Five Incredible Colorado State Parks for RV Camping

Colorado is home to so many different landscapes and extensive natural beauty. Over one-third of the state is owned publicly, and this includes lands such as national parks, national and state forests, national monuments, state parks and more. While its four national parks may typically receive more attention, Colorado’s state parks are equally spectacular. Filled with plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, water sports, and so much more, Colorado’s forty-two state parks offer something for everyone in a variety of unique environments that are beautiful year-round. Since most Colorado state parks have campgrounds for RVs, these make for the perfect location for your next RV vacation. Follow along to read about five of the most popular parks for RVers.

1. Navajo State Park

Located along the southern Colorado-New Mexico border, Navajo State Park is an ideal destination for those who love water sports. The fifteen thousand acre Navajo Reservoir is the highlight of the park, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. The reservoir has two marinas for those who plan to bring their boat along. Around the lake and on the surrounding state park lands, visitors can find hiking and biking trails, picnicking areas, OHV riding trails, and several areas for winter sports, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.For RVers, there are several excellent campgrounds, most of which are located directly on the lake. Carracas Campground features sites with electrical hookups, while Rosa Campground has thirty-five full hookups sites including water, sewer and electrical hookups. Each can accommodate RVs up to fifty-five feet in length. Tiffany Campground has dry camping only for smaller RVs up to twenty-five feet, and there are several cabins on the lake for those who prefer to glamp. 

2. Eleven Mile State Park

About fifty miles west of Colorado Springs, you will find Eleven Mile State Park outside of Lake George, Colorado. The park’s Elevenmile Reservoir creates opportunities for plenty of recreational activities. The most popular of these are hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, birding, and picnicking. For those who love winter, there is also plenty to do here once the snowy season begins. This includes ice fishing, ice skating, winter camping, and ice boating.If you are visiting in your RV, you will find several excellent campgrounds to choose from. Rocky Ridge offers electrical hookups, while Witchers Cove and North Shore offer convenient access to the lake. Several other campgrounds are more primitive and secluded, offering a more peaceful environment.

3. Arkansas Headwaters State Park

Just outside of the small town of Salida, you will find Arkansas Headwaters State Park. This state park follows 152 miles of the Arkansas Headwaters, as it winds past several small towns and many picturesque views of the Rockies. The river is the main feature of the park, and white water rafting and boating are quite popular here. For beginners and intermediates, there are several well-established companies that will guide you on river adventures if you are so inclined. The area is also well-known for its rock climbing, gold panning, hiking, biking, fishing, and other activities.

Along the river’s edge, there are seven primitive campgrounds for RVs up to forty-two feet. None of these campgrounds offer hook-ups, but they are open for year-round enjoyment. Each is located along a different point of the river, so be sure to research which is best for you before booking your stay.

4. Mueller State Park

About thirty miles west of Colorado Springs lies the popular Mueller State Park. Wildlife viewing is one of the most popular activities here. At different times throughout the year, visitors can see black bears, hawks, mule deer, and elk, as well as many different species of birds. With a series of mountainous peaks in the distance, many photographers tend to frequent this park. It is open year round for mountain biking, geocaching, hiking, hunting and camping. In the winter, Mueller State Park becomes a popular area for cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. In the spring and summer, there are 110 campsites with electrical hookups in the park’s campground. The campground also has a dump station and potable water available. In the fall and winter, the campground is still open, but only thirty-two sites are available. The dump station remains open, but only one potable water spigot stays on. If you plan to camp, book ahead because the sites fill up quickly.

5. Cherry Creek State Park

Cherry Creek State Park lies almost in Denver’s backyard and offers so many amazing things to see and enjoy. The park is situated around an 800-acre reservoir, complete with rolling hills and mountainscapes in the distance. The lake offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, boating, sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, and fishing. The trails surrounding the lake offer thirty-five miles of hiking and biking opportunities. With close proximity to Denver, there is also plenty to do outside the park, making this location ideal for Denver natives or those looking to see both the city and its surrounding natural beauty.

Camping at Cherry Creek is by reservation only, and the sites tend to fill up very quickly. The campground offers full hook-ups sites, with 20 amp, 30 amp, and 50 amp electric available. One loop of sites is available to campers year-round, but the dump station closed for the winter season. Showers, laundry facilities, and bathrooms are also open year-round.

Colorado’s state parks are just as spectacular as its national parks. They are open year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of activities across the four seasons. With campgrounds located conveniently within each park’s boundaries, these parks are an RVers ideal vacation destination. Consider one of these five excellent state parks on your next trip to the lovely state of Colorado.

Love Colorado's state parks? You'll love them even more in the autumn season, when the aspens and the lower foliage change to hues of golden yellow and orange. Check out the video below filmed by our owner for more fall Colorado fun. If you're looking for Harvest Host locations, find all RV camping in Colorado we have to offer.

Have you visited any of Colorado’s state parks? Feel free to share in the comments below.