Photo by Dave Dugdale from Flickr Creative Commons. Be aware that there are actually two campgrounds: Molas Lake and Little Molas Lake. Please DO NOT cut or gather wood on the park. The Grand Mesa Lakes The upper and middle sections are reservable while the lower section is first come, first serve. If you’re itching to get away from your campsite for a bit you can drive up Pikes Peak — one of Colorado’s most famous 14ers. April M.’s Land. There are a number of campgrounds around it, but if you’re looking for peace and quiet, head to the east side’s Old Timers or Graham Creek campgrounds which are less developed. Completed in 1946 after the end of WWII, Shadow Mountain offers eight miles of shoreline and 1,337 surface acres to enjoy through nearby campsites and small boats . Ice Lakes Basin provides perhaps the best bang for your buck on an effort vs scenery perspective in all of Colorado. The local marina offers speedboats, canoes and fishing boats for rent, while the village itself has an historic boardwalk lined with more than 60 shops, eateries, bars and art galleries. It’s a great park for a home base, or as a weekend stop to take a break from driving on your way across the country. RELATED: The Guide to Dispersed Camping in Colorado 1. UPDATE SINCE THE WILDFIRE Winding River Resort and its owners ask for your patience as we go forward from the East Troublesome fire that came through the area on October 21st. At least 1 campsite in each of the larger campgrounds is ADA accessible and near to ADA accessible restroom. You can find him working on photography or listening to music around Boulder. Please take note of these campground rules. Bear Lake is another scenic campsite located inside Rocky Mountain National Park that is sure to please outdoor enthusiasts. Platoro Reservoir and smaller Mix Lake are a short stroll away and offer great fishing. A Great Place to Stay on the North Fork of the Colorado River . Itty Bitty Lakes is an old fashioned campground on Highway 50 and the Arkansas River in Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The lakes, wetlands, and low dunes offer many opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, camping, wildlife viewing, or just picnicking. Lastly — Baby Doe Campground has 48 single family sites that can be reserved or paid for by walking up. Take your boat out on the lake and go just two miles south and you’ll cross the border into New Mexico. Sailing, skiing, and windsurfing are popular summertime activities, but call or check the park's website for water levels and boat restrictions. Steamboat Lake State Park, Steamboat Springs, Little Molas Lake, San Juan National Forest, Turquoise Lake Recreation Area, Leadville, Thunder Ridge at Rampart Reservoir, Colorado Springs, Top 15 Under-the-Radar Travel Destinations, 7 Colorado Mountain Towns to Visit This Winter — Even If You Don’t Ski, Top 8 National Parks and Monuments in Colorado, Eat, Drink and Be Merry This Holiday Season at Capt. You’ll find thick evergreen forest, towering mountains and an 1,800-acre lake as well as eight campgrounds, all sitting at a crisp and cool 10,000-foot-high elevation. 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Campgrounds: Rampart Reservoir has two campgrounds that you can stay at. Meadow Ridge Campground has 19 sites available and is available for both reservations and walk-ups. These unique campgrounds give you the chance to lie on a beach, swim, or even boat while camping. Vallecito Lake Just 20 miles north of Durango, the town and namesake lake of Vallecito sits in a beautiful valley at 8,000 feet. From there it’s just a few minutes before the lake comes into view. This lake has beautiful Hahn’s Peak rising up in the background, and it’s part of Steamboat Lake State Park. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 100% — 23 Reviews. Lake Pueblo's campgrounds are operated for the pleasure and safety of everyone. The Lowdown: While camping near Grand Lake there are hundreds of things to do. Where: Blue Mesa Reservoir is just four-hours from Denver. % of the Hipcamps for your dates are already booked. From the Matchless campground, you are able to launch a boat and spend your day exploring the deep blue waters of this lake or enjoy any of the hundreds of trails surrounding it. The state park is home to over 200 campsites, too. Caraccas campground has 41 sites, Rosa campground has 39 sites, Tiffany campground has 25 sites and there are 19 primitive campsites at Windsurf Beach and Arboles Point. You can drive all the way down the lake to Navajo Dam on the far south end. Its 43 campsites are shaded, with sites for RVs and tents; some near the lakeshore. Just take I-70 west till you hit Copper Mountain then follow Colorado 91 till you hit Leadville. … Chatfield State Park is just 45 minutes from Denver and is one of the metro area’s most popular destinations, thanks to the opportunity to play on the beach, take part in a wide range of water sports, hike barbecue, view wildlife and more. Willow Creek Group Campground has 35 nonelectrical sites and one group site that can hold up to 20 people which will need to be reserved in advance. Hike into the Holy Cross and Mount Massive wilderness areas, or … Where: Just a short drive south of Denver lies Rampart Reservoir. It’s popular with boaters, campers and fishers. Follow that till you see Chimney Rock and Colorado 151. From there you’ll take Rampart Range Road to your campground. The Lowdown: Located just barely north of the Colorado-New Mexico border, Lake Navajo offers you multiple fun activities to enjoy while camping. The nearest town — Woodland Park — has a population of 7,600 people, but the amount of recreational activities in this area is enormous. Mix Lake Campground. Once you’ve had your fill of the lake, tennis courts, a huge pool, 18-hole championship golf and three restaurants await.The Estes … Campground Rules. Turquoise Lake is a recreation area in the San Isabel National Forest just outside of Leadville, the nation’s highest incorporated town. Photo Courtesy of Visit Grand Country Website. Great list of lakeside campgrounds! Steamboat Lake is a hidden gem, though locals in the Steamboat Springs area take full advantage. Farm Land with Mountain Views. Follow that north to Granby and then Grand Lake is just a short drive north up US 34. Campers also have easy access to the beautiful Rainbow Lakes Trail, a short trek that leads to a string of ponds that are known for exceptional fishing. The nearest town — Pagosa Springs — has hot springs and many restaurants that you can enjoy while visiting civilization. Head into the mountains along US 285 till you reach Poncha Springs. Here in the Denver area, my backyard is the Rocky Mountains with all the adventure they offer. The highlight is Trappers Lake, the third largest natural lake in Colorado. Photo Courtesy of Manitou Springs website. Follow him on Instagram @Lukas_Crosby and on Twitter @LukasCrosby. The best camping near Grand Lake, Colorado. Just take I-70 west till you hit US 40. Lake San Cristobal Near Lake City and Creede, Lake San Cristobal is a geologic marvel amid the San Juan Mountains formed by a rare earthflow. Rainbow Lakes Campground is located just a little over an hour from Denver near the small town of Nederland, but it offers the ultimate camping experience that feels as if it’s world’s away. Campgrounds: Spread around near Grand Lake and Granby are many campgrounds directly on the lakes. Stillwater Campground has a whopping 129 sites — 21 of which have electrical hookups — and is located directly on Lake Granby. The other campground — Thunder Ridge — has 21 sites available and is also available for both walk-ups and reservations. It is roughly five and a half hours from Denver but the trip is worth it. When you’re not cooling off in this high alpine lake, you can enjoy hikes in the surrounding area, including miles and miles of trails in the park, as well as horseback riding, golfing and four-wheeling. We’ll send you our newsletter with travel destinations, deals, and more! Sandwiched between Grand Lake and Lake Granby, this reservoir is a good additional spot to visit if you’re traveling through the area or staying in the town of Grand Lake, which is right next door. Your email address will not be published. RELATED: 7 Colorado Towns to Visit This Summer 4. Best Camping in Lake City on Tripadvisor: Find 248 traveler reviews, 201 candid photos, and prices for 14 camping in Lake City, Colorado, United States. Emerald Lake in the San Juan National Forest, Colorado’s third-largest natural lake, is a 10-mile trek from the Pine River Trailhead near Vallecito Reservoir. While away a summer afternoon on the beach beside the private lake, sail across its blue waters or build sandcastles and play beach volleyball. They’re all spread across the lake’s shoreline, most along the eastern shore. baby doe campgroundBlue Mesa ReservoircampingcoloradoCutthroat Bay CampgroundDenverElk Creek CampgroundGranbyGrand LakeGunnisonLake Fork CampgroundLake GranbyLake NavajoLeadvilleMatchless CampgroundMeadow Ridge Campgroundmolly brown campgroundNavajo State ParkRampart ReservoirStevens Creek CampgroundStillwater CampgroundSunset Point CampgroundThunder Ridge CampgroundTurquoise LakeWillow Creek Group CampgroundWoodland Park. And, all can be enjoyed while soaking up views of the Rocky Mountain foothills. Winter offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Mountain Park is one of the largest campgrounds in Poudre Canyon, home to Colorado’s only nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, which flows  flows through the majestic cliffs and interesting rock formations that are dotted with pines, mountain mahogany, aspen and sage brush. Not only are there lots of scenic campsites, but the marina offers watercraft rentals, there is a swimming beach, a visitor center, a camp store, gift shop, concessions, showers and more. 3rd Night Free at Crown Reef Resort, SC is Open | Free Night at Beach Cove Resort, Florida | Winter Golf Package in Palm Beach, SC is Open | Up to 40% Off Carolina Winds Resort, 9-Day Southern River Cruise - Up to $5,800 off, 9-Day Pacific NW River Cruise - Up to $5,800 off, FL | Up to 25% off Compass Hotel Anna Maria Island, 4-Nt Bahamas Cruise on Celebrity Infinity. Restrictions: No camping is allowed in the Lake Agnes area. Clean, quiet, and more hookups and is filled to the brim with activities before Lake. 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