The Best Camping in Colorado

Looking for the best camping in Colorado? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Colorado. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top camping spots in and near Colorado

Nederland, Colorado

3 Crater Lakes via South Boulder Creek

5.0

6.92 mi / 1804 ft gain

After turning on to Co. 16 (Tolland Rd.) from 119 at Rollinsville, drive about 8 miles down the dirt road along South Boulder Creek. The road will dead end at Moffat Tunnel where you'll find ample parking in a gravel lot with restrooms. You'll begin your hike along sweeping meadows until you ent...
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Granby, Colorado

Mirror and Crater Lakes via Cascade Creek Trail

4.6

14.94 mi / 2421 ft gain

Start at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as ...
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Nederland, Colorado

King Lake via Hessie Trailhead

5.0

11.32 mi / 2375 ft gain

The normal route from the east side is via the Hessie trailhead outside Nederland Colorado. From the west it is most often accessed via the short trail from Rollins pass, which is open in the summer. As noted above, it is also a lake and area ripe for creating your own adventure. The description ...
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Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Strawberry Park Hot Springs

4.6

No matter the time of year, if you are going to be anywhere near Steamboat Springs, Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a can’t-miss experience. Steamboat is known primarily as a ski resort, but the area also offers amazing hikes and fishing in the summer, and top-notch leaf-peeping in the fall. Add a...
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Larimer County, Colorado

Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trailhead

4.7

8.43 mi / 1780 ft gain

Start at the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road. Parking is limited so it is advised to get there very early. It's a longer hike so plan on taking a full day to complete or stay overnight to enjoy more of the scenery. Within the first mile on the Glacier Gorge Trail you will pass by Alber...
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Aspen, Colorado

Conundrum Hot Springs via Conundrum Creek

4.3

16.77 mi / 2717 ft gain

After picking up your required overnight permit, start your morning with a coffee in Aspen, then drive out 15 min to the trailhead at the end of Conundrum Creek road. The trail is a straight shot 9 miles up the valley, through expansive meadows and an always incredible view of the mountains and ...
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Pitkin County, Colorado

Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells

4.8

25.99 mi / 7566 ft gain

Updates will be posted here. The Four Pass Loop begins at Maroon Lake, famous for its iconic view of the Maroon Bells (Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak), deemed the “most-photographed spot in Colorado.” After taking in this majestic view, continue to walk down the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail unti...
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Larimer County, Colorado

Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes

4.9

4.51 mi

From the Bear Lake Trailhead, the path to Nymph Lake is a moderate paved trail. At the lake there are several places to sit and take in the scenery. This is also where you'll find the most people. From here, continue up the trail towards Dream Lake. On the way, the trail forks. The left will take...
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Durango, Colorado

Ice Lakes Trail to Island Lake

5.0

7.75 mi / 2690 ft gain

Just north of Silverton, CO, lies the South Mineral Valley which is reachable down a well maintained, and paved dirt road and ends in the South Mineral Campground. The hike starts out with a sweat generating 1500+ feet of gain over its first two miles. However, there are numerous spots to stop a...
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Aspen, Colorado

Explore the Maroon Bells & Snowmass Wilderness

5.0

The beautiful and iconic Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness is home to some of the most amazing scenery and adventures to be had in all of Colorado. It is world-famous for the Maroon Bells, two challenging 14ers just outside of Aspen, Colorado. The third 14er, Pyramid Peak is also considered a clas...
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Dillon, Colorado

Silver Dollar Lake Trail

5.0

3.93 mi / 945 ft gain

Guanella Pass, which connects the charming and historic town of Georgetown in the north to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Grant to the south, is a recreational outdoorsman’s dream. Volumes could be written on what this 22-mile scenic byway has to offer. Silver Dollar Lake Trail is just one tiny po...
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Nederland, Colorado

Heart and Rogers Peak Lakes

4.8

8.62 mi / 2113 ft gain

The hike begins at the East Portal Trailhead outside Rollinsville. Start hiking along the South Boulder trail to the right (north) of the very obvious Moffat Rail tunnel. The trail begins with moderate grades past the Forest Lakes cutoff just 1.25 miles from the trailhead. Continue hiking straigh...
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Breckenridge, Colorado

Lower Crystal Lake via Crystal Creek Road

5.0

4.52 mi / 1624 ft gain

To get to the Crystal Lakes start at the Spruce Creek Trailhead. You can hike or drive to the Lower Crystal Lake along Crystal Creek Road. If you choose to drive, you will need a high clearance 4x4 vehicle as you follow along Crystal Creek Road. The road is steep, but when they get to the top it ...
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Aspen, Colorado

Crater Lake via Maroon-Snowmass Trail

4.6

3.77 mi / 722 ft gain

The crater lake trail begins at Maroon Lake and quickly breaks off from the scenic trail at .3 miles. Be sure to follow the signs to crater lake, which will be heading higher into the valley. The trail passes through a beautiful Aspen grove most of the way with wonderful views of 14ers, the Maroo...
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Idaho Springs, Colorado

Lower and Upper Chicago Lake

4.5

9.22 mi / 2270 ft gain

From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. After crossing the creek, follow the sign indicating that the trail follows the dirt road and hang a left; from here, you'll reach the Idah...
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Lyons, Colorado

Camp at Coulson Gulch

4.0

9 mi

Coulson Gulch is a lightly used area of the Roosevelt National Forest which makes it perfect for a weekend getaway without the crowds. This is a great place to camp out under the stars!To get to Coulson Gulch From Lyons, head west on U.S. Highway 36 for about 9 miles. Turn southwest onto Larimer ...
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