Best Campgrounds near Vail, CO

after no spots around the creek, this mountain road gave me the creeps driving up, it is so steep and loose dirt, and the cliff on your side... FR,

 I found one great spot after turning around and heading back down...  that lead down into alarge 6 person group sight, away from the views of the cliff on the other side of the road

I camped in my tent, cause my sedan is too tiny to sleep in, (I've tried)

Rlly nice and quiet at night but even in march expect other cars and dogs. People were getting stuck and having to push so use common sense in the snow

We arrived here on a Friday afternoon in late August 2024 and were pleasantly surprised to find several spots still available, even later in the day. While many of the campsites are quite small and located right along the roadside with limited parking, we were lucky to find a fantastic, more spacious spot. It had plenty of room for our truck, a large tent, and a canopy —perfect for spreading out and relaxing. 

One of the best parts was the privacy. Our site was far enough from the neighboring spots that we couldn’t see or hear other campers, making it feel peaceful and secluded. From our site, we could easily walk down to a peaceful little valley and open space.

The views were absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping mountain scenery that made every moment feel special. Being at a higher elevation, one person in our group did experience some mild altitude discomfort, even though we’re from the Denver area—something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to elevation changes. 

Wildlife was another highlight—there were clear signs of moose activity nearby, and fellow campers just up the road mentioned seeing a moose wander around their site. It added a sense of adventure to the trip, and we’ll definitely be returning to this area again for another camping getaway.

About 30 minutes from Gypsum and I had no service the whole way. The road takes you past many private farms, but you just have to watch for the established campsites. Very quiet and right next to a beautiful creek. Some of the sites are only 4wd accessible, but others are easy to get into.

Stayed here multiple times, and it has been great every time! Many, many sites as you continue down the road. Road is not perfect, but even with a low clearance vehicle, it's doable if you take it slow. Not a whole ton of foliage cover so you are kind of exposed to other campsites, but not a huge deal.

Very beautiful view of Mt. Elbert Forebay. Road is a bit rough in a couple of spots, but doable if you take your time, even with a small vehicle. Does fill up fairly quickly.

Portal campground is a very secluded off the beaten path campground. There are number of designated camping spots on the way to the reservoir lake that include fire rings. The road is a high-clearance road that is fairly rutted out with tight turns and very small sections to pass people. I didn't see a single RV/trailer and most everyone was driving a 4Runner, Tacoma, or Jeep. 

Keep in mind that the campground at Portal is 10,500 feet so if you aren't used to the altitude or familiar with altitude sickness you'll want to do a little research before camping here as it's a long bumpy drive out. 

All this being said, Portal campground is a beautiful place to camp and has pit toilets available for use. We camped here in Early July and it was pretty busy but were able to snag a spot by the Lake. This is definitely worth the trip!

Heaton Bay Campground, located near Dillon Reservoir in Colorado, offers a stunning lakeside camping experience with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The campground is set in a picturesque location, making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy water activities, hiking, and enjoying the serenity of nature.

The sites at Heaton Bay are spacious, well-maintained, and equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, providing a comfortable setting for both tent campers and RV travelers. There are flush toilets and potable water, but no hookups for RVs, so keep that in mind when planning your stay. The campground is nestled among tall pines, providing some shade and a peaceful atmosphere, though there are few trees at some sites, so be prepared for full exposure to the sun.

One of the biggest highlights of Heaton Bay is its proximity to Dillon Reservoir, where you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. The campground is also just a short drive from the popular town of Dillon and the many hiking opportunities in the area, including access to the nearby Swan Mountain Trail and many 14ers.

The only downside is that during peak summer months, the campground can be busy, as it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends. The nights can also get chilly, so it’s essential to pack warm layers, even in the summer.

Overall, Heaton Bay Campground offers an excellent lakeside camping experience with a perfect balance of nature, water activities, and mountain views, making it an ideal spot for a Colorado getaway.

Originally quite nice, tent camping, clean area, nice sites, water available, bathrooms, and access to fishing. Weekends tend now to religious services... :( Been 4 times but now prefer less commercial/church interuptions. RV crud makes for noisy generators, bouncy houses, karaoke... :( Some people swim. Boating. Good perimeter trail, biking allowed.

Drove straight to the back, not many others camping. Can hear a few cars passing in the distance and not a ton of tree coverage but a great spot nonetheless

This was a great camping spot. There are several campsites by the water and other campsites, not by the water. The campsites are kind of close together, but not terrible. I went early on a Friday and got a beautiful spot by the water. By the end of the day, all the sites around the water were full. So if that's important to you, be sure to get there early. There were still plenty of other gorgeous campsites, not by the water available all weekend. There are also hiking trails located here. One of which is called "Interlaken Trail." It's about a 5 mile hike total and takes you to a "Ghost Resort" called "Inter-Laken" that was abandoned around WW1. You can even go inside one of the buildings, and there are Historical Marker plaques that talk about the abandoned resort. The signal is great so I had cell service and data the entire time. Highly recommend!

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.

I came on a Sunday afternoon before Columbus Day and there were plenty of spots open. Super close to town and stunning views.

I arrived after 6pm and the office was closed. However, self service was available. Though the only option was to pay by cash since the office was closed. Water Dump was not available and some toilets were closed. It has a great view of the lake from some spots, however, you can hear the road during night. Cell phone reception is poor but available.