Tent Campgrounds in Colorado

Discover the best tent campgrounds across Colorado. Get back to basics with traditional tent camping. From established sites with amenities to secluded wilderness spots.

20+ Campgrounds4.8★ AverageBest: May-September (peak season)

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Pet-Friendly With Showers Potable Water Flush Toilets Reservable Under $15/night

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

4.7

(434)

Vallecito Campground

San Juan National Forest

Spacious sites nestle beneath towering ponderosa pines along pristine Vallecito Creek, where the soft forest floor and natural shade create comfortable spots to pitch your tent.

Chapman Campground And Group

Basalt
White River National Forest

Towering lodgepole pines shelter spacious sites along the Fryingpan River, where level ground and thick forest create genuine separation between neighbors. Riverside locations let you fall asleep to flowing water while morning light filters through the pine canopy above your tent.

Creede
Rio Grande National Forest

Tent campers pitch beneath towering pines in spacious meadow sites where the Rio Grande rushes past your door at 9,200 feet elevation. Level ground and mature tree coverage create naturally shaded sanctuaries, while vault toilets stay remarkably clean and attentive hosts ensure a peaceful...

Tents

RVs

About Tent Campgrounds in Colorado

Tent camping in Colorado offers an unparalleled outdoor experience, with the state's diverse landscapes providing everything from high-alpine meadows to riverside sanctuaries beneath towering canyon walls. Colorado's tent campgrounds span elevations from 7,000 to over 10,000 feet, offering campers access to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountains.

Best Time

The prime tent camping season in Colorado runs from late June through early September, when high-country campgrounds are snow-free and accessible. July and August offer the most reliable weather and warmest temperatures, though these months also bring peak crowds and afternoon thunderstorms.

What Makes It Great

Designated tent pads and flat ground
Fire rings and picnic tables
Varying levels of amenities
Scenic natural settings

More Tent Campgrounds in Colorado

Discover 17 additional top-rated tent campgrounds in Colorado

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4.7

(130)

Rainbow Lakes Campground

Nederland
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Tent pads carved into alpine terrain at 10,000 feet provide level ground beneath towering pines, with bear-proof lockers at every site protecting your gear in this genuine wilderness setting.

Silver Bar Campground

Aspen
White River National Forest

Four walk-in sites nestle beneath Colorado's iconic Maroon Bells, where dense forest and creek-side placement create genuine seclusion between each spot.

Tents

4.8

(52)

East Portal Campground

Montrose
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Fifteen secluded sites nestle beneath towering box elder trees where the Gunnison River flows through the dramatic base of Black Canyon's sheer walls. A steep, winding descent road keeps RVs away, preserving this riverside sanctuary for tent campers seeking solitude and exceptional fishing.

Minturn
White River National Forest

Pitch your tent in a storied Rocky Mountain valley where young lodgepole pines frame sweeping views of surrounding peaks and the Eagle River flows nearby.

Target Tree Campground

San Juan National Forest

Tucked among centuries-old Ponderosa pines at 7,643 feet, tent sites here offer shaded privacy with forest duff padding and mountain meadow views across Thompson Park.

St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel

Canon City
PSICC

Towering Douglas firs and aspens shelter tent pads at 8,600 feet, where St. Charles Creek's constant whisper drowns out any lingering thoughts of daily life.

Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande Nf)

Antonito
Rio Grande National Forest

Spacious sites nestle beneath a cathedral of spruce and ponderosa pines at 8,500 feet, where Elk Creek's constant murmur creates a natural soundtrack for your mountain retreat.

West Dolores Campground

Dolores
San Juan National Forest

Tent campers find well-spaced sites beneath towering spruce and ponderosa pines, where the constant soundtrack of the rushing West Dolores River drowns out neighboring conversations.

Rustic
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Towering lodgepole pines shelter 47 riverside sites where the Laramie River's constant murmur lulls campers to sleep, each equipped with dedicated tent pads and bear-proof lockers.

Tents

RVs

Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Colorado

Map of campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Colorado

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Map Key

Vallecito Campground

Chapman Campground And Group

River Hill

Rainbow Lakes Campground

Silver Bar Campground

East Portal Campground

Camp Hale Memorial

Target Tree Campground

St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel

Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande Nf)

West Dolores Campground

Tunnel Campground

Cathedral Campground

Lost Man Campground

Yeoman Park Campground

South Fork Campground & Trailhead

Alamosa Campground

Rifle Falls State Park

Pines Campground

Staunton State Park

View all 351 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Tent camping in pristine mountain settingsHiking to alpine lakes and wilderness areasTrout fishing in mountain streams and riversWildlife viewing including elk, deer, and mountain birdsPhotography of mountain peaks and wildflowersStargazing in dark-sky locations

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve popular campgrounds like Vallecito and Chapman six months in advance through Recreation.gov, especially for summer weekends and holidays.
2For spontaneous trips, target first-come-first-served gems like Rainbow Lakes, but arrive before noon on Fridays or plan weekday visits.
3Invest in a quality four-season tent and a sleeping bag rated to at least 20°F—Colorado's high-elevation nights are consistently colder than expected, even in July.
4Bear safety is non-negotiable: use provided bear-proof lockers for all food and scented items, never store anything in your tent, and familiarize yourself with proper food storage protocols.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Tent Campgrounds in Colorado

Tent Campgrounds in Colorado FAQ

Colorado offers 20+ tent-friendly campgrounds. We've ranked them based on site quality, natural setting, amenities, and user reviews.

Tent camping in Colorado typically costs $15-35 per night at developed campgrounds. Some national forest and primitive sites may be free or under $10 per night.

Essential gear includes a quality tent, sleeping bag rated for Colorado conditions, sleeping pad, camp stove, and appropriate clothing. Check weather forecasts and pack layers.