Start planning your summer outdoor adventures by securing a spot at one of these family friendly camping areas in Colorado.

Camping In Colorado

Because I am all about honesty on this website I need to be clear, I am not a camper….at all!  Yes, I am a native Coloradoian but hey, I like my sleeping conditions to have running water, comfy bedding and real doors!  Now that I have made that clear, time to talk camping.  Jeremy grew up camping and has ventured out camping with the kids last year.  It went well but what we learned fast was that you MUST start planning your summer camping trips well in advance if you are going to find a nice camp ground.

After that experience last year, I decided to do some research and find some great family friendly camp sites in Colorado.  I really hope these campsites help you plan your upcoming summertime camping in Colorado.  We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful state.  Time to get out there and enjoy it!

10 Family Friendly Camping Areas In Colorado

1. Molly Brown Campground, Leadville. The beautiful Turquoise Lake (5 miles from Leadville) is the main draw here, and Molly Brown is one of the few campsites along the lake. You and the family can enjoy the amazing views, Boating and fishing. There’s also an awesome self-guided nature trail directly next to the campsite, and other hiking trails are plentiful. If you need a little small town fun, head into Leadville and explore too!

2. Mountain Park, Fort Collins. This site is about 40 miles away from Fort Collins, up Poudre Canyon, and makes for a nice getaway close to civilization. Mountain Park campground is right off of Highway 14, but the gurgling Poudre River blocks any traffic noise and makes for a pleasant stay. The elevation is lower here, making the nighttime temperatures much more bearable for family campers. 

3. Mueller State Park, Divide.  Mueller State Park is a Colorado state park encompassing 5,112 acres of land outside Divide, Colorado, southwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The park offers many outdoor activities. It has many of the amenities that make outdoor life with kiddos a little easier; modern restrooms, showers, a laundry, and of all fun things, a playground!

4.  Cold Springs Campground, Idaho Springs.  Located west of Denver and five miles north of the town of Blackhawk, adjacent to Highway 119 among aspen and lodge pole pine. Facilities provided include restrooms, water and a playground area. Each site contains a tent pad, fire grate, and picnic table. The grounds offer a variety of hiking trails that vary in difficulty–an easy trail leading out of the campground for families with small children and a steep but shorter trail that will reward hikers with a spectacular view at the top.

5. Rainbow Lakes Campground Nederland. Rainbow Lakes Campground is a little over an hour north of Denver and suitable for tents only. The Rainbow Lakes Trail will take you on a short hike to a string of ponds that are great for fishing. Take the Glacier Rim Trail up the ridge instead for a beautiful overlook of the Arapaho Glacier. This campground has 18 different sites that are all first come, first serve so be sure to arrive early. There is a picnic table and fire ring located at each site and vault toilets are accessible as well.

6. Morefield Campground, Mesa Verde National Park. Morefield Campground offers Single & Group Camping. The 267 Morefield Campground sites are located amid native Gambel oaks and wild flowers in a spectacular wooded canyon that’s popular with deer and wild turkeys. This beautiful setting is close to everything you’ll need for an enjoyable camping experience.  Make your family vacation even better by experiencing Mesa Verde’s unspoiled beauty by spending your nights at Morefield Campground. The comfortable camping in a beautiful canyon setting is just four and a half miles from the park entrance.

7. Moraine Park Campground, Estes Park. Northwest of Denver, Moraine Park Campground lies in Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park) and offers countless opportunities for adventure. Within the park there are 355 miles of hiking trails, three different lakes for water activities, and multiple waterfalls to keep you busy all weekend. There are 245 sites at this campground that are available on a first come, first serve basis.

8. Buffalo Creek Campground, Bailey.  An hour’s drive southwest of Denver, the spectacular views along the way will get you even more excited for your weekend getaway in Bailey.  This campground is home to over 40 miles of scenic trails for fishing, bikers, and horseback riders. Buffalo creek is also a popular fishing spot for brook trout. This is a wonderful campground for individuals or families to escape and enjoy the great outdoors.

9.  Green Ridge Campground, Granby.  Green Ridge campground in Granby Colorado is an awesome place to camp for the weekend. It is nestled between the Colorado River and Shadow Mountain Reservoir, making it an excellent spot for fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Many visitors enjoy whitewater rafting as well. Green Ridge campground has 73 sites for tents and RVs, with flush toilets close by.

10. Base Camp at Golden Gate, Blackhawk.  Beautiful campground near Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Colorado. Complete with tent camping sites, RV camping sites, and camping cabins. A great campground just one hour from the Denver area.  This is the camping site that Jeremy took the kids to last summer.  It was perfect for them.  Each tent site features a grill, a picnic table, and a fire ring.  Plus the amenities include a playground, hot showers, laundry, a convenience store, and a nice pavilion.

 

If you are in the Colorado area, I would love to hear your favorite campsites for the family so we can add them to our list.  What is your favorite thing about camping with the family?

 

WE ARE A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES.