State Forest State Park near Walden offers rustic camping experiences at elevations near 9,000 feet with cool nights even during summer months. The park spans almost 71,000 acres of Rocky Mountain terrain, providing both established campgrounds and dispersed camping options. Several campgrounds maintain availability year-round despite the area's significant snowfall and seasonal temperature variations.
What to do
Fishing for trout: At Ranger Lakes Campground, visitors enjoy excellent fishing in clear mountain lakes. "BEAUTIFUL clear waters, PLENTY of trout, and great trails through the woods to explore," reports Gary E., who found the fishing to be a highlight of his stay.
Winter activities: Winter camping offers completely different experiences with opportunities for snow sports. "We spent a lot of time sledding and snowshoeing and we were basically the only ones out there," mentions Hayley K. about her winter cabin stay at North Michigan Campground.
Hiking to alpine lakes: Multiple trails lead to scenic mountain lakes within short distances of campsites. "We chose Lake Agnes. It was a steep climb but well worth it," notes Donella L., who stayed at Ranger Lakes Campground, adding that many trails lead to alpine lakes "anywhere from 6-10 miles round trip."
Wildlife viewing: The park provides excellent opportunities to see moose, deer, and other wildlife. Justin D. reports from Laramie River Road dispersed camping: "Wildlife is abundant with tons of deer and moose in the area. Topography is Aspen wetlands and is beautiful."
What campers like
Private remote sites: Dispersed camping options provide more secluded experiences. Alex S. notes that along Forest Service Road 103, "Further down the road you get it opens up with some nice areas to camp... Its dispersed so no bathrooms, cell service, and the closest amenities are towards Walden and the town of Rustic."
Cabin accommodations: The cabins at The Crags Campground provide shelter with basic amenities. "We had room enough for 4 people and 3 dogs and didn't feel like we were on top of each other. The gas stove kept us nice and toasty all night long!" writes Hayley K. about her winter cabin stay.
Mountain views: The camping areas provide scenic vistas of the surrounding mountains. "This campground is beautiful. We had site 221 which is right above the water with its own little trail going down to the reservoir," shares Jen M. about her experience at North Michigan Campground.
Lake access: Many sites offer direct water access for recreation. Kell H. explains the appeal of North Michigan Reservoir loop: "Perfect weather and beautiful scenery. The campground was well maintained, even after the busy weekend. We hiked, biked and just enjoyed the view."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mountain weather can change rapidly with snow possible even in summer. Sarah F. from North Park Campground warns: "We were there in late June and we saw about 6 inches of snow overnight. It was cold!"
Limited amenities: The remote location means few services are available. Darla R. notes about dispersed camping: "There is a camp ground near by with a porta-potty and there is a small market about 10-20 miles away. There is no cell service but there are call boxes in the area and we often see rangers driving by."
Fire regulations: Fire bans are common in the area, particularly during dry seasons. Molly U. mentions, "The area is extremely fire damaged in places & there is a fire ban in effect when we were there over 4th of July."
Bear safety: This is active bear country requiring proper food storage. Amanda M. warns about North Michigan Campground: "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
Beginner-friendly options: Ranger Lakes provides good facilities for families new to glamping in Walden, Colorado. Michael notes, "Nice spot. Great views. Only a third full mid week September. Water near entrance. Vault toilets. Sites well separated but limited screening between."
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer activities specifically for children. "My 4 year olds threw rocks in the reservoir, they bikes on nearby trails. The bathrooms were clean too. My dog was able to cool off in the reservoir on a hike," shares Meghan H. about her family's experience at North Michigan Campground.
Wildlife education: State Forest State Park offers excellent opportunities to teach children about wildlife. Glenna L. from The Crags Campground shares: "We got the opportunity to camp at State Forest State Park in Colorado and a 'fellow camper' 2 sites down from us made choices that put us all, and one of the coolest cow moose and her calf in danger."
Bathroom accessibility: Consider campsite proximity to facilities when traveling with young children. Lisa K. notes about The Crags: "There was an appallingly old and poorly maintained pit toilet for the campground use," highlighting the importance of checking facility conditions.
Tips for RVers
Site dimensions: For larger RVs, check site specifications before booking glamping near Walden, Colorado. Alex S. notes about Laramie River Road, "Ive seen most vehicles make their way down this road with no issue and that includes RVs w/ toy haulers."
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited in the area. Sarah S. advises about Ranger Lakes Campground: "Sites are nice and level and potable water available. If you have an RV make sure to fill your tank and the maintenance center 6 miles up the road."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have restricted access for larger vehicles. Lisa K. points out that at The Crags Campground, "No RVs or trailers allowed or able to make it up the narrow one lane access road, which made it nice and quiet for tent camping."
Water supply: Many campgrounds have limited water access. Tarrah C. notes about North Park Campground: "There is no electric hook up for the RVs but there is a dump station. Water can be found in a few areas around the park."
