Camping spots near Wetmore, Colorado sit at elevations between 6,000-9,000 feet where temperatures can drop 30-40 degrees from day to night, even in summer months. The region's transition zone between mountains and plains creates distinct camping microclimates, with higher elevations typically 10-15 degrees cooler than lower areas. Most campgrounds in this region experience heavy weekend traffic from May through September, while weekdays offer significantly more solitude and site availability.
What to do
Waterfall hiking near Ophir Creek: The campground offers access to a scenic waterfall trail that requires crossing the creek multiple times. "We took the 1-mile trail south to a really nice waterfall. Why they don't have a sign for directions to it, I don't know! The trail is pretty well worn and you have to cross the creek in three places, walking over stacked logs - some pretty precarious 'bridges'," notes one Ophir Creek Campground visitor.
Mountain biking on East Ridge trails: The trail system at East Ridge offers varying difficulty levels with technical sections overlooking the gorge. "Lots of nice trails nearby that are rated easy. Beautiful spot to watch a sunset," reports a camper at East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge, adding that "There are beautiful fire pits and standard picnic tables."
Rock collecting and geology exploration: The area's geological diversity provides opportunities for amateur collectors. "Great for rockhounding! Lots of orange granite and feldspar, opaque quartz. The Royal Gorge is beautifully metamorphic," shares a visitor to East Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Creek-side camping ambiance: Many campers value waterfront sites for their natural sound barrier. A visitor to Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites shares, "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope... There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water. The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies."
Dark sky stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. One camper at Davenport Campground noted, "At night the site was amazingly dark. This was my first real time seeing the Milky Way. It was so amazing I am glad my friend was there so I have backup to my story."
Wildlife observation opportunities: The area supports diverse wildlife viewing possibilities. "We only encountered a few animals - rock squirrels and birds. There were many flowers still in bloom, but waning with fall coming soon," reports a September visitor to Ophir Creek Campground, while another camper mentions, "We were also visited by some wildlife. A deer walked up to our site when we were making smores."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Several campgrounds have problematic water supplies. One RVer at Aspen Acres Campground stated, "All fine for a night except we filled our tank with the most disgusting undrinkable water imaginable. I'd not come back for that reason." Another camper noted, "Water system needs work; well water has rust and sediment, be prepared!"
Insect issues during warm months: Biting insects can be problematic in certain areas. "The insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times and our dogs were very stressed from them all over them. Bring those fly bags that attract them away from you," warns a Phantom Canyon visitor, while another adds, "There is a lot of biting flies so bring bug spray if you plan to camp!"
Poison ivy awareness: Some hiking trails have significant poison ivy growth. "The only downside to hiking was watching out for poison ivy, and there was plenty of it all along the creek and on the hiking trail," cautions a visitor at Ophir Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with shade structures: Built coverings provide crucial sun protection. A camper at Juniper Breaks Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park shares, "Each site at Juniper Breaks has a fire ring, tent spot, and a picnic table-with shade over the table. The sites aren't super close together, you can see each other but I felt like we had privacy."
Plan for junior ranger programs: Educational opportunities are available for children. "We took our kids (2, 5, & 7) to the junior ranger class they host at the visitor center almost every Saturday. They learned about boat safety and got free sunglasses and emergency whistles. My 7 year old niece finished her ranger booklet and got a junior ranger badge, which she loved."
Consider walk-in distance with children: Some sites require significant carrying of gear. "We probably had the worst walk-in site, distance wise. A long walk with all of our stuff. We'll chose a different one next time," reports a family that visited Ophir Creek Campground, suggesting parents plan their site selection carefully.
Tips from RVers
Check satellite connectivity: Cell service varies drastically between campgrounds. A visitor to Phantom Canyon noted, "Starlink worked great as there is no Verizon cellular for miles. It took us three attempts to get our overweight 2-wheel drive van up the hill and back onto the road."
Beware of low clearance entrances: Some campgrounds have height restrictions that can damage taller RVs. A camper at Northern Plains Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park warns, "40'+ 5th wheels, READ: 12' clearance coming into the park WILL HIT YOUR AIR CONDITIONERS. Use the main road and block traffic, don't go under the covering thing."
Consider hookup placement: The location of utilities can affect optimal RV positioning. One visitor to Aspen Acres Campground explained, "We only wish we had a longer power cable. Our port is at the back and the outlet was way up front. To reach, we had to set up near the front of the site which limited our parking."
