Travel Guides
Travel Guides
Colorado Campgrounds Near National Parks: Gateway RV Camping in the Rockies
Explore Colorado’s top state and national parks with ease by staying at nearby RV-friendly campgrounds. Discover Mesa Verde and Rocky Mountain National Park from scenic, full-hookup private campgrounds offering comfort, amenities, and flexible booking.
Overview
It’s no surprise that Colorado is one of the top RVing destinations in the U.S., thanks to its dramatic alpine landscapes, high-elevation adventure, and iconic national parks. However, booking campsites inside these wildly popular parks can be a challenge—especially in the summer when reservations fill months in advance. Fortunately, there are plenty of privately owned RV parks near Colorado’s national parks that make excellent basecamps. These gateway campgrounds offer spacious sites, full hookups, modern amenities, and often, the ability to book at the last minute.
Here’s how you can explore two of Colorado’s most beloved national parks—Mesa Verde and Rocky Mountain—while enjoying the comfort, convenience, and flexibility of nearby private RV campgrounds.
1
Mesa Verde National Park
Tucked into the southwestern corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most unique and culturally significant parks in the country. It’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for preserving some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in North America. The park features more than 5,000 archaeological sites and nearly 600 cliff dwellings, with opportunities to take guided tours, explore scenic overlooks, and learn about Native American history at the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum.
Beyond the ruins, Mesa Verde’s high-elevation terrain offers hiking trails with panoramic views, lush forests, and wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys. Elevations in the park range from 6,000 to over 8,500 feet, so be prepared for cooler temperatures and thinner air—even in summer.
Nearby Private Campgrounds:
Dolores River Campground (Dolores, CO): Just 20 miles from the park entrance, this peaceful riverfront campground offers full-hookup RV sites, shaded spots under tall trees, and even vintage Airstream rentals.
Guests rave about the well-maintained facilities, friendly owners, and the tranquil sound of the river that runs along the property. Fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are popular here, and the setting provides a restful contrast to the more rugged hiking within the park.The Views RV Park & Campground (Dolores, CO): True to its name, The Views offers sweeping panoramas of the surrounding mesa and mountains. This modern RV park includes pull-through and back-in sites, glamping tents, and park model rentals.
Amenities include clean bathhouses, laundry facilities, a large outdoor pavilion with grills, and on-site paddleboard rentals for nearby lakes. It’s a short drive to Mesa Verde and a convenient stop along the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway.
2
Rocky Mountain National Park
Stretching across 415 square miles of northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is a hiker’s and nature-lover’s paradise. The park features over 300 miles of hiking trails, dozens of alpine lakes, towering peaks above 14,000 feet, and abundant wildlife including moose, elk, mule deer, foxes, and the occasional black bear.
Visitors love driving the famous Trail Ridge Road, which crosses the Continental Divide at over 12,000 feet and offers dramatic views of the alpine tundra. RMNP is also known for epic wildflower displays, fall foliage, and excellent wildlife watching in the Moraine Park and Kawuneeche Valley areas.
Note: Timed-entry permits are often required during peak season (May–October), and parking fills up quickly at popular trailheads, so plan your entry time accordingly.
Nearby Private Campgrounds:
Estes Park KOA Holiday (Estes Park, CO): Located just five miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance of RMNP, this KOA offers pull-through RV sites, tent camping, and cabins.
Open May 1 to October 15, the campground offers free shuttles into Estes Park, hot pancake breakfasts, a dog park, and bike rentals. Its location and amenities make it a favorite for first-time park visitors who want easy access to both RMNP and the town’s restaurants and shops.
Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Estes Park (Estes Park, CO): This kid-friendly campground, open from early May to late September, includes RV sites, park models, and a Yogi Bear-themed RV rental.
Amenities include a heated pool, miniature golf, jump pad, mining sluice, and scheduled family activities. It’s just a 10-minute drive to the park and ideal for families looking for both adventure and entertainment.
Winding River Resort (Grand Lake, CO): On the quieter western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, this scenic campground offers full-hookup RV sites, horseback riding, pony rides, and frequent wildlife sightings—especially elk and moose.
It’s adjacent to the Kawuneeche Valley entrance and makes a great base for those seeking solitude, access to alpine trails, and water activities on Grand Lake.
Why RVers Love Gateway Campgrounds in Colorado
Staying just outside the national parks offers RVers a lot of flexibility and creature comforts that can make a big difference—especially on longer trips or family vacations. Many private RV parks offer full hookups, Wi‑Fi, pet-friendly policies, laundry facilities, and even organized activities. They’re also usually close to grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations—making resupply easy.
Perhaps most importantly, these private campgrounds often have availability even when national park campgrounds are completely booked. And for RVers who want to combine park visits with other regional attractions, gateway campgrounds make it easier to extend your itinerary without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Why Visit Colorado’s National Parks?
Whether you're exploring ancient cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde or summiting alpine peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado is a stunning place to park your RV and start adventuring. With privately owned campgrounds nearby, you don’t have to fight over in-park reservations or give up modern amenities.
Instead, use these trusted RV parks as comfortable basecamps for your Rocky Mountain adventures. With full hookups, beautiful settings, and easy access to world-famous trails, lakes, and overlooks, Colorado’s gateway campgrounds make your national park trip more accessible—and more enjoyable.
