Best Campgrounds Near Laramie

To the east of Walden, Colorado lies a magnificent stretch of mountains in Roosevelt National Forest. While these mountains are largely remote and accessible mainly to backpackers, Pines Campground provides an easy access point for campers to see the mountains and do a short day hike or two. This campsite is also adjacent to the South Fork of the Michigan River, a beautiful mountain stream. This remote campground only has 11 sites, so it’s a great place to go if you are seeking some peace and quiet. The campground offers drinking water, toilets, and trash service. Cost is $10 a night. If you’re heading to Pines Campground, make sure it’s mid to late summer, on a warm weekend. It sits at 9,200 feet, so nights can get cold. Directions from Walden: Head east on Highway 14 for 22 miles to Gould. Take County Road 21 (Forest Service Road 740) south 4 miles to the campground. Follow the signs.

While most people think of the Steamboat Springs area as a winter destination, the camping, hiking, and fishing options in the summer make it a great destination in June, July, and August. While there are a variety of camping options in the Steamboat area, one of the favorite campgrounds is the Meadows Campground, located near Rabbit Ears Pass. The Meadows Campground has 30 campsites, and is less rustic than the Pines Campground. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. The campsite is surrounded by the same pines that skiers carve through in the winter. Vault toilets and trash services are also provided. Cost is $10 per night. From this campground there is easy access to hiking, fishing, and mountain biking. It is also only a short trip into Steamboat Springs if you don’t manage to catch your dinner for the evening. Directions: From Steamboat Springs: Travel 15 miles southeast of Steamboat on US Highway 40 to Rabbit Ears Pass. The Campground is located on the south side of the highway, on Forest Road 297 near the west summit of the pass.

Looking to get in some fishing? Six Mile Campground provides the perfect place to cook your catch of the day. Six Mile Campground provides easy access to the North Platte River and Wilderness. The campground is near the trailhead and allows access for float boaters, fisherman, and hikers. This campground is well-equipped with picnic tables, toilets, drinking water, fire rings and grates, and trash service. If you’re not sold on fishing the North Platte, nearby Big Creek also provides fishing opportunities. The North Platte Wilderness is easy accessible from the Platte River Trail. Cost is $10 per night. This is not a high-use campground, so securing a spot is not difficult. Directions from Encampment: Travel southeast from Encampment on Highway 230 about 27 miles to Forest Road #492. Turn left and travel two miles to the campground.

Rocky Mountain National Park provides great camping opportunities, especially for those who like to comfort camp in recreational vehicles. There are five drive in campgrounds at Rock Mountain National Park. Moranie Park, Glacier Basin, and Aspenglen campgrounds take reservations, so if you want to be sure to get a campsite in this populated place, make sure you reserve in advance. Longs Peak and Timber Creek campgrounds do not take reservations and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, these campsites fill rapidly so be sure to arrive early in the morning. There are no water, sewer, or electric hookups at any of the campsites, but generators are allowed at certain sites. Drinking water is available at the entrance stations and visitor centers. While there are a variety of campgrounds to choose from, Aspenglen provides the best option for campers who want to be able to reserve a campsite. This summer Glacier will not be open due to road construction. Moraine will also be affected by the road work, so the easiest place to camp is Aspenglen. Aspenglen is located at 8,200 feet on US Highway 34 west of the Fall River Entrance. It has 54 sites. Cost is $20 per night. Generators are allowed in loop C of the campground. Loop A is reserved for tents only. Campsites are limited to eight people. Firewood is sold at all campgrounds, and transporting out-of-state firewood is not recommended. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Reservations can be made by calling 877-444-6777 or online at http://www.recreation.gov/