Camping and Lodging
Colorado's state parks manage more than 4,000 campsites throughout the state.
Weekdays offer your pick of prime campsites, cabins or yurts and allow you time to explore and discover Colorado’s diverse landscapes and attractions.
Camping and Lodging
Colorado's state parks manage more than 4,000 campsites throughout the state.
Weekdays offer your pick of prime campsites, cabins or yurts and allow you time to explore and discover Colorado’s diverse landscapes and attractions.
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Winter cabin at Golden Gate State Park
Camping
Camping in Colorado
Lying beneath a starry canopy and drifting off to the sound of nature is just one draw to camping in Colorado. Breathtaking natural beauty, few bugs and the abundance of outdoor activities at your fingertips make the Centennial State one of the nation’s most popular places to camp.
Camping
Find the Perfect Winter Campsite
Slow down and enjoy the beautiful quiet of winter at Colorado's state parks. Many parks have overnight accommodations open year-round, and there is no better season to embrace the solitude of nature than winter. Whether you are looking for a cozy cabin with a fire to warm up after a day of ice fishing or a backcountry campsite perfect to snowshoe to, state parks have you covered.
Compare Campsites
Backcountry Campsites
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Limited facilities or improvements
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Vault toilets
$13
- $18
Per Night
Basic Amenities Campsite
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Tent pad
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Table
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Grill and/or fire ring
$22
- $28
Per Night
Electric Amenities Campsites
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Electrical posts are 30 amps or more
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Tent pad
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Picnic table
$27
- $36
Per Night
Full Hook-up Amenities Campsites
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Individual pressurized water, sewer and/or electrical connections
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High-use tent pad with a table
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Grill and/or fire ring
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Flush Toilets
$32
- $41
Per Night
Accessible Amenities Campsite
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Paved or gravel walkway
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Elevated fire rings
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Table extensions
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Relatively close to the restrooms
$22
- $41
Per Night
Group Amenities Campsite
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Host groups as large as 100 people
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Tent or RV camping
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Group picnic areas available to rent
$22
- $41
Per Night
Plan Your Camping Trip
Park Finder
With over 4,000 campsites across 38 state parks, the hardest part will be picking one.
Find a ParkPark Passes
Daily park entrance fees of $10–11 apply in addition to camping fees, or a valid annual pass must be displayed. The Keep Colorado Wild Pass is a great value for residents, available only with your next Colorado vehicle registration.
Purchase a Park PassReservations
All parks are reservation only. Reservations can be made year-round and a maximum of six months in advance of arrival date. Secure the perfect campsite online or by phone 24/7 by calling 1-800-244-5613.
Reserve Your SpotKnow Before You Go
Length of Stay
There is a 14-day maximum stay allowed per park during any 28-day period. This may be 14 consecutive days or 14 days spread throughout the 28 days. Violating this rule may result in a citation, and you will be asked to leave the park. Camping fees may be kept for any reservation violating this rule. This restriction is for anyone staying on the campsite, whether or not they are formally listed on the reservation.
Campsite Occupancy
One camping unit with up to six people is allowed per campsite. A camping unit is defined as the maximum combination of camping equipment allowed in one campsite. If you have more than six people, another site will need to be booked.
The allowable combinations are:
- One passenger vehicle and two tents; or
- One motorized vehicle towing a camping trailer and one tent (if space allows). If space permits, one additional passenger vehicle and/or motorcycle may be parked at a campsite.
A violation may result in the visitor being required to purchase an additional campsite (if available), or the reservation may be terminated and the appropriate fees refunded.
Guests
Guests are allowed during the day, but only a maximum number of six people are allowed at night/overnight. All guests must pay the entrance fee for their vehicles.
Vehicles at Campsite
State park regulations allow for one vehicle in addition to camping equipment at each site. Many parks will allow a second vehicle if space allows. If there is no room on the site, or the park stipulates it, extra vehicles may be parked in designated parking areas.
Vehicle Pass
A vehicle pass is required for all vehicles entering a state park. Vehicle fees are separate from camping fees.
Towed Vehicles
The towed vehicle pass is intended for a vehicle that is towed in by a motorhome. The motorhome is required to have a paid pass, and the towed vehicle pass is issued at no charge to a vehicle towed or carried in by a motorhome.
To receive the towed vehicle pass, a camping permit or proof of a camping reservation must be presented at an attended visitor center, office or entrance station. The towed vehicle pass is placed on the vehicle being towed, and the tow vehicle must be under tow at the time of entry. The towed vehicle pass is valid for the same time period as the camping permit/reservation. Slide-in truck campers do not qualify for towed vehicle passes.
Dogs
Some campsites are dog friendly. Dogs must be on a leash that is no longer than six feet in length at all times. Pets are restricted from some trails. Owner is responsible for removal of pet waste. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
Horses
There are only a few parks that allow horses in their campground. Please call the park for these restrictions.
Discounts
The following pass holders are eligible for camping discounts at individual campsites, Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays and the day prior to a holiday. This discount does not apply to fees for cabins or yurts.
- Aspen Leaf Pass
- Columbine Pass holders over the age of 64
- Centennial Pass holders over the age of 64
- Blue Spruce Pass holders over the age of 64
- Senior volunteer pass holders
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass holders over the age of 64 (pass must be linked to customer profile prior to making the reservation)
Discounts can be applied to an internet reservation. You must hold a valid pass at the time of reservation AND the time of your stay for the discount to be valid.
If you believe the discount was not applied correctly, please contact the Aspira call center at 1-800-244-5613 for assistance. Be prepared to give your reservation number to the agent.
Special Discounts
The Aspira Call Center does not have the authority to give discounts to campers. Please call the park you are interested in visiting and ask the park staff about special permits.
Reserve Multiple Campites
Customers booking their reservation online or by call center for multiple sites will need to provide a primary occupant for each site. Each primary occupant must be over 18 years of age and have an account in the system. The customer making the reservation will need the primary occupant’s CID in order to make the reservation.
For customers who need to make reservations for multiple sites such as Boy Scout groups, family reunions, schools, etc., where the exact primary occupant may not be known for each site, they will need to call 1-800-244-5613.
Campsite Changes
All changes must be made through cpwshop.com or by calling 1-800-244-5613. A different park cannot be booked as a reservation change; it will be considered a new reservation.
The fees for changing the reservation dates (arrival date and/or departure date) for a campground site, group campground site, group picnic area, and event facility are as follows, except there shall be no additional fee to change the departure date if the reservation is extended beyond the original departure date:
- If the change in the reservation dates is made seven days before the arrival date through the arrival date, 20% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the change in the reservation dates is made 28 days before the arrival date through 8 days before the arrival date, 15% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the change in the reservation dates is made more than 28 days before the arrival date, 10% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the change in the reservation dates is made between the day after the arrival date and the departure date, the fees for any nights or days passed will be retained.
- If adding nights to your reservation, the additional charges and change fee are due at the time of the change.
There shall be no additional change fee for changing the site of a reservation at a campground, group campground, group picnic area, and event facility if the reservation dates remain the same or are further extended. If the customer changes the site of the reservation, they shall be charged or refunded the difference in the price for the site type only, if applicable.
Once a reservation is checked-in (no later than 11 p.m. the day of arrival), it can only be changed at the park office.
For detailed information on CPW reservation changes or cancellation policies, please review our Camping & Park Facility Reservation Regulation and Policies.
Canceling a Campsite
To cancel, please visit cpwshop.com or call 1-800-244-5613. Once a reservation is canceled, it cannot be undone. Rebooking a canceled reservation will incur any necessary fees to make the new reservation. Once a reservation is checked in (no later than 11 p.m. the day of arrival), it can only be canceled through the park office.
Cancellation Fees
Cancellation fees depend on how far in advance a reservation is cancelled. The fees for cancelling a reservation for a campground site, group campground site, group picnic area, and event facility are as follows:
- If the cancellation is made seven days before the arrival date through the arrival date, 100% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the cancellation is made 28 days before the arrival date through 8 days before the arrival date, 50% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the cancellation is made more than 28 days before the arrival date, 25% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the cancellation is made between the day after the arrival date and the departure date, the fees for any nights or days passed will be retained.
If the customer fails to occupy the site of their reservation during the selected dates or fails to contact the park, recreation area or vendor to inform them that they will not occupy the site of their reservation during the selected dates, the fees for any nights or days passed will be retained and the customer will be ineligible for a refund for those nights or days passed.
Grace period - Customers who cancel their reservation within 24 hours of making the reservation are eligible for a full refund unless the date of arrival is the date of reservation.
Refunds
When an online or phone reservation is canceled, a credit is applied to the credit card used for the original purchase. If the original credit card is unavailable, or the reservation was made directly with a park, a refund check will be processed and will take up to 90 days to receive.
Customers who wish to receive a refund outside of these rules will need to contact the park at which they have the reservation directly. No exceptions to the refund policy will be given for bugs, bad weather, campfire bans or water conditions.
No Show Policy
If you do not show up within 24 hours of your scheduled check in time, and you do not notify the park that you will be arriving late, your site may be resold and may not be available when you arrive.
Camping
Wildlife in Campgrounds
When you enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors, you’re heading into country that’s been home to wildlife for centuries. Learn what to do to discourage wildlife from visiting your campsite and how to react if you see wildlife in the campground.
Help Protect Campgrounds
Campfires
Buy or gather firewood locally, near where you intend to burn it. Don’t transport firewood into Colorado from out of state. Keep campfires small, manageable and attended. When it’s time to extinguish, make sure the embers are cold to the touch to avoid reigniting a flame. Burn all firewood before leaving the campsite.
Trash the Trash
Pack in the beautiful views by packing out the trash and leaving a place better than you found it. And make sure not to forget the peels and cores. Just because it’s good for you doesn’t mean it’s good for the wildlife. Conservation starts small, and every individual can take proactive steps to reduce their impact on natural resources.
Leave it Clean
Before leaving the parking lot or campsite, inspect your vehicle and belongings. Remove plants, seeds, insects, animals and mud. Brush pets before leaving. Cleaning your gear helps to stop the spread of forest pests across Colorado.
Weed Free Hay
Campers should use weed-free hay for horses when using equestrian campsites to prevent the introduction of noxious weeds.
Keep Colorado Wild Pass — Let Nature Unlock Your Creativity
For only $29, get a Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and find unlimited inspiration. The pass gives you entry to all state parks plus so much more!
State Parks & Recreation—Your pass helps manage Colorado’s 42 state parks, including keeping them clean and building new trails and facilities.
Backcountry Safety—Your pass supports the volunteer and equipment needs of search and rescue professionals across Colorado and avalanche safety programs through the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Wildlife Conservation—Additional money raised not used for state parks and outdoor safety will be used to support the State Wildlife Action Plan, which helps fund wildlife and habitat conservation work for the 960 species that CPW manages.
Local Communities—Your pass supports our natural resources and helps grow outdoor accessibility and educational programs in local communities.