Dog-Friendly Camping near Weston, CO

Located in southern Colorado at the base of the Spanish Peaks, Weston offers camping options across elevations from 6,000 to 11,000 feet. The area experiences warm summer days with cool nights and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Many campgrounds near Weston provide access to high-altitude lakes and multiple trailheads that connect to the San Isabel National Forest.

What to do

Hiking around Bear Lake Campground: This high-altitude campground (11,000+ feet) offers several hiking trails with mountain views. "The site has great trails for hiking and ATVs here and campers frequently run into bears. So you need to prepare and take the necessary precautions," notes Steve & Ashley G. at Bear Lake Campground.

Fishing opportunities: The lakes near Weston provide excellent fishing access, especially for trout. "The lake is pristine and clear and you can see every trout in the lake. The fishing was fantastic and the campsites were well situated and quiet," says Bryan P. about Bear Lake.

Mountain exploration: The Highway of Legends scenic byway provides access to multiple camping areas with mountain views. "We decided to stay at this campground because bear lake campground was too crowded for us. It's not exactly what we hoped for because sadly there's not as many trees as the pictures show due to heavy snowfall fall from this past winter," explains Mattie L. at Blue Lake Campground.

What campers like

Quiet settings: Many campgrounds offer peaceful environments away from crowds. "We drove in about 5:00 pm and they had 2 vacancies! Camp host was great! Friendly neighbors! Highly recommend if you're looking for a relaxing time!" writes Teresa T. about Bear Lake Campground.

Wildlife viewing: The Weston area provides opportunities to see various wildlife species. "We did not see the moose but caught glimpses of the goats, weasels and a beaver in the water," says Nick C. at Blue Lake Campground.

Campsite layouts: Lathrop State Park offers well-designed campsites with amenities. "Great sites with loads of amenities. We stayed at the piñon campground and was very pleased with all what it had to offer. Nice clean restrooms and showers!! Can get hot and windy during the summer, but will definitely return in the fall," Kevin shares about Piñon Campground.

What you should know

Limited sites at dispersed areas: Competition for dispersed camping spots can be fierce, especially on weekends. "We drove out there on a Monday afternoon to find there were only like 3 spots total and all of them were taken. Listen when the other reviews say they fill up fast!" warns maddie about Blue Lake.

Weather considerations: The area experiences rapid weather changes, particularly at higher elevations. "It was definitely cold and windy at night. Unfortunately there was a ton of trash there and it was quite busy. Our friends showed up at 11 am Friday and got one of the only sites available," notes Macy N.

Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigation on rough roads. "The road up can get pretty steep and sketchy so go slow, watch out for the giant potholes, and be sure to make space for other cars, especially if you decide to continuing driving up to the dam," advises Tonya B. at North Fork Purgatiore River.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Trinidad Lake State Park offers facilities specifically for children. "Really nice camp ground, cool play ground for the kids, fire place, picnic table and she'd with great views. Views where great from ever angle," says Jason S. about Carpios Ridge Campground.

Activity variety: Parks with multiple activities keep children engaged. "This place has something for everyone: camping, hiking, fishing, boating on the lake, playground for kids, and close to Trinidad for supplies and dining," notes Nick U.

Spacing between sites: Consider site layout when camping with children. "We generally prefer more seclusion and privacy which we had for the most part with trees, etc. at this site. Some sites didn't have that," explains erin D. about Piñon Campground.

Tips from RVers

Pet friendly options: Many campgrounds in the Weston area accommodate travelers with pets. "Good spot to camp for the night," says Mark about North Fork Purgatiore River, which offers pet-friendly dispersed camping options with vault toilets but limited amenities.

Hookup availability: Stonewall Lodge & RV Park provides full service sites for RVs. "Full hook up. Great value. Friendly owner and staff! Even got a dusk field trip to see the wildlife. We will stop here again," writes Amanda B.

Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present difficulties for leveling larger rigs. "I can understand rating this campground low if you were hoping to find a Ritz Carlton at the end of the 4-mile rough road, but if you're looking for a beautiful high altitude forested campground that offers solitude and great hiking, you've come to the right place!" explains Jeff T. about Purgatoire Campground.