Tourism is going Rocky Mountain high! 84.2 million tourists visited Colorado in 2021.
One reason for these high numbers is Colorado Springs. Just two hours south of Denver, this small city is surrounded by natural wonders and is a great site for van camping enthusiasts.
But you shouldn’t jump into the driver’s seat just yet. You need to know what the best sites in Colorado Springs are before you hit the road.
What are the great natural wonders you should visit? Where should you go if you want to stay close to the city? What are some good rural campgrounds?
Answer these questions, and you can plan the perfect Colorado Springs camping vacation today. Here are 12 great campgrounds for vans.
1. Foot of the Rockies RV Park
The Foot of the Rockies RV Park is another campground located near Pikes Peak. The park is off of Highway 24, making it an easy place for Colorado Springs residents to access. If you want to visit attractions in the city before going out into the countryside, you should stay at the Foot of the Rockies RV Park.
The park offers RV and van lots for oversized vehicles. Call the park in advance to make sure you can reserve a spot if your van is very large. Try to order campervan rentals that are small or medium-sized.
The park charges daily, weekly, and monthly rates. You must pay in advance, but the park welcomes anyone who is going camping or staying in Colorado for the long term. You have access to electricity, water, Wi-Fi, and mail service if you stay monthly.
Employees enforce quiet hours between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. You can watch television or listen to music, but make sure it’s not too loud. You can take your van out of the park, but it needs to be back before dark.
2. Colorado Springs KOA
Ask Colorado residents about van camping locations, and they’ll talk to you about Colorado Springs KOA. The campground is located at 8100 Bandley Drive, and it is a family-friendly campground.
The camp provides premium views of Pikes Peak. You can walk to Garden of the Gods and other attractions, and the campground has amenities you can access. You can eat meals at a snack bar, swim in a pool, and light fires.
KOA has many RV and van sites, but they can get booked up quickly. Make your reservation through KOA’s website. The park is currently undergoing some reservations, so you should check the website to see what amenities are available to you.
3. Garden of the Gods RV Resort
As the name suggests, the Garden of the Gods RV Resort is located near Garden of the Gods. If you’re interested in spending a lot of time in Garden of the Gods, you should go to the resort.
The resort has lots for small and large vans alike. The resort has several side roads and courts, so keep a map on hand so you can get around easily.
Amenities at the resort include a dog park, swimming pool, and game room. You can buy snacks and ingredients for small meals at an on-site convenience store. The resort offers outdoor grills you can cook on, or you can prepare meals inside your van.
4. Fountain Creek RV Park
If you want to stay close to various attractions in Colorado Springs, you can stay at Fountain Creek RV Park. The park is at 3023 West Colorado Avenue, close to the city center.
Several fast-food restaurants are outside Fountain Creek, so you can grab a meal before going camping. Hiking trails, national forests, and scenic byways are within 10 minutes of the park.
Military personnel, firefighters, and police officers can apply for discounts. Rates are $60 a night for two people, and you can stay in the park for a week for $357.
Some spots in Fountain Creek can be cramped, so bring a small van to the park. Oversized spots are available, but you may still find it hard to fit your van into them.
5. Cheyenne Mountain State Park
If you want to go a little further outside the city, you can visit Cheyenne Mountain State Park. The park has dozens of miles of hiking and biking trails. You can also ride horses and walk dogs along designated trails.
You can find dozens of campsites for vans throughout the park, so do your research on the sites in the area. Raptor Glen is one of the most popular sites for vans, though the campground only offers 10 spots. The spots are large, and a few of them let you park passenger vehicles next to your vans.
Rates are $41 per night, making Cheyenne Mountain one of the more affordable spots for RV camping in Colorado. You do not need a permit in order to go hiking or biking.
6. Mueller State Park
Mueller State Park is west of Colorado Springs. The park covers more than 5,000 acres, and it is a habitat for many species of flowers and trees. It is a great place to go if you’re interested in learning about plants, and you can take photographs of anything you’d like.
As with Cheyenne Mountain, you can stay at a campground run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. You can find several campgrounds throughout the park, though most only accommodate vans that are less than 40 feet long.
You can park a passenger vehicle next to your van at each site. You will need to pay a daily entrance fee for each vehicle.
The park is in an area with a high risk of forest fires. You can make campfires, but only use designated fire rings to do so. Put out your campfires after you’re done with them, and do not light cigarettes inside the park.
7. Falcon Meadow Campground
Falcon Meadow is at an elevation of 6,280 feet. This gives you a unique vantage point of Pikes Peak.
All sites in the campground are full hook-up, and each costs less than $50 a night. Weekly and monthly rates are accepted, but availability for a long-term stay can be limited, so call an employee before making a reservation. The campground has an on-site store where you can buy gasoline and propane.
8. Thunder Ridge Campground
Thunder Ridge Campground is located near Rampart Reservoir, making it a great place to stay if you want to go swimming or boating. You can even reserve a campsite that gives you water views.
The campground has three campsites and two bathrooms that are accessible for people with disabilities. You can use a wheelchair or walker on the grounds, but the terrain may be uneven due to inclement weather.
9. Springdale Campground
Springdale Campground is on the top of a mountain near Woodland Park. Though the campground feels remote, it is only a few miles away from the city. You can access Farish Recreation Area and Rampart Reservoir Trail within a few minutes of Springdale.
You do not need to reserve your spot, and the fee is $20 per site for overnight camping. The park is only open during the summer, and firewood and water are not provided. Follow good packing tips so you have everything you need before going to Springdale.
10. The Crags Campground
The Crags Campground lies in the forest around Pikes Peak. The campground has 17 first-come, first-serve campsites, but your van needs to be small. Access to The Crags is along a narrow road that requires good driving skills.
As with Springdale, you need to bring your own firewood and water. But walking trails to the Devil’s Playground and other scenic locations are within one-eighth of a mile of the campground.
11. Clyde Campground
Clyde Campground is one of the most remote campgrounds in the Colorado Springs area. There is no cellphone reception, and the roads leading to the campground are winding and rocky.
But the campground offers great access to Cathedral Park. You can take photographs of mountains and forests in all directions, and you are a short walk away from lakes and streams for boating.
12. Goldfield RV Park
Goldfield RV Park is well-known amongst vanlife enthusiasts for its cleanliness and customer service. A park manager stays onsite and responds to calls and emails. Goldfield offers laundry facilities, dog parks, bathrooms, free newspapers, and coffee in the morning.
The park is a short drive from Red Rock Canyon and Deer Valley Nature Park. It is down the street from a number of restaurants and stores, so you can get supplies during and after your camping trips.
The Best Sites for Van Camping in Colorado Springs
Van camping is one of Colorado Springs’ biggest attractions. You should visit Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and the Devil’s Playground. KOA and the Foot of the Rockies RV Park are right near these attractions.
If you want to go a little outside the city and enjoy premier hiking trails, you should go to Cheyenne Mountain and Mueller State Park. If you want to get off the grid, stay at The Crags or Clyde Campground.
Wherever you stay, you should go van camping in style. Travellers Autobarn provides premium campervans at low prices. Get a quote now.
Here are a few other articles that may interest you.
Top 11 Colorado Campgrounds for Your Campervan Road Trip
Top 7 Van Camping Locations near Telluride
Top US National Park Campgrounds and RV Parks to Visit
Denver Road Trips
About the Author
Bastian Graf
Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.