RV camping near Shawnee, Colorado provides diverse options for motorhome travelers at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. Access roads to many campgrounds require careful navigation, especially on mountain passes and Forest Service roads where grades can exceed 7%. Weather patterns typically bring afternoon thunderstorms in summer months, with nighttime temperatures dropping below 50°F even in July.
What to do
Mountain biking: Clear Creek trail network offers multiple access points near Clear Creek RV Park. "Along a gorgeous walking path to the mountains, within immediate walking distance to multiple breweries and restaurants, and extremely accessible to the mountains," notes a camper about the convenient location.
Gold panning: Try your luck at Middlefork RV Resort's onsite facilities. "There is on site gold panning! I can't give this place much praise but the gold panning did it for me!" shares one visitor who found this activity particularly compelling despite other limitations at the resort.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide optimal opportunities for deer spotting at several campgrounds. "We have uninvited friends, deers all over!" reports one camper at Diamond Campground & RV Park, where wildlife regularly wanders through the grounds throughout the day.
Explore historic Fairplay: South Park's historic district sits just minutes from Middlefork RV Resort. "We loved the town of Fairplay which has some nice restaurants, ice cream shop, and a coffee shop and much more. We were there when Fairplay had its Living History event in town and really enjoyed that," explains a visitor who found the local attractions appealing.
What campers like
Public transportation access: Some campgrounds offer easy transit to larger cities. At Prospect RV Park (now Applewood RV Resort), "the bus to Union Station leaves every hour just outside the campground - so with an easy 30 min trip, you are in the center of Denver! Could not be any easier when camping without a car," explains one visitor.
Clean, private facilities: Tiger Run RV Resort maintains high-quality amenities. "The clubhouse offers a heated pool and hot tub, arcade, business center, locker rooms, laundry ($2 per wash / $1.75 to dry), and owners lounge," details one guest who appreciated the extensive facilities.
Location convenience: Many parks offer strategic positioning between mountain attractions and urban amenities. "This location was perfect for exploring the area. It is very close to downtown Woodland Park and many attractions," notes a Diamond Campground visitor who valued the proximity to services and sightseeing opportunities.
Level, well-maintained sites: Idaho Springs RV Resort provides properly graded spaces. "We stayed at site 39 and it was perfectly level with beautiful surroundings. Great view of the mountains right outside our window. Facilities are clean and the showers are nice and large with plenty of room to shower and get dressed," reports a recent visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Several campgrounds have limited operating seasons due to mountain weather conditions. "We stayed here in August for 10 days or so and besides struggling at first with how to get into the actual campground there is a small road off the parking lot for the stores there that leads down into it," explains a Middlefork RV Resort visitor regarding access challenges.
Water pressure concerns: Municipal water systems in mountain towns often deliver high pressure. "Be sure to have a water pressure regulator or you'll come back to a flooded RV," cautions a camper who stayed at Applewood RV Resort.
Urban vs. rustic settings: Campgrounds vary widely in character despite proximity. "This is your true stereotypical mobile home park. Nothing at all wrong with that but really not much of a campground at all, more a permanent resident locale," notes a visitor to Cottonwood RV Campground who wanted others to understand the environment.
Site leveling requirements: Mountain terrain creates uneven camping surfaces at many locations. "Some sites are not very level, but others are quite level. Easy to book and pick your desired site," advises a Diamond Campground camper regarding site selection importance.
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several parks offer recreational facilities for children. "There are tennis/pickleball courts and a community fire pit in the center of the resort that hosted movie night during our stay," mentions a Tiger Run RV Resort visitor describing the family-friendly activities available.
Dog-friendly areas: Most parks accommodate pets with specific areas. "The dog run had dog feces everywhere. Piles of it," warns a Tiger Run RV Resort camper, highlighting maintenance issues important for pet owners to consider.
Weather preparation: Mountain temperature fluctuations require adaptable clothing and gear. "We stayed overnight in early July and actually pitched our tent next to our family RV underneath the awning, safe from the summer showers that seem to pass thru almost daily in the summer months," explains a Diamond Campground visitor.
Security considerations: Some parks offer enhanced safety measures. "The site is located inside of Golden parks, which mean local police patrolled the property throughout the night," notes a visitor about park security at Clear Creek RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Big rig accessibility: Many mountain parks have limitations for larger vehicles. At Middlefork RV Resort, "The area itself has a lot of construction and it was harder for large rigs to get into the campsite but I had no problems with my smaller 20ft rig," shares a recent visitor highlighting size-specific challenges.
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs significantly between locations. "Cell Service: 3 bars of 5Ge on AT&T. My personal hotspot worked great here," notes a camper at Dakota Ridge RV Park, providing specific carrier information useful for remote workers.
Site spacing: RV parks often position units closely together. "Clean, level, absolutely nothing fancy. Great park for kids nearby but $120 for a 25ft for a night seems crazy," comments a visitor to Prospect RV Park about pricing relative to amenities and space constraints.
Sewer connection elevation: Some parks have drainage challenges. "The sewer is 6 inches above grade and slinky support wasn't tall enough. You might be lifting your hose to assist emptying," advises an Applewood RV Resort guest regarding practical hookup difficulties.
