219 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Westcliffe, Colorado range from established campgrounds in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to dispersed sites near Lake Deweese State Wildlife Area. The area includes Alvarado Campground, located at 9,000 feet elevation with hiking trails directly accessible from camp, and several RV parks including Wet Mountain RV Park and Grape Creek RV Park that offer full hookups. Tent camping, cabin rentals, and RV sites accommodate various camping styles throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds positioned within 15 minutes of Westcliffe's downtown area.
Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping availability near Westcliffe, with many campgrounds operating from May through October. Higher elevation sites like Alvarado Campground typically close during winter months due to snow and access limitations. A camper noted, "We've done two weeklong stays at Grape Creek RV Park near Westcliffe. The spaces are long and level and each contains full hookups, a large patch of grass, aspen trees, and best of all great views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains." Dispersed camping at Lake Deweese requires a wildlife permit or fishing license, which costs approximately $40 annually. Vault toilets are available at most established camping areas, while water access varies significantly between locations.
The mountain landscape provides the defining feature of camping experiences throughout the area. Campers frequently mention the impressive night sky views, as Westcliffe is designated as a Dark Sky community. Several visitors highlighted the proximity to hiking trails and fishing opportunities as key benefits when staying at developed campgrounds. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The campground was beautiful and had access to several wonderful trails. The night sky was amazing after the rain passed through and the clouds cleared." Lake Deweese offers dispersed camping with beautiful mountain views, though recent reviews indicate issues with trash and broken glass in some areas. Westcliffe campsites throughout the region vary considerably in size and levelness, with some campgrounds featuring uneven tent pads that may challenge setup, particularly at higher elevation sites.
"It was just a quick trip into Westcliffe to pick up any forgotten supplies. Cell service was good here. No water or electrical hookups."
"I absolutely love this area of Colorado. It's breathtaking no matter which direction you look. Decent campground that was a bit too big for my taste."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"It's a biologically diverse area in Southern Colorado, where high winds that blow through the Rockies deposit sand at the Southernmost tip . We made camping reservations about six months in advance."
"Access to dunes trails, and off road track. Dump station nearby visitor center with free air station. T-Mobile available at most sites, but good by the visitor center and primitive road access."
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Clean, beautiful site by the lake. Summer nights during the new moon is a great time to visit. You can see the Milky Way. Nice spots for fly fishing and hiking."
"Colorado State wild life areas (SWA) require a permit that’s ~$40 a year, or if you have a year fishing or hunting lisence you camp for free."
"We’ve done 2 weeklong stays at Grape Creek RV Park near Westcliffe, Colorado."
"Has everything you need and is walking distance to town."
"It was our first time to tent camp in Colorado and it was great. Several sites to choose from. Some have views of the dunes, some are more secluded. Bathrooms were clean."
"It's slight hidden behind a bigger RV andodge campground. It was beautiful views from ANY tent site you got. It had bathroom n accessible showers if needed. Firewood. Friendly hosts and snacks."
from $25 - $169 / night
Check Availability"Loved hearing the creek roaring in the background and feeling the sun on my skin surrounded by cactus - an I in Texas!?"
"Easy drive, can get a little bumpy but nothing an all wheel drive can’t handle."
"Right next to the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City Colorado, the highest suspension bridge in North America ! Do the Segway tour over the bridge!!"
"Paved & gravelled roads, hiking trails, free camping, sightseeing, off roading, atv, handicap accessible, dogs off leash, picnic tables, firepits, kid friendly."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Colorado sand dunes are a trip."
"We also had 3 dogs with us and there was still enough room for them so we weren’t stepping all over one another."
"From the upper trail head, it was about a 4 mile hike to the campground near the lower lake. If you cant make the drive, add 2.5 miles each way to that total. "
GuideOne of the best remote, clean, RV parks I've been to. While it was a little out of season, and we were one of two campers here, we loved it. The owners are incredibly nice. The views are great (Pikes Peak nearby). Close enough to Pueblo and 35 mins to Colorado Springs. A few horses, and dog park in this park are great.
GuideBeautiful campground in an incredibly interesting setting. It was definitely crowded during my stay, but quieted down nicely at night. There’s a great walking trail directly from the campground down toward the dunes. Lots of mule deer wandering through the campground and they were definitely not afraid of people—one walked within about 10 feet of me while I was setting up my tent. Really unique place and I’d happily stay here again.
ScoutPerfect for a getaway. Great walking/running loop around reservoir. Mosquitos rampant in early September
TravelerIt was OK. Finding trash and waste receptacles around here is difficult.
GuideI've was the Camp Host at Hecla Junction for the summer of 2026. Here is what you should know...
The 3 mile dirt road to get here is pretty well maintained but has some very sharp turns. If you are over 40ft in length it is doable but tough.
All sites are by reservation only. There are no first come first serve sites. Plan ahead because cell service is not great. You will get one bar if you are lucky.
There are pit toilets available but there is no water, electricity or sewer. You have to pack your trash out.
All sites have a picnic table, fire ring and a spacious place for tents.
The sites are a reasonable distance from each other. The sites on the side by the river are pretty flat but the sites 1108, 1113, 1116, 1117 have a pretty steep parking area so if you plan on putting your RV there be ready to spend some time leveling.
If you have a large RV (over 35ft) you might want to avoid sites 1110-1114 because the loop has a pretty tight corner. Site 1114 is a pull-through site.
My favorite sites are 1103 (nice tree for shade), 1102-1111 (river views) and 1112 (nice view, good shade from the hill and a trail that goes to the river), 1113 and 1114 back up against the hillside and get shade earlier. 1116 and 1117 are good for really large groups (extra tables)
There is a good hiking trail that runs along the river (1.5 miles out and back). It starts from the day use area.
Quiet hours are 10:00pm to 6:00am and most people are pretty good about following that.
Hecla Junction is also a Dark Skies designated park so the view of the stars is amazing!
ScoutThe PV team is so nice and helpful, the park is beautiful, very clean (even the bathrooms!) and the decorations throughout add an extra touch. They offered donuts, live music and a movie night while we were here. This park exceeded our expectations and we will for sure be staying here again.
TravelerIt's an almost off road situation. Depending on what side of the trail you come in from. Awd and a higher clearance vehicle are recommended. But the views and seclusion are totally worth it. Not many people out here and not a lot of late arriving folks. Has a decent amount of spots along the way and the night skies are absolutely worth the lack of shade in most of the spots.
Traveleralways our stop now before the great sand dunes. however, this time lots of cacti and cow poop but still manageable to find space. loud cows and coyotes at night, bring ear plugs
ScoutThe road up is rocky but nothing crazy. Distant views of foothills and mountains. Lotsss of designated sites but also seems to be a well known favorite for dispersed camping.
Camping spots near Westcliffe, Colorado offer unique outdoor experiences in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at elevations ranging from 7,800 to 9,000 feet. The region transitions between alpine forests and high desert terrain, creating distinct microclimates for campers depending on their chosen location. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach the mid-70s with nighttime lows in the 40s, even during peak season.
Hiking the high country: Multiple trails accessible directly from North Crestone Creek Campground provide opportunities for both day hikes and backpacking. "We hiked up the backpacking trail at the end to go fishing up at the lake and rivers along the trail. There was plenty to do but it was also quiet; perfect for down time," shares Jordan M., who camped with friends at North Crestone Creek Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at Lake Deweese provide opportunities to spot local wildlife while keeping a respectful distance. "Plenty of areas to choose from. We decided on a non wooded area on the north side of the lake for a great view of the mountain range. The views of the aspens turning were spectacular," notes wayne H. who camped at Lake Deweese state wildlife area.
Dark sky stargazing: Take advantage of Westcliffe's designation as a Dark Sky community by camping at locations with minimal light pollution. "Clean, beautiful site by the lake. Summer nights during the new moon is a great time to visit. You can see the Milky Way," reports Jessica W. after her stay at Lake Deweese.
Mountain access: Sites that provide direct trail access receive consistently positive reviews from hikers and backpackers. According to Trish M., who stayed at Alvarado Campground, "We've stayed here 3 times now and absolutely love it! We've stayed at campsite 36 and 41. 41 is our favorite. It has plenty of space and a nice creek running near it. We felt secluded. Hiking trail was not far from us."
Site spacing and layout: Campers frequently mention appreciation for campgrounds with well-designed sites that offer privacy. "Plenty of sites available, some nicely secluded, some not so secluded. Very clean bathrooms," notes Rachel H. about Alvarado Campground.
Hot springs access: For those seeking relaxation after hiking, some campgrounds offer natural hot springs. "Valley View is a large swath of land with about 12 beautiful pools and about 20+ camping spots. You need to reserve well in advance as the demand is much higher than the capacity," explains Morgan Y. about Valley View Hot Springs.
Tent pad conditions: Several campgrounds have uneven tent pads that require careful site selection. At Alvarado Campground, Diane S. observes, "Many of the sites in the 30s up are useless other than a van. Tent sites are not good. Very uneven pads. The 40s are much better and all mostly tents."
Bear activity: The Westcliffe area is bear country, requiring proper food storage and vigilance. "You are back in bear country a little and we did have an incident with some bears coming into the camp 2 nights in a row because the people next to us left their food out," warns Jordan M. from North Crestone Creek Campground.
Seasonal insects: Mosquitoes can be problematic in certain locations during summer months. "Great spots available - plenty of room for multiple campsites along the road. Great views! - BUT mosquitoes were absolutely awful so be prepared (mid July)," cautions Cooper P. about Dispersed Sand Area 1.
Permit requirements: Wildlife areas require specific permits for overnight stays. "This is dispersed camping. Colorado State wildlife areas (SWA) require a permit that's ~$40 a year, or if you have a year fishing or hunting license you camp for free," explains Jess C. regarding Lake Deweese.
Site selection for kids: Choose lower-elevation sites with easier access and better facilities. "The lower sites are larger, more open, and more recently updated. Sites further uphill are in a mixed state of dilapidation," advises laura S. about Alvarado Campground.
Recreation options: Look for campgrounds with multiple activity possibilities to keep children engaged. "Quite National Forest camp ground that is a pay per night. Site has a nice creek and offers lots of hiking. Vault toilets and several water fountains. No electricity. Lots of wildlife in the area," notes Kris M. from North Crestone Creek Campground.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring adaptable clothing layers. One camper at Royal Gorge Park East Ridge Campground shared, "The site was really nicely set up on the top of a hill. Nice and warm for the elevation, especially at night, which was especially nice considering the other campsites we stayed at that were about 20 degrees cooler at night."
Length restrictions: Many mountain campgrounds have size limitations for RVs and trailers. "The campground won't accommodate fifth wheels only horse and rv up to 30 or so," states Diane S. about Alvarado Campground.
Level sites: RVers emphasize the importance of level sites in this mountainous region. "We easily got our 40' coach into a very level site. Definitely will be back!" reports DaveAdele C. who stayed at Alvarado Campground.
Site utilities: Check specific hookup availability before arrival. "This was a gorgeous place to stay. Make sure you check your vehicle length because some of the spots were pretty small. No water or electrical hookups," advises Steph C., who camped at Alvarado Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Westcliffe, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Westcliffe, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 219 campgrounds and RV parks near Westcliffe, CO and 64 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Westcliffe, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Westcliffe, CO is Alvarado Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Westcliffe, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 64 free dispersed camping spots near Westcliffe, CO.
What parks are near Westcliffe, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Westcliffe, CO that allow camping, notably Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.
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