1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Viewing the Rockies from a distance is a spectacular experience, but driving up into them to enjoy the thick forests and mountain streams is another. Inside the Rocky Mountain National Park there are multiple trails for hiking including a trail to Bridal Veil Falls. If you make your way to Moraine Park you might get to see some of the 3,000 elk that live in the park or find a few bighorn sheep nestled in the cliffs. For camping, there are a few different campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park.
2. Maroon Bells
Maroon Bells Scenic Area is “one of the most photographed places in the U.S.”. The back drop of the mountains reflecting off Maroon Lake is really something to see in person. There are multiple trails around the clear lake and you can even camp right along the Maroon Creek. The Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and brook trout for some of the best fishing around. Settle in to one of three smaller campgrounds or venture out into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness for some backcountry camping. The campgrounds do have some sites that accommodate RV’s and all the sites have picnic tables and fire rings. With such spectacular views this really is one of the best places to camp in Colorado this summer!
3. Great Sand Dune National Park (Piñon Flats Campground)
The Great Sand Dunes are miles of dunes which are the tallest dunes in North America. You can hike to alpine lakes, enjoy a swim in the Medano Creek or go off-roading on the 4WD Medano Pass Road. Did you know that you can take a sled down the sand dunes, similar to snow sledding? You can rent sandsleds and sandboards in town for a unique and fun experience. If you want to stay overnight in the park, the Piñon Flats Campground is a larger campground in the park that has 88 sites and 3 group campsites. The sites can accommodate RV’s but there are no hookups. The remote site of the campground provides some of the best viewing of the night sky! Do be aware that black bears live in the area so be sure to secure all of your food. Also, keep your eye out for the cute little kangaroo rats that hop across the dunes!
4. Garden of the Gods RV Park
This RV Park is located just 4 miles outside of Colorado Springs and is close to many popular sites. Make this your homebase if you want to visit the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and Cave Winds. The campground has beautiful views of Pikes Peak and a variety of amenities to make your stay comfortable. This is a very pet friendly park with a designated “Bark Park” for your pooch. The Campground has 154 RV sites, 19 Tent sites as well as a few cottages and bunkhouses. After a day of site seeing you can enjoy one of the 2 heated pools, then head back to your campsite for a campfire and s’mores!
5. Mesa Verde National Park (Morefield Campground)
Nestled in the rocks of Mesa Verde National Park are ancient Pueblo homes. The Pueblos built communities in these rocks and lived there for more than 700 years. You can purchase tickets to tour the remains of the villages and visit the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum to see artifacts and learn more about these ancient civilizations. If you want to stay in the park there is a large modern campground with a camp store, restaurant, showers and laundry. The Morefield Campground is located 4 miles North of the visitor center in Mesa Verde National Park. It has 267 sites including 15 with full hookups. Hike on the many trails, look for wild turkeys and deer, or enjoy the 45-minute presentation in the amphitheater to learn more about the Pueblo way of life.
