Best RV Campgrounds in Summit County Colorado
Summit County, Colorado draws millions of campers year-round for its pristine lakes, immaculate mountains, and relative nearness to the charming city of Denver. We review our favorite RV campgrounds in Summit County Colorado.
With world-class hiking in the Colorado Rockies, Summit County marks the epicenter for some splendid adventures. Whether you’re planning on exploring historic tows, sun bathing by the lakes, hiking into the hillsides, or simply taking a relaxing weekend, you’ll be in great company.
With a fair number of RV campgrounds to choose from in the area, you’re pretty much guaranteed spectacular views of the mountains no matter which one you book. Summit County covers most of the area between Vail and Georgetown, Colorado.
Some, but not all, of the campgrounds on this list center around the Dillion Reservoir—a phenomenal mountain lake, perfect for fishing and kayaking. You’ll also notice that most of these campgrounds a located nearby to the I-70 corridor, meaning that you’ll easily be able to hop on the fast track to new locations around the state.
If you’re ready to plan an epic RV trip to the Colorado Rockies, read on to learn more about the best places to stay!
Tiger Run Resort
Tiger Run Resort claims to be one of Summit County’s best kept secrets. Located between the soothing flow of the Swan and Blue Rivers, and sheltered in by the incredible Ten Mile Mountain Range, Tiger Run aims to ensure that you’re entire experience is nothing but pleasant.
Each site in the campground offers full water hookups, sewer, and 30 and 50 amp electric service. Some of the sites within the campground only accommodate to RVs shorter than 36-feet in length. However, you’ll also find additional back-in and pull-thru sites that accommodate RVs of any size, making sure you aren’t having to “thread the needle” after a long day’s drive.
Tiger Run Resort is also just 3 miles south of the Dillion Reservoir, one of the most popular landmarks of this region. You’ll also find historic towns nearby with alluring shops and mouth-watering restaurants, the Breckenridge Golf Club, and 60 miles of scenic trails and paved bike paths spanning from Breckenridge to Vail as well.
Nightly rates are usually within the range of $65 during April and May. When the high season starts during the summer, rates are typically around $110 nightly.
Peak One Campground
Located on the waterfront of the Dillion Reservoir, Peak One Campground is another favorite among RV campers. The area is undoubtedly a haven for fishing and boating, and the valley views are absolutely remarkable. There’s a reason that the Dillion reservoir is regarded as one of the most majestic landmarks in the area, and Peak One brings that into full capacity.
There are 79 multiple use sites in the campground, which is open from May to September. Visitation can get pretty heavy during the summer months, so it’s always a good idea to call ahead and reserve in advance. There are also sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Keep in mind that if you’ll be staying in Peak One, you’ll have to prepare accordingly. There are no hookups at any of the sites, meaning you’ll need to bring in your own water, find alternative ways to charge your electronics, and pack out your grey and black water. Each site is fairly spacious, but trying to camp here with an RV longer than 30 feet in length isn’t recommended.
Nightly rates are significantly cheaper than some of the resorts in the area. Expect to find nightly rates between $10 and $30.
Prospector Campground
Another destination on the waterfront of the Dillion Reservoir, Prospector campground is located on the east end of the lake. One of the great things about this campground is its crisp evening sunsets over Dillion Lake with the mountains adorning the background.
Prospector Campground shares many of the same surrounding features as some of the other campgrounds in the area. The towns of Dillon, Frisco, Keystone, and Breckenridge are just a short drive away. You’ll be able to pick up groceries in any of these towns, as well as dine in for some local eats.
There are 107 multi-use sites at this location. However, as with most campgrounds around the Dillion Reservoir, there are no hookups at any of the sites. You’ll find water spigots with fresh spring water, and a couple of vault toilets scattered throughout the campground. Most of the sites are pull-thru but the sites and roads would be extremely tight for big rig RVs.
The nearby bike trail in between Breckenridge and Vail is another thing that makes camping in this region a fantastic choice. Even if you don’t ride all the way to either of the towns, you’ll surely appreciate the beautiful scenery on every side.
Nightly rates go for somewhere between $10 and $30.
Heaton Bay Campground
Located directly across the lake from Prospector Campground, Heaton Bay Campground offers similar lakefront amenities. One of the great things about Heaton Bay is that it’s actually located on a peninsula, so a large majority of the campsites are surrounded by water on three sides. There are also a good deal of pine trees throughout the campground, so you’ll have some seclusion from other campers.
There are 81 total campsites in Heaton Bay. Most of them are dry campsites, but there is a small amount of full hookup sites with 50 amp electric service. The campground is also open from May to October, so you’ll have a huge window of time to visit. Another great thing about camping in this area is that you’ll have access to two boat ramps in the nearby town of Dillon and Frisco.
Most sites will accommodate RV rigs up to 30 feet in length, but you may be able to find spaces for larger rigs as well. Each site is spacious and secluded, but you’ll have to make sure you have a spotter for backing in.
Nightly rates at Heaton Bay typically range between $10 and $30.
Lowry Campground
For the last campground on our list based around the Dillon Reservoir, Lowry Campground is slightly higher in elevation than the others nearby. Technically, Lowry Campground is closer to the Snake River Arm tributary that flows into the side of Dillon Lake.
Avid anglers will find plenty of good catches in the Snake River Arm, specifically with rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. The 50-mile-long Summit County trail also weaves nearby to the Lowry Campground, making it a perfect place to easily access the trail. During your stay, you’ll also likely have a chance to witness eagles, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and elk.
Lowry Campground has 27 sites available from May to October. 23 of the sites have electric hookups as well, and potable water can be found in different locations throughout the campground. Most of the campsites are reservable, but there are a few first-come, first-served campsites as well. The campground doesn’t have a lot of trees, due to a beetle infestation a few years ago, but the views are still lovely.
Nightly rates typically range between $25 and $40 at Lowry Campground.
Cottonwood RV & Mobile Home
Cottonwood RV Campground is located just outside of the town of Idaho Springs, in Clear Creek County. The campground is surrounded by lush green mountains and is nestled inside of a peaceful valley. Cottonwood RV is also one of the few year-round campgrounds in the area, so they know how to keep their guests comfortable at all times of the year.
Cottonwood is exclusively an RV campground, meaning that everyone is essentially on the same page about the style of camping. You’ll also be in close proximity to the Chicago Creek running along the campground, which makes for especially tranquil soundscapes. The Idaho Springs area is full of history and has plenty of additional activities as well. There is a nearby gold mining tour, mountain hikes, horseback riding, rides on a narrow gauge railroad, and white water rafting.
The campsites at Cottonwood have 30 amp and 50 amp connections available. You’ll find full hookups on every site, as well as cable TV connections and wireless internet access. Each site is spacious, and the campground is able to accommodate to RV rigs of every size and shape. Reservations can also be made for daily, weekly, or monthly rates.
Nightly rates are usually around $30 and $60, depending on the time of year and the lot type.
Denver West / Central KOA Holiday
With their flawless landscaping and wide array of accommodations, the Denver West / Central City KOA is one of the true highlights of the area. If you don’t mind the manicured landscape of a KOA, this campground might be a great fit for you! It’s also one of the closest campgrounds to Denver, just 35 miles west of the big city.
Nearby, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for brewery tours, casino runs, attractive shops, the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, and the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater. The I-70 corridor is also close-by, meaning you can easily travel around the area to visit different locations in the Rockies. The awe-inspiring mountain views surrounding the campground are also enough to please any visitor.
Denver West / Central City KOA is one of the few campgrounds that truly accommodates to being big-rig friendly. There are plenty of pull-thru sites available, making it especially easy to park your RV. Each campsite also has full hookups, with 50 amps of electric service, free cable TV and free Wi-Fi.
Since this KOA has resort-style accommodations, it’s a little more on the pricey side. Expect to pay somewhere between $50 and $80 per night to stay at this campground.
Gore Creek Campground
Gore Creek Campground is the closest campground to Vail. It is located directly on the Vail Pass just outside of Summit Country to the west. Although Vail attracts most of its visitors during the winter months for its incredible ski resorts, visiting during the summer can also be a fantastic adventure.
This campground’s location is absolutely remarkable. You’ll be located in one of the most beautiful natural areas around, Vail is only a 10 minute drive, and the towns of Dillon and Frisco are only a half-hour away. If you’re lucky enough to get a site next to Gore Creek, you’ll also be treated to the peaceful sounds of gushing water.
Gore Creek Campground suits RV rigs up to 30 feet in length. Anything larger might get a little tight in the campsites and on the winding roads through the campground. There are 24 sites available, but this highly-acclaimed campground is always busy, so it’s best to reserve your spot far in advance. There are no hookups at any of the sites, but there public restrooms and shower facilities.
Nightly rates for RVs staying at Gore Creek Campground typically range between $10 and $30.
Planning Your Trip to the Rockies
If you’ve always dreamed of taking your RV to the mountains, staying in and around Summit County Colorado will be like a dream come true!
You won’t only have access to spectacular fishing in the Dillion Reservoir, you’ll also be able to find tons of hiking trails, bike paths, white water rafting, and nearby historic towns. Summit County is one of Colorado’s most popular camping locations because it just has so much to offer!
Whether you’re just coming from Greater Denver, or you’ll be traveling halfway across the country, you won’t be disappointed with the beautiful Summit County. With so many campgrounds to choose from in the area, you also shouldn’t have a problem reserving a spot for your stay—as long as you book a few weeks in advance.
RV campers simply can’t get enough of the Rocky Mountain views in this area. If you do intend on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park to the north, you’ll only have to travel about an hour and a half.
Are you ready to plan a trip and stay at one of the RV campgrounds in Summit County Colorado?
You definitely can’t go wrong with any of the beautiful RV campgrounds located within the Summit County area.
If you’re looking to explore the state of Colorado further, check out our Rocky Mountain National Park guide for RV campgrounds
