Camping near Vail, Colorado occurs at elevations between 8,000-10,200 feet, creating dramatic temperature changes even during summer months. Nighttime temperatures often drop below 40°F in July and August, requiring campers to pack warm clothing regardless of season. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from late May through early October due to heavy snowfall.
What to Do
Hike to alpine lakes: Missouri Lakes Trail near Gold Park Campground offers access to stunning high-altitude lakes. "Gold Park is a great place to stay if you want trails and high alpine lakes at your fingertips. We stayed here so we could hike Fancy Lake and the Missouri Lakes, both of which are less than 5 miles away," notes reviewer Steph A.
Summit a 14er: Access Colorado's famous 14,000+ foot peaks from camping areas near Leadville. "We camped on June 26th and 27th of 2018 and got to summit Mt. Sherman one of Colorado's 14ers on the 27th. I was really surprised at how bad the mosquito's were at the lake and at this elevation," shares Fain H. about their experience near Turquoise Lake.
Off-road adventures: Four-wheel drive trails near certain campgrounds offer excellent exploration opportunities. According to Karl G., "Past the campground there's the Missouri Lakes Trailhead for hiking. There's also a whole network of 4x4 trails which have excellent views and a ghost town called Holy Cross City. It's really just one building, but still interesting."
What Campers Like
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution at many campgrounds creates exceptional night sky viewing. At Peak One Campground, "The night sky was stellar! It was only five minutes drive away from walmart, whole foods, starbucks, natural grocers, and lots of gas stations," according to Jiwon K.
Lakefront sites: Many campers value waterfront access for recreation. "We camped right on the lake next to the boat ramp (no motorized boats allowed) and the bathhouse. At 8,500 ft the weather can change fast so be prepared especially with rain gear and warm close," advises Fain H. about Sylvan Lake Campground.
Historic exploration: Camp Hale offers unique military history alongside camping. "We explored the area and loved the little town of Red Cliff and the Mango's Mountain Grill, as well as Minturn and ate yummy burritos at the Rocky Mountain Taco. Check out the Colorado Trail nearby as well as the (obvious) Camp Hale Historic Monument," recommends Jenifer J.
What You Should Know
High elevation impacts: Camping at 8,500-10,200 feet affects weather, breathing, and activity levels. "At 10,000 ft the weather can change fast so be prepared especially with rain gear and warm close. The sites that are lake front are a little close together which would be my only complaint," reports one camper at Sylvan Lake.
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires driving on rough forest roads. "I drove up Notch Mountain Rd from Hwy 24 to reach the campground and Holy Cross Trail Head. The road was dirt, bumpy, rocky and has several low dips that would definitely fill after rains, but it was totally passable in my low-clearance 2WD old pickup," shares Juliette about Halfmoon Campground.
Reservation timing: Secure sites months in advance for popular areas. "Book in advance, sites get locked in 6 mos in advance, for good reason!" advises Mark R. about Baby Doe Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Find shaded sites: Tree cover provides important protection from intense sun. "We really enjoyed this spot! Those sites on the lake seem primo but our site still had some good space and not too close to others (though very few trees so not a ton of privacy and would need a shade in the warmer months)," notes Lindsay W. about their experience at Peak One.
Look for level tent areas: Many mountain campgrounds have varied terrain. "Bathrooms were standard NP composting toilets and sites were spacious with sufficient flat spaces for tents and perfect hammock hanging spots between evergreen trees," reports Juliette about Halfmoon Campground.
Choose campgrounds with amenities: Baby Doe Campground offers family-friendly features. "Peak One has all the amenities you need - water, (really) nice bathrooms with running water, and a fire pit with a picnic table. A simple campground that would be great for kids, Peak One is safe, comfortable, and a great family spot," states Kevin G.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most Vail area campgrounds lack full RV services. "The cons: There was no cell phone service for us (t-mobile) or water / electricity. Our battery on our trailer did fine and was at 100% when we departed with our solar panels. No water or electricity as this is a campground," reports Jenifer J. about Camp Hale Memorial.
Spacing between sites: RV campers should research site dimensions. "We had three cars, a camper and a tent and it didn't feel cramped at all," reports Kelsey C. about Cow Creek South Campground, indicating good spacing for larger setups.
Yurt camping Vail, Colorado alternatives: For those seeking yurt accommodations beyond Piney Lake and Collective Vail, Sylvan Lake offers yurt options with more amenities. "You can rent cabins there as well as pitch your own tent. This summer, there is major construction on the dam there so activities are limited but such a great spot. Pull through spots," writes Nicole D. about Sylvan Lake, which provides another option for Vail Colorado yurt camping enthusiasts.
