The Rye, Colorado camping region sits at elevations between 6,000 and 9,000 feet in the San Isabel National Forest. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F at night to 85°F during day with thunderstorms common in July and August. The mountainous terrain creates variable cell coverage throughout the area with several campgrounds reporting spotty or no service.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Aspen Acres Campground, visitors often spot local wildlife. "We spotted plenty of deer and horses nearby (though none entered the campground itself)," notes one camper, while another mentions "we were able to see pronghorn in nearby fields as we sat drinking coffee" at Haggards RV Campground.
Bishop Castle tour: Located just 5 minutes from Aspen Acres Campground, this unusual stone structure attracts many visitors. "This campground is beautiful, with good size spots that are pretty level gravel with some grassy areas. Big bonuses: the colors of the aspens were changing and there are plenty right in the campground," according to a visitor who used the campground as a base for exploring.
Lake Isabel recreation: Only 10 minutes from Aspen Acres, this lake charges a $7 day use fee. A visitor noted, "Easy drive up from I-25 but fairly steep in spots if that is problematic." Activities include fishing, paddling, and shoreline hiking with rentals available seasonally.
What campers like
Unplugged experience: Many campsites have minimal connectivity. At Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort, a visitor shared, "There is no cell service for AT&T or T-Mobile, but you are able to do wifi calling with their WiFi and we streamed a movie one night." This makes the area ideal for those wanting a digital detox.
Stargazing conditions: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. "The spectacular night sky" was highlighted by one Aspen Acres camper. Another noted they "enjoyed the fire pits on the patio were cozy and inviting" at Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins while taking in the stars.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. "The bathhouse is extremely clean, with several private bathroom/shower rooms. There is also a laundry with 4 washers & dryers," reports a Mountaindale visitor. Another camper at Royal Gorge noted "The newly remodeled bathhouse and laundry facilities are beautiful!"
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Service varies significantly by carrier. At Haggards RV Campground, campers report: "Data: T-mobile 5G: lacking, ATT: not so hot, Verizon: great, Visible: pretty good, Cricket: ok for voice." Download maps and information before arrival.
Water quality concerns: Several campgrounds have issues with water systems. One camper at Haggards warns: "Water system needs work; well water has rust and sediment, be prepared!" Another at Aspen Acres mentions filling "our tank with the most disgusting undrinkable water imaginable."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. A visitor to Mountaindale notes they "showed up 4 hours early for our reservation, and they had us in ASAP!" While another camper at Haggards mentioned "We've been staying at this campground for several years as we travel between Arizona and Wyoming."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Most campgrounds welcome pets with specific areas for exercise. Circle the Wagons RV Park allows dogs, though one camper notes: "There are also dogs without leashes that cross the creek and come into the RV Park." Haggards offers "a HUGE fenced dog park" according to a reviewer.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated recreation spaces. "The playground was very kid friendly and the giant jumping pillow was super fun!" reports a visitor to Royal Gorge RV Resort. Another mentioned "The camp store was well stocked with firewood, camping supplies, a s'mores bar, cold drinks."
Entertainment options: For rainy days or downtime, some facilities offer indoor recreation. One Aspen Acres visitor mentioned "They have a lot things to do for the kids in the camp store/facility," while another noted "The rec center has some entertainment which was a nice bonus."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose carefully based on your preferences and rig size. At Gears RV Park and Cafe, a visitor noted "Mix of back in and pull through. Clean with a few long term folks who are friendly. 30-50 amp and full hookup that's affordable." For Circle the Wagons, a camper advised "GPS won't get you here because 2nd Street is bisected by a creek with no bridge. I had to back my trailer a couple of blocks."
Hookup positioning: Plan for potential connection challenges at rv sites near Rye, Colorado. A visitor to Aspen Acres mentioned: "We only wish we had a longer power cable. Our port is at the back and the outlet was way up front. To reach, we had to set up near the front of the site which limited our parking."
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites require adjustments. At Haggards RV Campground, "The sites were large and plenty of room for my slideout and not too close to next site," reports one camper who stayed in a 34-foot travel trailer in a pull-through site. Another mentioned the sites at Mountaindale are "terraced so that everyone has a beautiful view."
