There’s no better Rocky Mountain high than spending the 4th of July weekend camping in the great outdoors of magical Colorado.
But with all the incredible options, where do you start?
Well, that’s what we specialize in here at BookOutdoors. Our database of campsites allows you to search by any and all criteria you might have. It also provides in-depth information about facilities, activities, rules, and anything else you need to know before booking that perfect 4th of July campsite in Colorado. Keep in mind that the top campsites book up for this weekend well ahead of time, so go ahead and grab yourself a place in paradise
right now while you still can.
The Best Places to Camp for 4th of July Camping in Colorado
Summertime and the living is easy come 4th of July in Colorado. The entire epic natural wonderland of this state is sunny and bursting with life. Many people like to take off to one of Colorado’s famous national parks for the 4th of July weekend, and you’ll want to know some of your options.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Straddling the Continental Divide,
Rocky Mountain National Park is a wondrous piece of alpine wilderness and a nature lover’s dream come true. Lots of folks like to camp in the Estes Park area, which gives them access to both the town and the park’s entrance. Others like to slip away into the massive interior of this truly landmark piece of rugged Colorado. There are five official campsites in this park and several backcountry campgrounds
Mesa Verde National Park
While the high tabletop-like bluffs that tower over the high desert are as impressive as it gets, most people head to remote
Mesa Verde National Park to see its archaeological treasures. Cut into the sheer cliff walls of the mesa are the complex cave cities and petroglyphs of the Anasazi people, a complex civilization that once inhabited a wide range of the Southwestern United States. The single campground here has great facilities and makes a perfect basecamp from which to explore the ruins.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Head down towards Alamosa this 4th of July to spend the weekend camping and playing at Colorado’s
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The park features the largest sand dunes in the U.S. plus plenty of hiking opportunities in this unique ecosystem. Besides the main campground and several backpacking camps, there’s a special 4×4 campground since most people just rent a 4×4 and enjoy racing around the park-like banshees.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a narrow gorge that cuts deep into the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It’s an often-overlooked natural wonderland that’s the perfect place to slip away to on the 4th of July in Colorado. Camping is available on both the north and south rims as well as just outside the park in the Curecanti National Recreation Area.
Keep in mind that National Park Campsites are hotter than hotcakes over the 4th of July weekend in Colorado.
Other Attractions and Activities for 4th of July Camping in Colorado
Besides the four national parks, Colorado boasts over a dozen
State Parks, each with a range of camping options, including hookups for trailer camping and vanlifers who want full facilities with easy access to nature.
If you don’t want to escape the 4th of July celebrations completely, the town of Pueblo West throws a serious bash that includes a parade, fireworks, and one of the biggest water fights west of the Mississippi. The town is located right next to Lake Pueblo State Park, which offers over 400 campsites and an RV campground with full hookups.
The town of Colorado Springs also throws a pretty epic
4th of July celebration that includes fireworks, a special outdoor symphony performance, a 4th of July run around Palmer Lake, and lots more. The town is surrounded by several easy-to-access RV parks and private campgrounds that make excellent 4th of July basecamps.
Car Camping vs RVing: Which is Better for the 4th of July in Colorado?
The 4th is for celebrating, which means many people bring items to their camping destinations that they wouldn’t normally bring on a regular camping trip. For this reason, RVing is a more popular choice over the 4th of July weekend in Colorado, as it allows you to bring your entire portable apartment with you.
A refrigerator full of beers and snacks. A TV for watching sports and shows at night. A comfy bed to crash out on. All this and more is at your disposal when you take the RV route.
Luckily, Colorado has some amazing RV campgrounds that allow you to fully enjoy all those creature comforts but still get out into nature within a few minutes.
Hotspots like Aspen, Vail, Grand Junction, and Boulder all have multiple RV parks with full hookups that make great basecamps for the 4th of July weekend. Smaller and more off the beaten path destinations like Mesa and Dolores are also great options.
If you decide to car camp, you can usually get deeper into natural areas. The advantage is that you leave modern life behind completely, and what better way to celebrate the 4th of July in Colorado than camping and indulging in some deep nature therapy.
Another option is tent camping — also called backcountry camping — which means you hike all the way into a wilderness campsite, enjoy your stay, and hike back. It’s a great way to really take advantage of all that summertime splendor while most people are busy partying.
Whatever option you choose, keep in mind that the 4th of July weekend is quite possibly the most popular weekend of the year to take a camping trip. Campsite reservations are usually made far in advance, often way back in January at the start of the new year.
To make sure you spend the 4th of July camping your heart out in Colorado’s natural glory.
