Camping near Rye, Colorado offers opportunities in San Isabel National Forest at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 8,000 feet. The area receives moderate rainfall during summer months with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer, with typical daytime highs of 75-85°F and overnight lows of 45-55°F.
What to do
Hiking at Lake Isabel: St. Charles Campground provides access to several hiking trails around Lake Isabel. "There is a great hike that knocked us out. Highly recommend!" notes Kathrina M. who visited in July. The St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel area features the Cisneros trail leading to historic mines.
Visit nearby attractions: The Royal Gorge is approximately 35 miles from Rye. "Close to rafting, Royal Gorge and other attractions," reports Kara D. about Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA, which serves as a convenient base for exploring the area.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Pueblo State Park offers productive fishing spots within an hour's drive. "The fishing was good, better when you get on the water via paddleboard or boat," shares Thomas B. who stayed at Northern Plains Campground. Juniper Breaks Campground also provides good lake access with "tons of trails to the water lots of places to explore."
What campers like
Night sky viewing: The lack of light pollution makes for exceptional stargazing at many campgrounds near Rye. "The nighttime show of stars spectacular!" reports Kristin K. who camped at Arkansas Point Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park. Similar dark sky experiences can be found at most forest camping areas.
Wildlife encounters: Campers frequently report wildlife sightings. "We were visited by several mule deer and very friendly chipmunks," shares Kathrina M. at St. Charles Campground. Another camper at La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel reported, "Wonderful campground. Saw 2 bears!"
Clean facilities: Many glamping options close to Rye, Colorado pride themselves on well-maintained facilities. "They clean the bathrooms/shower-house twice a day and it shows," notes Vanessa about Aspen Acres. Another camper appreciated "Super clean and warm bathrooms with no smell" at Arkansas Point Campground.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common during dry periods. "Although we had a fire ban in effect, we were able to rent a propane fire pit from the office. Be super cautious and check fire restrictions for Custer County," advises Michelle G. from Aspen Acres Campground.
Weather variability: Mountain weather can change quickly. "We had a lovely time. Spent the first day in our tent due to weather," reports Rachel O. who experienced rain at St. Charles Campground. The area is prone to afternoon thunderstorms in summer.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or no cellular coverage. "No cell service for Verizon. Personally, I was happy to be unplugged for a couple of days!" mentions Michelle G. at Aspen Acres Campground. Plan communications accordingly and download offline maps.
Tips for camping with families
Junior Ranger programs: Lake Pueblo State Park offers educational opportunities. "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," shares Marissa B. from Juniper Breaks Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities. "The kids rode go carts, the big slide, and putt putt," reports Zak K. about Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA, which has activities suitable for children of various ages.
Sheltered picnic areas: Many campgrounds provide covered eating areas. "Our tent spot was tucked back in a quiet place, close walk from our tent to plumbed toilets and a further walk to the bathhouse with showers," notes Quentin C. who enjoyed the family-friendly setup at Aspen Acres Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Check the positioning of utilities before setting up. "Our site 6E has a sewer hookup that is fairly far from the electric and we needed our 20 foot sewer hose to reach it. It's on a slight uphill slant so some creative engineering was required to dump," advises Jackie R. from Pueblo South-Colorado City KOA.
Winter considerations: For cold-weather glamping close to Rye, Colorado, prepare for freezing conditions. "The water was frozen at our site because the provided heat tape wasn't functioning. I had to re-tape it with some heat tape I brought," reports Jackie R. who visited Pueblo South-Colorado City KOA in December.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on orientation and privacy. "If I could I would give 4.5 stars since the sites were really close together," notes Marissa W. about Davenport Campground. For more privacy at Juniper Breaks, "I would try to stay at some of the sites farther away from the entrance and closer to the water."
