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Camping near Rocky Mountain National Park

2,594 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.

Map showing campgrounds near Rocky Mountain National Park, ColoradoExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Rocky Mountain National Park (413)

    1. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    89 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

    58 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

    $55 - $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

    45 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. 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."

    7. Green Ridge Campground

    26 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."

    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

    18 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. "

    "A lovely wooded campground literally on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park - we even saw moose from the back window of our RV! "

    10. Allenspark Dispersed Camping

    25 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

983 Photos of 413 Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Rocky Mountain National Park

2594 Reviews of 413 Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds

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 camping is available near Rocky Mountain National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, Rocky Mountain National Park offers a wide range of camping options, with 413 campgrounds and RV parks near Rocky Mountain National Park and 139 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Rocky Mountain National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rocky Mountain National Park is Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 89 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rocky Mountain National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 139 free dispersed camping spots near Rocky Mountain National Park.

What parks are near Rocky Mountain National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Rocky Mountain National Park that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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