Best Glamping near Thornton, CO

Golden Gate Canyon State Park houses several glamping accommodations just outside Thornton, Colorado, with premium options at both Reverend's Ridge and Deer Creek Campgrounds. These areas offer yurts and cabin-style glamping units equipped with electricity, comfortable furnishings, and nearby modern shower facilities. According to a camper, "The sites are really big and the person who took our reservations was so kind. The ranger crew is serious about conserving the area's natural eco system, but still very inviting and kind!" Standley Lake Regional Park also provides glamping structures with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean restroom facilities. These accommodation options are strategically positioned to balance wilderness immersion with convenient amenities, making them ideal for visitors seeking an elevated outdoor experience without sacrificing comfort.

Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon delivers memorable glamping experiences with its premium units featuring electric hookups, running water, and dedicated picnic areas. Guests can explore multiple hiking trails directly from their accommodations or fish in nearby mountain streams. The Denver West-Central City KOA provides cabin-style glamping structures with full amenities including showers, toilets, and trash service, operating seasonally from April to October. A visitor noted, "Tranquil exotic oasis right smack in the middle of Suburban Arvada! Who would have known!?" Wildlife viewing opportunities abound at many of these locations, with Standley Lake featuring nesting bald eagles that can be observed from designated viewing areas. Most glamping accommodations in the region require advance reservations, particularly during the May through September peak season when outdoor enthusiasts flock to the area for its perfect balance of natural beauty and accessible luxury.

Best Glamping Sites Near Thornton, Colorado (45)

    1. Cherry Creek State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Centennial, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 690-1166

    $28 - $432 / night

    "Arapahoe Group Loop has a great pavillion with outdoor kitchen and bathroom. Overall Camper amenities are great and very clean. Many well shaded individual sites are available."

    "Very pretty campground with tidy tent spots and on-site bathrooms, showers for rent, and laundry. Very easy to access even from the RTD bus stop."

    2. Chatfield State Park Campground

    77 Reviews
    Littleton, CO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 791-7275

    $36 - $200 / night

    "It's very close to Denver, with every amenity you could think Of! This isn't how we usually camp, but after 4 days of driving and hiking we needed this mini oasis!"

    "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."

    3. Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    48 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $18 / night

    "The campground office restrooms were open, heated and clean.  Trash dumpsters were available as were recycling cans. The electric hookups were on."

    "The drive from Golden up into the park is beautiful and you truly feel like you are leaving the noise of Denver and the metro behind."

    4. Standley Lake Regional Park

    15 Reviews
    Westminster, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 425-1097

    $35 - $55 / night

    "The ranger crew is serious about conserving the area’s natural eco system, but still very inviting and kind!"

    "There’s no hook ups for water, electric or dump sites although there are water spigots that can be used to fill fresh water. The shower is an outdoor shower."

    5. Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park

    34 Reviews
    Morrison, CO
    18 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "We chose this campground to be close to Red Rocks for a show. We didn’t expect much from it, but we really liked it! Yes– as some reviews say– you can see Home Depot from the campground."

    6. Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    30 Reviews
    Rollinsville, CO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $28 - $90 / night

    "but far enough away from neighbors.  We were able to explore easily from our site and my daughter had a great time checking out the campsite."

    "Many multiuse trails. Get up early and drive mountain base road...we caught a great view of a moose. Panorama Point had a breath taking view. Hygiene: Laundry facilities on site."

    7. Denver West-Central City KOA

    30 Reviews
    Central City, CO
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3043

    "8100’ high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don’t worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!"

    "Beautiful site in the mountains nice spots only complaint was quiet hours not enforced people watching outside TVs at loud volume way past midnight no one on property to contact after hours"

    8. Bear Creek Lake Campground

    3 Reviews
    Morrison, CO
    18 miles
    Website

    $34 - $40 / night

    "Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area."

    "Super friendly staff. The Bad: Day use Denverite humans on bicycles who run their mouths as the peddle past. (Get a job, Chad)."

    9. Frazer Meadow Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    8 Reviews
    Black Hawk, CO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $18 / night

    "The bike trails are awesome and a sweet pond tucked in the meadow to fish at."

    "This was a great campground tucked away in the mountains. There are plenty of hiking trails from the campground and throughout the park. The sites were very private and very quiet."

    10. Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon

    13 Reviews
    Black Hawk, CO
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-9979

    $30 - $65 / night

    "Nestled right in beautiful Colorado, even!& I love camping! Okay, I admit, I love‘camping’ in parks where there are cabins with beds and air! "

    "We pitched our tents at Base camp at Golden Gate Canyon and unplugged for awhile(literally there was no cell service)."

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Glamping Reviews near Thornton, CO

732 Reviews of 45 Thornton Campgrounds


  • Jennifer L.
    Jul. 13, 2018

    Cherry Creek State Park Campground

    City Camping at it's Best

    Great campground here at this state park. We have always stayed in the Arapahoe Group Loop for holiday weekends. Arapahoe Group Loop has a great pavillion with outdoor kitchen and bathroom. Overall Camper amenities are great and very clean. Many well shaded individual sites are available. Campsites are far from other park amenities like Dog Park, Shooting Range, Marina. Swim beach is a 10 minute walk-able distance from campground. Recommend driving to get around the park.

  • Cara W.
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake

    Private but Crowded

    Beautiful lakeside camping just outside of Denver. Campsites are a bit close together, but great for groups! No hookups here but you have bathroom facilities and a visitor center where you can buy firewood. Campfires allowed in the fire pits. If you have an RV beware quiet hours from 10pm to 8am, no generators allowed. Lake is perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing and you will most likely have phone service if you are with AT&T or Verizon. Many day use areas, however vehicles and individuals are charged. For campers, if you bring more than one vehicle you will be charged daily for any additional ones. No drinking water is available, you must bring your own. Dirt roads to the lake are rough and narrow. Close to Deckers for incidentals. Intersects with the Colorado trail for hiking and biking and close to the Colorado River for tubing!

  • Anne B.
    Jun. 19, 2025

    Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon

    Breathtaken, I remember it all too well 🫶🏼

    Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon is everything you expect it to be and more from the overview! Nestled right in beautiful Colorado, even!& I love camping! Okay, I admit, I love‘camping’ in parks where there are cabins with beds and air! So of course, we stayed in a climate controlled cabin! Reminded me of KOA Campgrounds and similar price except this park is in COLORADO with amazing views and KOA’s are just barely outside of boring iowa/SD cities(the ones we stayed in) the scenic walks were worth it themselves!

    But they have all sites, not just cabins, of course.(: I have 3 children and not one of them wanted to leave!!!(Made my sanity go a bit crazy, but says a lot when children stay somewhere for vacation and aren’t complaining and becoming bored before the end!) When we didn’t understand something they jumped to explain without being annoyed or irritated. They really hooked us up there! A little note: in my experience, and I’m sure everyone there is great, but Dillon, especially, took so much time to answer our questions show us around and ensure we had a quality time! He was so kind and has that approachable personality of someone who loves to help others and ensure you have the best possible time!! 10/10 would stop again!

  • D
    Jun. 19, 2018

    Echo Lake Campground

    Small but quaint campground

    It’s a small campground at the entrance to Mount Evans. Some of the sites are very close proximity, while others are pretty spread out. The camp host Rick was awesome! If your looking to party it up all night, this is not the place for you. Rick follows the quiet hours to a T! I would recommend this place for a night or 2. Also recommend the drive up to Mount Evans, spectacular views! There is a store/restaurant across the street from the campground, but it’s mostly touristy things, no camping supplies.

  • Gary J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2022

    Estes Park KOA

    Noisy next to road and small showers

    Nice people, but right against the road. My tent was 50 feet from the main road and I tried to sleep with my head under the pillow. Also, showers are TINY, but bathhouse is air conditioned.

  • s
    May. 3, 2023

    Denver West-Central City KOA

    Mountain High

    Yes Mountain High!! 8100’ high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don’t worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!

    Nice campground, friend staff, laundry, fun little gift shop with some food stuffs, beer and liquor. Pizza cooked there but we didn’t try it.

    Our space was a big rig space on concrete pad with ample seating, a table, a fire pit, and a propane grill stove… use you own propane! Full hook ups. It was still reaching freezing at night and so we didn’t hook up our water.

  • C
    Jun. 19, 2018

    South Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir

    Friday Night 💫

    Beautiful campsites next to water with onsite water access. Wonderful campfire pits/grills and picnic tables. Quiet hours were no inforced which can be good or bad.

  • Becky S.
    Jun. 20, 2018

    Arapaho Valley Ranch

    We love Arapaho Valley Ranch!

    There are community fire pits, stocked trout pond, access to the river, acres of woodland, and Colorado’s smallest bar! We love the vibe at AVR and the owners are amazing. Occassionally you can catch live music and there are several historic buildings they are restoring. We have a few friends that don’t camp which is okay because they also offering glamping, tipis, cabins, and a lodge. Trust me... one stay and you’ll be booking another one soon after!

  • Christine M.
    Jul. 14, 2018

    Estes Park KOA

    Great location

    great location right near most attractions in Estes park. Inexpensive. They gave showering/bathroom facilities. There’s is a store for your camping essentials. Fire pits, great view of the mountains. Campsites are very close to each other. Laundry also is on site.


Guide to Thornton

Camping near Thornton, Colorado ranges from 5,200 to 8,500 feet elevation with temperature swings of up to 40°F between day and night. Most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October, with limited winter availability primarily at lower elevations. Weather patterns can shift rapidly, requiring campers to prepare for both summer heat and unexpected cold snaps even during peak season.

What to do

Mountain biking across varied terrain: Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers extensive trail systems suited for riders of all abilities. "The park has great trails for hiking and mountain biking. There is also a high elevation lake as well as fantastic views of the continental divide," notes a visitor to Deer Creek Campground.

Archery practice in dedicated ranges: Bear Creek Lake Park provides specialized facilities for archery enthusiasts with dedicated ranges open year-round. According to one camper, "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding."

Early morning fishing excursions: Arrive at sunrise to secure prime shoreline spots at Chatfield State Park, where catch limits and licensing requirements vary seasonally. "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos," shares a visitor to Chatfield State Park Campground.

Wildlife observation at designated blinds: Standley Lake features protected viewing areas for observing nesting bald eagles without disturbing their habitat. "I don't know how you could not like a place with a huge lake that bald eagles nest beside. With a rookery, this is the spot for bird enthusiasts!" mentions one visitor.

What campers like

Well-maintained bathhouse facilities: The shower and restroom buildings at Reverend's Ridge Campground include laundry facilities but require quarters for operation. A camper reports, "Laundry facilities on site. Showers weren't warm at the end of a long day and will cost ya $1.00 for the first 4 minutes and 25 cents every minute after."

Spacious electrical hookup sites: Reverend's Ridge Campground offers generously sized sites with reliable power. "Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Mostly level, fire rings, and very large metal picnic tables," states one reviewer.

Yurt accommodations with mountain views: Yurt camping near Thornton, Colorado at Frazer Meadow provides canvas structures with basic furnishings and nearby water access. A camper at Frazer Meadow Campground shares, "This was my first backpacking experience and I couldn't recommend it more for first timers. There is a designated pad for your tent, a bear locker and even an outhouse all nearby."

Proximity to Denver with wilderness feel: Cherry Creek State Park balances urban accessibility with natural surroundings. "We stayed here for one night before heading back out on the road. This place is huge and has many amenities. It's very well maintained. The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were pay only and only with a bank card."

What you should know

Reservation requirements vary seasonally: Most campgrounds in the region require advance booking during peak months (May-September) but may offer first-come availability during shoulder seasons. At Cherry Creek State Park Campground, "Campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit."

Park entrance fees separate from camping costs: Most state parks charge daily vehicle fees ($9-11) in addition to campsite rates. "There is also an $11 day pass fee not included in your camping stay. There were full hookups. The sights were concrete and level."

Capacity restrictions during peak periods: Some parks limit entry once parking areas reach capacity. "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."

Limited shade at several locations: Several campgrounds have minimal tree cover, resulting in hot conditions during summer afternoons. A visitor to Standley Lake Regional Park notes, "The lack of trees here is concerning. I did admire the beautiful water."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access and location: Standley Lake Regional Park has play areas adjacent to camping loops, making supervision easier while setting up camp. "We had two vehicles we camped in and used one of the rv pull through spots... Perfect for a spontaneous overnight trip, we were wishing we would have brought paddleboard and fishing gear but next time!"

Wildlife education programs: Many parks offer junior ranger activities on summer weekends, requiring pre-registration. "Feed the fish at the ranger station," suggests a visitor to Frazer Meadow Campground, highlighting one of many kid-friendly activities available.

Noise considerations for families: Campgrounds closer to Denver tend to have higher traffic and activity levels. A visitor to Standley Lake notes, "Apparently quiet time is just a phrase here — multiple groups around us were loud well past 10pm but nobody came around to check."

Yurt camping for family comfort: Yurt accommodations near Thornton provide sturdy shelter options for families with young children or those new to camping. A visitor to Bear Creek Lake states, "The yurt was awesome and we tent camped last night please come visit and see for yourself they have archery, a beach, horse stables and ring, large lake to fish, clean bathrooms."

Tips from RVers

Water fill stations vs. hookups: Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon offers accessible water fill stations rather than at-site connections. A camper notes, "The sites were level and very clean, hookups were easy (nice threaded, tidy black/grey water), lots of Aspen trees between the sites, but still a bit close together."

Dump station access timing: Denver West-Central City KOA provides sanitary dump services with specific hours of availability. "The park is beautiful the views are truly amazing! The staff is fantastic and always willing to help! The clubhouse is spotless," shares one RVer.

Site levelness variations: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. "The campground is in a beautiful area near Golden. There are plenty of hiking trails in the park some easy some difficult. Make sure you leave out prepared. The sites are not very level so be prepared to use your blocks," advises an RVer at Reverend's Ridge.

Seasonal road restrictions: Some access roads have seasonal weight or length limitations, particularly during spring thaw periods. A visitor to Base Camp warns, "The highway noise wasn't bad," suggesting attention to road proximity when selecting sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Thornton, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Thornton, CO is Cherry Creek State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 50 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Thornton, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 45 glamping camping locations near Thornton, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.