When we first started family camping with our kids in Colorado we were overwhelmed. Google searches sent us to KOA and Jellystone campgrounds that had horror story reviews of mass crowds and no sleep. We wanted something fun for the kids but not surrounded by…well..a ton of other kids!
Are you looking to find some family-friendly camping spots in Colorado that AREN’T KOA and Jellystone? Look no further, as we are going to introduce you to a few that are great for kids of all ages.
Colorado has tons of great options for family camping trips. From Rocky Mountain National Park to the Great Sand Dunes. Plus we have tons of smaller camping areas and also some great Bureau of Land Management (BLM) spots — always our recommendation as the crowds are less and the views are amazing. We will talk you through five of these! Keep in mind this post is not off-roading focused.
We talk a lot on our blog about getting kids comfortable with camping and sometimes these “easier” trips are the ticket to get kids loving camping.
Table of Contents
Rocky Mountain National Park
Best Camping Spots
You can’t go wrong with any of the camping areas inside of Rocky Mountain National Park but there are a few that stand out over the rest in terms of scenic views and access to family friendly hikes.
- Moraine Valley
Moraine Valley has the iconic Rocky Mountain National Park craggy peaks that feel like you could reach your finger out in touch. It is a showstopper spot – for everyone no matter the age! There are 237 campsites ranging from “walk to” sites to more accessible tent sites. When looking at the map, pick a campsite furthest from the entrance as possible for less activity. - Glacier Basin
If you have a larger group (think 20+) and you’re looking for an open “field” of wildflowers, this is your spot. They have a great group camping area. There are some trees providing shade and privacy but for the most part you’re a little more exposed here. The smaller tenting spots have more privacy and are scattered throughout the forest. - Aspenglen
The closet camping spot to the Fall River entrance. This is an easy weekend camping spot for littles. Of all the locations listed for Rocky Mountain National Park, this one gives off the most forest vibes.
Price and Features
Most spots in Rocky Mountain National Park have a fee of $30 a night and require a reservation months in advance. Be on top of it if you go this route and book early.
Campsites in the park will also have staff on site, food storage lockers and firewood available for sale. Trash and recycling collection is also available during the summer season.
Nearby Fun Family Activities
- Be a Junior Ranger
Rocky Mountain National Park as a great Junior Ranger program that is based out of the Hidden Valley visitor center. You can pick up an age appropriate book at any of the visitor centers though. Complete all the tasks to earn your own Junior Ranger badge. Super fun for kids of all ages! - Estes Park
From ice cream to saltwater taffy to go carts and putt putt golf. Yes, you are camping, but when you have kids it can also be nice to get into town for a few hours. Estes Park is a zoo in the summer but our favorite thing is to get up early and travel into Estes for coffee and breakfast. Kind Coffee has the world’s best breakfast burritos and sits right against the the Big Thompson River. There is also a few fun play areas for kids with xylophones and ya know — kid stuff. - Trail Ridge Road
One of our kiddos’ favorite activities is driving to the “top of the world” and Trail Ridge Road is quite literally just that. We always make it a point to go to the visitor center at the very top of Trail Ridge. There is an easy hike that takes you up a hill and shows you sweeping views in all directions. There is also a small visitor center but really the excitement is seeing the peaks as you drive up. Make sure you pack lunch or snacks, there is very limited food in the center. - Grand Lake
Although a few hours drive from the Estes Park side of the park, heading over to Grand Lake is one of our favorite activities when we are in the park. You get to go over Trail Ridge (See above) and Grand Lake is a blast for kids. They have a great beach right in town, putt putt golf and easily hike able trails for tiny bodies. - Easy Kid-Friendly Hikes
The first “hike” that comes to mind is Bear Lake. Bear Lake is a really popular family hike because it is barely a hike at all. BUT for the more adventurous you can continue on to Dream Lake for a not too crazy 2 mile out and back hike. In peak summer hours there is a shuttle that will take you to the parking lot once it is full. I strongly advise you try to be one of the first people to the main lot so you can avoid all the extra annoyance of tourist busses and mass amounts of people. Sunrise hikes are the only way to go during the summer unfortunately.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes is one spot that is open for camping year round in Colorado. There are camping areas inside and outside of the park but a few of them stand out as family friendly and not crazy busy.
Best Camping Spots
- Pinon Flats Campground
Amazing views of the dunes and private campsites! You can’t beat that. Plus at only $20 a night this is one of the more affordable options. Keep in mind there is little shade or coverage in this area. If there is any sort of weather you will FEEL it. - Medano Pass Primitive Road (Off Road Vehicles Only)
This is a 22 mile road connecting the sand dunes to Highway 69. Only attempt this in the summer and be prepared with all the off roading tips we talk about on the blog. There are campsites scattered all along the journey. You can use this site to give you an idea of how to find some of the best ones. Don’t camp anywhere other than the designated 21 sites though or you may be in for a hefty fine. - Zapata Falls Campground
The road into Zapata Falls is a little rough but you are on an off road blog so hopefully you aren’t driving a Prius. The camp area itself makes up for the bumpy entrance. It is beautiful, private and gives really easy access to all the fun of the Sand Dunes. - UFO Watchtower and Campground
I threw this one in here as a wild card. We have yet to visit the watchtower but there is a campground on the “property”. Looks crazy but if you have older kids maybe it would make for a good story?!
Price and Features
You will pay anywhere from $11 (Zapata Falls) – $80 to camp in this area.
Nearby Fun Family Activities
- Exploring the Dunes
A huge, gigantic sand pit that stretches farther than your eyes can see? Enough said. Kids can’t get enough of it and neither can most adults. It’s just FUN. - Medano Creek
Medano Creek feels like you are at the seashore…almost. The creek is easily wadable even for the tiniest of humans and feels so refreshing on a hot day. Bring your sun chairs and a shade structure and waste away the afternoon. - Sand Boarding
If you have older, more adventurous kids sand boarding is definitely the way to go. You can’t rend sand board or sand sleds at the national park so be sure to plan ahead and rent before you arrive at one of the local spots. The Oasis Store is your closest option at about 4 miles from the entrance to the park. - Junior Ranger
Like the Rocky Mountain National Park program, there is a great program at the Sand Dunes park for junior rangers. You can sign your kiddos up for the actual program or just complete the workbook on your own. Either way this is one of the most entertaining educational activities.
Carter Lake Campgrounds
Carter Lake is a gem of a spot. Most people looking to do some lake camping in Northern Colorado gravitate to Horsetooth Reservoir, leaving Carter Lake and the surrounding smaller lakes a little less crowded.
Best Camping Spots
- Eagle Campground
One of the larger and busier areas at Carter Lake but it has the advantage of being directly across from the Marina and the Marina Store. It also has a little playground and showers and bathrooms that are kept up really nicely. Campsites here go quickest. - Carter Knolls Campground
Carter Knolls is one of the cooler spots at Carter Lake. It sits up high on a ridge overlooking the lake. You are pretty exposed so this area can be hot in the summer and keep in mind it also doesn’t have easy access to a beach for playing in the water. But those views though! - South Shore Campground
Definitely the quieter side of the lake and has an awesome large beach that is easily walkable from most of the campsites. This area can sometimes feel a bit too much like a parking lot for our taste though. - Flatiron Campground
This is a tricky one with kids. All campsites have access to the Flatirons Reservoir (A little further up from Carter Lake) but only fishing is allowed. Talk about hard to explain to kids in the summer. They do have the option of renting out cool teepee tents though… Now to just keep the kids out of the water. - Pinewood Reservoir Campground
Close to the water but exposed so plan shade accordingly. You are right next to a nice beach but we have been there before and it was covered in shattered glass pieces. Something tells me this beach isn’t kept up nearly as well as the Carter Lake beaches.
Price and Features
You can expect to pay roughly 30/night for a tent site at Carter Lake. These book up fast and early!
Nearby Fun Family Activities
- Swim Beach
Carter Lake has a few swim beaches scattered around the lake. They are all great and honestly we prefer different ones depending on the time of day. (Hello sunshine in your face!) - Fishing
Year round you can find people fishing all over Carter Lake. From fishing boats to just finding a secluded spot on the side of the lake, this is a great spot to introduce your kiddos to the sport!
Hermit Park Open Space
Hermit Park is a smaller campground that is separated into three main areas. Like Rocky Mountain National Park, it is close to Estes Park so there area a ton of family friendly activities to be had. But, you don’t have to deal with quite the level of crowds you have when you camp inside the park — nor will you have to sign up for camping spots months and months in advance. Have you ever tried to get a reservation only to realize that the entire year is booked out? Hermit Park is a fabulous spot that is oftentimes overlooked so you can usually snag a spot later on.
History
Look up “hermit of Hermit Park” to read through some colorful myths regarding the origins of this park. Also pretty interesting, this area used to be owned by tech giant Hewlett Packard and was used as a corporate retreat for a number of years. They picked a great spot because you feel secluded but you are still only a few miles from Estes Park.
Best Camping Spots
- Bobcat Campground
The biggest of the three areas and technically will be the most “populated” no matter what but the sites are set up well and scattered throughout forest so you wouldn’t know it. - Hermit’s Hollow
This spot is closest to the main road leading into Estes. If you want easy access this would be the way to go. - Kruger Campground
Main feature of Kruger is the horse trailer parking and the large group pavilion area. Because of this, this site usually books up quick!
Price and Features
Hermit Park is definitely one of the more expensive campsites. You will pay about $40 a night with most reservations requiring a two night minimum – plus a entrance fee of $10.
Pups are allowed here and there are bathrooms that are kept up pretty nicely. Campsites also come with a bear box, campfire ring and picnic table.
Nearby Fun Family Activities
- Estes Park Bike Trail and Mountain Bike Park
If you camp at Hermit Park, you will be very close to the east side of Estes Park where the fairgrounds is located. Recently Estes Park renovated the area to include a giant playground with zip lines and boulders for climbing. There is also a really cool mountain bike track, concrete ramps and paths that go all over the place. We pack our Strider Bikes and go crazy all morning. This is at least a few hours of entertainment. - Eagle Plumes
Megan grew up in the area and an iconic location is Eagle Plume’s, a historic jewelry store located in Allenspark. This gem of a spot was established in 1917 as a trading post and the history behind it is reason enough to pop in and check it out. Lots of expensive items so be prepared if you have tiny ones with crazy hands, but they don’t have a kids section with some pretty neat Native American kids items.
Olive Ridge Campground
The Olive Ridge Campground is the smallest of all the areas on the post but one of the best for those first camping trips as a family with small kids. It’s super easy to get to but also far enough away to make the trip feel like an adventure.
Best Camping Spots
Olive Ridge doesn’t have different areas like the other spots we have mentioned. It is a no frills, forest spot that has quick access to lots of fun hiking and activities nearby. This is not off-roading at all BUT it is close to some cool off-roading trails. Try to pick a spot back away from Highway 7 for maximum privacy but honestly all the campsites feel sheltered with the forest surrounding you.
Price and Features
You can expect to pay $20-$35 per night depending on time of year at Olive Ridge.
Nearby Fun Family Activities
- Crystal Springs in Allenspark
Have you ever filled your water bottle with fresh mountain spring water? If not, you are seriously missing out. Nearby Allenspark has a local spring that you can fill bottles and jugs from. Spoil yourself, regular water will never taste the same! - Bunce School Road
Bunce School Road is a public road that has become increasingly popular for off-roading in recent years. If you are willing to get up on the road early in the morning before the crowds you may be able to make it to the site of an old plane crash. If you wait too long though you will be stuck in a traffic jam of side by sides from local tourist companies who have all but taken over most days. - Calypso Cascades
Nothing beats waterfalls for kids. Calypso Cascades is a trail located at the Wild Basin trailhead. There are a few waterfalls that lead up to Calypso that are even friendly for toddlers. Lower Copeland Falls is .3 miles from the trailhead and the upper falls are another .1 mile from that. If you have ambitious or energetic kids, keep going the full 1.8 miles up the trail to Calypso Cascades. If you visit during the spring run-off (June and sometimes July) the waterfalls will be raging!
Final Thoughts
We’ve only touched on five spots here and most of them have nothing to do with off roading. Like we mentioned in our “How to Survive Camping with Kids” post, you want to be sure to start small and build when it comes to family camping.