Free camping spots are few and far between in the Denver Metro Area, however, there are plenty of robust private and public campgrounds that make for a great night stay on the front or back end of your trip.
Denver West / Central City KOA Holiday
605 Lake Gulch Rd, Co Rd 6, Central City, CO 80427
Denver West/Central City KOA is an amenity-rich campsite, located at an elevation of 8,490 feet, one mile above Central City and Black Hawk, and just 35 miles west of Denver! Also, located within minutes of the best Colorado casinos, it’s an excellent base camp for day trips to Red Rocks Amphitheater, Coors Brewery, Denver Zoo, Elitch Gardens Amusement Park, Estes Park, and Colorado Springs. Rates run from $40-$60/night. One thing to note, the campground is only open May – Oct.
Chatfield State Park
11500 N Roxborough Park Rd, Littleton, CO 80125
Chatfield State Park is a conveniently located state park in the Denver Metro Area, just 30 minutes south of our office. The park has almost 200 camping sites, all having picnic tables, grills and even a children’s playground. Amenities include vault toilets, showers, a laundry facility and firewood available for purchase. Summertime is the best time of year to visit the park, so you can relax on the beach, swim in the lake or rent a boat to enjoy a casual day under the sun.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
92 Crawford Gulch Rd, Golden, CO 80403
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a hidden gem, just 30 miles west of Denver in the foothills with over 40 miles of hiking and nature trails. Reverend’s Ridge is the amenity-rich campground of the park providing flush toilets, an ice machine, a laundry facility and even coin operated showers. Aspen Meadows is a more primitive option with only vault toilets and picnic tables. Both sites also have fire pits. Reservations are suggested as locals flock to cooler elevation during the summer months, so head over to cpwshop.com to lock it in. Sites range from $20-$40/night plus the $10 park entrance fee.
