Summer will be here before we know it, so why not prepare for the season by reserving a spot at one of these five campsites in Colorado?
While we're still trying to recover from the onslaught of holidays and extended family members, it's never too early to have your sights set on the summertime when you can escape the realities of the world for a few days and take in the beauty that our state has to offer. Campsites across the state are already filling up with reservations. So get a move on and start planning your camping trip, like yesterday.
Not to worry though, because we've done most of the legwork for you! All that's left for you to do is decide which campsite fits your needs.
Please note that there are countless campsites across Colorado that aren't included in this list. The list is in no particular order.
Piñon Flats Campgrounds -- Great Sand Dunes National Park
The
Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of Colorado's strangest phenomenon, but man, it's absolutely gorgeous. I stayed at Pińon Flats last summer, and I loved it. Not only was the site well-kept and maintained, but there was plenty of space between the other campers, so plenty of privacy. And the best part? The campsite was only a 10-minute walk from the edge of the dune fields!
I highly suggest you start planning your trip as soon as possible because I waited until April to make a reservation for July and there were only a few spots left, especially since the campgrounds are only open for a few months out of the year -- typically from early May to mid-September.
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The price to reserve a site is also relatively cheap. It only costs $20 per night.
Book a spot!
It's important to note that group sites are tent-only; no RVs or trailers allowed. There's also a limit of six guests per site, so if you have a large group you may need to reserve two sites. For more on the regulations and other necessary information you'll need before you go, please
click here.
White Star Campground -- Twin Lakes
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Courtesy of Twin Lakes Colorado[/caption]
Looking for a tent with a view? White Star Campground can provide you with breathtaking scenery of the surrounding mountains as they reflect off the water. The campground grants visitors access to Twin Lakes Reservoir, where they can take part in various water sports and outdoor activities, like fishing and boating, and hiking and mountain biking along trails.
Twin Lakes are glacial lakes, the largest in the state, and span across 2,805 acres so there's plenty of space to take in the area's natural beauty.
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Booking a campsite at White Star is around $23 per night.
Click here to book your trip!
Since the campground is at a higher elevation (9,200 feet), it's important to use caution when traveling from lower elevations. Make sure you bring plenty of water with you. We'd also like to note that the site only allows two vehicles per site, otherwise there will be a fee for any additional vehicles.
And, while you're enjoying Twin Lakes, please keep in mind that this is bear country -- all food needs to be kept out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your cars. All food must be removed from the area after eating. If you have any questions prior to booking your trip, please
click here.
Dowdy Lake Campground -- Red Feather Lakes
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Courtesy of Forest Service USA[/caption]
Buried in the heart of Roosevelt National Forest, Red Feather Lakes is located about 45 miles northwest of Fort Collins (a 55-minute drive). Dowdy Lake Campground offers visitors opportunities to fish, canoe, horseback ride, and go hiking along the trails. The small village of Red Feather Lakes is also a great place for shopping, dining at the restaurants, or even playing a round of golf.
The campground is open year-round, so there's always the chance for it to be full. In order to secure a campsite this summer, you've definitely got to plan ahead. Please keep in mind that the first loop is year-round, while the back loop is open from mid-May to mid-September.
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Courtesy of Forest Service USA[/caption]
Placing a reservation here is a bit more expensive than the others on this list: $30 per night.
If you're camping in an RV, please take note that there are no RV water connections available. And, like Twin Lakes, there are bears in the vicinity, so keep a clean campsite and refrain from leaving food inside your tent. More information can be found
here.
Saddlehorn Campground -- Colorado National Monument
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Courtesy of National Parks Service[/caption]
Saddlehorn is the only established campground within the
Colorado National Monument, so you can imagine how quickly it fills up during the summer time. The campsite sits at the end of a 23-mile long drive through the valley, with sweeping views of the red rock and sandstone towers. There's a six-mile-long hike that takes guests along the monument canyon trail, and if you're an avid photographer, you'll have plenty of material to capture. For example, Colorado National Monument is home to an abundance of wildlife, including Desert Bighorn sheep, golden eagles, collared lizards, and many more.
Take a step outside once the sun sets and gaze upon the plethora of stars that await you. Seriously, the view is spectacular so take advantage.
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Courtesy of National Park Service[/caption]
You're definitely getting more bang for your buck, at $20 per night.
Click here to book your site.
For the full list of amenities and any other information, please visit the
campground's website.
Angel of Shavano Campground -- North Folk South Arkansas River
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Courtesy of Angel of Shavano Campground Facebook[/caption]
Known as the area's "best-kept camping secrets," Angel of Shavano Campground is directly next to the North Folk South Arkansas River and is named after an angel that appears on Shavano Mountain when it snows in the winter. Go fishing in the river, or hiking along the Colorado Trail. The site also has fun facilities, like a volleyball court, baseball field, and horseshoe pits.
The campground is filling up extremely fast, so you'll want to
book a spot as soon as possible! And it's definitely not cheap either, making it the most expensive campsite in our list at $125 per night.
Shavano sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet so when traveling from a lower elevation, please take the proper precautions. There's also plenty of bears in the area, so make sure you're keeping all food stored out of sight in the appropriate containers.
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Please
click here for any additional information you may need before planning your trip.
Are there other favorite campsites in Colorado that we didn't include in our list? Have you camped at any of the above sites? If so, what was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below. And don't forget to
share your photos of your trip with us!
