The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in Colorado

Travel Inspiration

Last updated on July 27th, 2023. Originally published on July 26th, 2023

The ideal place for RV camping in Colorado

It’s no secret that Colorado is an amazing place, especially if you’re an outdoorsy person. Considering it has some of the best skiing, fishing, hiking, and kayaking in the world, you’re sure to have an amazing time in this beautiful state. You’ll also love the museums, amusement parks, and national park sites found here, and memories will absolutely be made during your time in the Centennial State.

Of course, the best way to experience it all is by RVing in Colorado! Colorado RV camping gives you a chance to truly experience the state’s natural beauty. You can have a campsite with a view, watch the sunrise from your window, and hit a trail without ever getting in the car.

All that said, there are some things you should know about RVing in Colorado before you get going. This guide will help you understand the ins and outs of camping in this amazing state so you can have the best trip possible.

Preparing for RV Camping

First things first, you will need to do some prep work in order to ensure your Colorado camping trip goes smoothly. This involves making sure you have the right RV—and of course, packing that RV with all the right stuff.

Not sure where to begin? This section is for you!

Choosing the Right RV for Your Needs

The right rental RV for you might not be the right RV for the next guy. Likewise, the right RV for one trip might not be ideal for the next. Colorado is relatively RV friendly, but the mountain passes can make driving a big rig a little more challenging. Consider this when choosing your rig (unless you’re having your RV delivered, of course).

You’ll also want to think about whether you prefer a driveable or a towable rig, and in the latter case, whether you have the right truck to tow a trailer. Once those things are determined, things like floor plans and amenities can be taken into consideration.

Packing Essentials for a Successful Trip

With the right RV picked out, the next step is to start packing. Obviously, you will need the usual clothing and toiletries, but these aren’t the only things necessary for a successful Colorado camping trip.

Below is a basic list of things you might want to consider taking with you:

Clothes
Toiletries
Medications
First aid kit
Bug spray and sunscreen
Tools
Entertainment (books, games, movies, toys for kids)
Outdoor recreation gear
Electronics and chargers
Pots, pans, and dishes
Paper towels
Groceries
Flashlights
Folding chairs
Bed sheets
Pillows
Blankets
Pet gear
RV leveling blocks
Sewer hose and adapter
Freshwater hose
RV surge protector

Keep in mind that this is a very basic list. For a more in-depth packing guide, try checking out this post.

Considerations for Camping in Colorado

The mountain passes are one thing to keep in mind when RVing in Colorado, but they aren’t the only thing you’ll need to consider. You’ll also want to make sure you’re following traffic laws and, if you’re visiting in winter, keeping an eye on the weather in case of incoming storms.

In Colorado, rigs can be a total of 75 feet long (including tow vehicle), but no longer than that. Trailers and motorhomes should not be more than 45 feet long, and no RV should be more than 8.5 feet wide and 14.5 feet high. You’ll also need a safety chain and breakaway switch on any trailer you pull, as well as brakes on any trailer that weighs more than 3,000 pounds.

Finding Campgrounds

Now it’s time to find the perfect campground for your Colorado RV camping trip. Fortunately for you, Colorado is home to all kinds of campgrounds. From luxury RV parks to rustic campgrounds in the woods to parks set right in the middle of the city, there truly is something for every type of RVer in this state.

Exploring Public Campgrounds in Colorado

First up, let’s talk about Colorado’s public camping options. These tend to be more rustic choices, appealing to the adventurous crowd, campers on a budget, and those who love a good view. They include everything from national park campground to state park camping and boondocking in national forests.

National Park Camping

Colorado is home to four national parks. These include:

All four are unique and beautiful, and all four are worth visiting. Luckily, all of the Colorado national parks offer onsite camping, so finding someplace to park an RV is a cinch.

National Forest Camping

Colorado national forests are another fantastic option for those who prefer a more traditional camping experience that involves a bit of “roughing it.” There are a total of 11 amazing national forests in this state, and each and every one is worth seeing. In these forests, you’ll find campgrounds as well as dispersed camping sites.

State Park Camping

State park camping in Colorado is a nice mix of amenities and rustic camping in nature. Some of the best Colorado state park campgrounds are found in Mueller State Park. This place offers some incredible views of the Rocky Mountains, campsites with hookups, and easy access to outdoor recreation.

Other great Colorado state parks include Trinidad State Park and State Forest State Park.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Camping

Colorado Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and dispersed camping sites are a lesser-known camping option. Generally speaking, BLM campsites do not offer many amenities, but they do tend to be in beautiful places.

There is tons of BLM land in Colorado and all of it is fantastic, so take the list linked above and go exploring!

Exploring Private Campgrounds and RV Parks

Prefer more amenities so you can have a glamping experience? Need things like showers and dump stations? Colorado’s private campgrounds might be a better option for you.

The Views RV Park and Campground is one of our top picks. As the name suggests, this beautiful campground features amazing views. You’ll also appreciate the large RV sites with hookups, laundry facilities, and bathhouses with showers.

We also love Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains. This is the perfect home base for those who want to explore Rocky Mountain National Park, and the top-notch amenities are hard to beat.

Boondocking in Colorado

Those who need to find free camping or want to try their hand at dry camping might want to look for boondocking in Colorado. There are a number of fantastic boondocking spots in the state. These include the dispersed camping in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, as well as the boondocking options at Penrose Common Recreation Area.

Researching Campground Options and Making Reservations

Of course, you will need to make reservations. To see even more awesome options for RV camping in Colorado and start booking online, try sites like Campspot, BookOutdoors, RoverPass, and The Dyrt. You could also check out the KOA chain for family- and dog-friendly camping. Or look at Jellystone, Harvest Hosts, Boondockers Welcome, and Hipcamp for unique and memorable camping experiences.

Planning Your Itinerary

Next on the to-do list: planning your RV camping in Colorado itinerary, of course! This is the fun part during which you can pick and choose from a variety of amazing attractions, activities, and sights to check out. Whether you’re exploring Denver or going on a mountain hike, you’re sure to have an awesome time!

Features and Attractions in Colorado

First things first, we highly recommend driving on Colorado’s scenic byways. This will help you get a good feel for the place you’re visiting and give you a chance to see a lot of the beautiful vistas without much effort. San Juan Skyway and Peak to Peak are two excellent choices!

While you’re out exploring, be sure to stop and see landmarks like The Stanley Hotel, Pikes Peak, and Garden of the Gods. National parks sites like Dinosaur National Monument and Colorado National Monument are also good stops that are sure to make your trip more exciting.

Festivals, Fairs, and Events in Colorado

What about adding some Colorado events to your itinerary? Planning your trip around a festival, concert, or other event is an excellent way to add an extra layer of fun to the whole adventure.

Some of the best annual events in Colorado include the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Denver Underground Music Showcase, and the Vail International Dance Festival.

Exploring Outdoor Activities

Obviously, you are going to want to spend a good chunk of your trip enjoying the amazing natural beauty of the state. Fortunately, there are tons of places to do this, and many different recreational opportunities await.

Obviously, you will want to give skiing or snowboarding a try if you visit during the winter, but if you find yourself in Colorado in the warmer months, try some of the options below.

Hiking, Biking and Nature Trails

Hiking and biking are great ways to immerse yourself in nature and get up close and personal with the plants and animals of this amazing state. We love these options when visiting national parks and state parks, but honestly, you’ll find great trails around every corner in Colorado.

Some of the best hiking trails in Colorado include:

As far as biking goes, we highly recommend the following:

AllTrails has even more great trail options!

Fishing, Boating, and Water Activities

Water adds more fun to every trip, and Colorado has lots of great bodies of water to choose from. The fishing in Colorado is top-notch, especially in the Animas River and Dolores River. Lakeside beaches are perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Meanwhile, many people enjoy chasing waterfalls as they explore the state.

Wildlife Viewing and Photography

With so many natural areas around, it should come as no surprise that the wildlife viewing is wonderful in Colorado. You’re likely to see bighorn sheep, moose, elk, and all kinds of birds. You might even see a black bear or two!

Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to see animals in Colorado. You’ll also probably see some animal friends at Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges, as well as Pawnee National Grassland.

Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions

Taking the kids along? There are lots of great family-friendly attractions in Colorado. Whether you’re headed to Grand Junction, Estes Park, Thornton, or somewhere else entirely, you’ll find fun ways to make memories with your little travelers.

Historical Sites and Museums

Visiting historic sites is a great way to add an educational element to your trip. Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is one great pick. Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site and Yucca House National Monument could also be good choices, depending on the ages and interests of your kids.

Another option? Add some museums to your itinerary. Colorado has tons of awesome museums, including some hands-on options.

Some of our favorite Colorado museums include:

Denver Art Museum
Children’s Museum of Denver
Wings Over the Rockies Museum
Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum
Denver Museum of Natural History
Molly Brown House Museum

No matter which one you pick, you’re sure to have an awesome time learning something new!

Amusement Park, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges

Of course, we have to mention Colorado amusement parks! Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a unique amusement park that mixes outdoor recreation and amusement park fun. Other great options include Royal Gorge Bridge and Park and The North Pole. Looking to cool off? Head to The Bay Aquatic Park and Pirate’s Cove Family Fun Aquatic Park.

Zoos are also a great pick when visiting Colorado with kids. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is a fun pick, as is the Denver Zoo. Those who love water animals will appreciate the Downtown Aquarium in Denver, and gator fanatics will adore the Colorado Gators and Reptile Park in Mosca.

Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Colorado

Obviously, safety should always come first, even when you’re having a good time. For this reason, you will want to go into your trip to Colorado knowing what to watch out for and be prepared with tools to handle the worst.

The good news? This is easy enough to do!

Weather Conditions and Natural Disaster Preparedness

As mentioned above, Colorado has a lot of mountainous terrain. This means you will want to make absolutely sure your rig is equipped to make climbs and descents. Ensure your truck is rated to tow your trailer, check the brakes on your rig, and learn some tips on driving mountain passes. It’s also important to stay hydrated and give yourself time to adjust in case altitude sickness is a problem for you.

You probably already know that Colorado can see some blizzards in the winter. For this reason, we actually don’t recommend RV camping in Colorado in the wintertime. That said, if you must do this, make sure you have an app to alert you of upcoming storms and put together an emergency kit with things like extra food and water, emergency blankets, and extra propane.

Believe it or not, Colorado can also see some pretty intense storms in the summer. These thunderstorms are not usually a threat, but they can be if they cause flooding. Therefore, it is good to have weather apps installed so you get notifications if you need to take shelter or move out of a flood zone.

Wildlife Encounters and Precautions

As we stated above, Colorado is home to a variety of wild animals. These creatures tend to be found in natural areas where one might be camping, hiking, or enjoying other types of outdoor recreation, and they can include black bears, mountain lions, and more.

In order to protect yourself, always give wild animals their distance. If an animal is hurt, call in professional help rather than attempting to help them yourself. It’s also smart to make plenty of noise when hiking so bears and other animals hear you coming and avoid you. Of course, bear spray could prove useful as well, but carry it with caution.

More Inspiration for Your Colorado Travels

Clearly, RV camping in Colorado is incredible. Still don’t feel ready for your trip? Use the links below for even more inspiration so you can plan the perfect trip:

The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in Colorado