Yurt camping near Woody Creek, Colorado offers mountain accommodations at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 10,200 feet. The region experiences warm summer days with temperatures between 70-85°F and cool nights dipping into the 40s, even in July and August. Winter access to many campgrounds requires all-wheel drive vehicles due to snow-packed forest roads.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Ruedi Reservoir provides trout fishing opportunities with some campgrounds offering direct water access. At Dearhamer Campground, campers report good fishing conditions, though water levels can vary. "My dad and I spent a week at deerhammer campground to fish. The fishing was good but compared to previous years the river and reservoir were really low," notes Karla Y.
Hiking to alpine lakes: Forest trails lead to high-altitude lakes throughout the region. The Lost Man Campground offers direct access to scenic trails. "The real amazing part though is the access to Lost Man Trail right across the street. Easy hike to amazing views of the mountains, valley, and water features," writes Katie H.
Water recreation beyond fishing: Paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing are popular activities at several locations when water levels permit. One visitor at Glenwood Canyon Resort shares: "Defiance Rafting is located on the property; while they were no longer able to offer rafting trips (due to potential rock slides resulting from fire damage), they did rent inflatable kayaks and we took advantage of this and had a rolling good time on the Colorado River!"
What campers like
River sound for sleeping: Campsites along waterways provide natural white noise for restful nights. At Glenwood Canyon Resort, campers appreciate riverfront locations: "We opted for a riverfront RV site (#17) and we were right on the Colorado River, with the soothing white noise of the river putting us to sleep each night."
Spacious campsites at higher elevations: Baby Doe Campground near Leadville offers well-spaced sites. "Nice sites with plenty of shade. Clean facilities and close to the lake. Really beautiful woods all around with soft pine need floors... great for camping!!!" reports Katie H.
Privacy options at smaller campgrounds: Some locations provide more seclusion than others. At Dearhamer Campground, site selection matters: "We stayed at site #7, which was shady and somewhat private. Our friends stayed at #12 - no shade and not at all private. The campsites along the creek looked shady."
What you should know
Weather preparedness essential: Despite summer warmth, nights get cold at these elevations. A Baby Doe Campground visitor advises: "Be sure to bring warm clothes for nights because it gets chilly at night."
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have spotty or no mobile coverage. A Halfmoon Campground visitor notes: "I drove up Notch Mountain Rd from Hwy 24 to reach the campground and Holy Cross Trail Head. The road was dirt, bumpy, rocky and has several low dips that would definitely fill after rains, but it was totally passable in my low-clearance 2WD old pickup. There was decent Verizon service the whole way up and at the campground."
Road conditions vary: Access to some campgrounds requires navigation of unpaved forest roads. One camper at Gold Park Campground shares: "The drive in was long but beautiful. It does not take reservations, but there were some free sites on the road in if you needed a back up option."
Tips for camping with families
Reservations required: Popular yurt camping locations near Woody Creek fill months ahead, especially for summer weekends. A visitor to Baby Doe Campground notes: "Book in advance, sites get locked in 6 months in advance, for good reason!"
Kid-friendly activities: Smaller children enjoy water and exploration opportunities at certain campgrounds. At Gold Park Campground, one parent shares: "The camp host is super nice and keeps a great campsite. The pit toilet was clean and did not smell. My 8 year old actually said it was the best one she saw all week and for a newbie camper on her first trip that says a lot! We loved this site because we were able to hike along the creek and sit on the boulders and watch the fly fisherman and then hike up the hill on the other side of this campsite. Lots to explore to keep the kids busy."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several locations offer chances to spot local wildlife. The Marble Area campground has resident creatures: "There's a friendly fox that roams the campground and a few marmots."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: RV campers should research site dimensions before booking. At the Carbondale-Crystal River KOA, a visitor explains: "The sites are fairly small, so be prepared to back your travel trailer into a tight spot and make friends with your neighbors. You will be in their campsite while setting up your rig and vice versa."
Utilities and hookups: Full-service campsites are limited in the region. A Glenwood Canyon Resort RVer notes: "We have a 42' fifth wheel, and while we got it backed in perfectly, we didn't have any room for our truck. Thankfully no one was next to us, so we could get creative with parking it. Gravel, nothing paved in or around the sites."
Parking capacity: Most forest service campgrounds have space limitations. Halfmoon Campground has "spots to park are fairly small, one or maybe two cars but this is definitely not an area you want to bring a big RV or trailer."
