Best Camping Spots near Ski Resorts in Colorado

Looking to hit the slopes this winter, but want to avoid the overpriced resort accommodation and packed crowds. Have you thought about renting a campervan instead and experiencing the freedom of vanlife while shredding some powder? One of the biggest obstacles vanlifers have is finding a good (and legal) camping spot in the winter, especially around the Colorado Ski Resorts. You may be able to post up somewhere for a night or two under the radar, but the ski resorts do monitor for illegal campers fairly vigorously. But, do not fear, we have done the research for you and have the 8 Best Camping Spots near Ski Resorts in Colorado this Winter.

• Aunt Sara’s River Dance RV Resort and Campground
• Tiger Run Resort: Chalets & RV Park
• Silverton Mountain Ski Area
• Steamboat Springs KOA Holiday
• Wolf Creek Ski Resort
• Powderhorn Mountain Resort
• Lake Dillon Scenic Area

Aunt Sara’s River Dance RV Resort and Campground

Region: Eagle County
Nearest Ski Resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek
Max # of Nights: None
Facilities: Full-service

Right off I-70, in the town of Gypsum, Aunt Sara’s River Dance RV Resort is a mere 30-45 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts. Showers, toilets, WiFi, and RV hookups are all available on-site, with daily rates starting at $45. There are also some great ice-fishing spots available on Eagle River for aficionados among you.

Tiger Run Resort: Chalets & RV Park

Region: Summit County
Nearest Ski Resorts: Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain
Max # of Nights: None
Facilities: Full-service

Open 365 days a year, the Tiger Run Resort is a full-service RV park a stone’s throw from three world-class ski resorts. With everything from toilets, hot tubs, WiFi, shuttles, and laundry facilities, this is a true 5-Star RV resort. The one downside is the cost, starting at $60+/night for a pull-thru spot. But, the location is worth the expense, as there is no other full-service camping spot in the county.

Silverton Mountain Ski Area

Region: San Juan County
Nearest Ski Resorts: Silverton, Purgatory
Max # of Nights: None
Facilities: None

For the expert skiers out there, the Silverton Mountain Ski area is a mecca for backcountry, ungroomed powder. Best of all, you can park overnight on the road on the way to the ski area for free. Just make sure you might have to move your car to let the snowplows through. Otherwise, this is a camping paradise for those Colorado ski bums. But this is a hidden gem, close to both Silverton and Purgatory ski areas.

Steamboat Springs KOA Holiday

Region: Routt County
Nearest Ski Resorts: Steamboat Springs
Max # of Nights: None
Facilities: Full-service

Located a few miles from the epic powder slopes of Steamboat Springs, the town KOA Holiday is an ideal winter camping home base. Loaded with amenities like toilets, hot showers, common areas, a community kitchen area, and an on-site store with firewood.

Wolf Creek Ski Resort

Region: Mineral County
Nearest Ski Resort: Wolf Creek
Max # of Nights: None
Facilities: No

Wolf Creek is one of the few resorts in the state that officially allows overnight parking. Make sure to check in with the parking attendants upon arrival and they can direct you to the night parking. After-hours parking is welcomed in the main parking lot which is not gated.

Powderhorn Mountain Resort

Region: Mesa County
Nearest Ski Resorts: Powderhorn
Max # of Nights: None
Facilities: None

A mere 45-minutes east of Grand Junction, you can camp in the parking lot of Powderhorn Mountain Resort for free. On weekdays, visitors can camp overnight in the third parking lot. While, on weekends, visitors should use the overflow parking lots. Check out the neighboring Odin Recreation Center for some killer cross-country skiing.

Lake Dillon Scenic Area

Region: Summit County
Nearest Ski Resorts: Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain
Max # of Nights: 1 
Facilities: None

Looking for a centralized location to hit up Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, and other top-tier resorts in Colorado? Summit Country provides a magnitude of options and is only just over an hour from Denver (assuming you’re not driving up on a weekend powder day!). This free camping is open year-round, but it’s technically at a rest stop so peace and quiet aren’t on the menu.

Things To Consider:

1. Purchase a Portable Toilet to Bring: Many of the camping locations mentioned do not have any facilities, so it’s always good to have a portable potty if you’re in a pinch (cough, cough).
2. Be Prepared and Flexible: Always keep an eye on the weather during winter in the mountains. Blizzards can come quickly, so be prepared and allow flexibility in your itinerary.
3. Stay Hydrated: Maintaining ample hydration is key to an epic winter camping experience. Especially if you’re hitting the ski slopes regularly, your body needs the clear fuel of water for optimum performance.
4. Implement Winter Water Procedures: To prevent liquids in your van from freezing, make sure to initiate winter water procedures by emptying water jogs, flushing faucets, and ensuring no water that freezes will damage your van.
5. Rent a Ski/Snowboard Rack: Bring your own ski or snowboarding equipment on your trip to Colorado. No worries, rent a Ski Rack from us and we can attach that to your rental before pickup.

Still, have questions about winter camping? Drop us a line and we’d be happy to help.