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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Idaho Springs, Colorado
Chinns Lake
4.02.7 mi / 741 ft gainLocated in the Arapaho National Forest near Idaho Springs, Chinns Lake is a high-elevation alpine destination known for its peaceful mountain setting, dispersed camping, fishing, and stunning lake views. Accessible via a rugged 4WD road, this hidden gem offers a true Colorado backcountry experien...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Camp at Silver Bell Campground
Escape the bustle of town and head out of Aspen on Maroon Creek Road. Follow the signs to Maroon-Bells Snowmass Wilderness Area. There is a $10 entrance fee (unless you are a national parks pass cardholder) plus an additional fee to camp. Continue down the road to Silver Bell Campground. With a t...Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Summit Kit Carson Peak
12.4 mi / 6323 ft gainThere are a couple different trailheads that lead to Kit Carson Peak, but the one from Willow Creek Trailhead will give you the opportunity to peak another fourteener, Challenger Point, and let you pass through and/or camp at Willow Lake, which is a beautiful destination by itself. If approaching...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Mt. Elbert via Black Cloud Trail
4.510.69 mi / 4967 ft gainDirections: Heading south from Leadville from U.S. 24: West on CO 82 for 10.5 miles to a hidden right turn that leads to a trail head. If you make it to the Mt. Elbert Lodge, you have gone just a bit too far. The parking lot (aka: dirt access) should be relatively empty as everyone tends to hik...Read more -
Crested Butte, Colorado
Hike Rustler's Gulch
5.09 mi / 1748 ft gainFrom Crested Butte, continue 6 miles past the town of Gothic to Rustler's Gulch Road. Turn right on the road, cross the East River to get to a small parking area near the river. If you don't have 4WD, park here and hike another 1/2 mile to the trailhead. It's a pretty steep hike. If you do have 4...Read more -
Moffat County, Colorado
Whitewater Raft the Gates of Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument
46 miStarting from the Lodore Ranger Station in Colorado the trip begins as a mild float before the Green River abruptly cuts through the Uinta Mountains in an area named The Gates of Lodore. From there the gradient of the river increases as the imposing vermillion canyon walls covered with lush gree...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Watch the Sunrise at Guanella Pass
5.01 mi / 100 ft gainFrom Denver, take i70 to Georgetown and simply follow the signs through town to the top. This pass can also be accessed from the south via US Highway 285 at the town of Grant. Guanella Pass is closed in the winter, typically from about the last week in November through the last week of May. Watch...Read more -
Durango, Colorado
Columbine Pass via Purgatory Flats
5.034.52 mi / 6932 ft gainThis hike begins at the Purgatory Flats Trailhead across from the Purgatory resort. The register is about a hundred yards from the Trailhead and is located next to a trail map. From here you will begin your descent down into the flats, which is roughly a 600-700 foot descent over the course of ju...Read more -
Kremmling, Colorado
Camp at Wolford Mountain Reservoir
If a nice relaxing adventure is what you seek, this is the place for you. There aren't a lot of super scenic, adrenaline pumping hikes at this campground, but there are well established campsites with beautiful sunrise and sunset views. If you're a photographer, the midnight sky on a moonless nig...Read more -
Walden, Colorado
Cross-Country Ski to American Lakes
4.012 mi / 800 ft gainWARNING! AVALANCHE DANGER!Make sure you have avalanche safety knowledge and equipment. This route enters avalanche terrain.If you are looking for one of the ultimate cross-country ski treks along the northern Front Range, look no further. This trip takes you to the American Lakes at the base of t...Read more -
Carbondale, Colorado
Camp at Prince Creek
3.0From Colorado State Highway 82, turn south onto Highway 133 (toward Carbondale). Continue south past the Carbondale Main Street roundabout. After two miles, turn East onto Prince Creek Road. Follow this four miles to where the pavement ends. After passing through a cattle gate, BLM land lines the...Read more -
Mancos, Colorado
Camp at Morefield Campground
Morefield Campground is located 4 miles inside of Mesa Verde National Park. There are 267 sites in the campground, and it has tent-only loops. There are also 15 full-hookup RV sites, with many more able to fit RVs. Reservations are recommended, but are not required; the full-hookup sites are the ...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Hike Davis Meadow
5.08.6 mi / 800 ft gainThis is a great hike that is very close to Buena Vista, CO. This trail is on the east side of town and is accessible in the spring. The hardest part of the hike is locating the trail-head. It is located in the northern part of Four Mile Canyon and is in San Isabel National forest. Starting in Bue...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Explore Fall River Reservoir
4.01 mi / 144 ft gainThis spot may be a little more difficult to reach than others, but the payoff is worth it. You'll start by taking a dirt road that splits off from Fall River Road. It is pretty easy going for the first mile or so, but then you'll want to make sure you have a little higher clearance 4x4 vehicle to...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Hike to Columbine Lake
5.07 mi / 1200 ft gainThe hike is about seven miles, give or take, however it feels longer. The elevation gain is little over 1000 feet. The drive here is about 45 minutes from both Granby and Winter Park, and is definitely worth it. You follow a trail dusted with wildflowers for the majority of the hike, and occasio...Read more -
Summit County, Colorado
Hike to Crystal Peak
5.08.6 mi / 2482 ft gainOnce you turn off of Colorado hwy 9 onto dirt, your GPS will lead you to a gravel lot. At the end of that lot there's a pretty steep gravel road that heads NNW (GPS coords: 39°25'43.01"N 106° 4'11.30"W | Map Link if you want to plug that into your GPS for parking). From this lot you'll walk up t...Read more