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Camping near Rocky Mountain National Park

2,688 Reviews

Rocky Mountain National Park embodies the Colorado spirit perfectly. If you want to get out into nature with other avid outdoors types, few parks are more suited for you. Though the altitude can be tricky, the views are worth the effort.

Currently, there are three campgrounds available during the summer season, with two on TBD status. Rocky Mountain campsites open at the end of May and close around late September. The three available campsites are all on a reservation system. Longs Peak, which is still TBD, is the only first-come, first-served camping option. You can RV camp in Rocky Mountain, though there are no RV-specific sites. If you can’t get a spot in the park during peak season, the best camping near Rocky Mountain National Park is in Estes Park, CO, or any US Forest Service land to the east.

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Best Camping Sites Near Rocky Mountain National Park (423)

    1. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    91 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 - $70 / night

    "Great location, near everything in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Flat spaces and easy in and out."

    "The park is in Rocky Mountain National Park and it is great.  There is tons of wildlife - Elk, Mule Deer, chipmunks, wild birds of all kinds.  "

    2. Glacier Basin Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    60 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 - $70 / night

    "Wonderful view of the surrounding mountains, quiet, clean, staff was friendly. They had wood and ice for sale."

    "Small stream to fish at the entrance to campground. Great trails to hike close to campground. Shuttle stop at Campground to get around the park."

    3. East Portal Campground at Estes Park

    40 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 964-7806

    $45 - $80 / night

    "As always, Rocky Mountain National Park is epic. Pictures from winter adventures."

    "Stayed here for 2 nights while visiting Rocky Mountain National park. Reserved in advanced, its on the expensive side. Camp hosts were great! Showers immaculate."

    4. Timber Creek Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    38 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 / night

    "This is a great introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park. The campground is adjacent to the Colorado River, close to the Kauwuneeche Visitor Center and Grand Lake!"

    "First come first serve campground in Rocky Mountain National Park. Has ampitheater that had a movie playing the weekend we stayed. No showers. Sites have a picnic table and fire ring."

    5. Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    46 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 964-7806

    $45 - $70 / night

    "Great starting point for visiting Rocky Mountain national park."

    "We enjoyed the easy access to the Rocky Mountain National Park and downtown Estes from Eastes Park at Mary's Lake."

    6. Green Ridge Campground

    27 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    7 miles
    Website

    $29 - $88 / night

    "We used it as our base to visit Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was the perfect location for us.  We visited the nearby town and went into the park several times. "

    "Our campsite was great and pretty quiet, kind of tucked away from people. The pit toilets were really clean. Very close to Grand Lake for dining."

    7. Arapaho Bay Campground

    31 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    $29 - $58 / night

    "Good campground not to far from Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s about 9 miles off the main road so it’s a good drive back in there but nice area right by the lake and some streams."

    "Arapaho Bay Campground is on Lake Granby in the Arapaho National Forest to the south east of Rocky Mountain National Park's Grand Lake entrance."

    8. Arapaho National Forest Stillwater Campground

    28 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    $32 - $73 / night

    "Really awesome views and close to the west entrance if the Rocky Mountain National park. Spacious sites, we had water view which we all enjoyed. Would definitely go back."

    "Nice drive on Trail Ridge Road to Rocky Mountain National Park. The town of Grand Lake is nearby and a nice place to visit."

    9. Winding River Resort

    20 Reviews
    Grand Lake, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 627-3215

    $40 - $60 / night

    "They have direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River.  We visited a little late in the season (August) to catch many fish, but we still had fun. "

    "Three dispersed camping locations all completely booked so I chose to stay in this RV Park which is located within Rocky Mountain National park and right next to Arapahoe National Park."

    10. Allenspark Dispersed Camping

    28 Reviews
    Allenspark, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "We found a spot with several fire rings close to the water and just a short walk from parking along the road."

    "Take the road far enough and you’ll get past those with homes and find some decent BLM off road camping/overnight parking places. Road gets a bit more 4x4 like as you keep going"

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Recent Camping Photos near Rocky Mountain National Park

976 Photos of 423 Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Rocky Mountain National Park

2688 Reviews of 423 Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot, right on the water

    High clearance 4x4 recommended but could be doable without if you’re an experienced driver. Beautiful lakes and some campsites are right on the water. Only one other person camping on a Wednesday night. There is currently a fire ban so be sure to respect our forests and be updated.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Chief Hosa Campground

    I-70 off-ramp camping

    The campground is unfortunately too close to the highway and the noise makes it difficult to sleep or relax. Nice parking spot if you need to see the sights for a day or two.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    Camping near Rocky Mtn NP

    What a wonderful campground! Friendly hosts, full hookups offered, beautiful scenery and right outside the entrance to the national park!

  • Trish M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely beautiful

    My husband and I are addicted to dispersed camping 🏕 and every weekend, we try to go somewhere different. This place was beautiful beyond words! The road getting there really wasn't bad, but you do need a little ground clearance. We got in around 9 pm, so it was dark, and we didn't know where we were, so there was a spot open right as you get to the top that we parked in. The moon was so bright we could see the mountains around us and could even see the like big of snow up there. Woke up the next morning and fell in love with our spot, so we stayed. We decided to take a walk around the lake and check out the upper lake. Definitely loved it here. Will be back for sure.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Nice view of Gold Lake

    Overlook of Gold Lake

    Beautiful camp site setup. Huge Rock fire pit. Piled firewood. At a high point with views of gold's Lake roads to site have been deactivated so it would be necessary to walk in. AT&t cell service a little bit spotty. Nice open areas up there. Roads in sight. Very secluded

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Pinion Pine Dispersed Campground

    Dispersed camping witha view of the Colorado river

    Camped here in order to do the hike to the Radium Hot Springs down the road.

    The access track (off Trough Rd) had one huge rut that a smaller car might find a bit hairy but we saw a small SUV had gotten in there.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Trough Road Dispersed

    Camping no longer allowed

    There is now a lot of signage prohibiting camping. Go to Pinion Pine Dispersed Camping up the road to the north east.

    Definitely come here for the hike to th hot prongs though. The road accommodated our big Revel van easily.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Gold Lake Roosevelt Forest dispersed camping

    Peaceful. Nobody around

    Adjacent to boundary fence line between the private Lake and the national Roosevelt Forest. Nice high spot. Well shaded. Very large fire pit for fires when they're allowed. Weak AT&T.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Poudre Canyon Road Camp

    Low key but functional

    Full disclosure: I crashed here after driving straight through eastern Wyoming so my standards may have been a little low at the time. I would have preferred to stay at Pingree but it wasn’t an option so I snagged a site here for a few nights and explored the canyon during the day. Overall I found it comfortable and quiet. The sites are spaced far enough apart for privacy. The view of the canyon isn’t spectacular; the opposing hillside is a little scruffy looking. But there are still trees and vegetation around the site so I wouldn’t call it ugly by any means. It just depends where you look I guess.

    There were a handful of flies buzzing through the campsite which my dog took great personal offense to. But otherwise it was a very mellow, low-key site. I would describe it as a serviceable alternative if your first choice is full and you are tired of driving.

Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park

Camping near Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, offers a fantastic way to experience the great outdoors. With stunning views, diverse wildlife, and a variety of campgrounds, there's something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. Many campers rave about the access to trails like the one leading to Sprague Lake. One visitor noted, "Hiking trail to Sprague Lake is about a mile with plenty of birds and other critters."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for moose, elk, and other wildlife. A camper at Timber Creek Campground shared, "Moose in campground, and elk calling at night."
  • Stargazing: The clear mountain skies provide excellent stargazing opportunities. A reviewer mentioned, "Star watching was excellent (near a new moon)."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers love the breathtaking views. One visitor at Glacier Basin Campground said, "Beautiful views and a great spot on Bear Lake Rd."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are well-maintained. A camper at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake mentioned, "Clean bathrooms with hot pay showers which are $2 for 6 minutes."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful environment. A reviewer at Moraine Park Campground stated, "Chilly, clear starry night. Tall trees. Close to town but quiet."

What you should know:

  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds are only open during specific months. For example, Glacier Basin Campground is open from May 23 to September 11.
  • Crowded Conditions: Popular campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A visitor at Moraine Park Campground noted, "It's a bit overcrowded."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds lack certain amenities like showers or electric hookups. A camper at Timber Creek Campground mentioned, "Not a spectacular campground, but it is in the RMNP and that makes it special."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A reviewer at East Portal Campground said, "Big playground and not crazy expensive."
  • Plan for Wildlife Encounters: Teach kids about wildlife safety. One camper at Timber Creek Campground shared, "We saw elk and mule deer in the campground on multiple occasions."
  • Pack for Weather Changes: Be prepared for sudden weather changes in the mountains. A visitor at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake noted, "It gets windy in the afternoon."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Size Restrictions: Some campgrounds have size limits for RVs. A camper at Glacier Basin Campground mentioned, "Sites are reasonably well separated."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need more amenities, choose campgrounds with full hookups. A reviewer at Reverend's Ridge Campground said, "We did have electric though."
  • Be Mindful of Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A visitor at Timber Creek Campground noted, "There’s a bit of road noise from trail ridge road traffic."

Camping near Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're hiking, wildlife watching, or just soaking in the views, there's plenty to explore in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Rocky Mountain National Park offers several excellent campgrounds with different experiences. Glacier Basin Campground is highly rated for its spectacular mountain views, quiet atmosphere, and convenient location near park shuttle stops that connect to major trailheads and Estes Park. Timber Creek Campground on the park's west side provides a different experience adjacent to the Colorado River, offering easy access to the Kauwuneeche Visitor Center and Grand Lake. The campground features modern restrooms with running water and sits in a scenic location. For those seeking a backcountry experience, Rocky Mountain National Park also offers wilderness campsites like Glacier Gorge and Sandbeach Lake, though these require advance wilderness permits.

What camping facilities and amenities are available at Moraine Park and Glacier Basin campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Glacier Basin Campground offers clean facilities with friendly staff. Amenities include firewood and ice for sale on-site, and the campground is strategically located across from the Rocky Mountain National Park shuttle service that connects to major trailheads and Estes Park. The campground provides beautiful mountain views in a quiet setting that enhances the natural experience. While specific Moraine Park details aren't available in the reviews, Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds typically offer potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to flush or vault toilets depending on the season. Like other in-park campgrounds, both locations require advance reservations through Recreation.gov and have regulations regarding food storage to prevent wildlife encounters.

Are there campgrounds around or near Rocky Mountain National Park for visitors who can't get a reservation inside the park?

Several excellent campgrounds exist outside Rocky Mountain National Park when in-park sites are full. Arapaho Bay Campground offers a peaceful lakeside setting with access to fishing and hiking trails about 9 miles from the main road. While sites are typically smaller, the natural setting makes it worth the drive. Olive Ridge near Allenspark provides shaded sites among trees with walking access to the park's back entrance via County Road 84. Other options include Meeker Park Overflow Campground (though sites offer limited privacy), Horsetooth Inn & RV Park (about an hour from the park with full hookups), and NFSR 120 dispersed sites in Arapaho National Forest with views of Grand Lake, just a 20-minute drive from the park's western entrance.

When should I make reservations for camping in Rocky Mountain National Park and how far in advance?

Reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds should be made as far in advance as possible, especially for summer visits. Most in-park campsites can be reserved through Recreation.gov, with bookings opening six months ahead of your stay date. For popular summer weekends (late June through early September), sites often fill within minutes of becoming available. Wilderness camping at sites like Glacier Gorge Backcountry Campsite requires specific wilderness permits that cost $36 and should also be booked well in advance. If you can't secure in-park reservations, consider nearby alternatives like Flatiron Reservoir Campground near Loveland or Prospector Campground, which sometimes has availability even without advance reservations on weekdays.

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