Best Campgrounds near Windsor, CO

Windsor, Colorado offers varied camping destinations within a 30-mile radius, including state parks and private RV resorts. Developed campgrounds like Boyd Lake State Park provide electric hookups for both tent and RV campers near Loveland, while Horsetooth Reservoir features multiple campgrounds with waterfront sites. The area balances convenient urban-adjacent camping with more secluded options, serving as a strategic base for exploring both the Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Campgrounds in the Windsor area typically require reservations, especially during peak summer months. Most state park locations like Boyd Lake and St. Vrain offer electric hookups and some amenities, though full-service options are more common at private facilities like Loveland RV Resort, which provides comprehensive utilities. Access to most camping areas involves paved roads and level sites that accommodate various vehicle sizes, with some locations offering both primitive and developed camping options. Weather patterns include hot summers and cold winters, with spring bringing potential storm activity. One camper noted, "Boyd Lake State Park is situated near the city of Fort Collins with distant views of the mountains. It has a large lake that is used by boaters, fishermen and sandcastle builders all summer."

Campers consistently praise the region's water-based recreation opportunities. Horsetooth Reservoir and Boyd Lake State Park receive positive feedback for their swimming beaches, boating access, and fishing. While sites at these popular water-adjacent locations tend to be closer together, they compensate with amenities and activities. Many campgrounds feature clean facilities and reasonable shade coverage from established trees. A reviewer at Boyd Lake mentioned, "Clean restrooms; showers were $0.75/3 minutes. Lots of folks were using the sidewalk for bicycle riding, walking and running. Trees hug the shoreline, allowing dappled shade along the route." The region's mixed-use campgrounds balance natural surroundings with proximity to urban conveniences, making them particularly suitable for families and those seeking both recreational activities and basic amenities.

Best Camping Sites Near Windsor, Colorado (219)

    1. Cottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park

    45 Reviews
    Loveland, CO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 669-1739

    $36 - $41 / night

    "All sites have great access and close to the ponds. Variety of fish in the ponds. They allow ice fishing as long as the ice is safe."

    "Boyd Lake State Park is situated near the city of Fort Collins with distant views of the mountains. It has a large lake that is used by boaters, fishermen and sandcastle builders all summer."

    2. Fort Collins Lakeside KOA

    23 Reviews
    Laporte, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 484-9880

    "It’s not your run of the mill KOA by a highway. The lake is beautiful with a walking path all of the way around and paddle boats. The pool is nice. The miniature golf is pretty with mature trees."

    "Lake, boats, water cannon boats, fishing, bikes, peewee golf, jumping thing. Walking path around lake."

    3. South Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir

    19 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $25 - $45 / night

    "We have camped in Colorado for over 15 years. By far the campsites with the best views! And you can rent cabins too. Just love this place. Lake gets busy In the summer."

    "The sites are picked up but not manicured by any means and there is road noise due to the proximity of the roads around the region."

    4. Riverview RV Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 667-9910

    "Campground is situated along the Big Thompson River. Big cottonwood trees. Easy accessibility for big rigs. Some items … water valves leak in lakes around entire park and many are leaking."

    "Right next to the river. Close to some easy MTB trails. Would definitely stay here again."

    5. Loveland RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Loveland, CO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 667-1204

    "Plenty of shops and restaurants that are within walking distance. Only negative is that we were extremely close to our neighbors.  We would stay here again."

    "We only stayed one night while traveling through Colorado. It was convenient and easy. The grounds were nice and clean, very pretty, they had good amenities."

    6. Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir

    12 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $25 / night

    "Sites are fairly close together strung out along the lake edge. In September, lake level is purposefully lowered about 20 feet from summer levels."

    "Vault toilets with electric lights and a shower facility at each location. Located close to marina/boat ramp."

    7. St. Vrain State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Firestone, CO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 678-9402

    $36 - $41 / night

    "Very convenient campground with great access to North Denver/Boulder area. Only downside is proximity to I-25 and traffic noise. But there are many nice trails and lakes to fish from."

    "It is near I-25 highway so there is road traffic noise but becomes background noise after a day or so. But if that bothers you you won’t like it."

    8. Pinewood Reservoir Campground

    16 Reviews
    Drake, CO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $25 / night

    "This was our second visit to Pinewood Lake and while some things stayed the same others were much the same.  Our first visit last fall was during the final stages of a blizzard. "

    "Even with the snow and us being novices we set up without a hitch and were soon enjoying the magical panorama of the lake below us and the hills and mountain tops around us."

    9. Flatiron Reservoir Campground

    11 Reviews
    Drake, CO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $25 - $50 / night

    "Ranger Review: Humangear at Flatiron Reservoir Campground Campground Review:

    Flatiron Reservoir Campground is located just outside the city of Loveland, Colorado."

    "Great lakeside spots. A little close together, bu everyone was friendly. 5 minutes to Huge Carter lake, Marina, general store"

    10. Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    91 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    $35 - $70 / night

    "Took the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back."

    "Very enjoyable spot, close access to trails and entrance and exit of the park."

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Recent Reviews near Windsor, CO

1648 Reviews of 219 Windsor Campgrounds


  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Hell Canyon Dispersed

    Good dispersed road

    Good spot for dispersed camping. Maybe 6 spots total going all the way up the road. 4x4 recommended. Fires allowed in established rings only, always check with Roosevelt National Forest website to see if fires are allowed during your stay as this varies by season.

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Elk Meadows Lodge & RV Resort

    Nothing special

    This place is right outside the national park. Thats about the main feature. Its a huge open gravel lot where if its busy, 100s of rv are packed in as tight as they can get them. Standard hookups and cabins available. Nice mountain views and full verizon 5g signal. But this is just a sardine can. The plus side is you will probally see or hear elk

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    St. Vrain State Park Campground

    Great Stop Through State Park

    We were surprised how nice this was. Great little walks around ponds with Mountain View’s in the background. Only stayed a night on way to Tetons, but definitely was a surprise of the trip being right off the high. Would definitely use this as a stop again.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Comanche Peak View Campground

    Solitude

    Great spot near Red Feather Lakes and probably the only dispersed spot around that has AT&T service. Nobody else was here while I was camping and hardly anyone drove by, it’s pretty far out here. Good views at the end of the road of the meadow if you can make it up, other wise the lower spots have some cool rock formations to check out.

    Highly recommend for car camping instead of trailers or RVs, though it is do-able. I came up here with a small off-road trailer just fine, and my family made it up with a 25ft RV but did bottom out at the first turn into the campsite as it is really rutted (short tho). If you come in, come in through Red Feather Lakes on 74E, that way you only have 8 miles of dirt road. Otherwise if you come in from the north it’s like 20 miles + of dirt and gravel, not anything bad but it is washboard-y.

    Also go check out Elf Lane (Illy road) in Red Feather if you like weird stuff 🤓

  • L
    Oct. 16, 2025

    LaVern M. Johnson Park

    Downtown Lyons

    Nice campground downtown Lyons and on the river. Full hookups. Tents sites right next to the river. Slow and not reliable wifi but 5G. Showers nearby closed and further showers you need to pay for. Very nice camp host. I will return.

  • Ken B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park

    Nice campground

    The sites are spacious and far enough apart. Not much for views but the place was clean and the staff very welcoming. Close to the park and t-shirt shopping in Estes Park.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Cheyenne RV Resort by RJourney

    Nice clean campground

    Really liked this campground. Had all the amenities needed. Very, very clean. The only 2 negatives are, you are between hwy 25 and train tracks and there are no fire pits for the RV section. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.

  • A
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Manor RV Park

    Location Excellent - Campground and showers OK

    The campground is extremely conveniently located and in a pretty area. The campground itself is just ok. Super close together spaces and zero privacy at sites. Nice concrete pads to park beside to help with mud and tracking so that was nice. Each site has its own picnic table. The shower house was centrally located within the grounds. The women's side entrance wasn't very well lit at night. There are no private changing areas in the shower house, except the handicap stall, which I am not a fan of. Water wasn't very hot even on straight hot.

    Men's side was even less private my husband said.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Applewood RV Resort by Rjourney

    Great hiking and biking trails

    The park was okay if you are looking for something overnight. And very expensive and very crowded and no room between rigs. Looks like fulltime living in some spaces. It does have laundry service. And it has a great park just beside it. And there are beautiful hiking and biking trails right next to the facility. And it is very dog friendly.


Guide to Windsor

Camping spots near Windsor, Colorado offer varied terrain from elevation changes between 5,000-6,000 feet across the Front Range foothills to the eastern plains. Winter camping requires preparation for nighttime temperatures that often drop below freezing, while summer sees daily highs averaging 85-90°F with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August. Campgrounds in the area transition from prairie grasslands to pine and aspen forests as you move west toward the mountains.

What to do

Fishing access: electric sites near stocked ponds: At St. Vrain State Park Campground, fishing opportunities abound across multiple ponds. "Numerous ponds, stocked ponds, trails, biking, birds, paddle boarding. The view of the mountains is to die for!" reports Kate B. The park maintains several water bodies for anglers with one visitor noting they "even had a nest of eagles."

Watercraft rentals: paddleboats with character: The Fort Collins Lakeside KOA offers unique paddle boats for exploring their lake. As one visitor described, there are "paddleboats in the shape of a swan/dragon/flamingo" available for rent. The campground features "fishing, paddle boats, walking trails, ice cream socials" making it a complete water recreation destination.

Trail access: walking paths around water: At Riverview RV Park & Campground, the Big Thompson River provides a natural backdrop for outdoor activities. "The campground is located along a river with walking paths," notes Cindy C. The riverside setting creates natural hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities with another camper mentioning "Nearly every day a deer would come munch on the greenery right behind our rig."

What campers like

Waterfront sites: direct access to activities: Horsetooth Reservoir's South Bay Campground offers premium locations right on the water. "We had a great spot right on the water and our kids were able to play in the water right from the campsite," reports Lacey N. The lake access enhances recreational options as "The lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking."

Reasonable fees with multi-use options: Many campers appreciate Larimer County campgrounds like Flatiron Reservoir for their flexible accommodations. "Friends from out of town rented one of the tipis while we stayed in a tent (dogs aren't allowed in the tipis) on the same lot all under one price," explains one visitor. These unique overnight options supplement traditional sites with "three tipis at $35/night" alongside standard electrical sites.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The prevalence of wildlife enhances camping experiences throughout the region. At Riverview RV Park, one camper noted the "high probability of seeing wildlife" with observations like "Lots of deer, elk and turkeys" reported at multiple campgrounds. Even smaller reservoirs like Pinewood offer wildlife encounters with one camper reporting, "We saw a deer, an eagle and many geese."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: booking systems vary: While most campgrounds require advance reservations, how you book differs by location. Larimer County properties including Pinewood Reservoir Campground require both campsite fees and daily entrance permits. As one visitor noted, "Only draw back is you pay both a park fee and a campsite fee." State Parks have their own reservation system while private campgrounds often allow direct bookings.

Additional fees beyond base rates: Extra charges apply at most locations beyond advertised rates. At Loveland RV Resort, "additional charges for parties of over 4 people, extra vehicles or pets" increase costs. Several campgrounds charge for showers - Boyd Lake's facilities cost "$0.75/3 minutes" according to one reviewer. Plan for these incidentals when budgeting.

Road noise impacts certain campgrounds: Many campgrounds sit near major roadways which affects noise levels. St. Vrain State Park is "right on the outskirts of the suburbs" where one camper advises to "choose a spot far from the Interstate highway, it's closer than you think!" At Horsetooth South Bay, "road noise during the day" was mentioned, though "it did quiet down each night."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-focused amenities: scheduled activities: At Fort Collins Lakeside KOA, children's entertainment includes structured events. "They offer a little herb garden managed by a local society. You can pick whatever you like and make your meals extra yummy!" writes Cynthia I. Another camper notes special touches like "mini train rides around the property, swimming pools, mini golf, arcade, fishing, walking trails."

Safety considerations: wildlife awareness: Families should maintain wildlife awareness in regional campgrounds. One camper at Moraine Park advises "You ARE in bear country - be bear smart and safe and use your bear box!" though most Windsor-area campgrounds don't require bear-proof storage. At Horsetooth campgrounds, "Deer wanderer in and out of the campgrounds and were always on the road. Beware."

Shower access limitations: Many campgrounds have restricted or pay shower facilities that affect family camping. At Moraine Park "there are NO showers - there are stalls for personal solar showers" while Flatiron Reservoir similarly lacks shower facilities. When planning multi-day stays with children, factor in shower availability or bring alternative cleaning options.

Tips from RVers

Electric-only options predominate: Most campgrounds near Windsor offer electric hookups without full services. At Flatiron Reservoir, sites feature "Electric only on all sites" with "water located near the three restrooms" but not at individual sites. Plan water usage accordingly and locate the nearest dump station before arrival.

Site grading and leveling challenges: RV campers frequently note uneven sites in the area's campgrounds. One RVer at Flatiron Reservoir warned the campground "has 'lay of the land' (not level) sites, so some extra bracing is required." At South Bay, a camper mentioned "we used 50amp at our site but no water hook up" highlighting the need to check specific site utilities before booking.

Tree sap concerns at some locations: Mature trees at Loveland RV Resort can create unexpected cleanup issues. One RVer reported, "the trees drop a horrible yellow sap that was on EVERYTHING after only one night, our shoes, our floors, our dogs, our rig, our vehicles, it was a mess." Consider tree cover and parking location when selecting sites during warmer months when sap is most active.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best camping options in and around Windsor?

The Windsor area offers diverse camping experiences for all preferences. For mountain views and riverside camping, Roosevelt National Forest Camp Dick Campground provides the quintessential Colorado experience with stunning views, riverside sites, and hiking trails accessible from camp. RV enthusiasts will appreciate Loveland RV Resort with full hookups and amenities. For those seeking free camping options, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers numerous sites with the unnumbered spots further down Forest Road 233.1 providing the best views. Most campgrounds in the region are busiest from June through August, so reservations are strongly recommended for weekend trips.

Where are the campgrounds near Windsor, Colorado?

Windsor, Colorado is surrounded by excellent camping options within driving distance. To the west, Horsetooth Reservoir South Bay Campground offers stunning lakeside camping with breathtaking views and cabin rentals. For those seeking RV accommodations, Riverview RV Park & Campground in nearby Loveland provides full hookups and convenient access. Other options within an hour's drive include dispersed camping in Roosevelt National Forest and several campgrounds around Estes Park. Most campgrounds in the area are open from late spring through early fall, with reservations strongly recommended during peak summer months.

Can you camp at Windsor Lake in Colorado?

Windsor Lake itself doesn't offer designated camping directly on its shores. However, nearby alternatives provide excellent lake camping experiences. Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir offers water access with both drive-in and boat-in sites about 20 minutes from Windsor. For a more secluded lake experience, Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir provides peaceful camping with site #5 being particularly spacious for larger groups. While Windsor Lake is primarily a day-use recreation area, these nearby lake campgrounds offer similar experiences with overnight accommodations, typically operating from May through September with reservation systems in place.