Best Glamping near Woodland Park, CO

Lone Duck Campground was a good home base for us during our visit to Colorado Springs. The campground is several miles down from Woodland Park and about the same down to Manitou and the Springs. We were out and about during the days, but Lone Duck was nice to return to each afternoon.

Reservations were easy to do online. They had the site ready for us when we arrived.

Site 45 was great for our pop up. If we had our 30’ trailer, we wouldn’t have had room for our truck. The site is right next to a lovely stream that really drowned out any road noise. We slept great with the white noise the stream produced. Our site had a picnic table and fire pit (with grill grate). We had water and 30/20 amp electric.

The bathrooms/showers were in the main office. The men’s restroom had a couple of stalls and three showers. They were sufficient for me. The women’s restroom was small and cramped according to my wife. It appears the floors and walls had been coated with a garage floor or bed-liner material. It wasn’t the most appealing but again was sufficient. We did use the laundry room and all machines worked fine.

There is a store, small dining area, and arcade in the main office along with the restrooms and laundry room. Wifi was hit or miss from the campsites. It was better inside the office. The check in staff was aware of the wifi and mentioned they were working on it. (We weren’t here for the internet so again, not an issue for us).

The kids did swim in the pool. The water was warm and they seemed to enjoy playing with other kiddos there. There is a small playground next to the pool and fishing pond. Kids played there frequently until quiet hours.

There are a few small cabins on the grounds and separate sections of the park for tents. There are houses just across the stream from our site but we never heard from or noticed any of the neighbors.

There is quite a bit of greenery throughout the campground. I thought the place could use a mowing or weed eating, but maybe it’s normal to have local grasses/plants left alone to grow.

As others have mentioned it is a bit tricky getting in and out. If you leave toward Woodland Park, you’ll have to cross a couple of lanes and make u-turn. Same thing of your coming to the campground from Manitou. You’ll make a u-turn.

Overall, we liked the place and would stay again.

CAMPGROUND REVIEW: COLORADO CAMPGROUND PIKE NATIONAL FOREST

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/colorado-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70684

Colorado Campground is one of several campgrounds less than 10 miles north of the city of Woodland Park off Route 67 in the Pike National Forest.

Situated at 7800 feet elevation, even summer nights get cool. Nearby 5 acre Manitou Lake is a trail walk away. You can toss your canoe or kayak in, but unless you are simply trout fishing, it’s tiny size doesn’t offer much variation.

Numerous foot trails lead into the National Forest, offering wonderfully quiet hikes and exploration.

There are 81 sites available, but some are adjacent to highway 67, so periodic road noise will be heard. The ponderosa pines assist in muffling highway noise.

Neighboring sites are visible across the entire campground, but they are situated in such a way that you are not directly on top of each other.

The back loop sites are larger and set deeper (Site 19, 20,21, 22, 23) which are my choice. Sites can be secured on www.recreation.gov. There are double sites which garner double fees. At the time of this review, sites are $23.00 nightly (a bit pricey for no showers or modern facilities). When there during the week, not including the host and groundskeeper, only four sites were filled. Most sites were reserved for weekends and upcoming Labor Day holiday.

No RV/Campers over 36 ft permitted. Parking pads are gravel, a few are pull-through. Sites are non-electric with no hookups…no showers Water spigots, metal trash containers and pit latrines are spaced out through the campground. Each site has one stationary picnic table and a fire pit. Most sites appeared fairly level. No specific tent pad locations.

With the towering ponderosa pines, there is ample shade.

Plenty of trails permit mountain biking as well as the paved centennial bike path that runs along highway 67 from Woodland Park 15 miles north…that you can walk, in-line, cycle and even ebike.

You have plenty of local activities to keep you busy, including the Red Rocks a couple miles south…or drive east on Rt 24 to Pikes Peak, or further into Manitou Springs for the Incline, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Garden of the gods and more!

Just six miles south into Woodland Park offers every food or shopping option.

All in all, a nice, clean campground in a great location.

This little gem hidden away in the mountains was a perfect spot for our Mother/Son roadtrip. We originally got a delux tent spot with water and electric but when a storm came through and blew our tent down and since we had been roughing it for the past few days it really made for some bad times but we were able to upgrade into a cabin and it made our night so much better. The family who runs the KOA were so welcoming and kind. They gave us information on a good fishing spot where my 7 yr old son caught his first trout and he fed his tribe. Lol everything was so clean. There are washers and dryers available. They had a nice gift shop and provided a s’mores night for the campers for free. They have pancake breakfast for $3 on Saturday and Sunday ( not always). Overall it was an amazing place to camp everything was reasonably priced and lots of activities for the kids. Board games were able to be checked out, there was a game room where the kids spent most of their time. There is a dog park area. Hummingbirds enjoyed the area as well

They had an outdoor kitchen with cast iron skillets for the campers to use as well as a stove and two big charcoal grills up at the main building

Very nice KOA

also it’s the WORLDS HIGHEST KOA @ 10,000 ft

RANGER REVIEW: The New Gregory Endo 15 Mtn Bike Hydration Pack at Painted Rocks Campground, Woodland Park, Colorado.

CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Painted Rocks Campground

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/painted-rocks/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70685

Painted Rocks Campground is located roughly six miles from Woodland Park off Route 67 on County Road 78 at 7800 feet elevation. Painted Rocks is considered rustic, in that it only offers centralized water and pit latrines (no electric, modern restrooms nor showers).

Painted Rocks Campground has two small grassy meadow loops…an upper (to the right) and a lower (to the left) as you enter the small campground proper. Each loop has one water spigot, one trash dumpster and one male/female pit latrine.

The upper loop to the right has eleven (11) sites and the lower loop to the left has seven (7) sites. Each site has one picnic table (buried and unmovable), and one metal fire pit. All sites have gravel/dirt parking spurs of varying length. The upper loop appeared to have shorter parking spurs and some were tent only. Site 9 has a 30’+ parking and very spacious for multiple tents. Most sites have Ponderosa pines, but some more than others. Site 9 had great hammocking trees. Picnic tables are large and in good shape. Pit latrines were very clean and stocked.

BrIef campground vIdeo revIew: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EjjNdSZg868

All sites are visible, line of site but are spread out enough to feel spacious and not “on top of each other.” County road 78 is not heavily traveled but you can both see and hear vehicles traveling by. It should also be noted that County road 78 is also dirt, so vehicles kick up dust…depending on wind direction…roadside sites will be coated with a fine layer.

There is a host immediately to your left upon entering the campground…who also sells firewood. A ban was in effect upon my visit. When the host is “off duty” you can self register or register online (recreation.gov). Cost is $23 nightly.

Note that the sole Campground sign on route 67 is small, thin and easily missed. Coming from Woodland Park you’ll pass Red Rocks Group Campground (more on that later), South Meadows Campground on your left and Colorado Campground on your right. The second left after Colorado Campground is County road 78.

There is not much offered at the campground itself other than relaxation. What is close by is the draw. Within a half hour drive: On a grand scale, you have two hiking routes up Pikes Peak (Barr trail and the Crags), drive up or take the Cog Railway. The Manitou Incline. Red Rock Canyon open space, Cheyenne Canyon, Garden of the Gods and a myriad of incredible hiking trails. Nearby is the Centennial Bike Trail offering 15 miles of out and back to Woodland Park and innumerable offroad traIls…and my favorite, Red Rocks Trail only a few miles away. All things outdoors are nearby: paddling, biking, hiking, scrambling, climbing, off-roading..

Check online or call before planning your stay as Painted Rocks Campground is only open during summer months…this year only til September 3rd. Mid-week (July 9-10) saw only four campsites filled, but weekends are ordinarily filled.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Pricey for no campground amenities, but what is close at hand makes up for it! I'll go again.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Gregory Endo 15 Mountainbike Hydration Pack

4.5 out of 5 Stars!

https://www.gregorypacks.com/hydration/endo-15-3d-hydro/91650XXXX.html

PROS

• Superb Hydration Bladder
• Multiple Storage Compartments
• Padded zippered pocket
• Dual zippered Hip-belt pouches
• Magnetic sternum strap clip
• Separate, removable Tool kit bag
• Flasher attachment

CONS

• Hydration hose tad short for sternum magnet
• Hip belt pockets need to fit current smartphones in common protective cases

What a great Hydration Pack! I’m going to suggest it’s a perfect all-arounder for its capacity, comfort and secure fit. As a Review Ranger for TheDyrt.com, I received this pack for testing and evaluation.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UBVsAd69qhc&t=10s

At 15 liters, I fit an abundance of necessity and unnecessary items for a day hike or ride.

Gregory’s main objective was to make a superior mountain biking hydration pack…and they have. But the Endo 15 offers much more versatility. While I haven’t climbed with it yet, it’s sleek design and clutter free frontage prevents snagging or getting in one’s way. I’ve put over a couple hundred trail miles since receiving this pack…and I’m appreciating it more each mile.

Once you don the Endo 15 and adjust the straps, it molds to your back with no movement. Whether cranking out the miles in the saddle or hoofin’ on foot, the Gregory stays put! No side swaying and little upward bouncing. So no worries of losing concentration on the technicals due to annoying pack shifting.

The Gregory Endo 15 materials are as durable and robust as its larger kin.

Feature-rich:

• Molded Pull Tabs- no more frustration searching and fumbling for zipper pulls. The Endo 15 has convenient plastic molded zipper pulls attached to each zipper with durable cordage…permitting easy finger pass-through for a positive grip.
• Belt Keepers-One often overlooked feature is the “strap keeper slides”. I don’t like dangling strap ends, so this feature cleans that all up and keeps them out of the way. It’s the small things in life.
• RS Suspension - The Endo 15 with RS (Ride Stability) allows adjustments for near perfect fit and suspension for various torso lengths and users preference. Detachable hook and loop gives you the option to move the pack higher or lower on your back.
• Eyewear Retention - The left shoulder strap has a loop to slide your eyewear stem through and a shockcord loop to pull over and secure around the nose bridge. Sunglasses don’t budge.
• Crash Pad-Padded interior pocket. Printed symbol suggests eyewear or small electronics (such as smartphones) and is padded 360 degrees. Note: a second, small exterior zippered pocket is partially padded, as it shares the rear pad from the Crash Pad that separates the two pockets.
• Dual Hip Belt zippered pockets- Both non-adjustable pockets are moved rearward toward the pack body, away from the gigline. This prevents impingement or discomfort when leaned over the handlebars.
• Removable Tool Pouch-an excellent idea! A zippered bi-fold tool pouch that has two inner zippered pockets, one fabric covered and one see-thru mesh. This tool pouch slides neatly into it’s own center mesh pocket inside the pack, with two narrower mesh pockets on either side which I slide a mini pump in one and CO2 inflator in the other.
• Exterior Breathable Stretch Pocket-a large stuff pocket allows for a windbreaker or rain jacket to be quickly stuffed. I learned to appreciate this same feature on my Gregory Paragon 58 while backpacking.
• Bi-lateral Lashing Tabs- Dual web lashing points allow helmet straps to be run through and held securely…or whatever other item one would desire to lash securely to the outside of the pack. •Reflective Decals-cyclists of any kind can never have too much reflective material. Gregory’s use of reflective decals is stylish and subdued.
• Flasher Tab-any cycling pack worth its salt will possess an attachment point for an illumination flasher. I tried several different brands and all fit effectively.
• Compression Straps-two upper compression straps snug up contents tightly.
• Magnetic Sternum Strap Button-a small magnet Integrated in the sternum strap attachment secures the hydration hose. Initially I was suspect how strong this magnetic union would be. It remained attached, even when motorcycling at 70 mph…impressive.
• EVAP Back Panel-moisture wicking material, along with its tautness, keeps the pack body off your back and permits ample airflow.
• 3D Hydro-hydration reservoir-utilizes a proprietary QuickDry soft molded technology, has an integrated hanger located at the base of the hydration tube, is a full 3 liters and best of all…is included with the pack! The pack uses a speed-clip to attach the reservoir to the pack, rather than a hook-n-loop tab or hook. This prevents the reservoir from sliding down into its separate sleeve.

Changes I’d like to see:

1. A longer hydration hose. I am a fairly average athletic build, but I found when hooked into the plastic clip on the shoulder strip, I really had to pull on the hose to get the hose and sternum magnets to mate.
2. A little larger hipbelt pockets. Neither my iPhone 7 in a Pelican Marine case nor in an Otter case would not fit.

Final Thoughts: I endeavored to put Gregory’s Endo 15 through its paces over several hundred miles…while hiking, scrambling, cycling on road and trail, and motorcycling. I am extremely impressed with how breathable, yet form fitting the Endo is to the body…and how much I can bring along. It’s my everyday favorite and I highly recommend it. Thankfully, No Endo's were performed during testing.

Beautiful lakeside camping just outside of Denver. Campsites are a bit close together, but great for groups! No hookups here but you have bathroom facilities and a visitor center where you can buy firewood. Campfires allowed in the fire pits. If you have an RV beware quiet hours from 10pm to 8am, no generators allowed. Lake is perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing and you will most likely have phone service if you are with AT&T or Verizon. Many day use areas, however vehicles and individuals are charged. For campers, if you bring more than one vehicle you will be charged daily for any additional ones. No drinking water is available, you must bring your own. Dirt roads to the lake are rough and narrow. Close to Deckers for incidentals. Intersects with the Colorado trail for hiking and biking and close to the Colorado River for tubing!

We loved this koa, it happened to be our first to ever stay at... now we’ve booked 2 others! We stayed in a small basic cabin, it was great! Linens provided, clean! Even though we had neighbors on either side of us pretty close, it was a very quiet peaceful stay. They have a small water park across from the office... perfect for the kids (even though it was about a high of 50 degrees, it was so enticing the kiddos still swam!) all of the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Clean restrooms and hot showers! Small creek or river behind the property that was beautiful! An outdoor kitchen and wash room (super amazing amenity!) Activities were planned also each night we were there. Over all this koa defiantly started our addiction! Highly recommend for the family!

If I could describe this campground with two words, it’s “well run.” Checking into the campsite is easy, they have an iPad for late arrivals to check in with their reservation numbers and a map with directions to your site. It’s in a beautiful wooded area, but it’s not secluded by any means. You’re surrounded by other campers, but you don’t feel cramped in any way.

There is a bathroom and shower house which were all very clean. The laundry facilities on site are in the same building, but beware the coin machine only takes $1 and $5 denominations. There’s a playground for your kids to have fun at. Wood is available for $5 a stack.

Woodland park is in the middle of a deluge of beautiful trails, national forestry land, and of course right by Pikes Peak. I recommend The Wines of Colorado winery, and check out the Fiesta Mexicana restaraunt. They are some of the gems of this area.

We stayed at the Lone Duck campground for two nights in September 2017, with the intention of hiking Pike’s Peak. We were in the middle of a road trip from Southern California to Denver, CO, for a pole dance competition that I competed in. After the road trip out, the mental exhaustion of competing in an international competition, and the HEAT, we decided that we would hike Pike’s Peak some other time and just spend our day relaxing before heading to RMNP to camp and hike. Lone Duck Campground is the perfect place to relax!

We are tent campers, and prefer to be in more “traditional” outdoor campgrounds in parks or forests, etc, but for an urban campground, Lone Duck was great! While the layout of the Lone Duck Campground certainly accommodates for RV campers, the campground also has nice little tent sites with grassy areas to pitch a tent. Our site had grass, shade, a picnic table, and a fire ring - everything you need for a basic campsite.

The tent sites are fairly small and open to the neighboring sites, but that is to be expected in these more urban campgrounds. However, we had site T-25, and due to the surrounding shrubbery, it was more secluded than most sites. The campground is right off the highway, so there is some noise pollution from the nearby traffic. Overall the campground was peaceful and everyone seemed to respect the set quiet hours. It is $36 for two people to stay in a standard tent site WITHOUT hookups…the nightly fee increases with added equipment hookups and additional people.

The benefit to camping in an urban campground like Lone Duck is all the extras you don’t find in all traditional, basic campgrounds! Lone duck had a pool, free wifi, and CLEAN, HOT, COIN-FREE showers! After sweating in the summer sun all day, returning to camp and showering is the best feeling in the world.

The camp hosts were very friendly, and provided nice home-cooked breakfast in the morning for only $5! As much as we enjoy cooking when we camp, it was soooo nice not having to dirty up then clean our camp kitchen. The breakfast was very well worth $5!

Lone Duck also had a small pond/lake to fish in, a jungle gym, a game room and a basketball court. We did not partake in any of those amenities, but they make Lone Duck a very family friendly campground where kids can stay entertained!

Since we decided to be lazy and forego hiking Pike’s Peak, we slept in, enjoyed the Lone Duck breakfast, and researched what we could do to beat the heat. We knew we wanted to go to the Garden of the Gods later that afternoon after it cooled off and to see the sunset, but needed something to do before then to escape the heat. We ended up backtracking back up towards our previous stop in Denver, and went to the Coors Plant in Golden, CO. I’m not much of a beer drinker, let alone Coors, but my boyfriend likes beer and enjoys going on different brewery tours. The Coors tour was free and air conditioned, so why not?! The brewery tour was actually very interesting, and at the end of the tour you could choose three glasses of beer in their tap room. Cold, free beer on a hot day? Even I couldn’t say no to that!

After the tour we drove back down to Colorado Springs and went to the Garden of the Gods (which is probably only 15-20 minutes away from the Lone Duck). The park is FREE to enter, and has some spectacular red rock formations that glow like fire in the setting sun. The park is pretty accessible with wide, flat paths around the perimeter of the park and around the popular rock formations. There are smaller, more rugged trails leading up to various rock climbing areas, and hiking trails that extend out away from the park into the foothills. We climbed on rocks and hiked around for a few hours until sunset. The Garden of the Gods is a must-see - the rock formations are incredible, and you do not even have to be a hiker to be able to see and enjoy them!

We decided not to cook back at camp, and stopped at Rudy’s Country Store BBQ in Colorado Springs. We are from Southern California and had never been to a Rudy’s before, and we loved it! I have to admit that I was skeptical of a gas-station restaurant, but I’m so glad we ate at Rudy’s! It was cheap, it was tasty, and it was fun! And I’m always a fan of unlimited condiment bars, so that was a plus!

Overall, I would highly recommend Lone Duck Campground, especially if you like urban campgrounds with extra amenities. We had been debating over staying at a cheap hotel for the night, but I’m glad we stayed at Lone Duck, it was a much better experience than a hotel would have been.

CAMPSITE SPECS

Fees: $36/night

Plumbed Toilets: Yes

Drinking Water: Yes

Showers: Yes (No coins needed)

Picnic Table: Yes

Firepit: Yes

Cooking Grates: Yes

Shade: Yes

Cell Service: Yes + Wifi

Animal Bins/Food Lockers: NO