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Best Campgrounds near Watkins, CO

889 Reviews

Campgrounds near Watkins, Colorado provide access to both established facilities and natural areas with multiple accommodation options. The eastern Denver metro area contains several developed RV parks and state park campgrounds, including Cherry Creek State Park Campground and Denver East-Strasburg KOA. These facilities support various camping styles ranging from tent sites to full RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Most campgrounds in this semi-arid region sit at elevations around 5,000-6,000 feet, with several located within 30-45 minutes of Denver's eastern suburbs.

Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, though many operate year-round due to the region's relatively mild climate compared to mountain destinations. Cherry Creek and Chatfield State Parks maintain full services throughout all seasons, while some smaller facilities have limited winter operations. "Quick and easy camping experience," noted one camper about Denver Meadows RV Park, highlighting the convenience of the location. Road conditions rarely present challenges in this area, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads. Reservation requirements are standard at established campgrounds, especially during summer weekends when Denver residents seek nearby outdoor recreation. Temperatures range from hot, dry summers to occasionally snowy winters, with spring and fall offering the most moderate camping conditions.

Campers consistently mention proximity to Denver as a significant advantage of these campgrounds. Cherry Creek State Park receives positive reviews for its recreation opportunities despite urban proximity, with one visitor noting it's "really awesome for a park that is almost right in the city." Mixed reviews characterize the KOA in Strasburg, with several campers mentioning highway noise as a drawback while appreciating the convenient location as an overnight stop. The regional campgrounds generally feature level sites with varying degrees of shade and amenities. Many locations offer full hookups for RVs, while tent campers may find fewer dedicated options. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at several campgrounds, particularly those adjacent to open space or water features. Cell coverage remains strong throughout the region due to proximity to Denver's metro area.

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Best Camping Sites Near Watkins, Colorado (128)

    1. Cherry Creek State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Centennial, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 690-1166

    $28 - $432 / night

    "I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."

    "It is in the center of the city, but aside from the traffic on the dam in the distance you would not realize it. "

    2. Chatfield State Park Campground

    77 Reviews
    Littleton, CO
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 791-7275

    $36 - $200 / night

    "Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."

    "This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."

    3. Denver East-Strasburg KOA

    14 Reviews
    Watkins, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 622-9274

    "The camp ground is close to interstate 70 and cars were driving past every second non stop and super loud. Everything then that the camp is fine"

    "It’s close to the interstate, but just fine for one night."

    4. Denver Meadows RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Denver, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 364-9483

    "Lots of good food nearby."

    5. Tuff's Ranch

    1 Review
    Watkins, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (720) 263-2279

    $35 - $55 / night

    "What makes this place even more special is the heart behind it. The animals here are so well cared for, and it’s clear that the owners pour their souls into creating a safe haven for them."

    6. Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park

    34 Reviews
    Morrison, CO
    31 miles
    Website

    "This was our first time staying at Bear Creek Lake. The park is not part of the Colorado Wilds or CPW State Park system, but daily vehicle fees are included with your camping reservation."

    "Note: If the GPS takes you to a dirt road with a closed gate at the end, get back on the highway and take the next exit to the park entrance."

    7. Dakota Ridge RV Park

    41 Reviews
    Golden, CO
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 279-1625

    "This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."

    "Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."

    8. Buckley Fam Camp

    1 Review
    Aurora, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (720) 847-6100

    $40 / night

    9. Buckley AFB FamCamp

    1 Review
    Aurora, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (720) 847-6100

    10. Clear Creek RV Park

    28 Reviews
    Golden, CO
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 278-1437

    $32 - $80 / night

    "Had a great spot right next to the Clear Creek walking path. The campground is clean and well looked after. Clean bathrooms and showers. Close to many hikes and mt trails."

    "**Campground Review: ** Golden, CO is a super cute town on the outskirts of Denver. The city has a campground in a prime location, and we were lucky to book a site!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Watkins, CO

241 Photos of 128 Watkins Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Watkins, CO

889 Reviews of 128 Watkins Campgrounds

  • Adam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Cherry Creek State Park Campground

    Good spot close to city

    Nice park with lots of things to do here. Bathrooms and showers are nice and kept clean every morning. Laundry wash $1.50 to $2.00 and dry for $1.50! Cell Verizon and att decent with up to 20Mb download Spots are level (101) Water to fill a jug but some spots have full hookups. Free dump station. You can hear the freeway and road traffic but it’s not terrible. Over nice park.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Applewood RV Resort by Rjourney

    Great hiking and biking trails

    The park was okay if you are looking for something overnight. And very expensive and very crowded and no room between rigs. Looks like fulltime living in some spaces. It does have laundry service. And it has a great park just beside it. And there are beautiful hiking and biking trails right next to the facility. And it is very dog friendly.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite

    Stayed here again! 34+ dispersed spots

    Just wanted to write another review of this spot, love it, easy road in but extremely busy even in late September on an early Friday afternoon. Completely full by Friday 6pm I wouldn’t even try after unless it’s November-April. Seriously. Lots of big spots for multiple cars and tents, fire pits in every numbered spot. Trails nearby, even found an old horseshoe! Get there early, but that’s known if you ever been there.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    A-Lodge Boulder - Car Camping

    Quiet, cozy, very close to Boulder. Only 3 van/car spots

    Overall vibe and convenience to Boulder rate 4 stars. Although there was a wedding one evening, it was mellow & over, with folks dispersing, by around 8pm. Minimal bugs so we did not use screens for a good part of the time, the overall land the site is on, is long and narrow and so parking/car traffic can be a little tight. We did go out the exit on far side and drove down the hill back to the entrance which necessitated more than 180 degree turn, so try to avoid that. Three clean bathrooms, 1 men's with 2 toilet stalls and shower (toilet stall were very small--knees bumped against door), 2 co-ed bathrooms (one with toilet/sink/shower, one with toilet & sink only). One sink in co-ed had very hot water coming out of both faucets (no cold from this sink). Paper towel dispensers ran out and were empty for a day but then roll of paper towels appeared. 

    Wifi was spotty & disconnected regularly, no Verizon service. There is a small 'store' in office: A fridge with drinks and burritos, some shelves with some Mountain House dinners, and snack bars. There is a pool, dry sauna with great LARGE window looking at creek, and hot-tub (sauna worked great). Did not get a chance to see any of the rooms. Tent sites are up a VERY steep path and on platforms on side of hill (perhaps 50-60' up the hill?). There's an area with some slack lines set up, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Chief Hosa Campground

    I-70 off-ramp camping

    The campground is unfortunately too close to the highway and the noise makes it difficult to sleep or relax. Nice parking spot if you need to see the sights for a day or two.

  • E
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Denver East-Strasburg KOA

    Great location

    The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. Campground is clean and quiet.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Bear Creek Lake Campground

    Location, Location, Location

    The Good: Very clean. Diligently maintained. Super friendly staff.

    The Bad: Day use Denverite humans on bicycles who run their mouths as the peddle past. (Get a job, Chad).

    The Ugly: national home improvement retail outlet neon serves as a directional reference from every vantage point.

  • k
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Colorado Heights Resort

    Nice site, but very close to civilization

    We enjoyed are stay here. The site was well taken care of and the people were nice. The only cons for us were how loud the traffic sounds were and how close together the sites are.

Guide to Watkins

Camping near Watkins, Colorado, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Paddleboarding: Many campers enjoy paddleboarding at Chatfield State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Very pretty paddle boarding sites," highlighting the scenic views while you paddle around.
  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Cherry Creek State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "Easy access to the sand beach on Cherry Creek reservoir, plenty of hiking and biking trails."
  • Fishing: Bear Creek Lake Park is a great spot for fishing. One camper shared, "We spent most of our time fishing for trout," making it a perfect place for anglers.

What campers like:

  • Friendly Staff: Campers appreciate the helpful staff at Dakota Ridge RV Park. One guest said, "The staff was great and managed to get us a site at short notice."
  • Clean Facilities: Many reviews mention the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Cherry Creek State Park Campground remarked, "Bathrooms were exceptionally clean and well maintained."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the spacious sites at Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park. One reviewer noted, "The group campsite was spacious. The site was also pretty clean."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for noise at some campgrounds. A camper at Standley Lake Regional Park mentioned, "Apparently quiet time is just a phrase here — multiple groups around us were loud well past 10pm."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Clear Creek RV Park, have limited amenities. A visitor pointed out, "There is a public walkway, trail that moves along the boundary of the campground," indicating that while it's nice, it may not have all the facilities you expect.
  • Seasonal Access: Check the seasonal access for campgrounds. For example, Rampart Range Recreation Area is open year-round, but some others may have specific seasons.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Larkspur. One parent said, "The pools were great and the Waterpark was fun."
  • Choose Sites Near Amenities: When camping at places like Denver East-Strasburg KOA, pick sites close to bathrooms and showers. A camper noted, "The restrooms were clean & well stocked."
  • Plan for Shade: Some campgrounds, such as Chatfield State Park Campground, may have limited shade. A visitor mentioned, "The sun beat us down pretty bad during the high part of the day," so bring canopies or umbrellas.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: At Dakota Ridge RV Park, one RVer noted, "The site was really bad. So uneven that no matter how much we tried we couldn't get level." Make sure to check site conditions before booking.
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups, like Cherry Creek State Park Campground. A camper mentioned, "The Gold Rush loop is all full hookups."
  • Laundry Facilities: If you need to do laundry, check for facilities. A visitor at Clear Creek RV Park said, "A load of laundry will cost you $3 in quarters," so be prepared with change.

Camping near Watkins, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to check the specific campground details to make the most of your trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to camp at Watkins Glen?

The best time to camp at Watkins Glen is from mid-May through September when the weather is warmest and all facilities are fully operational. Early fall (September-October) offers spectacular foliage and fewer crowds, similar to the experience at Colorado Heights Resort during its shoulder season. The campground typically opens in early May and closes in mid-October, with peak season being July and August. For the ideal balance of good weather and smaller crowds, consider visiting in June or early September when temperatures are pleasant but the summer rush has subsided.

What are the camping fees at Watkins Glen?

Camping fees at Watkins Glen State Park typically range from $18-28 per night for standard sites, with prices varying based on residency status, season, and site type. Premium sites with better locations or more amenities cost a few dollars more. Like Dakota Ridge RV Park, there may be additional fees for reservation processing. Non-New York residents pay a slightly higher rate than residents. An additional vehicle fee may apply if you bring more than one car. For the most current pricing, check the New York State Parks reservation system online when booking your stay.

Are there RV hookups at Watkins Glen campground?

Yes, Watkins Glen State Park offers RV sites with electric hookups (30-amp service), but no full hookups with water or sewer connections at individual sites. Similar to Clear Creek RV Park, there are water fill stations and a dump station available for camper use. The campground can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length, though site sizes vary. If you require full hookups, consider staying at nearby private campgrounds in the area that offer complete RV services. Reservations for RV sites are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer months.

Is there camping available at Watkins Glen State Park?

Yes, Watkins Glen State Park offers camping with over 300 campsites available from early May through mid-October. The campground features both tent and RV sites spread across several loops, with some sites offering more privacy than others. Similar to Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake, most sites are equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays, and can be made up to 9 months in advance. The campground provides convenient access to the park's famous gorge trail and waterfall views.

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