This is literally one of those reviews that I've hesitated to write. I just don't want to share…read moresuch a great place! Though after much consideration, I suppose I might as well be the one to share it with all my Yelp friends! Star #1: It is a first come, first serve, FREE campground. There is a paid campground nearby as well, so don't fret if you arrive and there are no sites available. However, it is such a hidden gem that I have yet to have the need for that. Star #2: Many of the sites are adjacent small streams, so you'll get to fall asleep to the sounds of babbling brooks! There are a few that are more open and offer lots of space for activities and larger groups too - bags anyone?! We tend to prefer the ones that are tucked up against the mountain. Star #3: The variety of sites makes it a great place for any type of camping: tents, camper, car, etc! Though, I will say, an RV might be pushing it... Star #4: At approximately and hour and a half from Denver, this campground is ideal for those looking for a close and quick mountain getaway without committing to hours in the car. Star #5: If you are like many campers and want to get some shooting in while you embrace your inner woods-person. Sugarloaf has got you covered! There is a wide open area right when you turn up the main road that is prepped for all your shooting needs. So go ahead and fire off a few rounds. Just don't forget: safety first! After camping a handful of places in Colorado Sugarloaf Campground has been on of my favorites and on of the only ones I have been back to multiples times!

July 24, 2026 - Silverthorne, CO…read more We first stayed at Heaton Bay Campground about seven years ago, so we were looking forward to camping right along the water again. Unfortunately, because of the severe drought and low winter snowpack, Dillon Reservoir is currently about 20 feet below its normal level. Our campsite was no longer waterfront, but we had a short hike down to what is now more like a small pond. There are a few more drawbacks, too. There isn't a nearby dump station or an RV water fill, although there are water spigots for filling jugs. Campfires were prohibited during our stay because of the high fire danger, and you can hear some traffic noise from the nearby highway. Even with those disappointments, I still give this campground five stars. Why? Because, the campsites themselves are outstanding. They're spacious, private, and thoughtfully laid out, with plenty of room between sites. The views of the surrounding mountains are absolutely spectacular, and the campground has a peaceful, wooded setting that's hard to beat. If you're looking for a scenic campground with large sites and don't mind the lack of full amenities, Heaton Bay is an excellent choice. We'd happily stay here again.

New management just took over and disappointed in the changes they have made. It's a beautiful site…read moreand great location but the one star is due to management. They will not let you will up your RV with water although it says you can on their website. Make sure you fill up before getting to the campsite. Very frustrating to pull the extra weight.

Great park to kayak with beautiful views no matter what direction you look. Several out of the way…read more places to pull your kayak onto a bank to take advantage of trails around the lake and up to tree lined mountains. Only drawback was marina area where you park and put your kayaks, paddle boards etc is PACKED and there is a guy renting gear that takes up a large corner portion of the parking area.

Less than an hour away from Steamboat Springs, Pearl Lake State Park is a jewel (yes, I went…read morethere). It is about 2 miles off of CR-129. We went to do some morning photography and caught some stunning scenery, with Aspen groves turning yellow. While it was still a bit early for the full fall beauty, the serenity and quiet of the surroundings, other than nature, was nice. The campgrounds are in great shape. The restrooms were very clean. The lake does not allow motorized boats, but kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, etc. are fine. We saw a lone kayaker enjoying the morning on the lake. This is a beautiful place for camping, hiking, fishing or just sitting back and watching the sun move slowly across the sky while you enjoy a bottle of Syrah or Pinot.

If you're looking for camping with the greatest solitude and privacy -- and safety -- you'll be…read moresatiated with Gold Park Campground near Minturn, Colorado. (Near Vail). This beautiful wilderness area is spectacular but this particular campsite is worth the 11mile dirt road to get there. Again, if solitude and serenity and spaciousness and privacy is your 'thing' -- I highly recommend this place. No reservations accepted but according to the host (who lives onsite), no reservations are needed. Apparently, this is camper's dream spot but also a best-kept-secret!

We stayed at this campground so we could break up our drive and do the whole route through the RMNP…read morestarting at Estes Park and could finish the drive back to the Denver area the next day. It is the only campground in the park that is on that side of the park by grand lake. We stayed at campground site 74. If you can choose your campsite I recommend that site. It is on the outer rim of the campgrounds and has a great view of the mountains. In the morning we were able to see and hear elk from the campsite! The downside was some of us drink the water from the water spigot at the campsite (not from the dish sink or bathroom sink) and got very sick while the others that did not were fine. Bring lots of your own water or boil your water just to be safe. Mostly tent campers at this location. No showers. We did not have cell service either here, but did not have cell service in the majority of the park. Lots of signs and talk about bears being here but we did not see any. Bring cash to buy firewood at the campground.

We love nature and this was a perfect spot to unwind and get back to that minus cell phones or…read moredigital interruptions. All of Colorado is beautiful but this was one of our favorite spots in both winter and spring but especially in summer because it's like being in a postcard.

The lake was good as a quick stop for us. We drove around it a bit and noted a few areas to pull…read moreoff and fish or sit. I didn't see signs posted stating to stay out of the water, but I also didn't see anyone in the water. It isn't far from Leadville and is worth checking out.

Absolutely gorgeous. My partner took me and my huskies to Turquoise Lake in the midst of our…read moremulti-day camping trip. The pups LOVED swimming in the clear, clean water. The view of the mountains was stunning. Other people were around camping or fishing. Lots of trail to hike or bike. We didn't personally camp here, but it seemed very serene. Leadville continues to impress me with its beautiful scenery!

The campground is incredibly well cared for and maintained. Instead of having the the RV hookups on…read morejust one side, they have the hook ups together together, so the RVs are back to back and you're not having your picnic next to your neighbors sewer. The amenities are amazing. Everything from little pedal go karts to giant chess. Small convenience store that has everything and at reasonable prices. people are very friendly and accommodating. They have a nice pet area, but even better some of the sites have their own yard fenced in with picnic table.

$5 per day per dog for three small dogs is excessive. Should be a flat rate. Charging $10 per…read morenight for an extra vehicle that fits in your camping site is a money grab. We asked if we could check out an hour late and were told yes and no mention of fee, only to be charged a $25 fee. Toilets were often gross, no river access but no reduced fee for reduced amenities? Never again.

This park is absolutely wonderful, I have been exploring this area since the late 80's. So many…read morerecreational opportunities. Growth is inevitable in the valley and I would rather see it run by the state park service than get abused by rationalization. I was there recently to update my hunting and fishing licenses and was impressed by the professionalism. Abby was kind, knowledgeable, and thorough during the process, Thank you Abby! The information center and store is the best I have seen in the entire state. No question I will be coming here for years to come!

Wonderful area that has lost a lot of charm due to volume and registration system. Too many rv's…read moreand a loss to the local community. It has been sad to watch it be on over-run by the state park system over the years. Nice cabins, great rv pads, great campsites if you want to be next to many people and can make a reservation.

Well-cared for campsites and located between two lakes, I love this place! The vault toilets are…read moreclean and have plenty of TP all the time. Trailers and tents have great sites of all sizes.

Standard developed USFS campground: sites are well spaced and have the typical picnic table & fire…read morering, bathrooms are basic but we'll kept, and it's quiet. Good location for access to Rocky Mountain National Park west entrance. It doesn't seem like any sites are directly on the lake, but it's a very short walk. Given the notes about beetle impact, I expected it to be worse. It's not a shady dense forest, but there are a lot of trees around so you don't feel like you're in the open either.

Great view from site 18. Easy access to the lake. Sites and public toilets were clean. Camp host…read morewas pleasant to deal with. Firewood is available for purchase. Would definitely come back here again.

Drove by Cow Creek South on our way to a hot springs last summer and just HAD to take note of the…read morebeautiful snow-capped mountains in front of a super serene body of water. This was serious camping goals and as soon as I was able to reserve a spot in Jan of this year, I did it. These spots go FAST, so I highly recommend stalking it and reserving as soon as you are able to. I booked site #16 - was it the best one? Not necessarily, but still it was beautiful, private, and very close to the surprisingly clean/not smelly restrooms (toilet only). We were right on the water, though quite a few weeds were a little annoying to wade through. Still, the weather was beautiful, the views were amazing and it was a wonderful weekend against this amazing backdrop. Pretty sure there's no bad site at this campground. Campers and tents welcome, though we did have to pay $7 extra for the second car parked at our up to 10 person campsite. Not sure this was explicitly mentioned in the reservation, but worth it. I guess there's no shortage of beautiful camping views in this state, but at about $25/night, I would 100% recommend this campground for anyone looking to disconnect and recharge for a day or two.