340 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Pike National Forest surrounds Sedalia, Colorado with diverse camping options ranging from established campgrounds to remote dispersed sites. Devil's Head Campground, located directly in Sedalia, operates seasonally from May to October and provides basic amenities with toilet facilities but no hookups. The Rampart Range Recreation Area offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities along forest service roads branching off the main Rampart Range Road. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Chatfield State Park Campground in Littleton with full hookups and year-round availability, or the family-oriented Jellystone Park at Larkspur with 415 sites including tent spaces, RV hookups, and cabin rentals.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted about Rampart Range Road, "The southern portion is open year-round while the northern half is closed seasonally during winter. Some smaller trails that branch off do better with a 4WD with high clearance." Elevation plays a major role in camping conditions, with nighttime temperatures dropping significantly even in summer months. Cell reception is spotty or nonexistent in many areas, particularly in the more remote forest service sites. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and weather patterns in the mountains can differ dramatically from nearby Denver, often being 20 degrees colder at night.
Ponderosa pines provide welcome shade at many campgrounds in the area, though privacy between sites varies considerably. Visitors frequently mention the proximity to excellent hiking trails, with the Colorado Trail accessible from several nearby campgrounds. Wildlife sightings are common, with mule deer and various bird species regularly observed. Noise levels depend largely on location—campgrounds near highways may experience traffic noise, while those on forest service roads might contend with OHV traffic during peak periods. One reviewer of Dakan Road Camping mentioned, "It's very important that you have a high clearance car to drive on the road. It's a lot like off-roading on some parts." Water access for fishing is available at several locations, particularly along the South Platte River.
"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
"It is in the center of the city, but aside from the traffic on the dam in the distance you would not realize it. "
from $28 - $432 / night
Check Availability"My 9 yr old son and I have been “jeeping” around Colorado for about 8 months now. We make it a point to wake up to a different view every day."
"Fun place to camp lots of sites and pretty trails, however this is known for its off-road ATV riders. If you're staying for a night or you're ATV for the weekend this is your spot."
"This was our first time staying at Bear Creek Lake. The park is not part of the Colorado Wilds or CPW State Park system, but daily vehicle fees are included with your camping reservation."
"Note: If the GPS takes you to a dirt road with a closed gate at the end, get back on the highway and take the next exit to the park entrance."
"We’re a one night in each location maybe 2 as we tour the US in 4-6week chunks."
"When we arrived we found out our spot was by the train we asked to be moved and they were extremely accommodating and put us in another spot up higher away from train."
from $50 - $170 / night
Check Availability"There's several creeks that run through the area and a network of trails that intersect the Colorado Trail and the road. The area is popular with mountain bikers."
"The area was well kept and obviously beautiful, it's Colorado after all. There was no running water, however the camo host drives an ATV around offering water from giant containers. I loved it."
"Dakan Road is mostly known as an Off-Road vehicle Road, so 4x4’s are suggested to get up to the sites."
"The only issue I found is that being so close to civilization/the city is that there was a lack of camp etiquette from neighboring campsites."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
"Each of them have a parking area right along the road with a fire ring a short distance away surrounded by awesome rock outcroppings."
"A large number of established roadside dispersed camping spots to choose from. All spots have metal fire rings, so campfires are allowed even with Stage 1 fire restrictions in place."
"Indian Creek is lush and wooded, while still being close to Denver. The drive in is easy, following a paved road most of the way. Great spot for car camping."
"Water spigots next to the bathroom. There are a few trails here, some are horse trails. Overall a beautiful spot with some shade!"
from $30 / night
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ScoutHad to come to Arvada for a swim competition for my kid and decided to book here. I read the reviews before I came, I needed a place to park, plug-in, run my air conditioner between swim sessions and be able to freely drive in and out. Staff was very friendly, place had clean bathrooms and showers. No frills, met all of our needs.
TravelerI wanna start by saying no matter what maps tells you take rainbow Road if you don’t you’re gonna end up needing a true off-road 4 x 4 vehicle. The location was great if you’re gonna go you really need to go on a Thursday or get there about 9 o’clock in the morning on a Friday in order to get a good spot make sure you have levelers with you if you’re gonna be camping in your vehicle, we have a truck with a tent and we definitely had to level with some rock rocks. This campground was completely packed and the night noise was really loud, but the views were great. There’s very limited hiking the weekend that we went unfortunately someone made their campsite right in front of the trailhead and you literally couldn’t go hiking up around the lake, unless she went through their campsite and they were not very friendly about it. Otherwise, this is a wonderful place to go really nice and relaxing. There was lots of chipmunks we had no wildlife issues. There was a ton of mosquitoes, but shockingly none of them beat us. If you go take some bug spray some levelers, and maybe some earplugs for the nighttime noise.
TravelerWe tried this place out when seeking our first dispersed camping adventure. Easy to get to from Nederland. Would not recommend a trailer greater than 20 feet. Roads can be rough. There were multiple poorly maintained long term camping sites with trash everywhere including a large hole with trash / tents. But it was quiet while there and we saw a large moose.
TravelerMost excellent staff. The park is all crushed bedrock gravel. More trees than other local RV parks. Good facilities and exceptionally clean. Mix of long term and transient campers. Close to Old Colorado City with museums, street fairs, and etc. Good base to explore this part of the front range.
ScoutWe enjoyed a lot we have everything you need at it at a campground and courteous and very well knowledged enjoyed this day. The only bad thing I have to say about it is a little pricey.
GuideSpacious site with level concrete pads. Convenient to many attaching and amenities. Clean bath and shower facilities. Clean laundry facilities too
ScoutLots of garbage everywhere, only half the sites have bear boxes, a lot of car noise, and a lot of inconsiderate families that you can tell don't camp often. They're leaving bags of garbage outside, filling up air mattresses at 430 in the morning, letting their kids run around our campsite. We spent all of 12 hours here before deciding to leave and take the hit on the second night
GuideThis is a good location! Theres only a few RV spots with electricity, but we stayed at a 30 amp site. No sewer or water connections, but there was potable water just ahead of our site that we used to fill up our water tank. Staff was kind and there was security! Site was pretty level. Had a great stay!
TravelerThis is a great remote spot dont try and bring a stock crosstreck or something tho but my lifted jeep on 35's made it easily
Camping options near Sedalia, Colorado range from 7,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation, creating significant temperature variations throughout the year. Sites on Forest Service Road 67 leading to Devil's Head can drop to freezing temperatures even in July, while lower-elevation campgrounds maintain milder overnight conditions. Morning fog often settles in valleys during spring and early fall camping seasons.
Hiking the Devils Head Trail: Access this popular trail directly from Devil's Head Campground. The trail leads to a fire lookout with panoramic views. "This is a popular trail with a great attraction at the end. The view is worth it and the Ranger makes it a great learning experience," notes one visitor who hiked the 1.4-mile trail.
Mountain biking at Buffalo Creek: The trail system at Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers routes for various skill levels. A camper describes it as "A mountain biker's dream. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels." The trail network connects to the Colorado Trail for more advanced rides.
Water activities at Bear Creek: During summer months, Bear Creek Lake provides swimming and paddle sports opportunities. A camper at Indian Paintbrush Campground reports, "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We had a peaceful quiet night and crisp sunny morning sans disturbance," reports a camper at Devil's Head who enjoyed watching chipmunks at their site.
Secluded camping spots: Many campers value the privacy found at Dakan Road Camping. "There are some really great campsites with some pretty amazing views here spread along Dakan Rd and the network of roads and spurs in the area," writes one reviewer, noting the best sites are found farther up the mountain.
Spacious group sites: Campers with larger parties appreciate the room at Rampart Range. "The spots have tons of space for you and friends. If you have ATV's you really need to discover this area," explains a reviewer who frequently camps in the area with family.
Road conditions: Many forest service roads require appropriate vehicles. For Dakan Road, a camper advises, "There are many designated campsites off Rampart Range Road and it feels like the road just keeps on going. The sites are spacious and pretty isolated from other campers."
Weekday vs. weekend camping: Campgrounds near Sedalia experience significant usage patterns. At Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, "This area is busy and can easily fill for the weekend by Thursday mid-day," warns one camper. Another notes, "We came up Sunday and drove around for an hour trying to find a spot. Sunday evening it cleared up and we were the only ones there mon-tues!"
Noise considerations: Some areas have more recreational traffic than others. A Dakan Road camper reports, "Very active OHV trails so the dirt bike traffic can ruin your weekend if you were looking for peace and quiet here. I've found the OHV traffic is not bad during the week or in late fall when it gets colder."
Best family campgrounds: Jellystone Park at Larkspur offers extensive amenities for children. "What a place. Hundreds of spots- a water park, a bounce pad, cabins, golf carts, putt-putt oh my! This place is a campers with kids dream," writes one family camper.
Kid-friendly activities: Family camping opportunities extend beyond traditional sites. At Bear Creek Lake Park, "Great views of the mountains. Big boulders. We had a wonderful experience with our kids who enjoyed the archery range and swim beach," writes a reviewer with children.
Scavenger hunts: Some trails offer built-in activities for children. A camper at Indian Creek Campground shares, "The trail heading North out of the parking lot is great, well maintained and also has hidden 7 dwarfs along the trail to try and find. We did it four times just to make sure we found all 7."
RV-friendly options: Larger RVs have limited options in the immediate Sedalia area. A camper at Chatfield State Park advises, "Great for biking and all kinds of water sports. Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites."
Site selection: Leveling can be challenging at some campgrounds. One RVer notes, "Clean bathrooms. Very friendly attendant. Level primitive spots," regarding Chatfield State Park, one of the more accommodating options for RVs.
Hookup availability: When staying at established campgrounds, plan for limited services. "Sites were big and far enough away from neighbors. Would recommend," reports a Buffalo Creek visitor, though noting the absence of electrical hookups or water connections requires proper preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds in Sedalia, Colorado?
Sedalia offers excellent access to diverse camping options in the surrounding area. Devil's Head Campground is located near Sedalia and provides drive-in access with toilet facilities. For those seeking a family-friendly experience, Jellystone Park™ at Larkspur is conveniently situated close to the highway with easy access to attractions in both Colorado Springs and Denver. Additional options within driving distance include dispersed camping along Rampart Range Road and Dakan Road areas, where you can find more secluded spots. These locations offer a mix of developed campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities to suit different preferences.
What amenities are available at camping sites near Sedalia, CO?
Camping sites near Sedalia offer varying levels of amenities. Colorado Campground is situated near Manitou Lake and provides essential facilities while being close to the Pikes Peak wilderness area with numerous nearby trails. Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake offers beautiful lakeside camping with bathroom facilities and a visitor center where you can purchase firewood. For dispersed camping options, Rampart Range Road provides more primitive experiences with few amenities but greater privacy. Developed campgrounds typically offer fire pits, picnic tables, and vault toilets, while some sites include water access. RV-friendly options may have additional hookups, though these are limited in the immediate Sedalia area.
Do I need reservations for camping in Sedalia during peak seasons?
Reservations are highly recommended for camping near Sedalia during peak seasons (late spring through early fall, especially holiday weekends). Mueller State Park Campground fills quickly during summer months due to its easy access to trails and scenic views. Lone Duck Campground and Cabins also requires advance booking during busy periods. For those seeking more spontaneous options, dispersed camping areas like those at Buffalo Creek Recreation Area or Dakan Road may offer more availability, even during busy times. However, even these dispersed sites fill up on summer weekends. The best strategy is to reserve developed campgrounds 3-6 months in advance for summer stays, or arrive mid-week for first-come, first-served sites.
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