It’s camping season! And you’ve got your tent, sleeping bags, hiking boots and sense of adventure — but where will you go? 

Thankfully, Northern Colorado is packed with a number of exceptional campgrounds, some just outside the renowned Rocky Mountain National Park and others nestled along the Cache la Poudre River. 

We’ve included a mix of reservation-only campground and campsites that operate on a first come, first served basis, in case you forgot to plan ahead. No matter what type of adventure you’re seeking, you’re bound to find it at these campgrounds in Northern Colorado! 

Use our interactive map to track down the best campground for your outdoor adventures. 

 

Ansel Watrous Campground 

Price: $23/Night 

Available Sites: 17 

Reservations Required 

Located along the Cache la Poudre River just 22 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Ansel Watrous Campground offers both a forest setting and wide–open meadows, plus convenient water access. Each of the 17 tent sites contain a tent pad, a fire grate and a picnic table, and the campground has restrooms and drinking water available. Campers love Ansel Watrous for rafting, fishing and hiking opportunities — and its proximity to Fort Collins. 

 

Aspen Glen Campground 

Price: $19/Night 

Available Sites: 9 

First Come, First Served 

Aspen Glen Campground is a small, quiet 9-site campground set amidst an aspen and mixed conifer forest and an open meadow. The campground is situated between Colorado Highway 14 and the Cache la Poudre River, offering easy access while still feeling remote. Visitors enjoy hiking, fishing, mountain biking, four-wheel driving and wildlife viewing during their stay at Aspen Glen Campground. Each site contains a tent pad, a fire grate and a picnic table. 

 

Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch 

Price: $45/Night 

Available Sites: 46 

Reservations Required 

For a truly rustic and authentic camping experience, book your stay at Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch. Occupying more than 480 acres in a scenic river valley on the North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River, Beaver Meadows Ranch is a year-round destination offering lodging, camping, a restaurant and bar, outdoor recreation, and more. Their spacious and secluded campsites offer various types of scenery. All campsites are primitive, with no electric, water or sewer hookups — just seven rustic outhouses located centrally in the campground. RVs are welcome, but there are no hookups available. 

 

 

Big Bend Campground 

Price: $19/night 
Sites Available: 8 
First Come, First Served 
Adjacent to the Cache La Poudre River, Big Bend Campground offers eight sites — including three walk-in tent sites — and a tent pad, fire grate and picnic table at each one. The campground is set amidst a sagebrush and open conifer forest flat along the river, providing the ideal setting for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. There is also a bighorn sheep viewing station along the entrance road to the campground — so keep your eyes peeled! 

 

 

Dowdy Lake Campground 

Price: $32/Night

Available Sites: 70 
Reservations Required 
Situated on the shores of Dowdy Lake within Red Feather Lakes, Dowdy Lake Campground is a scenic and popular lakeside campground, especially during the summer months. Enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing or swimming in the lake and explore the trails winding around the lake. The campground is situated in a ponderosa pine forest, which means many trees have been affected by pine beetles, resulting in some sunnier campsites. There are 70 total, including 10 walk-in tent sites and 30 sites that are open year-round. Each site contains a tent pad, a fire grate and a picnic table. 

 

 

Fort Collins / Lakeside KOA Holiday 

Price: $56/Night 
Available Sites: 5 

Reservations Required 

Fort Collins / Lakeside KOA Holiday has the amenities and accommodations to suit any kind of camper, including big-rig-friendly RV sites with 50/30 amp, water, sewer, WiFi and cable. Plus, they have five tent sites, cabins, and deluxe cabins. Their tent sites all enjoy incredible lakefront views as well as electricity, a picnic table and a barbecue grill on 12-by-15-foot site pads. Campers can take advantage of the KOA’s many amenities, including a pool, mini golf, bike rentals, a laundry room, pickleball, a recreation center, a playground, a dog park, paddleboats and much more. 

 

Glacier Basin Campground 

Price: $30–60/Night 

Available Sites: 151 

Reservations Required 

Camping at Glacier Basin Campground is one of the best ways to experience Rocky Mountain National Park to the fullest. Adjacent to Estes Park, the campground features awe-inspiring views of the park, as lush valleys lead to craggy peaks towering more than 14,000 feet overhead. The campground has a total of 151 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs, including 14 group/tent sites, 71 tent-only sites, and 67 standard family campsites. 

NOTE: For the remainder of the 2021 season, Glacier Basin Campground and Moraine Park Campground are operating at 40% capacity, with just 75 and 142 sites open for reservations, respectively. 

 

Hinman Park Campground 

Price: $12/Night 

Available Sites: 13 

First Come, First Served  

Located near the Elk River, Hinman Park Campground contains 13 campsites available on a first come, first served basis, which means it’s a good option if you didn’t plan ahead! The campground recently went through a clean–up to remove hazardous trees due to mountain pine beetle damage, but the scenery is still serene and pleasant. Campers enjoy trout fishing in the river, and hiking, biking and horseback riding along the South Fork Trailhead just a quarter-mile away. 

 

Horsetooth Reservoir 

Price: $20–38 

Available Sites: 155 

Reservations Required 

Horsetooth Reservoir Camping Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins residents know all about Horsetooth Reservoir — but may not be aware of its incredible camping scene. This 1,900-acre reservoir is surrounded by a variety of different campsites, 155 in total, including 124 standard tent/RV sites, 15 boat-in sites, seven cabins, four pavilions, four walk-in sites, and one Airstream. If you’re a water sports enthusiast, you’re in for a treat, as you can rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, jet skis and party boats from the Inlet Bay Marina — or of course, bring your own. Campsites are scattered along the west side of Horsetooth Reservoir, to the north of Inlet Bay, and along the west shore between Quarry and Orchard coves. 

 

Narrows Campground 

Price: $23/Night 

Available Sites: 15 

Reservations Required 

Situated along the east bank of the Cache la Poudre River in Roosevelt National Forest, Narrows Campground is split into two separate campgrounds — the Upper and Lower Narrows, containing a total of 15 sites between the two. The Upper Narrows Campground contains seven pull-in sites for RV and trailers, as well as a day-use picnic area with six tables and easy river access. The Lower Narrows Campground offers eight tent sites, each equipped with a picnic table, a tent pad and a fire grate. Campers love Narrows for its easy access to rafting, fishing and hiking. 

 

Lynx Pass Campground 

Price: $10/night 

Sites Available: 11 

First Come, First Served 

Set amongst lodgepole pine trees, Lynx Pass Campground has a total of 11 campsites, available on a first come, first served basis only. All campsites are surrounded by lodgepole pine, offering lots of shade and a natural and primitive feel. Campers enjoy easy access to nearby Sarvis Creek and the Silver Creek Wilderness area, perfect for swimming and hiking. Lynx Pass Campground facilities include vault toilets, fire grates and picnic tables in each campsite. 

 

Moraine Park Campground 

Price: $30/Night 

Available Sites: 187 

Reservations Required 

Moraine Park Campground Colorado

Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Moraine Park Campground offers some of the most breathtaking views around, of both the park and surrounding mountains. The campground has a total of 187 campsites, including 74 tent-only sites, three group tent-only sites, and 62 standard campsites for tents, trailers and RVs. No matter how they choose to camp, campers can access the many outdoor adventures available at RMNP, just steps away, including hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. 

NOTE: For the remainder of the 2021 season, Glacier Basin Campground and Moraine Park Campground are operating at 40% capacity, with just 75 and 142 sites open for reservations, respectively. 

 

Mountain Park Campground 

Price: $32/Night 

Available Sites: 55 

Reservations Required 

Situated along the Cache la Poudre River just 40 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Mountain Park Campground has 55 sites, plus a variety of amenities, including vault toilets, fire grates, picnic tables, a coin-operated shower house, drinking water, a playground, horseshoe pits, and a basketball hoop. Campers love going rafting, fishing and hiking during their stay at Mountain Park! 

 

Happy Camping 

What campgrounds in Northern Colorado are your favorite? Tell us all about them in the comments below!