Other parts of the country might consider summer to be prime camping season, but a seasoned Coloradan knows that September is when the fun really begins.
That starts with Labor Day weekend, when it’s still warm enough to enjoy the state’s lakes and streams, and continues throughout the month as the aspen leaves begin to turn into a sea of gold. And even though the air might be a little bit colder, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy everything that Colorado has to offer.
From spots close to Denver to deep in the San Juan Mountains, here’s a look at some of the best places for fall camping in Colorado.
Best Labor Day Weekend Camping Spots in Colorado
Sawmill Campground
Golden
You don’t have to brave Interstate 70 — or really drive that far from Denver — to reach this unique Labor Day weekend camping spot. This isn’t straight-up car camping, though. You have to hike roughly 1.2 miles from the parking lot to the camping sites, which are much nicer than the usual backpacking setup since they have tent pads, picnic tables, and restrooms. The extra work is worth it for the views of the Front Range and access to White Ranch Park’s more than 20 miles of trails. Sites are $12 a night and you must reserve them in advance.
Bear Creek Lake Campground
Lakewood
This RV-friendly oasis is one of the closest Labor Day camping spots to Denver (you can literally see the skyline from certain areas of the park). With its proximity to a swim beach as well as coin-operated showers, it might be one of the most kid-friendly in Colorado. The park is home to 47 campsites, three cabins, two yurts, and one site for groups, as well as Big Soda Lake — one of the premier areas for standup paddleboarding and kayaking on the Front Range. Perhaps most importantly, there’s no limit to how many dogs can stay at a given campsite, which means it’s also a pet-friendly Labor Day destination. The sites run for $40 per night, and you can reserve a spot ahead of time.
Kelly Flats Campground
Fort Collins
Since Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of the summer, you might as well spend it by the river — and there are far worse places to do that than Poudre Canyon. This first-come, first-served campground is just off Highway 14, meaning campers have easy access to Fort Collins, the Mishawaka Amphitheatre (dare we say Red Rocks’ cooler cousin), and plenty of opportunities to fly fish along one of Colorado’s most scenic stretches of river. This campground has 29 RV-friendly sites available, as well as four walk-in tent sites. Fees run $26 a night. Get here early; the spots tend to fill up by Friday nights.
Chalk Creek Campground
Nathrop
Is this campground a place where you’ll immerse yourself in nature? Not necessarily, given that it’s right off the highway and you’re likely to have plenty of neighbors. But that’s not a bad thing, especially if you’re camping with kids. And between the playground, a host of activities including candy bar bingo and holiday weekend rubber ducky races, hot coin-operated showers, and actual plumbing onsite (!), this might just be one of the most kid-friendly campgrounds in Colorado. The location isn’t bad either: Campers have easy access to everything that Buena Vista and Salida have to offer. Meadow tent sites start at $25, and you can reserve your spot online.
Jackson Lake State Park
Orchard
Colorado’s mountains rightfully get all the love, but don’t sleep on the eastern half of the state — and especially Jackson Lake, which novelist James Michener called “an oasis of the plains.” Say goodbye to summer by snagging one of the park’s 251 campsites, and enjoy an abundance of biking, birdwatching (enthusiasts love to see long-billed curlews and whooping cranes), fishing, and all of the water sports you can imagine. Don’t go too hard during the day though; you need to stay up late so you can see the stars. That’s because Jackson Lake State Park is a certified Dark-Sky Place, meaning the stargazing is out of this world (see what we did there?!). Make your campsite reservations ahead of time here.
Dunton River Camp
Dolores
Sure, you might like the idea of camping out in nature, but there’s nothing wrong with also wanting all the luxury of a five-star resort. The good news is that at the Dunton River Camp, these two things are not mutually exclusive. This former cattle ranch, dating back to the 1800s, has eight safari-style tents that have en-suite bathrooms, hot water, and even towel warmers. Each tent gets two rental mountain bikes to explore the nearby trails, and the camp’s culinary team is onsite to prepare locally-made food. There’s also a sauna next to the river, because of course there is. This luxury camping experience does not run cheap, but to quote the great Tom Haverford, sometimes you’ve got to “treat yo’self.”
Islands Acres Campground
Palisade
Colorado’s mountains meet the desert and river at this very accessible and kid-friendly Labor Day weekend camping spot just off I-70 near Palisade. Campers have easy access to hiking and biking in nearby Debeque Canyon and throughout the Western Slope, and the campground itself is home to three fishing lakes, a swimming hole, and two playgrounds. If you’re lucky, you may spot a bighorn sheep or wild horse alongside the Colorado River. Full hookup sites are available for RVs, as well as designated spots just for tent camping. All of the sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and stand-up grills. Reserve your spot here.
Rifle Falls State Park
Rifle
Between the lush vegetation and thundering waterfalls, this Colorado state park sometimes feels more like Hawaii than the Rocky Mountains — which makes it a perfect weekend getaway. There are 13 drive-in and seven walk-in campsites along East Rifle Creek, and all of them are within easy walking distance of the waterfall and surrounding trails that make this one of the most unique state parks in Colorado. It’s also RV-friendly and has electric hookups at nearly all of the campsites. Reserve online here.
Black Canyon of Gunnison
Gunnison
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison might not be the easiest place to get to, but it offers some of the best weekend camping in a Colorado national park. There are developed campgrounds on both the north and south rims of the canyon, with easy access to sweeping views of its steep black walls. Perhaps most importantly, the National Park Service says neither of the campgrounds have phone or internet access, meaning that it’s the perfect spot to actually escape. There are first-come, first-served spots available, but they fill up quickly, meaning it’s worth it to extend a three-day weekend if you can. As a backup, visitors can also check out the East Portal Campground in nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area, located at the bottom of the canyon. Learn more here.
Silver Thread (South Clear Creek) Campground
Creede
What better way to end the summer camping season than by staying at a site just a few hundred feet from a beautiful waterfall? That’s just one of the perks of the Silver Thread Campground, which also affords gorgeous views of a unique pocket of the San Juan Mountains as well as plenty of fishing opportunities in South Clear Creek and Brown Lake. The 11 sites are first-come, first-served, and you’ll be sleeping at 9,500 feet — so bring plenty of water and be prepared to take it easy if you need to. The sites run from $26 to $28 a night and are big enough to accommodate up to two RVs.
The Top Camping Areas for Fall in Colorado
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Golden
Even though Golden Gate Canyon State Park technically has a Golden address, it’s worlds away from Denver and its suburbs. This is one of the best spots to see fall colors close to Denver, and it is also home to dozens of campsites for RVs, tents, and primitive sites for backpackers. If roughing it isn’t quite your thing, this park also has cabins and yurts — and even a four-bedroom guest house. When you arrive, be sure to check out the park’s 35 miles of trails, which are ideal for both hiking and mountain biking. To reserve a campsite and check out the trail map, visit this website.
Michigan Creek Campground
Jefferson
When the fall colors start to pop, U.S. 285’s Kenosha Pass becomes a virtual parking lot of leaf peepers eager to find the perfect nature photo for their Instagram account. With that being said, there’s a reason for this, so why not really enjoy the area and spend the night? The Michigan Creek campground, which is four miles northwest of Jefferson, isn’t far from the action and can also serve as a basecamp for checking out Boreas Pass or even trying to tag a fall 14er. This spot has 12 sites and sits at 10,100 feet. Each site runs for $20, and some are first-come, first-served, meaning you should try to show up earlier in the week.
Mueller State Park
Woodland Park
Nestled in groves of aspens and in the shadow of Pikes Peak, this park, around an hour from Colorado Springs, has some of the best fall hiking in the state. It also has some of the best camping spots, with 136 sites open for tents and RVs, as well as numerous backcountry options for the more adventurous leaf peepers. Perhaps most importantly, the main campground has coin-operated showers and flushing toilets. Tent campsites run for $28 a night, and electric spots are $36. For more information, check out the park’s website.
Dowdy Lake Campground
Red Feather Lakes
The community of Red Feather Lakes might be one of the best places to catch the fall colors in northern Colorado, and the Dowdy Lake Campground puts visitors right in the center of the action. This spot is located in a ponderosa forest and has access to a boat ramp for those who like to experience the changing season on the water. The campground has 70 sites, including 10 walk-ins, and is extremely popular for fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. If you can, visit during the week — weekends tend to fill up fast. To make a reservation, visit this site.
Tennessee Pass Sleep Yurts
Leadville
Flanked by some of the tallest peaks in Colorado, Leadville is a virtual paradise when the leaves start to turn. While there are plenty of more traditional campgrounds in the area, the Tennessee Pass Sleep Yurts offer a truly unique experience for travelers who want to experience nature while sleeping in a handcrafted log bed with full linens, including down comforters. These solar-powered yurts are technically off-grid, but they nevertheless come with their own kitchenettes, sinks with freshwater, propane-burning stoves, and complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, and cider. A bonus? Campers can even order room service wine in advance. For prices and to make a reservation, visit the Tennessee Pass Sleep Yurts website.
Lost Lake Campground
Paonia
Kebler Pass, which connects Crested Butte and Paonia, is hands down one of the best drives to see the fall colors in Colorado. The Lost Lake Campground gives leaf peepers a place to stay and take in all the sights — especially parents looking for family-friendly camping spots for the fall. This spot offers fishing and hiking opportunities around Lost Lake, Dollar Lake, and Lost Lake Slough, as well as vistas of the aspen-capped Ruby Mountain Range. No reservations are available, and all of the sites are first-come, first-served, so get there as early in the week as you can. Trust us: it’s worth the PTO.
Marble RV Park and Campground
Marble
This campground is roughly 10 minutes away from one of the most photographed spots in Colorado: the Crystal Mill, which is perhaps the most stunning against the backdrop of fall colors. But that’s not the only thing that should bring you to this fall camping spot, which puts visitors right in the heart of the charming town of Marble. Large blocks of the Yule marble that give the community its name line the park and even act as benches and tables. The grounds are across the street from the historic Millsite Park, where changing aspens surround the ruins of an old quarry. And the campground comes with its own shower station (always a score – especially after a long day of hiking). Make reservations here.
Granite Campground
Steamboat
This campground doesn’t even open until July, but the wait is worth it, especially in the fall, when the aspen’s surrounding Steamboat put on what’s hands-down the best show in town. The Granite Campground, which is on the shore of Fish Creek Falls, takes a little bit of work to reach since the road is only passable for high-clearance vehicles. But the four drive-up sites and four additional walk-in spots offer unparalleled views of the reservoir and easy access to nearby hiking, biking, and ATV trails. All of the sites are first-come, first-served and cost $20 a night.
Zapata Falls Campground
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The Great Sand Dunes are spectacular during every season — but especially when the leaves change on the nearby Sangre de Cristos. While the vast campground a mile from the park entrance tends to fill up quickly on weekends, campers tend to have better luck at Zapata Falls, which is a few miles up a gravel road. The extra work pays off: Campers get a bird’s-eye look at the Sand Dunes as well as vistas of the San Luis Valley and the 14ers along its perimeter. Sites run for $19 a night, and you can reserve them here.
Amphitheater Campground
Ouray
Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, Ouray is hands down one of the best spots to see the fall colors in Colorado. This 35-site campground offers a birds-eye view of everything — including the town’s natural “amphitheater” that was formed by an incident volcanic explosion. This spot, which is friendly for smaller RVs, has easy access to the area’s hiking trails as well as the shopping and hot springs in Ouray itself. Sites run for $28 per night, and you can reserve them here.
