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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
