When it comes to beautiful scenery, very few places can measure up to Colorado. Between sprawling mountains, pristine lakes, and plentiful rivers, and even desert areas, there’s something to suit just about every personality! But with so many great options, sometimes it can be hard to pick campgrounds. We’re here to break down our top 5 picks to give some inspiration for your next adventure.

Glacier Basin Campground

Nestled in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park – Glacier Basin Campground offers tent and RV sites, however both are without electric hookups. Be sure to have a backup plan if electronics are important to you! With gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains and dozens of trails reaching elevations of up to 14,000 feet, this spot is a hiker’s dream! Some notable destinations in the area include Dream Lake (photographed above), The Sharkstooth High Altitude Lake, and The Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail. Make sure to leave plenty of space on your photo reel, because you’ll find no shortage of photo-worthy spots. Be on the lookout for the abundant wildlife during your visit! Rocky Mountain National Park is host to hundreds of species, so do your safety research before going on any solo adventures.

Tabor Campground

For a more relaxing experience while still soaking up the the Colorado mountain skyline, Tabor Campground is an excellent option. Located a short 10-15 minute drive outside Leadville, Tabor is located right on Turquoise Lake. With beaches, trails, and miles of gorgeous waterfront to boat, kayak, or canoe, there’s plenty to do right off the campgrounds. If fishing is more your speed, Tennessee Creek or Hayden Meadows Reservoir is just a short drive a way, boasting some sizeable Brown Trout. Just remember that no gas powered motor craft is allowed at Hayden Meadows, so be sure to pack the canoe/kayak, or be ready for some shore fishing!

Morefield Campground

Morefield Campground has plenty to offer! Start the day by fueling up with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast (Summer Season only) at the Knife Edge Café in the Morefield Village. Enjoy some glamping comforts such as full hookups for small tents/campers, free wifi in select sections, and an outdoor amphitheater with sunrise views. Outside the campground is surrounded by a wooded canyon with some incredible hiking trails. Enjoy solo or guided tours of the 800 year old Mesa Verde Dwellings! Explore through time in one of the best preserved archeological sites in North America, with notable sites such as a 40 room Balcony House only accessible by tunnel and a 32-foot ladder, or a 150 room palace!

Piñon Flats Campground

Explore the wonders of the incredible bio-diverse campground of Piñon Flats! Setup camp surrounded by lush Piñon trees, with views looking over the tallest sand dunes in North America, and a backdrop of the beautiful snow-peaked Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Spend your days hiking the surrounding trails with outstanding views. Be warned, the only thing flat about this area is the name! Come prepared with lots of water and proper attire, because the dunes are quite the workout to climb. If you’re feeling up for a hit of adrenaline, you can try your hand at sandboarding/sand sledding! Just be sure to rent some official sandboards, as any snowboards or sleds will not work. To end the day, watch the sun set over The Great Dunes, it’ll be a memory you won’t soon forget!

Clear Lake Campground

Located on the Georgetown side of the Guanella Pass, Clear Lake Campground offers first come, first serve sites for tents. Located just a little over a mile to Clear Lake, it is the closest campsite to the beautiful high-altitude reservoir. Not only does Clear Lake offer incredible views, but it is also home to multiple species of trout. Again, leave those motors at home, since fishing with motorized boats is forbidden! With cascading mountains nearby, including Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt, along with incredible trails throughout the Arapaho National Forest, there’s endless new captivating sites to see. On top of this – located just a 30-40 minute drive off site, there are some exhilarating white water rapids through Clear Creek that offer rafting in the warmer season! As one of the most accessible mountain counties from the Denver Metro, this is a must-see!

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