Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, and beyond the fact that it provides three days off work, it’s also the official kickoff to summer in Colorado. And that means one thing: Camping season is officially in full swing!
Yes, camping Memorial Day weekend in Colorado can be a little dicey, thanks to unpredictable weather and the fact that everyone has the same idea. Nevertheless, it’s worth your time to try. That’s why we put together this list of the best Memorial Day camping spots close to Denver, a little farther away, and finally in far northwestern and southwestern Colorado.
Regardless of where you go, remember to leave no trace, come prepared, and be thankful that we have the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place.
Jump to:
Best Spots for Camping Memorial Day Weekend Within 1 Hour of Denver
Bear Creek Lake Park
15600 W. Morrison Rd., Lakewood, Colorado, 80228
- Fees: $40 per night for rent/RV sites, $120 for group sites, $55 for yurts, and $65 for cabins
- Size: 47 campsites, three cabins, two yurts, and one group site
- Amenities: Shared water fill station, spigots, on-site restrooms, coin-operated showers, and sanitation/dump stations
- How to make reservations: Visit this website to see available dates and sites.
As someone who lives in Lakewood, this is easily the most convenient camp area near me. In addition to being close to the city, this spot also happens to offer some great views of the foothills, as well as easy access to two incredible reservoirs for paddle boarding or taking a swim. Perhaps most importantly, it’s only 10 minutes from Red Rocks. When it comes to Memorial Day campsites, this might not be the most isolated, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had under the Colorado stars.
Columbine Campground
2987 Bald Mountain Rd., Central City, Colorado, 80427
- Fees: $26 per night
- Size: 46 sites (five are tent-only, and the rest are suitable for RVs and tents)
- Amenities: Vault toilets, water spigots, trash service, and firewood for sale on-site
- How to make reservations: Book your site at Recreation.gov.
At 9,200 feet, this campground provides that magnificent Colorado alpine experience while being accessible during the early season — a must when it comes to Memorial Day camping. It’s also the perfect home base for a variety of outdoor activities, whether you’re interested in exploring the nearby hiking and biking trails or seeing what your vehicle is capable of on the nearby Jeep roads. If you’re more of an indoorsy person, you’re also pretty close to the gambling in Central City. All in all, it is the perfect spot for camping Memorial Day weekend and beyond.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
303 Reverend’s Ridge Rd., Black Hawk, Colorado, 80422
- Fees: $18 per night for backcountry campsites, $28 for basic campsites, $36 per night for electric campsites, $90 per night for cabins and yurts, and $270 per night for group spots
- Size: 17 total campsites
- Amenities: Electrical hookups at some sites, flush toilets, coin-operated showers, laundry facilities, fire rings and picnic tables, dump station
- How to make reservations: Select a date and type of site at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
Camping for Memorial Day doesn’t have to entail a long road trip — the beautiful thing about living in Denver is that there are plenty of views right in the nearby foothills. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is the perfect example of this. In addition to its well-maintained campground, this scenic park is also home to 35 miles of very fun hiking trails that offer plenty of adventure. If you live close to Denver and you’re looking for a “camp area near me,” this is easily a top spot for camping Memorial Day weekend and beyond.
Lone Rock Campground
8367 S. Y Camp Rd., Sedalia, Colorado, 80135
- Fees: $28 per night
- Size: 17 sites
- Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, campfire rings, trash collection, firewood available for sale
- How to make reservations: Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and others can be reserved on Recreation.gov.
If you live in south Denver, this might be one of the best camping parks nearby. That’s thanks to its close proximity to the South Platte River and all of the amazing fly fishing it entails. Early season might not be the best time for it, but this spot is also prime for tubing and kayaking. If you aren’t into water sports, be sure to hike the Gill Trail, which connects to Cheesman Reservoir.
Rampart Range Recreation Area
S. Rampart Range Rd., Sedalia, Colorado, 80135
- Fees: $28 per night
- Size: 19 sites
- Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, firewood for sale
- How to make reservations: This campground is first-come, first-served, so get there early!
If your Memorial Day plans include dirt biking or four-wheeling, then this is the perfect spot for you. The Flat Rocks Campground in the Rampart Range Recreation area is the only such place in the area offering off-road vehicles on the road, so it fills up quickly. Still, it’s worth it thanks not only to its access to awesome trails, but also its proximity to the famous Devil’s Head Lookout, which might be one of the most famous hikes near Denver. This spot is perfect for camping Memorial Day and beyond.
St. Vrain State Park
3785 Weld County Rd. #24.5, Longmont, Colorado, 80504
- Fees: Sites start at $36 per night
- Size: 87 campsites
- Amenities: ADA-accessible campsites and parking, fire rings, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, restrooms, dump station, water fill-ups
- How to make reservations: Make reservations on the Colorado State Parks website.
Should Interstate 25 choose to cooperate, these Memorial Day campsites are only about a half hour from Denver proper — but they still feel like a nice vacation thanks to this park’s stocked ponds that happen to have some of the best fishing around. Bask in views of Longs Peak and bring your standup paddleboard as you enjoy one of this park’s numerous ponds. Be sure to stop at Buc-ee’s (it’s about 20 minutes away) on your way for the ultimate camping snacks.
Best Spots for Camping Memorial Day Weekend Within 2 Hours of Denver
Gore Creek Campground
Coordinates: 39° 37′ 39.0000″ N 106° 16′ 21.0000″ W
- Fees: Tent-only sites start at $25 per night.
- Size: 16 back-in sites, eight walk-in tent sites, and one fully-accessible tent site
- Amenities: Fire pit, food locker, camp host, picnic table, vault toilets, fire pit, amphitheater
- How to make reservations: Pick your spot at Recreation.gov.
Enjoy the natural wonders of the Vail Valley this Memorial Day weekend without paying the exorbitant prices this area is sometimes known for. Located six miles east of Vail, the Gore Creek Campground offers easy access to the incredible hiking in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, as well as the paved Vail Pass/Tenmile Canyon trail that’s a must for cyclists.
Peaceful Valley Campground
Middle Saint Vrain Creek, Boulder, Colorado, 80301
- Fees: $29 per night
- Size: 17 sites
- Amenities: Picnic tables, fire grates, water, vault toilets, bear lockers, and trash services
- How to make reservations: Some sites are first-come, first-serve, others are available via Recreation.gov.
Located in a peaceful glacial valley off Middle St. Vrain Creek, this popular campground near Boulder provides the quintessential Colorado camping experience ± without having to spend hours hating your life on Interstate 70. If you’re a mountain biker, be sure to check out the Buchanan Pass Trail, which starts in Peaceful Valley and heads to the boundary of the Indian Peaks wilderness.
Pioneer Park for Camping
Park Dr., Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, 80451
- Fees: $20 per night
- Size: 14 RV and tent camping spots
- Amenities: Port-a-potties, disc golf, picnic tables, fire grates, trash receptacles
- How to make reservations: First-come, first-serve
Located near the heart of Hot Sulphur Springs, this town-owned campground puts you in the heart of the action in Grand Valley. Whether you want to play a round on the free disc golf course in the park itself, fish in the nearby rivers, or hike on one of the many surrounding trails, this is the perfect unpretentious basecamp for all of your Memorial Day shenanigans.
Turquoise Lake
Coordinates: 39° 15′ 40.7880″ N 106° 20′ 52.4760″ W
- Fees: Sites start at $30 per night.
- Size: Eight campgrounds with 300 total campsites
- Amenities: Picnic tables, RV hookups, campfire grates, water access
- How to make reservations: Sites are available through Recreation.gov.
Whether you’re camping, fishing, hiking, or just trying to cook the most epic camp dinner possible, Turquoise Lake’s campgrounds are the perfect spot for your Memorial Day adventure in Colorado. Bring your kayaks and paddleboards onto the lake, or check out nearby hikes to other bodies of water.
Best Spots for Camping Memorial Day Weekend in Northwestern Colorado
Dowdy Lake Campground
Owassa Cir., Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, 80545
- Fees: Basic sites start at $30 per night.
- Size: 70 sites, including 10 walk-in tent sites
- Amenities: Vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables
- How to make reservations: Reserve your spot through Recreation.gov.
Red Feather Lakes is easily one of the best mountain retreats in northern Colorado, and the Dowdy Lake Campground is one of the most popular spots to enjoy all of this area’s natural splendor. Bring your boat, kayak, or paddle board and enjoy the lake, and then head over to your cozy campsite to spend a night under the stars. Be sure to stop in Fort Collins for a craft beer on your way home.
Gates of Lodore Campground
8810 Co. Rd. 34, Maybell, Colorado, 81640
- Fees: $14 for standard sites
- Size: 19 sites
- Amenities: Bear-proof storage lockers, potable water, campfire grates, vault toilets
- How to make reservations: All sites are first-come, first-served.
This campground in Dinosaur National Monument has a very “Lord of the Rings” sounding name, making it a perfect spot to kickstart an adventure. It’s located at the goat ramp at the head of Lodore Canyon (hence its name), making it a popular spot for river rafters who are about to launch on the Green River. Even if that’s not in your itinerary, the amazing views of the red rock cliffs and proximity to the national monument make it worth the trip.
Rifle Falls State Park
5775 Highway 325, Rifle, Colorado, 81650
- Fees: $28 per night for basic sites
- Size: 13 drive-in campsites and seven tent sites
- Amenities: Fire rings, vault toilets, picnic tables, water hydrants
- How to make reservations: You can reserve online through the CPW website.
While some of the scenery here might make you feel like you’re somewhere in Hawaii, Rifle Falls is actually some of the best camping for Memorial Day weekend. Stay here and check out this state park’s absolutely amazing waterfalls, as well as the enjoyable hike along the cliffs (the kids will love the caves!). Be sure to stop at Glenwood Hot Springs on the way back to Denver.
Steamboat Lake State Park
61105 Rcr. 129, Clark, Colorado, 80428
- Fees: $24 per night for a basic campsite
- Size: 181 campsites
- Amenities: Coin-operated showers and laundry facilities, vault toilets, fire pits, potable water, picnic tables, ADA-accessible campsites
- How to make reservations: Make reservations through the CPW website.
Steamboat Lake happens to be one of the most gorgeous bodies of water in Colorado, so it’s logical that it’s also one of the best places to rent a campsite. Bring your standup paddleboard (or, better yet, an actual boat if you’re lucky enough to have one), and explore this gorgeous lake amid a fantastic mountain backdrop. Afterward, toast some marshmallows around the campfire, marvel at the scenery, and bask in the wonders of a three-day weekend.
Best Spots for Camping Memorial Day Weekend in Southwestern Colorado
Haviland Lake Campground
Haviland Lake Rd., Durango, Colorado, 81301
- Fees: $32 per night for standard non-electric sites
- Size: 43 campsites
- Amenities: Electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, drinking water
- How to make reservations: Reservations are available at Recreation.gov. Some sites are first-come, first-serve.
Is there a better way to ring in the summer than to spend Memorial Day weekend along the water? The Haviland Lake Campground is the perfect spot for just that. Many sites offer easy access to the aforementioned lake, as well as spectacular views of the nearby Hermosa Cliffs. In addition to fishing and canoeing, you can also hike on one of the many trails in the vicinity, or take a day trip into Durango for a well-earned beer.
Mavreeso Campground
42020 Road 38, Dolores, Colorado, 81323
- Fees: $32 for a standard, non-electric campsite
- Size: 19 campsites
- Amenities: Picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, vault toilets, and potable water
- How to make reservations: Some sites are first-come, first-serve, others are available on Recreation.gov.
Situated at an elevation of 7,600 feet, these Memorial Day campsites are a better spot for the early season than some of their counterparts in the nearby peaks. There’s still a lot to behold, thanks to its spot right on the West Dolores River — a famous spot for catching brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. If you’re up for a day trip, it’s worth mentioning this is 15 miles south of Dunton Hot Springs, the perfect place to enjoy a soak after a weekend full of Colorado outdoor adventures.
Mill Creek Campground
Co. Rd. 30, Lake City, Colorado, 81235
- Fees: $20 per night
- Size: 13 reservable sites; nine are first-come, first-served.
- Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, bear-proof storage boxes, vault toilets, water
- How to make reservations: You can reserve a site at Recreation.gov.
This spot is the perfect base for camping Memorial Day weekend and beyond. To start, you’re located along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, making it an ideal spot for anglers to catch their dinner. If snow conditions are good, you can also climb one of the three 14,000-foot peaks in the immediate vicinity. Finally, if you have an epic four-wheel drive vehicle, you can explore the 65-mile Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway, a famous route that connects Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray.
Penitente Canyon Campground
Co Rd 38A, Del Norte, Colorado, 81132
- Fees: $11 per night for individual campsites, and $20 for group sites
- Size: 15 individual sites
- Amenities: Pit toilets, trash bins, picnic shelters, fire rings, picnic tables
- How to make reservations: Spots can be reserved via Recreation.gov.
The stunning cliffs at Penitente Canyon offer some of the best rock climbing in the region, but that isn’t the only reason to visit this underrated natural wonder near the town of Saguache. It also offers some of the best camping Colorado has to offer. Snag a spot, enjoy the views of the Sangre de Cristos, and either try one of the 300 bolted rock climbing routes, or mountain bike and hike on the area trails. It might not be one of the most convenient camping parks, but it’s worth the trek down US 285.
South Mineral Campground
37. -773, 806 Washington 107, Durango, Colorado, 81301
- Fees: $34 per night
- Size: 26 sites
- Amenities: Vault toilets, potable water
- How to make reservations: All sites are first-come, first-serve.
The South Mineral Campground has some of the best campsites that Colorado has to offer. That’s thanks to its gorgeous views of the surrounding cliffs, proximity to the San Juan Mountains, and, perhaps most notably, easy access to the Ice Lakes Trailhead, which acts as a starting point for one of the most beautiful and iconic hikes in the state.
Best Private Campgrounds Colorado Has to Offer
Arapaho Valley Ranch
8992 Co. Rd. 6, Granby, Colorado, 80446
- Fees: Tent sites start at $71 a night
- Size: 22 tent sites, 11 RV sites, and 31 lodging sites
- Amenities: Water, electric hookups, fire pits, picnic tables
- How to make reservations: Reservations can be booked online.
This guest ranch in the heart of Grand County is an idyllic setting for a family trip, with sites situated both in the forest as well as right off the Colorado River. It’s nestled amid numerous hiking trails (including a private one that leads to a “kissing swing” overlooking the valley) and is also home to numerous historic steam engines from the old mining town of Monarch. It’s one of the best places to rent a campsite within a couple of hours from Denver and beyond.
Chalk Creek Campground
11430 Co. Rd. 197, Nathrop, Colorado, 81236
- Fees: Tent sites start at $40.50 a night
- Size: 70 campsites
- Amenities: Showers, flushing toilets, playground, creek access, group activities, fully stoked campground store
- How to make reservations: You can book sites online.
Memorial Day camping is always a touch-and-go situation in Colorado: It could be 85 degrees, or it could snow. That’s why it’s worth it to have certain creature comforts at your campsite, and the Chalk Creek Campground has that in spades thanks to its hot showers and flushing toilets. You can even snag a snack in the camp store. This campground also happens to be right in the middle of plenty of adventures, from the 14ers near Buena Vista to Brown’s Canyon and the Arkansas River. When it comes to exploring the latter, campers can book trips through the on-site rafting guide service.
Monument Creek Glamping
16315 Rickenbacker Ave., Monument, Colorado, 80132
- Fees: Starting at $129 per night
- Size: Eight lodging sites
- Amenities: Flushing toilets, hot tubs, fire pits, grills, kitchenettes
- How to make reservations: Select dates and times on HipCamp.
When you reach a certain age (or if you’re just a certain kind of person), sleeping on the ground might not be your vibe, and that’s absolutely fine. However, you might still want that camping experience. At this convenient glamping spot between Denver and Colorado Springs, you can get the best of both worlds. Options include everything from a container home with an actual toilet and a hot tub to creekside tents with fishing right out your door. No matter what, you’ll be entranced by the area’s natural beauty — and if that’s not enough, you can even request a homemade wine and kombucha service!
Ramble at Great Sand Dunes
246 Rd. N. 112, Mosca, Colorado, 81146
- Fees: Starting at $62 per night
- Size: 640 acres
- Amenities: Shade structures, a double-range gas stove, dining area, fire pits, horseshoe pits, utility wagons, electric hookups
- How to make reservations: Book your spot on Ramble’s website.
The Great Sand Dunes have some of the best campsites Colorado has to offer, but sometimes, it can be hard to snag one of the first-come, first-served spots in the national park itself. Enter Ramble, an environmentally-focused private campground just minutes from the Dunes that takes reservations and offers plenty of options for everyone from those looking for a pared-down, backcountry experience to folks a little bit more interested in the whole glamping vibe.
The Views at Gateway
Exact address provided by HipCamp after booking
- Fees: Tent and RV sites start at $50 a night, glamping runs at $150 and up
- Size: 2,000 acres
- Amenities: Showers, picnic tables, toilets, potable water
- How to make reservations: Select a date via HipCamp.
This spot has been named a finalist for one of the best private campgrounds Colorado has to offer — and for very good reason. Located in the incredibly scenic Dolores Canyon, these sites afford views of red rock cliffs, roaring waters, and Colorado’s blue skies. There’s also no shortage of things to do, from checking out the famous hanging flume along this iconic stretch of Colorado highway to rafting to filling up your water jugs at the nearby natural spring. This is easily one of the best places for camping Colorado has to offer over Memorial Day weekend and beyond.