Best Tent Camping in Colorado

When it comes to camping in Colorado, the options are almost limitless. From the valleys of the state’s highest peaks to Garden of the Gods and beyond, you’ll find alpine lakes, red rock formations, craggy peaks, dense pine forest, and wildflower-dotted meadows all right outside the tent door.

While Colorado claims many iconic destinations, Garden of the Gods ranks near the top of many visitors’ lists. The red rock formations backed by towering mountain ridgelines offers a jaw-dropping location for both hiking and camping in Colorado. Head to the Garden of the Gods RV Resort and pitch your tent for easy access to adventure, or opt for a cottage to enjoy a little luxury at the edges of one of Colorado’s most scenic locations. Enjoy easy day hikes through the namesake park, or explore the trails that trace through Red Rock Canyon Open Space.

If wilderness and solitude are more of what you’re looking for, ditch the big city and head for Twin Lakes, the basecamp for Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert. Situated at a lofty 9,900 feet on the edges of Turquoise Lake, May Queen Campground offers both tranquility and million-dollar views. Sleep beneath a starry sky amidst lodgepole pines and spend your days exploring the Turquoise Lake Nature Trail. Ambitious hikers can post up at the Elbert Creek campground and head for the Mount Elbert trailhead to tackle the challenging trek to the 14,433-foot summit. And, don’t forget the fishing rod for this destination: angling on any of the nearby lakes is a great way to enjoy sunny summer days camping in Colorado’s mountains.

Those looking to stay closer to the Mile High City can find tent camping at Echo Lake campground on the outskirts of Idaho Springs, or at Aspen Meadows campground in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Whether it’s a weekend getaway not far from the city or a challenging and inspiring adventure deep in the mountains, the medley of camping in Colorado has something for everyone.

Best Tent Sites in Colorado (334)

    1. Mueller State Park Campground

    57 Reviews
    Divide, CO
    Website
    +1 (719) 687-2366

    $18 - $270 / night

    "It got a bit chilly at night, two layers, smartwool socks, a Carhart beanie, sleeping pad plus a medium temp sleeping bag kept me semi warm in our tent."

    "Our family of 5.5 (I’m 20 wks pregnant) tent camped at site 065 at Prospectors Ridge . It is the furthest walk in site but the view IS AMAZING."

    2. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    51 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    Website

    "So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites."

    "Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes. After a quick clean up, the site was fine for my purposes."

    3. Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping

    38 Reviews
    Blue River, CO
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-5400

    "Found this spot at about 7PM on a Friday night near the Breckenridge end of the Boreas Pass Trail (39.451441,-106.014294)."

    "This this is a long Winding Road up the mountain that has many nice places to pull over and Camp right off the road. Some are a bit further back than others. Most are accessible to any vehicle."

    4. Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed)

    38 Reviews
    Ophir, CO
    Website
    +1 (970) 327-4261

    "Perfect lake views, snow capped mountain tops, and wildflowers for days."

    "Beautiful views of surrounding mountains and Alta lakes as well as access to the ghost town of Alta."

    5. Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites

    32 Reviews
    Cañon City, CO

    "Driving down to this campsite I was happy to have a small car because the road is very narrow to say the least. I cannot imagine the feeling of driving a large rig here."

    "We arrived the Phantom Creek Road around 4:30pm. 10miles and 30 minutes later we found our spot."

    6. Lone Duck Campground and Cabins

    32 Reviews
    Green Mountain Falls, CO
    Website
    +1 (719) 684-9907

    $40 - $87 / night

    "Our site had grass, shade, a picnic table, and a fire ring - everything you need for a basic campsite."

    ": 5 Amenities: 4 Customer Service: 5 Cleanliness: 4

    In the mountains of Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs, just off the 24 highway, Loneduck Campground is tucked away down a driveway you will surely miss"

    7. Portal Campground

    27 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    Website
    +1 (970) 925-3445

    "We stayed here for most of our camping trip to Colorado and loved it! It's easily the most beautiful campground we've stayed at. There's only ~5 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring."

    "This was a stunning campground tucked away high up in the mountains on Independence pass."

    8. Grand Junction KOA

    26 Reviews
    Grand Junction, CO
    Website
    +1 (970) 242-2527

    "We stayed at the Grand Junction KOA when driving cross country from CA to NY a few years back."

    "We stayed here in the tent camping spots for two nights. The restrooms were clean and the site had a light over the picnic table which was really nice for setting up in the dark."

    9. Allenspark Dispersed Camping

    23 Reviews
    Allenspark, CO
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "Our spot was near the creek, the sound was beautiful. The only downside was absolutely no cell service."

    "Fire ban was in effect when we went, but lots of fire circles available otherwise. Bring bug spray, the flies are bold."

    10. Red Canyon Park

    21 Reviews
    Victor, CO
    Website
    +1 (719) 269-9028

    "This was my first time solo tent camping. It went well. The space had a fire ring and picnic table. I might have been the only person at the park and it was quite peaceful!"

    "Views were terrific, whether you want something a bit more open or further into the canyon where it’s surrounded by gorgeous red rocks. I chose an open site and if you do, beware of the wind."

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Showing results 1-10 of 334 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in Colorado

9220 Reviews of 334 Colorado Campgrounds



Guide to Colorado

Tent camping in Colorado offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning natural landscapes while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With numerous campgrounds catering to tent campers, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and explore the great outdoors.

Tent campers should check out Mueller State Park Campground

  • The Mueller State Park Campground features well-maintained sites with amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for tent camping.
  • Enjoy the breathtaking views and abundant wildlife while hiking the trails surrounding the campground, perfect for nature enthusiasts.
  • The campground is open year-round, allowing for seasonal adventures, whether it's summer hikes or winter snowshoeing.

Tips for tent camping near Telluride

  • At the Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed), be prepared for a rough drive but reward yourself with stunning lake views and a serene atmosphere.
  • The Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area offers a peaceful setting with excellent mountain views, ideal for those looking to escape the crowds.
  • Keep in mind that many dispersed sites, like those at Chinns Lake, require high clearance vehicles due to rough access roads, so plan accordingly.

Some prices for tent camping range from free to $28

  • The Knowles Overlook Campground offers free camping with stunning canyon views, perfect for budget-conscious campers.
  • For a more developed experience, the Grand Junction KOA charges around $40 per night, providing amenities like electric hookups and a pool.
  • If you're looking for a unique experience, consider the Turtle Rock Campground, which is free and well-kept, making it a fantastic option for tent campers.