Best Campgrounds near Trinidad, CO

Camping in Trinidad, Colorado sits right along Interstate 25, with several good spots to pitch a tent or park an RV. Trinidad Lake State Park has two main camping areas - Carpios Ridge and South Shore. Both have basic amenities like picnic tables, bathrooms, and spots near the water for fishing or launching boats. The park stays open all year, though winter can bring snow and much colder temperatures. If you're looking for Blue Lake Campground, it's currently closed, so you'll need to check if it's reopened before heading there. The Rocky Mountains close by have hiking trails ranging from easy walks to more challenging climbs. Keep an eye out for deer and mountain sheep while hiking, and store your food properly at camp to keep wildlife away. Summer gets pretty warm and draws the most campers, while spring and fall have nicer temperatures that many hikers prefer. Some of the camping areas require vehicles with higher clearance, especially if it's been raining recently. The Great Sand Dunes aren't too far away if you want a day trip. Before driving out, check current road conditions since weather can make some roads difficult to travel.

Best Camping Sites Near Trinidad, Colorado (45)

    1. Carpios Ridge Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park

    24 Reviews
    Trinidad, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 846-6951

    $36 - $41 / night

    "This place has something for everyone: camping, hiking, fishing, boating on the lake, playground for kids, and close to Trinidad for supplies and dining."

    "No walk ups, must reserve online. WalMart just south of Trinidad CO; which is full of interesting history.

    Fire pits and firewood available."

    2. South Shore Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park

    22 Reviews
    Trinidad, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 846-6951

    $28 - $250 / night

    "As is typical of Colorado State Parks, Trinidad Lake is clean, well thought out, and beautiful."

    "Trinidad is a charming town. Just perfect!"

    3. Raton Pass Camp & Cafe

    15 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-8500

    "This is a small RV Park at Raton Pass almost to the Colorado border. Situated at the top of a hill, the views here are outstanding."

    "It used to be our favorite stop on our way to Colorado. It is still a beautiful location, but our most recent experience was not up to what it has been in the past."

    4. Lake Alice Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

    18 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-5607

    $10 - $35 / night

    "The Sugarite Canyon State Park (pronounced "Sugareet") was easy to locate off I-25 in Raton, (72 to 526 six miles NE straight into the park) just a few miles south of the Colorado border."

    "We reserved a spot at Lake Alice for three nights.  Some reviews of the campground talk about the road being close.  Sites 15 and 16 are great. "

    5. Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

    9 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-5607

    $15 / night

    "This State Park is beautiful, with hiking/fishing/historic walks galore. We arrived late on Friday, June 23 after a 10 hour drive from Arkansas. We were in Site #23 in the Soda Pocket Campground. "

    "Actually we had reserved site 06 in the Lake Alice campground, because it was full hookups, but upon arriving at Lake Alice we confirmed what another reviewer had said - it's a tightly packed campground"

    6. Tower 64 Motel & RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Trinidad, CO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 846-3307

    $41 - $75 / night

    "Not much to look at really, but the people are nice, and Trinidad is a great little city. The Park and motel are 420 friendly for those interested."

    7. Cawthon Motel and Camp Ground

    2 Reviews
    Trinidad, CO
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (719) 846-3303

    9. Summit RV Park

    1 Review
    Trinidad, CO
    3 miles
    +1 (719) 846-2251

    10. Gears RV Park and Cafe

    2 Reviews
    Aguilar, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 680-0861

    $35 / night

    "We've stayed at the park several times traveling between New Mexico and Colorado."

    "Near highway but I didn’t hear it."

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Recent Reviews near Trinidad, CO

289 Reviews of 45 Trinidad Campgrounds


  • Owen M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Cawthon Motel and Camp Ground

    Run down park with trash everywhere

    The town is super cool, the campground however was far from it. Kept getting different stories from management. Had to give a $100 deposit in case we left the site trashy. We booked one month, paid on arrival. Well first issue was when we had ups delivery they told us the physical address was enough. They would hold it at the office. The package arrived and they told the driver “we don’t know where they are parked on the property “ and refused delivery. UPS put a hold on the package and had to go to their local office to pickup between 4:45-6:30. Talk about major inconvenience. We picked up broken bottoms and trash ever time we walked to the dumpster, trash was everywhere on the ground. Second issue was the day of departure I called the office and asked how I would receive my deposit back, I paid cash and card. I was told they REQUIRED 1 week notice of vacancy or I forfeit my $100 deposit. Ummmmmmm NO! You said it was if we left the site a mess it was a fee for cleanup. Who requires a week notice on something that is booked and paid for for the month? It’s like getting a hotel for 5 days and you don’t call the front desk on day 3 to confirm your leaving on day 5. Then they keep your deposit. lol this place scammed me out of $100. She told me we still had to leave and the $100 was gone, no credit, no extra day, nada. I would avoid this place at all costs.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Circle the Wagons RV Park

    Very clean, spacious, and beautiful!

    We stayed here for one night, and the property exceeded our expectations. The facilities were exceptionally clean — especially the bathrooms and showers, which were spotless. The entire campground was well-maintained with no trash in sight, making it a very tidy and welcoming place.
    

    We stayed at Site 5, which was probably the largest site we visited all week. Although we only brought two vehicles, the space easily could have accommodated three or four, along with our 21-foot travel trailer. The campground was not crowded, with about 10–15 other campers during our stay. The grounds included cabins, trailer sites, and tent sites, all of which were clean and well cared for.

    The surroundings were beautiful, with potted plants throughout the property. We spotted plenty of deer and horses nearby (though none entered the campground itself). There’s also a game room and a fun book exchange for guests. Overall, this campground checked all our boxes — we absolutely loved our stay and would highly recommend it!

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Raton KOA

    Convenient

    This is a decent place to stop for an overnight. The sites are simple and level and the bathrooms are dated but clean. There is a grocery store across the street.

  • Laura B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Raton Pass Camp & Cafe

    Very rude on phone

    We were passing through on our way from Arizona having automobile issues for pulling our fifth wheel trying to find a place for the night. I contacted this place and I got a lady that I explained that we needed to come in between 9 and 10 PM because that’s the only place we could find on a route. She immediately handed the phone to somebody else and that lady said may I help you and I started to explain and she very rudely said may I help you and I was like yes we are trying to find someplace we can pull into tonight between nine and 10 is that possible.? She said no no we don’t allow anybody to come in that late. It’s dark and it’s too difficult I tried to explain that was our only option right now on the route and she started laughing and said well that’s not my problem. That’s not anything I can do anything about. She wasn’t very sensitive to our situation and the laughing was rude and I felt that she didn’t understand what was going on, so I just hung up. I would never try to stay here just because of how rude this person was on the phone. Gave me a bad feeling about the place before even seeing it other than on the good Sam website.

  • Overland 1.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Decent place by a nice lake in the foothills of the Rockies.

    Pulled in here and found a place to camp. No marked sites, just an open area by a beautiful lake. Very high winds with a wind advisory when we arrived. 30-40 mph winds with gusts to over 60 mph. We have camped in higher winds than these so, not a big deal. About 6 others camped here now, only 3 when we arrived at 1 pm.

  • Christopher P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Piñon Campground — Lathrop State Park

    Nice park

    Nice trails and two lakes. Enjoyed our stay. Only ding is the showers. You have to enter a code for entry and then feed to machine with quarters for a just ok shower. These sites are pricey. Seems it could include a shower. The campground is away from day use areas so not sure why the keypad.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Cordova Pass

    Small CG near popular trailhead

    This is a set up where you park your car at the trailhead and haul your gear to your site. It’s not far to haul since all the sites are scattered together in the wooded area. Sites aren’t very private or very far apart. Good for a night.

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    North Fork Purgatiore River

    Trashy

    The camper before me didn’t bother take their trash with them. That’s highly uncalled for. It was late afternoon and I didn’t have time to look for another place.


Guide to Trinidad

Camping near Trinidad, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and a chance to unwind in nature. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails, like those around Blue Lake Campground - Temporarily Closed. One camper mentioned, "Excessive trails for hiking the mountain sheep love to hang around this reservoir."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Monument Lake Resort, where one visitor caught "14 large trout over the 2-night stay." It's a great spot for both beginners and seasoned anglers.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife. A reviewer at Raton Pass Camp & Cafe noted, "The views are the best part about this campground!"

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Bear Lake Campground (CO), lack certain amenities. A camper noted, "No phone reception (YEAH)... and a bit off the beaten path."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at South Shore Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park mentioned, "The campground was full and busy."
  • Road Conditions: Some access roads can be rough. A camper at Soda Pocket Campground said, "The road was a typical dirt road, and not in bad shape at all."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Piñon Campground, which has "toilets and showers at the campgrounds and has hiking trails and plenty of lake to fish from."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a mix of activities. One family enjoyed "bike riding, fishing, and swimming" at Piñon Campground.
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially near water. A camper at Lake Alice Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park mentioned, "Bear boxes provided, deer walked through campground often."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have size restrictions. A reviewer at Blue Lake Campground - Temporarily Closed advised, "Don’t attempt with anything over 25’."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Raton Pass Camp & Cafe offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A visitor noted, "All the sites had very well-groomed gravel and all hookups were well maintained."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular RV spots can fill up quickly. A camper at South Shore Campground mentioned, "Sites were a little too close for comfort."

Camping near Trinidad, Colorado, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for families, RVers, and nature lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free camping near Trinidad, Colorado?

Free and dispersed camping options can be found on BLM land surrounding Trinidad. While specific free sites aren't mentioned in reviews, the areas west of Trinidad along Highway 12 toward the Spanish Peaks offer potential dispersed camping opportunities. For those willing to drive further, the National Forest Service areas near Bear Lake Campground (CO) might have dispersed options. This campground is about two hours west of Trinidad via scenic Highway 12, requiring navigation up a steep dirt and gravel road with multiple switchbacks. Before setting up camp on public lands, check with the local BLM office in Trinidad for current regulations and fire restrictions, as these can change seasonally.

Are there cabins available for rent in Trinidad, Colorado?

While traditional camping cabins are limited within Trinidad itself, there are accommodation options that offer cabin-like experiences. Raton Pass Camp & Cafe, located near the Colorado-New Mexico border just south of Trinidad, offers cabin rentals. For those willing to drive a bit further, Sugarite Canyon State Park in nearby New Mexico (about 30 minutes from Trinidad) has cabin options. In Trinidad proper, the Tower 64 Motel provides motel accommodations for those wanting a roof over their head without bringing camping gear. For a wider selection of cabin rentals, check Trinidad's tourism website or vacation rental platforms that may list private cabins in the area.

What campgrounds are available in Trinidad, Colorado?

Trinidad offers several camping options to suit different preferences. Carpios Ridge Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park features spread-out sites among piñon and juniper trees with stunning views of the lake and mountains. The campground offers fire pits, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, fishing, and boating. South Shore Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park is another excellent option with beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. For RV travelers, Tower 64 Motel & RV Park provides full hookups conveniently located off the highway, though spaces are tight. Additional options include Summit RV Park and Gears RV Park and Cafe, both offering services for larger rigs.