Best Campgrounds near Weston, CO

Dispersed camping options extend along the North Fork Purgatoire River near Weston, Colorado, where campers find free sites alongside a developed camping area with amenities. The region includes both primitive spots in San Isabel National Forest and established campgrounds like Monument Lake Resort, which offers cabins, tent sites, and RV hookups. Trinidad Lake State Park provides additional developed camping opportunities with full hookup RV sites and tent camping areas approximately 25 miles southeast of Weston along Highway 12.

Roads leading to dispersed camping areas often require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall when dirt routes become rutted or muddy. A recent visitor noted, "Little bumpy coming in but not bad. Really pretty getting here. Site is flat-ish and fine for what it is." Most developed campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with some closing during winter months due to snow and freezing temperatures. Elevations ranging from 6,500 to 8,000 feet create cool nights even during summer months, making proper cold-weather gear essential year-round. Cell service remains limited throughout much of the area, especially at dispersed sites along forest roads.

Wildlife viewing opportunities represent a significant draw for campers in the Weston area. Deer regularly pass through campgrounds at dusk, and fishing access to lakes and streams provides recreation options. According to one camper at Monument Lake Resort, "Fishing was well above expectations, catching 14 large trout over the 2-night stay between the two of us." The North Fork Purgatoire River area receives positive reviews for its riverside camping experience and hiking trails. Campers seeking quieter experiences typically prefer weekday visits, as one reviewer mentioned, "We prefer Sun-Thur to miss the crowds." Primitive sites generally offer more seclusion than developed campgrounds but lack amenities like showers, potable water, or electrical hookups.

Best Camping Sites Near Weston, Colorado (104)

    1. Blue Lake Campground - Temporarily Closed

    36 Reviews
    La Veta, CO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "The site is about two hours west of Trinidad Colorado in the Spanish Peaks Area along scenic highway 12."

    "This area has everything Colorado at 11,500’. There is a waterfall, a lake, some marsh land and plenty of views! Up on the adjacent mountainside are a few old mining locations and some caves."

    2. Carpios Ridge Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park

    24 Reviews
    Trinidad, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 846-6951

    $36 - $41 / night

    "This place has something for everyone: camping, hiking, fishing, boating on the lake, playground for kids, and close to Trinidad for supplies and dining."

    "Up on the top of a hill next to the lake, so not much access to the water. One year, when the water was low, it took about 15 min both ways up/down pretty rough and rugged trails."

    3. South Shore Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park

    22 Reviews
    Trinidad, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 846-6951

    $28 - $250 / night

    "Nice to be that close to the lake. One thing to keep in mind, from the campsites there isn’t great access to the lake, you’ll need to come in From the East entrance to the park for lake access."

    "As is typical of Colorado State Parks, Trinidad Lake is clean, well thought out, and beautiful."

    4. Stonewall Lodge & RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Weston, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 868-2294

    $45 - $50 / night

    "Fair pricing, play area for kids(needs supervision), liqueur store in walking distance, laundry is walking distance. And in a great town with nice people."

    "Deer walking thru the campground at dusk was a neat site."

    5. Monument Lake Resort

    7 Reviews
    Weston, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 868-2226

    "This lake is in an absolutely beautiful part of the country. The campsites are all situated around the lake and each has a great lake view. Fishing is good as well."

    "When you first drive in there are secluded tent spots, then small cabins. There are many spots all around the lake, with large tenter sites on the opposite bank of the lake."

    6. North Fork Purgatiore River

    9 Reviews
    Weston, CO
    15 miles

    "Drive past the wildlife area sign that says no camping. That sign is only for the entranced area. On down the road you will see the entrance and pay station for the campgrounds. Gorgeous!"

    "We stayed right next to the river. We sat by the fire and just enjoyed the sounds of the river."

    7. Purgatoire Campground

    8 Reviews
    Weston, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "The area surrounding Purgatory is GORGEOUS. It’s straight out of a movie or picture book."

    "No access to electric or water. Road to camp is rough. Beautiful scenery. Short drive to Chucara and Stonewall."

    8. Cordova Pass

    7 Reviews
    La Veta, CO
    17 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "This campground has 3 walk in tent campsites, a pit toilet, picnic tables, fire pits and great access to West Spanish Peaks trailhead. Very clean & quite. Great Mountain View’s."

    "Had my gear and saw a sign, so decided to drive up the mountain to this campsite from the Highway of Legends. There’s a six mile drive up a dirt road with some great vistas on the way up."

    9. Raton Pass Camp & Cafe

    14 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-8500

    "This is a small RV Park at Raton Pass almost to the Colorado border. Situated at the top of a hill, the views here are outstanding."

    "It used to be our favorite stop on our way to Colorado. It is still a beautiful location, but our most recent experience was not up to what it has been in the past."

    10. Bear Lake Campground (CO)

    7 Reviews
    La Veta, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "Beautiful place in Southern Colorado.     It is a busy (small), very pretty campground Southern CO (not all spots are shaded).     Great Hosts with clean vault toilets.     "

    "The views driving up from the main road are absolutely stunning. I was here when the leaves were changing in the fall and I’m not sure there are many places in Colorado more beautiful than up here."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 104 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Weston, CO

530 Reviews of 104 Weston Campgrounds


  • Christopher P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Piñon Campground — Lathrop State Park

    Nice park

    Nice trails and two lakes. Enjoyed our stay. Only ding is the showers. You have to enter a code for entry and then feed to machine with quarters for a just ok shower. These sites are pricey. Seems it could include a shower. The campground is away from day use areas so not sure why the keypad.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Cordova Pass

    Small CG near popular trailhead

    This is a set up where you park your car at the trailhead and haul your gear to your site. It’s not far to haul since all the sites are scattered together in the wooded area. Sites aren’t very private or very far apart. Good for a night.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Mallette Creek North

    Beautiful Mt View

    This is what we wanted to find with dispersed camping! Beautiful view! A couple of neighbors but never heard them. Not the easiest piece of ground to get the trailer leveled but we made it work. Very pleased with our 3 nights there.

  • Jaz C.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed

    great spot by the sand dunes

    we arrived after dark and there were still plenty of spots. it was easy to find and the roads were in good conditions. this place had a lot of campers but the sites were very spread out. most sites had a fire pit and there was plenty of tumbleweeds to help start fires. we stayed here 2 nights when we were exploring the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and it was around 15 minutes away.

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    North Fork Purgatiore River

    Trashy

    The camper before me didn’t bother take their trash with them. That’s highly uncalled for. It was late afternoon and I didn’t have time to look for another place.

  • Curtis D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Tolby Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park

    To close for comfort

    This is a really nice camping ground. It has flush toilets and an electric plug in the bathroom also. There's drinkable water spigot all around. The bad thing about this place is that the sites are too close for comfort. That's why it's my title. Otherwise, it's pretty nice. Great view of a mountain right in front of you. The mountain is so close, you can count the trees. There's also the Cimarron River that runs through. Stay one night if you like it, stay longer. 🤷‍♂️

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lathrop State Park

    Clean quiet, well managed

    Just outside Walsenburg, CO, 2 small lakes. We had electric but did not use, loop D spots had some nice views of Spanish Peaks in distance (youngest peaks in Rockies), several small playgrounds for kids, SMALL shower stalls (coin op with changers available), some flush, some pit, toilets (all clean), 1 bar Verizon but were able to watch Chiefs/Chargers game on phone. Gift shop, paved trail around lake, some other hiking paths, quiet hours were kept by campers. Noticed staff made regular trips through grounds. Hogback trail moderate (perhaps on side of harder moderate, tough for older large dog--wouldn't take him on it again). Electric sites available (chose one but did not use the hookup). Did not notice ANY hwy noise in loop D.  Water spigots available at SOME sites and/or spots in campground with one designated water fill-up spot near entrance. Most if not all sites appeared level. Beware of prickly pear cactus while walking dogs, particularly at night.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Quiet, peacefull.

    Just a small open area, three picnic tables, a couple of pit toilets, trash cans. Lots of birds, a couple of deer, lots of coyotes off in the distance. Fishing is allowed but I didn't see any.

  • Brittany M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    North Fork Purgatiore River

    Well Maintained

    Beautiful area and site. There are multiple sites, and all seem to have been recently cleared and maintained. There is a sign right where the sites start. The specific site that is the coordinates on Dyrt is right next to the creek and a great spot. The road is somewhat busy for being so far back. Don't go too far or you will hit the campsite that you have to pay for.


Guide to Weston

Camping near Weston, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful landscapes. One reviewer at Piñon Campground said, "We love to come here to get great views of the Spanish Peaks."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peaceful environment. A visitor at Cimarron Campground noted, "It is a long way down a dirt road but well worth the drive to be remote."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A camper at Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park mentioned, "Vault toilets were super clean and not smelly."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Blue Lake Campground, have limited facilities. A reviewer warned, "Only making this review as a fair warning for other campers like us."
  • Access Roads: Be prepared for rough roads. A camper at Rio Costilla Park said, "The roads to the entrance, to the campsites, and definitely up to the lakes are best suited if not exclusively suited for trucks and 4WD vehicles."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Keep food secured to avoid attracting animals. A visitor at Lake Alice Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park mentioned, "Bear boxes provided, deer walked through campground often."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby lakes for swimming and fishing. A family at South Shore Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park enjoyed, "Took inner tubes and rode them down the stream!"
  • Space for Kids to Play: Choose campgrounds with spacious sites. A camper at Cimarron Campground noted, "The campsites were large and surrounded by trees."
  • Plan for Quiet Nights: Many campgrounds are peaceful after day hikers leave. A visitor at Carpios Ridge Campground shared, "It quiets down once day hikers leave for the day."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Piñon Campground advised, "Unfortunately my site was not as level as the others so I had to do some maneuvers to level my camper."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. A camper at Raton Pass Camp & Cafe mentioned, "All the sites had very well groomed gravel and all hookups were well maintained."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure there’s a dump station nearby. A visitor at Piñon Campground noted, "There was a dump station that was free to use also."

Camping around Weston, CO, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Weston campground located in Colorado?

Weston is located in southern Colorado, near the New Mexico border. While Weston itself is a small community, nearby camping options include Bear Lake Campground (CO) in the southern Colorado mountains and Blue Lake Campground, which sits at 11,500 feet elevation about two hours west of Trinidad in the Spanish Peaks area along scenic Highway 12. The region offers spectacular mountain views and access to numerous outdoor recreation opportunities.

What amenities are available at Weston campground?

Campgrounds near Weston offer various amenities. Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park provides covered picnic tables at every site with relatively level ground. Many sites offer spectacular views. At Piñon Campground — Lathrop State Park, you'll find paved roads suitable for biking. Other area campgrounds typically provide basic facilities like vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Some have access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and nearby lakes for recreation.

When is the best time of year to camp in Weston, Colorado?

The best time to camp in the Weston area is late spring through early fall (May-September). Summer offers warm days and cool nights with lush greenery, especially at places like Rio Costilla Park, which features beautiful mountain landscapes. Early fall provides pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. At Raton Pass Camp & Cafe, which sits near the Colorado border, visitors enjoy outstanding views during these peak months. Winter camping is possible but facilities may be limited, with some campground loops closing for the season.