Best Tent Camping near Salida, CO

We had a great time in Site #24, camping in a tent.  This site is inadequate for an RV or even a camper, as the parking spot is just a widening in the road.  But the site was very private and  had beautiful views.  I left a day early as a new neighbor came to the site across the road and was running his generator a lot….so I just decided to leave….

Rv sites in lower meadow are great. We camped in a tent on weekend on site T12. AMAMZING river front meadow site. The last weekend we used a travel trailer and it rained all weekend so we were glad to have a trailer this time. The water is warm because it is below mt princeton hot springs.

My first trip to Angel of Shavano CG (from Colo Spgs) was in 1989, and it became the mainstay for my kids & me. The kids are grown, but the CG is still one of my faves. Quiet, fairly secluded, has its own fishing pond and nearby beaver ponds, N. Fk. S. Arkansas flows past, and it is right on the Colorado Trail. Very shady, 30 min. from Salida, many 4x4 roads in the area. Great place to jump off of US 50 overnight if not full, or to spend a few days.

Campground had lots of RV sites and fewer tent sites but nice tent sites. Beautiful views of the mountains and close to many of the rafting companies and other local attractions as well as to the Royal Gorge bridge ans hiking. Staff were very friendly. We were there for a few, big, afternoon thunderstorms, one of which caused a little flooding around the office. Tent sites are on slight hill so no flooding but lots of little rivers running through our campsite. We would stay here again- the kids loved thr go-karting, mini-golf and giant slide. There is also a pool onsight which we did not use.

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8 basic tent campsites with a tent pad, f

Fire ring/grill, and table parking space for vehicles Pit toilets and two changing areas This campsite is very small but well kept. The main highway runs along side and might be a bit noisy. The road in and at the campsite is a gravel base. 

Directions: It is off Highway 50 about 8 miles east of Salida. Mile marker 231 between the towns of Swissvale and Howard. The turn is on the north side on a very curvy part of the highway.

We were slow to find a campsite for the night and we were lucky enough to happen upon this place. There were a lot of RVs, although since we were tent camping there is plenty of room on that side of the park as well. They were showers, Wi-Fi, toilets, and firewood available. It was all a very good price as well. The worker we spoke with was very nice and helpful. She did mention that there had been some recent bear activity at the site. There’s also a nice little general store that sells coffee and snacks across the street. If you were needing more items Salida is only about a 20 minute drive.

Flies, no defined tent sites, some had tent areas but rain water ran right through them. Entire area smells very bad. Area was not maintained .weeds, grass etc no managed.

In my opinion this place is kind of rundown and dumpy. Maybe it hasn’t been maintained bc of covid closures? Idk either way I wasn’t impressed. We had a tent site. The tent sites were small and along a cliff with the Arkansas below. Our “large” tent site barely fit our big cabin tent, with enough room to park our vehicle. Our tent was literally a foot away from the road you pull in on. We had 2 young kids with us and I would not call it very kid friendly. We were Constantly having to keep an eye on them. Either they fall off a cliff into the river or worry about them getting into the main 2 way camp road that huge rvs and trucks drive by on. It was very hard to “relax” while kids were trying to play. The sound of the river at night was nice that’s about it. The encounters I had with staff weren’t great. A bit rude and unhelpful. I feel the prices are high considering you can’t use any amenities advertised due to covid restrictions. There were a lot of “rules” they had I haven’t encountered in other campgrounds. There are much prettier/nicer campgrounds along the Arkansas River I would stay at.

Another great Colorado State Park, it sits above Eleven Mile Reservoir. The sites offer everything from tent sites to full hook up. There is limited shade, but most sites are exposed.

Theres beautiful hikes around the lake and the fishing is awesome between the reservoir and Spinny Lake, and 11 Mile Canyon below the dam.

This was my first time solo tent camping. It went well. The space had a fire ring and picnic table. I might have been the only person at the park and it was quite peaceful!

This park (which comes up quickly on the stream side of US-50, eastbound or westbound), is historically located on a former 180-degree turn of the old narrow-gauge railroad. It is right on the S. Arkansas, which has browns and rainbows for skilled and licensed anglers. Pull-throughs & back-ins are generously spaced with ample shade. Full hookups, but weak & limited wifi, though adequate for email & non-streaming. Restrooms/showers/laundry very clean & well-kept. Good showers, but the timer-controlled lights may leave you in darkness while you're in there (not saying how I know this). BONUS INFO FOR TENT CAMPERS: Ask about the tent sites all the way down by the old powerplant pond. Absolutely idyllic. About 20 mins. to Salida, 50 min. or so to Buena Vista.

We tent camped here in late September. Beautiful location with well-kept sites and bathrooms. However sites are close to the road and we could hear the traffic all night. Probably best suited for RVs and quick spot to camp.

This area is absolutely beautiful. There are a few tent camping spots at the bottom right before you cross the bridge. As you continue up the road past the bridge, there are 3 spots you can bring a small trailer to and a couple more tent spots. DO NOT bring your trailer past the 3rd spot up the road after the bridge. And do not drive up that section to the 3rd if it is already taken (scout ahead here, trust me). You won't be able to turn around and the road gets worse with no where to turn around and no spots. There are more places for tent camping the further up you go though but the road is not good so all-wheel or 4WD with clearance is needed. I pretty much only saw trucks and outbacks and 4runners making it up there.

Other than that, it's next to the water, the trees are good and healthy, near lots of hiking trails, (angels of shavano TH takes you up the most beautiful section of Colorado trail (': it was a butt kicker though), not great service but I had enough to send a text whenever I needed to. I spent 4 nights here and will 100000% be back. Loved it so much.

The tent sites are kind of centralized, not a lot of privacy. With that said, the sites were level and the facilities were fine. Good location, not far from crested butte.

Great spot for fishing, waking up to river sounds, and sage brush Mountain Views. Lots of four wheelers/RVs so if you’re looking for something more remote and tent only this is not the place! We used it as an overnight spot for tent camping between Leadville and crested butte and that worked perfectly.

Really gorgeous camping spot with easy access to tons of different outdoor activities. Tent sites are very well maintained and very beautiful. Walk-in sites are very close to parking, I would barely consider them walk-in sites. My only complaint is that the tent pads are made of gravel and therefore extremely hard to properly stake down tents.

Tent camped in the dispersed area because Hayden creek was full, near Rainbow trailhead, entire area to ourselves 98% of the time besides two groups of hikers over 2 nights almost 3 days. Bring camp toilet for dispersed camp areas or walk to the vault toilet at Hayden creek (long walk). Camped right along the brook an filtered water.