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Colorado · Camping
Grant, Colorado sits at the upper end of the South Platte River corridor in Park County, tucked against the Pike National Forest roughly 60 miles southwest of Denver on US-285.
62 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapCamping · 62 spots
Grant, Colorado sits at the upper end of the South Platte River corridor in Park County, tucked against the Pike National Forest roughly 60 miles southwest of Denver on US-285. It's a small community, but the camping around it is genuinely varied: you'll find developed campground sites like those at Burning Bear Campground alongside a large spread of designated dispersed sites spread through the surrounding national forest. That mix matters because it means you can choose between a site with a fire ring and some basic infrastructure or a quieter spot where you're more on your own. Elevation here runs well above 8,000 feet, so even summer nights get cold and afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast. The area draws campers who want a base for hiking, fishing the South Platte, or just getting out of the Front Range heat without a long drive. With 62 active listings in and around Grant, there's enough supply that you're not competing for a single campground, but the dispersed sites in particular fill up on summer holiday weekends. Knowing the difference between the campground sites and the dispersed options before you go will save you a frustrating arrival.
Campground sites like those at Burning Bear Campground and the numbered sites (Site 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, and others) are designated spots that typically include a fire ring and defined parking. Dispersed camping means you're on national forest land at a marked but more primitive designated site with fewer or no amenities, so you need to be more self-sufficient with water, waste disposal, and camp setup.
Late June through early September is the main window when access roads are reliably open and snow is unlikely at night. July and August are the busiest months, especially on holiday weekends when dispersed sites along the South Platte corridor fill quickly. If you can go in late September, the crowds thin out and the aspen color is worth the colder nights.
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Grant, Colorado
Bring a sleeping bag rated to at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit even in summer, because temperatures above 8,000 feet can drop hard after sunset. A rain fly or tarp is worth having since afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through August. Layers, sun protection, and extra water are standard given the altitude and UV exposure.
Dispersed camping on Pike National Forest land generally does not require a reservation, but you are expected to camp only at designated sites in areas where those have been established, which applies to most of the listings around Grant. Check current fire restrictions with the Pike National Forest before your trip, as fire bans are common during dry stretches and can affect whether you can use a camp stove or fire ring.
Burning Bear Campground and several of the numbered campground sites are reachable on roads that a standard passenger car can handle in dry conditions. Some of the dispersed designated sites sit on rougher forest roads where a higher clearance vehicle is more practical, particularly after rain. Check road conditions locally before heading out if you're driving a low-clearance car.