Loading trail…
Colorado · Camping
Estes Park sits at the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, which means camping here runs the full spectrum from full-hookup RV sites to backcountry dispersed spots that require a solid day of hiking just to reach. The 66 listings in and around town reflect that range.
66 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapCamping · 66 spots
Estes Park sits at the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, which means camping here runs the full spectrum from full-hookup RV sites to backcountry dispersed spots that require a solid day of hiking just to reach. The 66 listings in and around town reflect that range. On the developed end, you have places like Aspenglen Campground and Glacier Basin Campground inside the park, the Estes Park KOA, Manor RV Park, and Elk Meadow Lodge and RV Resort for folks who want amenities close to town. Step further in and the options shift: dispersed sites like Boulderfield, Goblins Forest, Odessa Lake, and Ute Meadow put you well into the backcountry, with Boulderfield sitting high on the Longs Peak route. Longs Peak Campground serves as a trailhead base for climbers and hikers tackling that summit. Seasons matter a lot here. Campgrounds at lower elevations near town are accessible spring through fall, but higher dispersed sites can hold snow into June and see it return by September. The park operates a timed-entry permit system during peak summer months, which affects how and when you access campgrounds inside its boundaries. Whether you want a site with a picnic table and a bear box or a flat patch of ground above treeline, Estes Park has a legitimate option for you.
Yes. Campgrounds like Aspenglen and Glacier Basin require reservations through Recreation.gov, and they book up fast, often months in advance for summer dates. Dispersed backcountry sites such as Odessa Lake, Boulderfield, and Goblins Forest require a separate backcountry permit from the park. During peak season the park also runs a timed-entry vehicle reservation system, so check current requirements on the NPS website before you finalize plans.
July and August offer the most reliable access to higher dispersed sites, but those months also bring afternoon thunderstorms almost daily, so plan to be off exposed terrain by early afternoon. June is a solid shoulder option if you confirm snow conditions first. September is many locals' favorite month: crowds thin out, temperatures are stable, and the elk rut makes for memorable camp mornings. RV parks and lower campgrounds like Manor RV Park and Elk Meadow Lodge are generally open from late spring through mid-fall.
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
Camping
Estes Park, Colorado
A four-season or stout three-season tent is worth having since temperatures above treeline can drop below freezing any night of the year. Bear canisters are required for backcountry camping in Rocky Mountain National Park, so a stuff sack won't cut it. Bring layers you can actually sleep in, not just hike in, and a water filter since you'll be sourcing from streams and snowmelt. Trekking poles help on the approach to higher sites like Boulderfield.
Yes, several. Manor RV Park, Estes Park KOA, and Elk Meadow Lodge and RV Resort are drive-in campgrounds with varying levels of hookups and amenities right near town. Aspenglen Campground inside the park is also a drive-in site, though it requires a reservation. YMCA of the Rockies offers camping on its grounds as well, which is a good option for families who want a base with facilities.
It varies significantly. Cutbank and Lawn Lake Llama campsite involve multi-mile approaches on established trails. Boulderfield is roughly 8 miles in on the Longs Peak Trail and sits above 12,700 feet, so altitude acclimatization matters. Odessa Lake and Goblins Forest are more moderate hikes but still require navigating park trails with a loaded pack. None of these are suitable for first-time backcountry campers without some prior experience with navigation and mountain weather.