretty wicked slope, including ours.

  • Eric B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Prince Creek Campground
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Lower Prince Creek Campground

    Campsites Nestled in Scrub Oak

    This is a BLM site with five primitive camping sites available. However there is a bathroom. I didn't locate any potable water spigots. As of the time of this posting, it appears to be a newer campground. I would guess about 5 years old. It is right across a gravel road from the Prince Creek (class 3 trout stream) and surrounded by some great hiking and biking trails. I would say except for the large picnic area and site one, the campground is best set up for tents and camper vans. There is fairly decent privacy due to the thick scrub oak between each of the sites. sites 3, 4 & 5 are close to the gravel road.

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Deep Creek Campground
    Sep. 1, 2024

    BLM Deep Creek Campground

    Not far off of I70

    This was a great stay I stayed at spot #2, pitched a tent and really enjoyed it. They had a fire ring. Also you can hear the creek down below the entire night which was quite peaceful. It was only 10 minutes off of I70 which made it nice for traveling. I have Google FI wireless and had no connectivity..

  • Voyager D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dark Canyon Trailhead (Dispersed)
    Aug. 21, 2024

    Dark Canyon Trailhead (Dispersed)

    Not Dispersed

    Not an actual site. Pin took me to a feild with horse/cows (pics attached for cuteness). The actual site is in the campground on Google Maps, but IT ISNT ALLOWED!!!

    VERY CLEARLY SIGNED CAMPING IN CAMPGROUND SITES ONLY!!!

    There is a small fire ring by the trailhead, as description says, but the signs on the road are VERY clear. Also lots of rangers patrolling, so don't risk it!!

    So, unless you wanna pay a RIDICULOUS fee for a night, not worth it at all. Would've given it one mark, but figured someone later might find a touch of value.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Ward Lake Campground
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Ward Lake Campground

    Grand mesa is a special place

    Grand mesa is the largest mesa in the world. For over 150 years cattle have roamed here. They need to go. It is time. The diversity and wildlife will slowly be destroyed and it is exponential. The climate is changing and places like this need to to be protected they are our arks. No atvs no generators no cattle. Would improve.the place.ten fold. And absolutely no logging. Ban all fires! We are about to lose it all including Grand mesa. Wake up.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Carson Lake Recreation Area
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Carson Lake Recreation Area

    Free camping area

    Carson Lake was closed for a couple years to reconstruct the dam. Open again and there is a large parking area with a new vault toilets.ion However, no floatation devices are allowed on the lake as it is a water supply for towns below. There are about 4 camping spots that were created with tables and fire rings. These spots are not for RVs or Trailers, most are for tent campers. The road access is steep from the mesa above. No water, no dumpsters, no cell signal.

  • Brian E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Grand Mesa Colorado FSR 100
    Aug. 14, 2024

    Grand Mesa Colorado FSR 100

    Secluded Dispersed Camp spot next to a 5 acre lake

    Well groomed dirt/gravel road just West of Rte 65. Go in 1/4 mile and turn Right down dirt path to large camping site. There is nobody for 1/2 mile or more around you. If this site is not good, up FSR 100 maybe 1/2 mile on the Right is a site up in the trees. Very secluded. This site is at 10,700 feet elevation. The lake is stream fed and looks like good trout fishing. There are free range cows in the area.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Palisade Basecamp RV Resort
    Aug. 5, 2024

    Palisade Basecamp RV Resort

    One night on the river

    We came from 6 nights in the mountains and spent 1 night in our rooftop tent on an electric river site. It was the perfect spot in Palisade. The bathhouse was very clean and convenient. One side of the building had men and women restrooms with showers. The other side had family bathrooms with one toilet, one shower, and one sink. The bathhouse was air conditioned which was very appreciated! It was hot out!!! While we were sitting around our firebox campfire, staff rolled up on a golf cart with fresh peaches to try that were picked that day. That was a nice surprise! We bought one for later in our trip!

  • Adam O.
    Camper-submitted photo from Island Lake Campground
    Aug. 4, 2024

    Island Lake Campground

    Nice maintained tent pads

    I stayed at this campground for four nights after the July holiday weekend. It was easy to find a FCFS site midday Thursday. One thing to look out for when getting to the campground is that Google Maps will have you turn in north of the Lake due to the shorter distance. This upper road is much more rough and narrow. I highly recommend you go past the lake and enter on the south end. The road is better and a little wider. You will also get an awesome view of the lake from the main road before you turn off.

    This campground is not on the lake, but a short trail across the road leads you to the tail around the lake. The day use parking area is also very close and your hanger for the campground gives you free parking. With how close the day use area is, we were able to just strap two paddle boards and a kayak to the roof of the truck and go back and forth. The vault toilets were very clean and water is potable. The host mentioned it comes from a mountain spring in the area. Most sites had a pull in long enough for a vehicle and small camper, along with a pad for the fire pit/picnic table and a pad for the tent.

    Cell signal is very spotty. I could get one, maybe two bars of Verizon, but data did not always work well. Sometimes there was a faint T-Mobile signal. The visitor center is also close by, and while not staffed for the 2024 season, it has wifi, flush toilets, and filtered water for bottles. The lakes were amazing due to all the rain and snow this year. We were there just before peak wildflower time, but it was still beautiful.



Guide to Rifle

Camping near Rifle, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet place to unwind, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails around Rifle. Many campers enjoy the nearby hiking options, with one reviewer from Rifle Gap State Park Campground saying, "This campground is great for a family site. Has a lake to swim/boat in as well as plenty of hiking trails around."
  • Fishing: The lakes and rivers in the area are perfect for fishing. A visitor at Glenwood Canyon Resort mentioned, "We’ve enjoyed watching Rafters, Kayakers & Geese float & fly the turns of the River."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Ward Lake Campground noted, "The diversity and wildlife will slowly be destroyed and it is exponential."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Ami's Acres Campground said, "The showers and toilets were clean. 10/10 recommend and will be coming back!"
  • Scenic Views: Many campgrounds offer breathtaking views. A visitor at Rifle Falls State Park Campground shared, "Very nice, very scenic, very beautiful. If you are looking for somewhere with waterfalls in Colorado, this is it!"
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Elk Creek Campground said, "The staff was incredibly kind and friendly."

What you should know:

  • Reservation Challenges: Some campgrounds have tricky reservation processes. A camper at Rifle Gap State Park Campground noted, "The reservation process is relatively difficult online."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A reviewer at Glenwood Springs West/Colorado River KOA mentioned, "There is also a train track nearby and a few trains went by."
  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds are near busy roads or train tracks. A visitor at Ami's Acres Campground said, "There is noise from the freeway, but it didn't bother us."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with activities for kids. A camper at Rifle Gap State Park Campground mentioned, "Great for a family site. Has a lake to swim/boat in as well as plenty of hiking trails around."
  • Pack Extra Cash: Some facilities may charge extra for showers. A reviewer at Rifle Gap State Park Campground advised, "Turned out that the showers cost extra, so bring cash."
  • Plan for Walk-Ins: Some sites require a bit of a trek to reach. A visitor at Rifle Gap State Park Campground noted, "You have to park and carry your stuff in around 25-50 yards."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Ami's Acres Campground mentioned, "Pull through site was nice, but some sites would be tricky to back into with a mid to large RV."
  • Be Prepared for Rough Roads: Some campgrounds have bumpy access roads. A camper at Glenwood Canyon Resort said, "The roads leading in are a little rough."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need them, check for full hookups before booking. A visitor at Glenwood Springs West/Colorado River KOA noted, "The sites are close but they have full hookups."

Camping near Rifle, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rifle, CO?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rifle, CO is Aspen Grove with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Rifle, CO?

    TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Rifle, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.