12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
La Junta KOA accommodates pets at its cabins, RV sites, and tent camping areas with accessible walking paths around the perimeter. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campground, with designated pet relief areas located near tent sites and the playground. Lake Henry provides free pet-friendly camping along its shoreline with ample room for dogs to exercise, though without formal amenities. Melon Valley State Wildlife Area permits pets but requires all visitors to possess a valid Colorado hunting or fishing license or a state wildlife area pass. Comanche National Grassland Withers Canyon Trailhead Campground welcomes pets at both tent and RV sites with access to hiking trails suitable for leashed dogs. The campground scene includes properties with basic pet policies and no additional pet fees, though Lake Henry campers should prepare for significant bugs during warmer months.
Rocky Ford Campsite provides free lakeside camping with full hookups for RVs traveling with pets, though the lake is often dry according to recent visitors. John Martin Reservoir State Park offers two pet-friendly campgrounds—Lake Hasty and Point Campground—both featuring electric hookups, water access, and showers for human companions. Dogs must remain on leashes no longer than six feet throughout the park, including on all trails and shorelines. Wildlife encounters are possible in these areas, so keeping pets secured is essential for their safety. The reservoir provides opportunities for dogs to splash and cool off during hot summer months. Picketwire Canyon accepts both tent and RV campers with pets, offering primitive camping with toilet facilities but requiring visitors to pack in water for themselves and their animals. Local wildlife includes deer, coyotes and occasional bears, making secure food storage and pet management critical for overnight stays.
"Right off the main highway. Close to a Walmart and fast food restaurants. Electric hook-up and picnic tables at each site and cabins to rent as well."
"Walmart is next door and there is food close by if your looking for an easy meal.."
"There isn't much level ground, but if you're able to park close to the river and parallel to it, you'll be ok. "
"Last minute ditch effort to find a spot after driving 21 hours. Nice and quiet from any traffic and perfect breeze from the river. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise."
"There are flies, atvs and trucks that drive around the lake, and cows. If you can deal with those things then this is a great spot!"
"And you can see mountains in the distance. Plus + it’s free! Only downside is the bugs. Lots of them."
"Spent the night in early March 2023 on our way back to Colorado from picking up our new Casita travel trailer in Texas. Only four sites were occupied on the evening that we stayed there."
"Great lakeside site... large site with partial shade. Swim beach
Clean restrooms, laundry and showers
very quiet"
from $29 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Campsite 1 has great rocks right behind it, fun for the kids to play on but more exposed to winds. Campsite two is better for tent camping and has a cool sand pit."
"This is a great dispersed camping location. It was a little hard to find, but following the directions on here got me there okay."
"The lake hasty spots were all booked up but there was some on the point available last minute. These spots have some of the best views for the sunset. Some things to consider."
"Long drive from there entrance to sites on gravel roads. Sites near water are still about 100-200 yards from the water. Lots of wind, no trees."
from $20 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 / night
LegendThis is your standard KOA. Fun looking train car and dinosaur out front. Right off the main highway. Close to a Walmart and fast food restaurants. Electric hook-up and picnic tables at each site and cabins to rent as well. Has a dog park, playground, small pool, and a recreation area.
TravelerWe stayed here 4th of July weekend. The lake hasty spots were all booked up but there was some on the point available last minute. These spots have some of the best views for the sunset. Some things to consider. No water so bring your own or you’ll have to go fill up at the lake hasty one. Bathrooms were available for few so you have to walk or drive up to them. Clean spots but no shade and very windy/buggy. The breeze at night kept us cool and didn’t get very hot until after 10am. people were walking down to the water to fish from the camp spots. We were able to drive our car into the wildlife area where you could park very close to the water and post up all day. I think you can also disperse camp like that but read the rules. We also drove across the dam and found some awesome sandy spots on the water. Dispersed camping was also available there. We posted up all day and had a blast playing in the water with our dog. Hardly anyone around. We went and got more ice on our second day at the bait shop right outside the park down the school road.
Scout$20 for campsite plus $9 fee if you don’t hold a Colorado State Park pass, total $29 for no electric or water and pit toilets not near campsites. No shade at the “Pointe”. It’s a dam on the Arkansas River set in the prairie. Buggy. No easy access to the water near campground. Smell of cattle feed lots on the breeze.
LegendThis is more of a review on the Colorado's reservation system than the campground it self. This is a by reservation only campground, which I did not know about before arriving as I was traveling and this was not my intended stopping point for the night. As it turned out I was unable to camp here. Arrived at 7pm after hours and they only way to make a day of reservation was to use their online system which started out fine. Made a account with Colorado, then made one for the reservation system got to the final step and then it would not let me agree to the terms of service, tried numerous times with out luck. They have two ways to pay for your entrance to the park, by paper or electronic means at a kiosk, but only through their reservation system for a campsite. Would be nice if the kiosk would let you reserve a site. So if you are traveling and need a campsite get here early while park staff are still on duty or you might be out of luck.
LegendGood verizon 5g. This is a locals spot. They dont take great care of it the county or state or whoever is in charge looks like they stopped caring back in the late 80s. Its got access to the water and vault toilets that may or may not be open. Expect kids and dogs running around and people just doing laps cruising the dirt lot kicking up dust. This is a 1 day max spot for me. Just nothing really appealing here.
ScoutVery large open gravel and prairie area. Long drive from there entrance to sites on gravel roads. Sites near water are still about 100-200 yards from the water. Lots of wind, no trees. The basic sites have a table, grill, parking pad, and tent pad, all on gravel. The area is very large so getting to the bathroom is a hike. Requires reservation plus a park pass you can buy at an automated kiosk. Access to site is via the visitor center boat inspection area which has the self serve kiosk. Overall the site is fine, and when I went on a weekday in July there was only one other camper in the whole area - right next to me. The water is pretty but that's probably where others will camp just FYI.
ScoutSpent the night in early March 2023 on our way back to Colorado from picking up our new Casita travel trailer in Texas. Only four sites were occupied on the evening that we stayed there. The trees were leafless and the grass was that lovely winter brown color, but we loved the solitude and peacefulness of a nearly empty campground.
GuideInitially made reservations at the point campground. There is NO shade. Cancelled and remade for Lake Hasty campground. Had a good time. Visited in spring, but it was HOT!! Very glad to have had the shade. Lots of owls. Lots of birds to watch. Bathrooms were a bit of a walk, but we were right next to the playground. Did some fishing, had a muskrat steal our fish. Lots of rattlesnakes. Also learned that rattlesnakes can swim. Easy drive to Bent's Old Fort which was great. Overall, nice but factor in weather when making reservations.
GuideWas here for a month while working expensive for a month stay but staff was friendly, try to stay towards the back unless you like hearing a carwash at all hours. Has a small creek that is at the edge of the park was very nice while on nightly walks around park. Spaces are decently sized some have HUGE shade trees.
Dispersed camping options near Swink, Colorado offer varied terrain from the Arkansas River valley to the Comanche National Grassland. Located at 4,266 feet elevation, this southeastern Colorado region experiences hot summers and mild winters with low annual rainfall. Most campsites in the area are basic with limited shade, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons.
Dinosaur track hunting: Withers Canyon Trailhead in Comanche National Grassland Withers Canyon Trailhead Campground provides access to remarkable paleontological sites. "The hike down the canyon was difficult but it was definitely worth it to see the dinosaur tracks. Be careful of the extreme heat and lack of shade," notes camper Miles W.
Historic exploration: Visit nearby Old Bent's Fort, a short drive from many local campgrounds. "Old Bent's Fort is worth the side trip," recommends Lynn, who stayed at La Junta KOA. The reconstructed 1840s trading post offers living history demonstrations.
Birding opportunities: John Martin Reservoir at Lake Hasty Campground attracts diverse bird species. "The area is home to many birds including hawks, herons, and pelicans," writes Judy B., with another camper mentioning "lots of owls" and excellent bird watching opportunities.
Stargazing: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at Point Campground. "Low light pollution," notes Tad C., making it ideal for night sky viewing. Another camper described seeing "at least 40 satellites and several shooting stars" during their stay.
Clean facilities: La Junta KOA maintains well-kept amenities. "Very nice clean and convenient campground. Sites are well equipped and the prices are very affordable," reports John F. Another camper appreciated that "the toilet paper is soft" and "the laundry is cheap."
Wildlife encounters: Picketwire Canyon offers opportunities to observe native species. While exploring near Withers Canyon, campers reported seeing nests of baby birds, snakes, and mentions of deer and coyotes in the area.
Accessible water recreation: Fishing opportunities abound at the reservoirs. "We did some fishing, had a muskrat steal our fish," reports Lisa K. from Lake Hasty. The reservoirs provide summer swimming areas, with some dog friendly campgrounds near Swink offering canine swimming access as well.
Privacy and seclusion: Melon Valley State Wildlife Area provides quieter camping experiences. "Not much activity when I was there," notes Chris P., while another camper described it as "quiet and peaceful."
Weather considerations: Summer heat can be extreme in this region. "April weather is great, we came here for some reprieve from our mountain winter and were not disappointed. Even in April, bring plenty of water, it's easy to dehydrate here," advises Andrew J. from Withers Canyon.
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: John Martin Reservoir sometimes experiences low levels. "Lake down to 4% at present so don't plan on fishing swimming," warned Jennifer W. in September. When planning visits to pet friendly campgrounds in the Swink area, check current water conditions.
Reservation requirements vary: Lake Hasty requires advance booking. "This is a by reservation only campground," notes one reviewer, explaining challenges with the Colorado reservation system. Point Campground typically has more last-minute availability.
Wildlife area permits: Some locations require specific documentation. Melon Valley State Wildlife Area requires visitors to have a valid Colorado hunting or fishing license or a state wildlife area pass.
Choose shaded sites in summer: Lake Hasty offers tree cover. "Initially made reservations at the Point campground. There is NO shade. Cancelled and remade for Lake Hasty campground," explains Lisa K., adding they were "very glad to have had the shade" during hot weather.
Visit during shoulder seasons: Spring and fall offer milder temperatures. "I wouldn't come here in the summer but I would recommend it to a friend for a late spring trip," suggests Miles W. about Withers Canyon.
Plan for insects: Lake Henry and other waterfront sites experience bug activity. "The lake is really pretty - it makes the bugs worth it," notes Kelda C. Another camper warns, "Mosquitos can drain a cow in 15 minutes. Bring Deep Woods Off."
Playground access: Several pet-accommodating campgrounds near Swink include play areas. Lake Hasty has "nice equipment for kids to play" according to Heidi C., while La Junta KOA features "a cute older playground" alongside their pool.
Check road conditions: Some access roads deteriorate seasonally. "This campground is NOT accessible by vehicle if the road is wet," cautions Vanessa M. regarding Withers Canyon. For RVs, always call ahead during rainy periods.
Level sites are limited: Some campgrounds offer better RV parking. "Campsite 3 is flat and great for a trailer or RV," recommends Andrew J. at Withers Canyon, while at Melon Valley "there isn't much level ground."
Wind exposure considerations: Open areas experience significant wind. Point Campground has "no wind shelters on picnic tables," notes Tad C. Parking orientation matters at exposed sites to minimize wind impact on stabilizers and awnings.
Generator policies vary: Plan accordingly for power needs. As one camper noted about Point Campground, "During the summer the sun will be unrelenting. I have no doubt on a hot summer weekend, the sound of generators will be very annoying."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Swink, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Swink, CO is La Junta KOA with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Swink, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 dog-friendly camping locations near Swink, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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