Campers exploring glamping in Rockvale, Colorado find themselves in an area where elevations range from 5,600 to 10,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates across nearby camping destinations. During summer months, daytime temperatures can reach into the 90s while dropping to the 40s at night at higher elevation campgrounds. Seasonal high winds impact tent camping in more exposed areas, particularly at Lake Pueblo sites where wind breaks become essential equipment.
What to do
Fishing access points: Lake Pueblo State Park offers multiple shoreline fishing opportunities with rocky access points requiring careful navigation. "Cliffs and drop offs are surrounding the lake, so caution and look for paths to be able to get to the shoreline," notes a visitor to Juniper Breaks Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Mueller State Park provides extensive trail networks suitable for various skill levels with minimal crowds. "The trails were beautiful, well maintained, and not crowded at all," reports a camper at Mueller State Park Campground, who appreciated the surprising cell coverage, noting, "I was surprised that I had 1 or 2 bars (Verizon) throughout most of the park, even 3 bars on parts of the Cheeseman Ranch Bike Loop."
Historic mining exploration: The towns near Cripple Creek contain preserved mining history sites within short driving distance of campgrounds. A visitor to Cripple Creek mentioned, "Great hiking nearby and the towns of Cripple Creek and Victor are full of old mining history!"
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Five Points Campground provides sites along the Arkansas River with a unique tunnel access feature. "This campground is very convenient when rafting the Arkansas... There is a tunnel from the campground to the river and lots of great information for kids and adults about the history of the area and the plants and animals," shares a visitor to Five Points Campground.
Private glamping options: For those seeking luxury glamping near Rockvale with fewer neighbors, Tricki's Glamping maintains just two sites total. A reviewer at Tricki's Glamping under the Stars noted it as a new listing worth exploring for those wanting a more intimate setting than the larger KOA options.
Night sky viewing: Davenport Campground offers exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. A camper reported, "At night the site was amazingly dark. This was my first real time seeing the Milky Way. It was so amazing I am glad my friend was there so I have backup to my story."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Rockvale area require advance bookings, particularly during summer months. At Arkansas Point Campground, a visitor noted, "Web site and phone calls said 'sold out' but there must have been 25 spots open that we could see," suggesting checking directly with campgrounds about last-minute availability.
Day use fees: State parks charge entrance fees separate from camping fees. "Along with the camping fee of $16, you had to pay the day use fee of $8. Many states offer the option of purchasing an annual pass that costs less if you camp more than 4 days."
Limited shade availability: Most campgrounds around Rockvale and Lake Pueblo have minimal natural shade. A camper observed, "There is little to no shade at this campground and it gets wicked hot in the summer. The bathrooms and showers are great and the area has a lot of wildlife and bird watching."
Tips for camping with families
Outdoor kitchen access: Some KOAs provide communal cooking facilities beyond individual campsites. "They had an outdoor kitchen with cast iron skillets for the campers to use as well as a stove and two big charcoal grills up at the main building," reports a visitor to Cripple Creek KOA.
Fire pit challenges: Many campgrounds have grill attachments positioned far from fire pit bottoms. "The firepit has the grill attached, so if planning to use charcoal plan accordingly, it is far away from the bottom of the pit to the grill. Fairly hard to cook on. Had to pile charcoal on wood coals, and still were too far from grill."
Junior Ranger programs: Lake Pueblo State Park offers educational programs for children most Saturdays. A parent shared, "We took our kids (2, 5, & 7) to the junior ranger class they host at the visitor center almost every Saturday. They learned about boat safety and got free sunglasses and emergency whistles."
Tips from RVers
Site orientation considerations: Juniper Breaks campsites have varying orientations that affect RV setup convenience. A camper advised, "Our one complaint was that our back in spot put the door to our trailer on the opposite side of our fire and picnic table so we had to awkwardly walk around every time we went inside."
High altitude adjustment: Cripple Creek KOA sits at 10,000 feet elevation, requiring acclimation time. "The air is thin up here - real thin. That also means that it's pure, clean blissfully light oxygen so breathe deep and enjoy it," notes a visitor to this campground, which markets itself as the "World's Highest KOA."
Highway noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant road noise that might affect light sleepers. A visitor to Colorado Springs KOA mentioned, "The park is located right off of the freeway so VERY noisy," indicating earplugs might be necessary equipment for undisturbed sleep.
