Camping near Walden, Colorado offers a mix of high mountain and plains environments at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 9,500 feet. Temperatures typically drop 30-40 degrees between daytime highs and overnight lows, even in summer months. Roads accessing many sites become deeply rutted after spring snowmelt, with 4WD vehicles recommended through June at higher elevations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Lake John Dispersed Camping, visitors can set up directly along the shoreline. "Very peaceful with private location," reports Philip P., who appreciated the established fire pit and proximity to the water.
Sledding and snowshoeing: Winter visitors to North Michigan Campground can enjoy snow activities within walking distance of cabins. "We spent a lot of time sledding and snowshoeing and we were basically the only ones out there," notes Hayley K., who stayed in one of the park's winter cabins during low season.
Wildlife observation: Dedicated moose watching areas throughout State Forest State Park provide viewing opportunities. "We were around Cameron Pass and had given up on seeing any moose when we saw traffic slowing and cars stopped alongside the road - there were two young bull moose snacking by a small river," describes Amanda M., who visited the Moose Visitor Center where rangers track local sightings.
What campers like
Sunset views: Open landscapes at camping areas like Walden Reservoir create ideal sunset viewing conditions. Quinn M. describes the camping as "simple, and easy place to get to...flat awesome sunset," while Haley B. notes there are "lots of dirt trails near the lake" for easy access.
Uncrowded camping: Most sites remain available even during peak summer months. At North Michigan Campground, a visitor noted "we were basically the only ones out there," during a winter stay, while another camper mentioned "it was not crowded during the week but was full for the weekend" during summer.
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution and open terrain at BLM North Sand Hills Campground creates exceptional night sky viewing. "This camping site has amazing views," reports Jessica C., who chose to camp in the dispersed area around the dunes rather than in the designated campground.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Nearly every campground review mentions insects as the primary challenge. At Whitewoods Outdoor Adventures, a camper reported "very bad mosquitoes," while Robert D. at Walden Reservoir noted: "During the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies."
Limited tree cover: Many camping areas feature open landscapes with minimal shade. Terri at Walden Reservoir observed camping is "flat, no trees and darned few bushes taller than sage," making sun protection essential during summer days.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present throughout the region, particularly in State Forest State Park. Amanda M. cautions: "You ARE in bear country and there were no bear bins in the campground - be bear safe and bear smart, lock all of your food and toiletries inside your car at night."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible activities: Moraine Park Campground offers family-friendly experiences within Rocky Mountain National Park. "Great place to take the family, as it's in the middle of RMNP. They do not take reservations, so go early or during the week!" recommends Heather B.
Kids' activities: Young children enjoy simple recreation at many sites. At North Michigan Campground, Meghan H. reports, "My 4 year olds threw rocks in the reservoir, they biked on nearby trails. The bathrooms were clean too. My dog was able to cool off in the reservoir on a hike."
Bathroom facilities: Most established campgrounds maintain clean restrooms, but dispersed sites lack facilities. At Walden Reservoir, Liv M. advises, "Not enough trees for bathrooms so you may want to bring a hide-able set up."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Sentinel Mountain RV Quick Stop, Ray & Terri F. report, "The sites are grassy and all looked fairly level. Ours was only about a 1/3 of a bubble off side-to-side." They also note the campground has "a little road noise from CO-125, but not excessive."
Utility connections: Hookup details matter at the best places to camp near Walden. Ray & Terri F. observed, "The sewer receptacle is not threaded, so you'll need to otherwise secure your sewer hose."
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. At Sentinel Mountain RV Quick Stop, travelers report, "AT&T coverage is a little complicated; on the South side of the RV service ranged from 1-2 Bars of 4G/LTE with service up to 8 MB/s up, but on the North side service ranged from no service to 4 bars of 3G."
