Photo sourced from Arapahoe Valley Ranch
One of the things I love most about living in Colorado is that you have practically endless options for getting into gorgeous, peaceful wilderness. Even after 26 years here, I still find myself discovering new favorite spots, hidden coves, quiet campgrounds, and mountain views that stop me in my tracks.
These are a few of my all-time favorite camping destinations around Colorado. Some are perfect for quick weekend getaways from Denver, while others are worth planning an entire trip around. Whether you’re into paddleboarding, fishing, boating, hot springs, or just sitting around a campfire under the stars, these places deliver every single time.
And because I know half the battle is figuring out where to book, I included direct links to each destination to make planning easier.
Arapaho Valley Ranch | Granby, Colorado
Arapaho Valley Ranch is incredibly special to me. It used to be owned by dear friends of mine whose family cared for the property for generations before recently passing it on to another family, who have done a wonderful job preserving the original beauty and integrity of the ranch.
Driving in, you wind along Lake Granby with the mountains surrounding you, and it starts to feel like you’re leaving the real world behind. Arapaho Valley Ranch has that old school Colorado summer camp energy that’s becoming harder and harder to find. Kids roam freely between activities, families gather around campfires, and there’s always something happening without the place ever feeling crowded or overly commercialized.
There’s canoeing, hiking, horseshoes, a playground, fishing, and plenty of open space to just breathe. The historic main lodge is one of my favorite parts of the property, especially because it houses The Red Dog Saloon, known as Colorado’s smallest bar, along with a pool table and cozy gathering spaces for rainy afternoons or cool evenings.
I’ve visited during their Bluegrass Music Festival in August, and it’s one of those Colorado experiences that sticks with you long after the trip ends. Great music, mountain air, campfires, and people dancing under the stars.
The ranch offers tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and glamping tents (and they used to have teepees, as seen in my old photo from a past trip!), making it a great fit whether you want a rugged camping weekend or something a little more comfortable. Plus, it’s perfectly located near Rocky Mountain National Park, the Colorado River, and the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
Good to Know
• About a 2.5 hour drive from Central Park
- Perfect for families and multigenerational trips
- Dog-friendly accommodations available
- Their August Bluegrass Festival is worth planning around
- Summer and fall weekends book quickly
- Limited cell service adds to the unplugged atmosphere
Wellington Lake | Bailey, Colorado
Wellington Lake has become one of my favorite easy weekend escapes because it’s relatively close to Denver, but once you’re there, it feels worlds away.
One thing I really appreciate about Wellington Lake is that it’s privately owned and open year-round, which makes it a great option no matter the season. The private reservoir is surrounded by pine forest and mountain scenery, and every campsite has its own personality and charm. Take note during your first visit of which campsites you love most for future trips because the layouts and settings vary quite a bit. Some are tucked deeper into the trees, some are closer to the water, and others offer more privacy or better access depending on what kind of experience you want. Honestly, there really isn’t a bad site there. They each have their own unique beauty.
It’s also an excellent destination for larger gatherings. They offer group sites that can accommodate up to 50 and even 100 people, which makes it ideal for family reunions, group camping trips, or big weekends with friends.
The lake itself is perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, floating, or simply relaxing by the water with a good book and mountain air.
Good to Know
- About a 1.5 hour drive from Central Park
- Bring your own drinking water (no spigots are available there)
- Open year round
- Excellent for paddleboards, kayaks, and fishing
- Group sites available for up to 50 and 100 guests
- Every campsite has a different feel and layout
- Nights stay cool, even during summer
Eleven Mile Reservoir | Lake George, Colorado
My very first experience at Eleven Mile Reservoir was back in the early 2000s when my roommate and I decided to head down there with both of our dogs for a camping weekend. We arrived pretty late, only to discover that the tent we had borrowed from her parents was missing the poles. Not exactly ideal camping conditions.
So instead, we slept under the stars until my dog finally woke me up in the middle of the night because she was freezing cold. At that point, all four of us somehow squeezed into her tiny Saturn to finish the night. Looking back now, it’s one of those camping memories that still makes me laugh.
The next morning, though, we could finally appreciate just how beautiful Eleven Mile really is.
There’s something incredibly striking about the landscape. It’s definitely not a heavily wooded campground with lots of shade. In fact, the openness is part of what makes it so unique. The huge skies, rolling terrain, water views, and distant mountains give it this rugged, peaceful Colorado beauty that feels very different from a lot of mountain campgrounds.
Over the years, I’ve gone back several times, most recently with friends who brought a boat, and I can confidently say: if you love fishing, this is where it’s at. Eleven Mile is known for incredible trout, pike, and kokanee salmon fishing, and being out on the water gives you access to some truly amazing areas of the reservoir.
Whether you’re camping, boating, fishing, or just watching the sunset over the reservoir, it’s one of those places that reminds you how wide open and beautiful Colorado can be.
Good to Know
- About a 2.75 hour drive from Central Park
- Bring shade if you can because trees are limited
- Excellent boating and fishing destination
- Wind can pick up quickly in the afternoons
- Nights get cold, even during summer
- Campsites fill quickly during peak season
Ruedi Reservoir | Mollie B Campground
Ruedi Reservoir holds a special place for me because it’s one of the first places I discovered after moving to Colorado 26 years ago. And somehow, every time I go back, it reminds me why I fell in love with this state in the first place.
Part of the experience honestly starts with the drive in. The road to Ruedi winds alongside the Frying Pan River, which is considered world class fly fishing water. Even if you’re not stopping to fish, it’s one of those classic Colorado drives that immediately puts you in vacation mode with the river flowing beside you the entire way.
On a recent trip, friends brought their boat, and we ended up discovering even more beautiful areas of the reservoir that you can really only access by water. It completely changed the experience and reminded me how much there still is to explore there.
Mollie B Campground sits along the reservoir in White River National Forest and offers a quiet, scenic camping experience that feels a little less crowded than some of Colorado’s better known spots.
Part of what makes the area so visually striking is the contrast between the blue water, the surrounding mountains, and the beautiful red rocks and reddish soil found throughout the area. It gives the landscape a completely different feel from many other Colorado reservoirs and makes it especially beautiful around sunrise and sunset.
Another thing I love about Mollie B is that some of the campsites sit directly along the water, creating the kind of camping experience kids dream about. You’ll see them running back and forth from camp to the shoreline all day long, completely entertained by the outdoors. Just make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen because there’s not a lot of shade right along the water.
And if you decide you want a break from camp cooking or roughing it for a night, nearby Basalt has some fantastic restaurants and a great small-town atmosphere. Being so close to Aspen means you can find surprisingly high-end dining tucked right into the mountains.
Good to Know
- About a 3.75 hour drive from Central Park
- Great for boating, paddleboarding, and fishing
- Some campsites are located directly on the water
- Limited cell service
- Summer afternoon storms roll in quickly
- Bring sunscreen and layers because temperatures can swing quickly
Strawberry Park Hot Springs | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Strawberry Park Hot Springs is hands down my favorite hot springs destination in Colorado. Yes, it’s a bit of a trek up to Steamboat Springs, but every single time I make the drive, I’m reminded why it’s worth it.
Part of what has always made Strawberry Park so special to me is how wonderfully old school and rustic it used to feel. Before they finally modernized things with an actual website, booking a stay there was honestly kind of hilarious by today’s standards. If you wanted to stay overnight, you had to call the day of, ask if they happened to have availability, and then get up there with cash in hand. Or you could literally mail them a check ahead of time or leave cash on account with them in hopes they’d have space for you later. Looking back now, it feels kind of wild that it actually worked that way for so long.
Thankfully, they do now have a website and online booking, which makes planning a trip much easier.
Over the years, I’ve stayed in most of their cabins, and part of the charm is that they’re still very rustic. Most have gas fireplaces, gas grills, and lighting, but you’ll need to bring your own bedding, which somehow just adds to the adventure. Personally, my favorite accommodations are the small, simple, rustic cabins tucked into the trees. But if you’re lucky enough to score the train caboose cabin, you even get your own private bathroom, which feels pretty luxurious out there.
A few years ago, they upgraded the shared bath house, and it’s actually really nice now. There’s also a communal outdoor kitchen area that makes the whole place feel a little like a quirky mountain camp community.
You can also tent camp or car camp there, which is another great option if you want the experience without booking a cabin.
And honestly, the biggest perk of staying overnight is the 24-hour access to the hot springs. There’s something incredibly magical about soaking late at night under the stars surrounded by the forest and mountain air. Just a friendly heads up to first-time visitors: after dark, clothing becomes optional, which definitely gives a full moon night an entirely new meaning. (Minors aren’t allowed in the pools after sundown.)
But truly, the stars alone are worth the journey.
Good to Know
- About a 3.25 hour drive from Central Park
- Overnight guests receive 24-hour hot springs access
- Cabins are rustic and you need to bring your own bedding
- The train caboose cabin includes a private bathroom
- Tent camping and car camping are available
- Winter driving conditions may require AWD or chains
- Reservations are strongly recommended year round
That’s my list! I hope you all can find some time to head outdoors and enjoy our beautiful state that so many others travel to as a vacation destination.
Colorado camping is one of those things that never really gets old. Every trip feels a little different depending on the season, the weather, or who you’re traveling with. These are the places I keep coming back to because they each offer something unique, whether it’s quiet mornings on the water, incredible mountain scenery, hot springs under the stars, or simply the chance to disconnect for a few days.
If you’re planning a Colorado camping trip this summer or fall, these spots are absolutely worth adding to your list. Just make those reservations early.
Do you have your own favorite camping or cabin spots? Please share them with us in the comments!
