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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A water view outside of a tent opening.
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.
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 Parks 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 SpotCompare 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 Hookup 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
Handicap 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
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.
Know 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 6 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 6 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-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
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 or by calling 1-800-244-5613. A different park cannot be booked as a reservation change, it will be considered a new reservation.
A $6 non-refundable transaction fee per reservation is applied when a change is made to a reservation. Payment is due at the time the change is made.
- If reducing the number of nights in your reservations, the change fee will be taken from the refund amount.
- If changing site types, moving from a low-use period to high-use period (or vice versa) or upgrading or downgrading a site, the $6 change fee applies, and the reservation cost difference will be charged or refunded.
- If adding nights to your reservation, the additional charges and change fee are due at the time of the change.
Once a reservation is checked-in (no later than 11pm 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 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 11pm 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:
- If a reservation is canceled 14 days or more prior to the arrival date, the camping fee will be refunded less a $6 cancellation fee.
- If a reservation is canceled 13 days or less prior to the arrival date, the camping fee will be refunded less a $6 cancellation fee and the first night's camping fee.
- If a reservation is canceled at any time after the arrival date, the camping fee will be refunded for any nights not used less a $6 cancellation fee
- If you choose to leave early, you may cancel the remainder of your stay with the park. You will receive a refund of any nights you did not use minus the $6 cancellation fee.
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 the Adventures Begin!
As Coloradans, we treasure our outdoor lifestyle and the state’s natural beauty. Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Your Keep Colorado Wild Pass is so much more than just a state park pass.
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.