Colorado
Looking for the best camping in Colorado? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Colorado. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Camping Spots in and near Colorado
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Nederland, Colorado
3 Crater Lakes via South Boulder Creek
5.06.92 mi / 1804 ft gainAfter turning on to Co. 16 (Tolland Rd.) from 119 at Rollinsville, drive about 8 miles down the dirt road along South Boulder Creek. The road will dead end at Moffat Tunnel where you'll find ample parking in a gravel lot with restrooms. You'll begin your hike along sweeping meadows until you ent...Read more -
Granby, Colorado
Mirror and Crater Lakes via Cascade Creek Trail
4.614.94 mi / 2421 ft gainStart at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as ...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
King Lake via Hessie Trailhead
5.011.32 mi / 2375 ft gainThe normal route from the east side is via the Hessie trailhead outside Nederland Colorado. From the west it is most often accessed via the short trail from Rollins pass, which is open in the summer. As noted above, it is also a lake and area ripe for creating your own adventure. The description ...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Mayflower Gulch Grand Traverse
4.76.03 mi / 1585 ft gainGetting to the Mayflower Gulch is pretty easy. In the summer months, if you have a high clearance 4WD vehicle, you can drive up to the Boston Mine. This will take 2-miles each way off your hike. If you're looking to stretch your legs, start your hike at the Mayflower Gulch Trailhead off of High...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trailhead
4.78.43 mi / 1765 ft gainStart at the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road. Parking is limited so it is advised to get there very early. It's a longer hike so plan on taking a full day to complete or stay overnight to enjoy more of the scenery. Within the first mile on the Glacier Gorge Trail you will pass by Alber...Read more -
Lake George, Colorado
Camp and Fish at Eleven Mile Canyon
4.4Located below the dam of the Eleven Mile Reservoir, Eleven Mile Canyon is a scenic spot for camping, fishing, hiking and climbing. There are four different campgrounds to choose from (Cove, Riverside, Spillway and Springer), though only one campground remains open during the off season. Getting t...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Conundrum Hot Springs via Conundrum Creek
4.316.77 mi / 2717 ft gainAfter picking up your required overnight permit, start your morning with a coffee in Aspen, then drive out 15 min to the trailhead at the end of Conundrum Creek road. The trail is a straight shot 9 miles up the valley, through expansive meadows and an always incredible view of the mountains and ...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Camping at Brainard Lake
5.0Pawnee Campground has 47 sites for suited for tents, RVs, or trailers with eight that are walk in and tent only. These can fill up quick so get there early if you don't have a reservation, which can be tough to come by but will be well worth it.Brainard Lake has been one of the most popular hikin...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes
5.04.51 mi / 1125 ft gainFrom the Bear Lake Trailhead, the path to Nymph Lake is a moderate paved trail. At the lake there are several places to sit and take in the scenery. This is also where you'll find the most people. From here, continue up the trail towards Dream Lake. On the way, the trail forks. The left will take...Read more -
Snowmass, Colorado
Capitol Lake via Capitol Ditch
5.012.28 mi / 2575 ft gainThe route to Capitol Lake is fairly straightforward, but not without its minor hardships. The route begins at the end of Capitol Creek Road, 9 miles from the small "town" of Snowmass (NOT Snowmass Village - that's the high-class ski resort). The last few miles of this road provide the first min...Read more -
Pitkin County, Colorado
Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells
4.825.99 mi / 7566 ft gainUpdates will be posted here. The Four Pass Loop begins at Maroon Lake, famous for its iconic view of the Maroon Bells (Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak), deemed the “most-photographed spot in Colorado.” After taking in this majestic view, continue to walk down the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail unti...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Explore the Maroon Bells & Snowmass Wilderness
5.0The beautiful and iconic Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness is home to some of the most amazing scenery and adventures to be had in all of Colorado. It is world-famous for the Maroon Bells, two challenging 14ers just outside of Aspen, Colorado. The third 14er, Pyramid Peak is also considered a clas...Read more -
Jefferson, Colorado
Camping at Lost Park Campground
4.5This campground is a great spot to crash at before heading out on a backpacking trip through the Lost Creek Wilderness but serves as an amazing campground itself. The area immediately surrounding the campground is beautiful. There are 12 campsites that can accomodate two vehicles per site and eac...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Bierstadt, Evans, and The Sawtooth Loop
4.59.76 mi / 3438 ft gainStarting from the oddly poorly marked Guanella Pass Trailhead (Google maps directions to Guanella Campground and then drive about two miles past it to the south), the trail heads southeast toward Bierstadt, and much of your route to the first summit is visible from the parking lot. The trail to ...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Cub Lake
5.05.27 mi / 771 ft gainRocky Mountain National Park showcases 355 miles of hiking trails, 6 campgrounds, and hundreds of backcountry camp sites. Cub Lake is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife. There are small ponds that you will pass on this trail that are great locations for spotting elk, mule deer, and moose. ...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Backpack to Lake Verna
5.013.5 mi / 1969 ft gainWant to get away it from it all and enjoy some high alpine lakes? The East Inlet Trail is just outside Grand Lake, on the westside of Rocky Mountain National Park, 2.35 miles east of Highway 34 on West Portal Road. From the trailhead, one can access 8 different campsites. The campsites are as ...Read more