Searching for the best camping near Thornton, CO? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Thornton, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Thornton camping trip.
This recreation area is part of Chatfield Lake
This recreation area is part of Cherry Creek Lake
Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers multiple campgrounds, cabins, yurts, RV sites, group sites, and a guest house. From Memorial Day to early October, there are 132 campsites in two campgrounds: Reverend’s Ridge and Aspen Meadow. Reverend’s Ridge offers 38 tent sites and 59 sites with electrical hook-ups. Facilities at Reverend’s Ridge include flush toilets, shower, ice machine, laundry facilities, and a dump station. Aspen Meadow offers 35 tent sites and vault toilets. As of January 1, 2019 both campgrounds will be Reservation Only. Golden Gate also offers 20 backcountry tent sites and four backcountry shelters. Our backcountry sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis year-round. Please register for backcountry sites at the Visitor Center.
$18 - $90 / night
Situated between the mountains of Summit County and the bustling excitement of Denver. 141 full-service and premium sites available year round are level and paved. Pull-through and back-in sites are both available.
This recreation area is part of Bear Creek Lake
Clear Creek RV Park is owned and operated by the City of Golden and is located at 1400 10th Street. It offers a relaxed country-like setting within walking distance of historic downtown Golden. The RV park is open year-round, equipped with 22 full hook-ups, 11 50-amp electric only, 3 tent campsites, large clean restrooms, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station Come for quiet seclusion along the banks of Clear Creek, with easy access to downtown via the Clear Creek Trail. Situated in the heart of Golden with scenic views and the bubbling sounds of Clear Creek, the Clear Creek RV Park is the perfect getaway. Outdoor adventures await steps from your RV site including hiking trails, kayaking, tubing, fishing, parasailing, biking and more! Take a short stroll to historic downtown Golden, world class restaurants, shopping and cultural activities. Majority of our guests are repeat visitors! If you have any questions, our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help!
$32 - $80 / night
Five miles north of Nederland, National Forest System Road (NFSR) 226, commonly known as Gordon Gulch, turns east off of Colorado Highway 72. NFSR 226 intersects other forest roads: NFSR 314, 228, 233 and their off-shoots. There are 15 numbered, designated campsites scattered along the road system within 1.5 miles east of Highway 72. Camping is permitted in designated sites only. Take care when driving in this area. Snow and mud can persist through most of the year. The free Boulder Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map displays National Forest System (NFS) routes open to motorized travel and is available online and at the Boulder Ranger District offfice.
Streams; treat water for drinking.
St. Vrain contains a total of 87 campsites in eight campgrounds located on or near the banks of seven ponds at the east end of the park. Your campsite will be an easy walk away from fishing, kayaking, or simply birdwatching on the trails that circle the ponds.
Site 1-41 have electric hookups at each site with water hydrants available to fill tanks and a dump station at the exit of the campground. Sites 42-87 have water, sewer, and electric hookups at each site.
The addition to the park include several new fishing ponds and two additional hiking trails.
Chief Hosa campground opened in 1918 as “America’s first motor-camping area.” The campground spans 58 acres within the 2,400 acres of Denver’s Genesee Mountain Park, which is home to a city-owned bison herd and provides a unique opportunity to view these animals in a natural habitat. The nearby historic Chief Hosa Lodge is available for event rentals.
Campground Reservations RV and Campground facilities are open May 1 through the fourth week of September each year. Reservations for the 2023 season open at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8.
As of January 1, 2022, Chief Hosa Campground requires a camping reservation. No in-person or phone payments for reservations will be accepted. Same-day reservations will be based on availability and must be booked by guests through our online reservation system. Guests may access our reservation system at the campground office during open hours for those who cannot make reservations on their own device. Same-day reservations will be available until 9:00 p.m.
Campers: Please note that our tent sites were designed for TENT CAMPING only. The parking areas are not level and rocks and landscape materials may not be used to level a vehicle or pop up trailer. Vehicle Campers (Vans, trucks, pop up trailers and roof top tents) should utilize the RV sites for camping.
$33 - $40 / night
Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers multiple campgrounds, cabins, yurts, RV sites, group sites, and a guest house. From Memorial Day to early October, there are 132 campsites in two campgrounds: Reverend’s Ridge and Aspen Meadow. Reverend’s Ridge offers 38 tent sites and 59 sites with electrical hook-ups. Facilities at Reverend’s Ridge include flush toilets, shower, ice machine, laundry facilities, and a dump station. Aspen Meadow offers 35 tent sites and vault toilets. As of January 1, 2019 both campgrounds will be Reservation Only. Golden Gate also offers 20 backcountry tent sites and four backcountry shelters. Our backcountry sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis year-round. Please register for backcountry sites at the Visitor Center.
$18 - $90 / night
Situated between the mountains of Summit County and the bustling excitement of Denver. 141 full-service and premium sites available year round are level and paved. Pull-through and back-in sites are both available.
Clear Creek RV Park is owned and operated by the City of Golden and is located at 1400 10th Street. It offers a relaxed country-like setting within walking distance of historic downtown Golden. The RV park is open year-round, equipped with 22 full hook-ups, 11 50-amp electric only, 3 tent campsites, large clean restrooms, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station Come for quiet seclusion along the banks of Clear Creek, with easy access to downtown via the Clear Creek Trail. Situated in the heart of Golden with scenic views and the bubbling sounds of Clear Creek, the Clear Creek RV Park is the perfect getaway. Outdoor adventures await steps from your RV site including hiking trails, kayaking, tubing, fishing, parasailing, biking and more! Take a short stroll to historic downtown Golden, world class restaurants, shopping and cultural activities. Majority of our guests are repeat visitors! If you have any questions, our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help!
$32 - $80 / night
Five miles north of Nederland, National Forest System Road (NFSR) 226, commonly known as Gordon Gulch, turns east off of Colorado Highway 72. NFSR 226 intersects other forest roads: NFSR 314, 228, 233 and their off-shoots. There are 15 numbered, designated campsites scattered along the road system within 1.5 miles east of Highway 72. Camping is permitted in designated sites only. Take care when driving in this area. Snow and mud can persist through most of the year. The free Boulder Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map displays National Forest System (NFS) routes open to motorized travel and is available online and at the Boulder Ranger District offfice.
Streams; treat water for drinking.
St. Vrain contains a total of 87 campsites in eight campgrounds located on or near the banks of seven ponds at the east end of the park. Your campsite will be an easy walk away from fishing, kayaking, or simply birdwatching on the trails that circle the ponds.
Site 1-41 have electric hookups at each site with water hydrants available to fill tanks and a dump station at the exit of the campground. Sites 42-87 have water, sewer, and electric hookups at each site.
The addition to the park include several new fishing ponds and two additional hiking trails.
Guide
If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth. Once the capacity for the Park is reached, you will not be allowed in.
Nice Swim Beach with brand new Bldg. Many covered Picnic sites, but again, you MUST arrive at the break of day to secure one.
Please plan to pack your trash out. Seems to be a severe shortage of dumpsters or trash cans and people leave behind huge bags of trash - or, sadly, just trash strewn around. Please respect our space!
Campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit.
I live close to the Park and visit every month of the year.
Ranger
A hidden gem in the Colorado Rockies, Rainbow Trout Ranch offers a serene mountain retreat. With its riverside setting and towering trees, this campground is perfect for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The sites are rustic but well-kept, and the peaceful environment is ideal for disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of Denver. Nearby hiking trails and wildlife add to the charm.
AIM for a site along the creek. And beware of the rules. No wildfires nor swimming in the creek.
Traveler
Bumpy ride up, but we were able to do it in our car SLOWLY. Absolutely beautiful place. Lots of campsite options. I was under the impression fires were allowed, as there were fire pits, but signs everywhere stating no campfires. Columbine Lake is a pretty hefty hike from the trailhead, but so worth the view. Had the entire place to ourselves pretty much all Friday. Beautiful beautiful beautiful
Scout
Clean shower and rest room. Easy self check in.
Ranger
The road here has some gnarly washboards. I had to slow down to a crawl at points because it was thrashing my rig around so much. There is also one turn on the road where if you’re not careful, I could imagine getting stuck. However, the views are incredible and it was well worth the effort. Cell signal from Verizon is extremely good, I am getting 5G UWB and download speeds of 180mbps. There’s some cool hills to climb and many great views.
Ranger
And in fact I believe they were KOA of the year 2023 or 2024. More expensive than we're used to, but has nice amenities. Sites level with concrete pads, fairly large. Some space between with trees. Nice metal patio furniture provided at each site(chairs, table, fire pit). Has decent showers, hot tubs, and off leash dog park. Inexpensive pancake breakfast and pizza/wings to your site are available, also an onsite store. Kind of at the top of a rise, so good views but also kind of chilly for July (60s/40s). Massive thunderstorms with hail and heavy rain two evengings (CO mountains tend to get afternoon t-storms). Communicate via text to let you know about goings on. Good radio station out of Idaho Springs KYGT 102.7 and 103.9
Ranger
Stayed in spot RV24. Easy access right off freeway and convenient to TPB start. Some nice small trails in area for easy walking. Mostly pine trees. Orderly, camp hosts seem inclined to enforce rules. Quiet.No campfire pits so no burning allowed at all and most folks seem to knock off early. Showers are available for.25/2 min with a 4 min max. Appeared old, clean.
For road cyclists: Good place to stay for Triple Bypass
Food aside: Cooked Hatch green chile sausage and added to Sprouts Hatch mac and cheese and put into burritos. Ate leftovers for breakfast. Low FQ (fart quotient).
Guide
Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Guide
Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Guide
I spent the night at Base Camp because the campgrounds North and South of Ned were full and it was dark and getting late. You have to be lucky with those ones to get one of the few good spots that are there. I have been to the convenience store at BC before and it was closer to Idaho Springs (I was going there the next day to meet a friend). $39 per night for a tent site is INSANE. I could have stealth camped and there was another spot I could’ve gone too but BC was close and I was tired. I guess that’s how they make their business. Begrudgingly it worked for what I needed.
Guide
The place fills up on the weekend. I drove through most of the trail system and did not find a spot. Came back during the week and took a closer spot so as not to risk it. Trash is everywhere. Multiple poop spots are within 100ft of the fire pit with copious amounts of used tp lying around. Trees are slashed, cut, and the forest is not doing well. There are multiple long term campsites here so watch out for squatters. I stayed near the start and then a bit deeper, which prompted me to take photos. I forget the site numbers but honestly it’s not looking good in most places. At the very back are what look like a few nicer spots because they are hard to get to with a non off-road vehicle. It breaks my heart how this campground exists.
Guide
Couldn’t find any spots over the weekend. Drove through the whole campground. There is an absurd amount of trash everywhere, especially at closer campsites. There are multiple ‘long term’ campsites by the looks of the trash, gear, and supplies left out. The forest is not in good shape either.
Came back mid week and stayed at site #4 because it was close and I did not want to roll the dice on not securing a spot again.
Keeping it brief: -I thought someone had been through my campsite when I was sleeping due to things moved -I might have met the squatter at the site. Couldn’t be sure, but determined there were red flags after talking to the guy and did not want to stick around to find out -so much trash it breaks my heart
The county needs to do something about this campsite and the similar one North of Ned.
Legend
Very clean, very well maintained. Large spaces near the lake.
TravelerGreat location with single tracks for hiking and mountain biking. Camping spots are well-marked. WiFi was decent. The sad part was the trash left behind from former encampments in some of the camping spots.
Guide
Two beat up, broken down cars at the entrance. Road is very rough, full of potholes from the start. Did not feel comfortable staying here.
Guide
Beautiful, but really need a compact 4x4 to get into and out of parking lot and there are tent sites only. We almost didn’t make it out with our 24 ft van (checked it out but didn’t stay overnight). Very crowded on a Saturday at 4:30pm.
Guide
Not a lot of options on I 70 east of Denver for overnight parking so opted for a KOA last minute. Easy last minute check in process. Served great for a quick in and out.
Guide
Idk who did this but luckily there is service but anything nearby is outta the way. Says need permit online access filled it all out $10 plus camping. Dispersed without wheels requires a $4 fee too
Scout
Not super busy! Lots of open spaces when we arrived around 6pm.
Scout
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ScoutFinally, a nice campsite on a road that isn't horrible. There are 30+ designated, numbered, dispersed campsites on this road. Each of them have a parking area right along the road with a fire ring a short distance away surrounded by awesome rock outcroppings. The parking areas tend to be very unlevel and there are only a few that you can pull right up to your campsite. #6 had a level spot large enough for my van and the camping area just a few steps away. These are great campsites and the area is really awesome. After so many horrible roads and places closed, it was a blessing to find this spot. The road is a bit of a washboard, but that is nothing compared to most of the forest roads in Colorado. Highly recommended! Cell service with At&t in site 6 is decent. Calling is 2 bars. at least half of the sites are big rig friendly. All of the sites are 100% free.
Traveler
My husband bought a new tent so we just wanted to find something kinda close to Denver but still beautiful for just a quick overnight trip. Our goal was Chinns lake but stupid Apple Maps took us here instead. It was still beautiful and there were a handful of spots still open for us. I wouldn’t recommend for a big group unless you get there early and claim the whole top but we really enjoyed it! The lake was low but still beautiful.
Traveler
We camped here after a Red Rocks show. The spot is a great area. About 20 minutes off of I-70. There are many pull offs along this road that could theoretically be good camp sites. However there are “no camping” signs, which is why I gave it 3 stars. Everything is great besides that: beautiful stars, good tent site, safe parking area.
The spot we chose is a bit farther down the road than the one listed here. It’s in between the bend in the road. We parked at the pull off and walked down a small hill to find a good tent site and a fire ring.
Also be aware it’s pretty chilly compared to just a few miles up the road. It was in the mid 30s at night.
Guide
Staff were super friendly. The place did everything we needed for an overnight stay the drive in from RMNP was fantastic. Showers were clean(dated who cares, they worked. I’m not an instagrammer)
TravelerWe camped a very short walk from the parking lot. Amazing camp site with not many people around.
Guide
Busy and right off highway
Traveler
Wish I had more time to spend at this spot! The views are amazing! The road up was designed for more of an off-road rig. Fire ban was in effect. Just like the rest.. you will here atvs all night ripping trails in the distance. And the trains !! Still a great area!!
Camping near Thornton, Colorado, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Thornton, CO, has something for everyone. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Thornton, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Thornton, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 275 campgrounds and RV parks near Thornton, CO and 72 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Thornton, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Thornton, CO is Chatfield State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 75 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Thornton, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 72 free dispersed camping spots near Thornton, CO.
What parks are near Thornton, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Thornton, CO that allow camping, notably Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland and Rocky Mountain National Park.
