Amazing memories are made camping. Setting up the tent, roasting marshmallows, going hiking and fishing, and spending time together without screens and life’s distractions are priceless moments. I have fond childhood memories of camping, and we enjoy taking our children out as often as we can.
There are many great campgrounds in and near Woodland Park, Colorado. There are rugged options for backpacking, campgrounds with pit toilets, and those with showers and running water. There are places to camp in your RV or your tent and plenty of peace, solitude, and gorgeous views. Here are 10 great campgrounds in and near Woodland Park, CO.
Mueller State Park
Mueller State Park is a very popular camping site in the area, where furry friends of guests are even allowed. Visitors must have reservations for the campsite though.
Mueller State Park is located about 11 miles southwest of Woodland Park off of Highway 67. Camping is available in Mueller State Park during all seasons, just be sure to bring lots of warm items if you are planning to camp in the winter.
There are 134 campsites in the park that have a picnic table and fire ring, 99 that have electricity, 22 basic walk-in sites, three areas for group RV camping, equestrian sites, and handicap accessible sites. Vault toilets, a dump station, and a playground are available to guests. Pets are allowed in the campgrounds, but not on trails or in the backcountry.
In addition to the camping sites, there are also three cabins available. Campsites need to be reserved in advance, either online or by phone. Be aware that black bears are often seen in Mueller State Park and strict food storage rules are in effect.
There are over 44 miles of trails available for hiking, 34 miles of equestrian trails, 36 miles of mountain biking trails, opportunities for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, education programs, geocaching, wildlife viewing, and much more available in Mueller State Park. Keep in mind that you will need a valid state parks pass or a daily vehicle pass to enter the park and there is a separate fee for camping.
Diamond Campground and RV Park
The Diamond Campground and RV Park is a popular venue for a campground with great amenities. It offers a bathhouse, which is free for all guests.
If you are looking for a campground with nice amenities, consider Diamond Campground and RV Park. Located in Woodland Park, just a few miles from downtown on Highway 67, this campground is situated on 18 wooded acres. There are 130 full hook up sites and nine tent sites available. The bathhouse has recently been renovated and is available for free to all guests.
Take advantage of laundry facilities and WiFi, as well as a clubhouse that offers planned activities such as bingo, crafts, pancake breakfasts, bible studies, and more. There is even a nice place for dogs to run around and the campground is located only one mile from the Woodland Aquatic Center. Diamond Campground and RV Park is open from May 10th to September 30th.
Colorado Campground
Located within Pike National Forest, the Colorado Campground is a great camping venue where guests can have a picnic and participate in fishing activity.
Colorado Campground is located within Pike National Forest just a few miles north of Woodland Park on Highway 67. There are no hookups here, but generators can be used during certain hours. There are vault toilets and plenty of shade. Camp in a motor home or in a tent, but be prepared to do a significant amount of leveling.
Head to the back part of the campground for the most privacy and least highway noise. It is a short walk to get to Manitou Lake, a fun place to have a picnic and do some fishing. Reservations can be made online or over the phone.
Lone Rock Campground
Camping at the Lone Rock Campground located along the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon is a great choice. It has a nice atmosphere and lovely surrounding views.
Enjoy camping along the South Platte River at the Lone Rock Campground in Cheesman Canyon. This campground is located on a hillside above the river and many sites offer lovely river views. At an elevation at 6,479 feet, this canyon is at a lower elevation than Woodland Park, which means it generally has warmer temperatures. This is a popular spot for anglers to set up camp and fish the river.
Tubing and kayaking are other popular activities. The Gill Trail also weaves through Cheesman Canyon, spanning seven miles and ending at Cheesman Dam. There are no hookups here, but there are two vault toilets and a community hydrant. Each campsite has a picnic table and campfire ring. Just be sure to check to see if there are any burn bans before camping in Colorado.
Lone Duck Campground
The Lone Duck Campground is a popular spot for fishing rainbow trout. They even have a basketball court and other exciting amenities.
Lone Duck Campground is located about seven miles southwest of Woodland Park. It is in between Colorado Springs and Woodland Park, and a great option if you hope to explore both areas. This is another good choice if you are looking for a campground with amenities.
There is WiFi here, a heated pool and splash pad, a privately stocked fishing pond with rainbow trout, a game room, basketball court, playground, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, and a common area. Every site has a fire pit and picnic table. There are 44 RV sites, 22 tent sites, and seven cabins available. Lone Duck Campground is open from early May to the end of September.
The Crags Campground
The Crags Campground is the perfect spot for guests who want to go climbing. The terrain is pretty rough and the area has no trash service. Littering is strictly prohibited so anything needs to be packed should be carried out of the campground.
Located east of Mueller State Park below Pikes Peak, the Crags Campground offers a basic place to camp with no hookups. It is a perfect place for anyone hoping to get an early start in climbing the backside of Pikes Peak utilizing the Crags Route.
There are 17 sites here available on a first-come, first-served basis and the fee is $18. Tents and small RVs are welcome here, long trailers are not recommended due to the narrow and rough forest road used to access the campground. Note that there is no trash service here, so anything packed in needs to be packed out.
Rocky Top Motel and Campground
Rocky Top Motel and Campground offers outdoor amenities such as a playground, picnic area, and a country store.
Another option for a campground with amenities, Rocky Top Motel and Campground is located about five miles southeast of Woodland Park in Green Mountain Falls. It is an easy drive to both the Woodland Park area and Colorado Springs from this campground. Sites are available for RVs with full hookups as well as tents. Motel rooms are also available at Rocky Top. The property includes clean restroom and shower facilities, a laundry room, a playground, WiFi, a group picnic area, and a country store.
Eleven Mile State Park Campgrounds
The Eleven Mile State Park offers an astonishing number of campsites with 335 camps. It is a popular choice for guests who want to experience different camp elements in a single venue.
Eleven Mile State Park boasts 335 campsites spread over nine different campgrounds all around the lake. There are sites on the shore, walk-in sites, and electric sites for RV’s. Rocky Ridge campground is the only place in the park with electric hookups. Choose North Shore or Witchers Cove for lakeshore sites with easy access to boat ramps, and choose Cross Creek, Rocking Chair, Lazy Boy, Howbert Point, or Stoll Mountain if you would like something more secluded and less crowded.
Keep in mind that many sites, especially those close to the shore, have a very little cover and are exposed to the elements. There are also 25 backcountry sites available. A state park pass or day-use pass is required to enter the park and there is a separate fee for camping.
South Meadows Campground
South Meadows Campground is also located within Pike National Forest with a great atmosphere and summer temperatures.
Another Campground located within Pike National Forest, South Meadows Campground is located about five miles north of Woodland Park along Highway 67. This is another basic campground, with pit toilets and drinking water only. It is easy to get to the Centennial Trail from South Meadows Campground. This trail connects this campground to the Colorado Campground and the Manitou Lake Picnic Area.
Also explore the Rainbow Falls OHV Trail System and the North Divide OHV Trail System, which are located nearby. The campsites are shady and impressive ponderosa pines rise up all over the campground. During the summer, temperatures are generally warm and cooler, but mild overnight. Be prepared for thunderstorms in the afternoons, especially during July and into August. Reservations can be made online or over the phone.
Painted Rocks Campground
Popular for its sandstone outcroppings dotting the area, the Painted Rocks Campground offers a unique sight to see. It is one of the most beautiful places in town.
Painted Rocks Campground is popular because of the interesting sandstone outcroppings that dot the area. This area is so named because the outcroppings resemble strokes from a painter’s brush. They are truly a unique sight to see. The campground is located down a dirt road off of Highway 67 north of Woodland Park, meaning there is less highway noise than at other nearby campgrounds.
It is in an area where the meadow meets the forest, so most sites on the east loop are more out in the open and the sites on the west loop are tucked under ponderosa pines and have more shade. This basic campground offers pit toilets, drinking water, and trash service. Picnic tables and campfire rings are located at each site.
There are no hookups. It is easy to get to the Centennial Trail from Painted Rocks Campground so bring your bike along. From this trail, you can get to Manitou Lake Picnic Area, the South Meadows Campground, and the Colorado Campground. Reservations can be made online or over the phone.
Marie grew up in the Colorado Springs area, moved away as a young adult, and then moved back to raise her children. Marie and her family enjoy driving up to the Woodland Park area frequently to take advantage of the hiking, fishing, boating, and camping opportunities. They appreciate the rugged beauty of the mountains and the chance to get into nature and away from the city.