Wellington, Colorado sits on high plains terrain at 5,200 feet elevation, located approximately 10 miles north of Fort Collins. Summer temperatures in the area typically range from 50-95°F, with nighttime lows dropping significantly even in summer months. Camping options surrounding Wellington provide access to both high plains environments and nearby foothills with varied terrain for different camping styles.
What to do
Hiking trails in Poudre Canyon: Upper and Lower Ansel Watrous Campgrounds provide easy access to nearby trails like Grey Rock and Hewitt Gulch. "Lots of hiking, mountain biking and rafting opportunities nearby," notes one camper who stayed at Ansel Watrous Campground. The sound of the rushing Poudre River creates background noise that helps mask highway sounds.
Fishing opportunities: The area offers multiple fishing locations with varying catch potential. "The river provided great trout fly fishing and mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for camping," reports Josh W. about Ansel Watrous. Another visitor mentioned, "Caught trout 20 yards from my tent from the Cache La Poudre."
Water activities: South Bay Campground at Horsetooth Reservoir provides water access for multiple activities. "The lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking," writes Deanne B. Some sites allow campers to tie boats directly to their campsites for convenient water access throughout their stay.
What campers like
River sounds: Many campers appreciate the natural white noise from waterways. At Riverview RV Park & Campground, guests enjoy sites directly adjacent to the Big Thompson River. One reviewer noted, "We spent 4 days in a spot right next to the river" while another mentioned the "rushing river behind you" creates a peaceful camping environment.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening wildlife sightings are common at several campgrounds. At Moraine Park Campground, one camper reported, "Lots of animals sighting but also a lot of screaming kids to make them run away." Another reviewer at Riverview mentioned, "Nearly every day a deer would come munch on the greenery right behind our rig."
Proximity to towns: Many campgrounds offer convenient access to nearby communities for supplies. One camper at Cottonwood Campground stated, "We like it while visiting Loveland with good cell coverage and close to town." Another noted it's "Easy to drive into town for shopping or dinner" with good connections to both Loveland and Fort Collins.
What you should know
Strong odors from agriculture: The Wellington area includes working farms and feedlots that affect some campgrounds. A visitor to Fort Collins North-Wellington KOA noted, "It's near a ranch, so there are some animal smells and quite a few flies." Another camper reported, "If wind is in the wrong direction you will have odor & flies."
Inconsistent cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Moraine Park, one visitor mentioned, "I have great service in SOME sites, but not others," while Ansel Watrous Campground is noted for having "NO cell service," requiring campers to plan communications accordingly.
Shower facilities vary: Many campgrounds in the region have limited or pay-per-use shower facilities. At South Bay Campground, a reviewer noted, "Shower house was close, only open 6am to 10pm, pay showers minimum $2." Some sites like Ansel Watrous offer "NO showers - there are stalls for personal solar showers."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Fort Collins Lakeside KOA offers extensive recreation options. "There's LOADS of stuff to do for kids & there are a LOT of kids who visit with their parents. Bounce house, jumping pillow, inflatable slide, basketball, shuffle board, pickleball, fishing, paddleboats in the shape of a swan/dragon/flamingo, a pool AND splashpad," notes one reviewer.
Morning wildlife walks: Several campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities in early hours. One camper at South Bay Campground mentioned, "Deer wanderer in and out of the campgrounds and were always on the road. Beware." Planning morning nature walks increases chances for wildlife sightings.
Weather preparation: Wellington area camping requires preparing for significant temperature fluctuations. A visitor to Ansel Watrous noted, "As of beginning of May there's no bugs as of yet but still cold nights." Pack appropriate clothing layers even for summer camping trips.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Cottonwood Campground at Boyd Lake State Park, an RVer recommended, "Look for a spot with a tree to park in shade." Another camper noted the "Nice level sites. Clean and well maintained. Sites have Electric but are fairly close together."
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires advance planning for water access. At Fort Collins North-Wellington KOA, one camper mentioned, "Water was off for weather but stoves made much needed coffee in the cold." Check ahead with campgrounds during shoulder seasons to confirm utility availability.
Utility reliability: Electrical service quality varies between campgrounds. At Inlet Bay Campground, a reviewer commented, "Electricity was stable," while others at different locations reported occasional issues with hookups, particularly during peak summer demand periods.
