Desert camping in Colorado

Enjoy year-round recreation and a wild diversity of landscapes in this colorful state.

95% (5032 reviews)
95% (5032 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Colorado

Community favorites in Colorado

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in Colorado

Star Hosts in Colorado

Under $50

12 top desert campgrounds in Colorado

98%
(690)

Bright Star Campground

33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Cortez, CO
We have COMPLIMENTARY Wifi, Drinking Water, Ice, Hot Showers, Bathrooms, Shade, and an equipped Camper's Kitchen for our guests to enjoy from April 15 - Oct 15! There are TIPIS, CAMPING CABINS, TENT and BOONDOCK SITES. WE ALSO HAVE A NAVAJO HOGAN (wood yurt) OPEN-YEAR ROUND. All of our sites are not listed here. We can also accommodate groups and small events but not public events. We have a private covered group site as well. Bright Star Campground: Once used as a church camp, it is now a Campground for all to enjoy! We are a perfectly located vacation campground on 40 acres with amenities and wide-open spaces. Amenities include hot showers, an equipped community kitchen, a pavilion with hammocks, tables, ping pong, etc. Enjoy complimentary coffee, eggs, filtered drinking water and more. Bright Star Campground is located in the Great Sage Plain in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park with panoramic mountain/mesa views of the Four Corners region, all only 5 miles southeast of Cortez. We are in an arid desert climate. Water is scarce, stored in cisterns for use in camp. Because of this we ask that you be conservative with water use in camp. We are a cannabis-friendly destination but ask that Cannabis use stay at your campsite, cabin or tipi. There are many things to do/see nearby: Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients, Hovenweep National Monument and Phil's World Mountain Biking. Raft down the Dolores river, maybe rent a SUP or kayak and chill on a quiet reservoir. There are museums and cultural centers in the area as well. Durango is 45 min, Telluride is 1.5 hrs away, and Moab is about 2.5 hours away-including Arches and Canyonlands National parks. The best/nearest airport is in Durango. Cortez has Denver Air (Key Lime Air) with connections to Denver and Phoenix. The nearest large international airport is in Salt Lake City or Albuquerque.
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$38
 / night
99%
(348)

Riverwalk Yurt, luxury on river

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents35 acres · Hotchkiss, CO
The House where we live is the corner stone of the Bruce Property and is on the Colorado Register of Historic Houses.The residence was constructed between 1905 and 1912, using red bricks made on the site. John and Sophia Bruce, early pioneers in the North Fork Valley, were first involved in cattle raising. The family later became successful fruit growers. Located along the West Elk Loop, a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway, the large two-story residence features a steeply pitched hipped roof with prominent attic dormers.As a guest of Riverwalk you will have full access to the river during your stay. In addition, there is the Riverwalk Trail System that skirts the North Fork of the Gunnison River from the top of the property, by the Riverwalk Yurt, (available on this site) meandering downstream past the Riverwalk TIPI (available on the site) passing  the Grove Yurt (available on this site) and terminating at the bottom of the property with the sandy Riverwalk Beach. There is a trial that zigs through the Cottonwood Grove and zags back along the gentle Monitor Ditch skirting a newly planted grove of young trees.For RV Campers we provide 2- 30amp,1-50 amp and 1- 110-amp electrical services and potable water. There is a dump station available. There is also access to our heated shower house with running water and bathroom amenities (<3 min. walk, may be shared with other guests). The property is perfectly geared to groups of friends gathering in a central location between the onset of the Rockies and the termination high desert to the west. Friends or family will reserve both Yurts and the RV Site for a perfect reunion setting!
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$35
 / night
94%
(605)

Lakeside Camping, Water Time :)

7 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Clifton, CO
We moved here in 1997 The home has had major remodels done on it. The lake is an old gravel pit to make road base for local road construction. The buoys in the lake are scuba projects from the local college CMU, and hold lots of fish. Other nesting platforms are for our local Geese and they hatch out in April-June. We airbnb 2 rooms in our home as a shared facility and have airbnbs in Northern Ca and Baja. Our home is off limits for campers as we need to respect the space for our other airbnb guests. But in an emergence please call, cell service works fine. port-a potty is gone for the winter November-April. port-a potty is clean and works great, May- Oct. If you are here in the winter you may use the trees or Mavericks gas station in 1.5 miles away. The first two pets are included at no additional cost. For any additional pets beyond the first two, there is a fee of $10 per pet, per night. Please make sure to add the Pet fee extra accordingly.
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$30
 / night
97%
(53)

Dunes Desert Camp

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents320 acres · Hooper, CO
Enjoy your own private desert playground, 320 Acres of pristine wilderness in the shadow of Blanca Peak and in sight of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Whether you want to explore the valley on a hike, bike, or All Terrain Vehicle, fly over it in a private light aircraft, or plan an expedition to the mountains, Dunes Desert Camp is your staging ground for exploring the breathtaking natural wonders of the San Luis Valley. Located just twenty miles from downtown Alamosa, Dunes Desert Camp offers remoteness and privacy coupled with the convenience of being near a vibrant metropolitan center. Get away from it all, and get back to finding yourself in the desert. We have one large Safari tent with a double bed and 5 two person dome tents fitted with camp cots Sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses and camping equipment is available to rent on site.
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$65
 / night
100%
(120)

Mountain Bird Alpine Desert

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Moffat, CO
Our land is out away from all the noise and lights. You can see the milky way and the stars at night are amazing. then to have the view of the Sangre de Christo mountain range is amazing to enjoy. The surrounding valley has lots to offer from the quant little towns and coffee shops to the home style meals at the restaurants. and all the hot springs are amazing. Your site is overlooking the Sangre de Christo mountain range. The land is Alpine desert with sagebrush and ground cactus and incredible star gazing. There are 2 great hiking trails within a couple miles. There are 3 hot springs within 30 minutes. The Great sand dunes national park is within 1hr. The San Luis valley offers, hiking, mountain biking, ATV trail, Horse back riding, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, rafting, refuges for wildlife watching. New for 2024, The flushable toilet and shower are now operational. The shower house is located in the center of the loop with sites 1,2,3 on the south side of the building. It has an on demand water heater, there is also a a flushable toilet located in the same space. An important note about the toilet, Do Not flush anything other than toilet paper please. DO NOT flush feminine hygiene products, napkins or hand wipes or anything other than toilet paper. These type of things plug and burn up the pump while pumping out the tank. This will cause the toilet to be unusable. ATTENTION: THE SHOWER HOUSE AND TOILET WILL BE SHUTTING DOWN AND GETTING WINTERIZED OCTOBER 1ST UNTIL MAY 1ST. No fireworks are permitted at any time.
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$30
 / night
97%
(739)

High Peaks Campground

22 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Moffat, CO
Welcome to the San Luis Valley; the highest Alpine Valley in the world! This campground sits close to the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. You can also see the San Juan mountain range to the east in the distance. San Juans are part of the NW rim of the Continental Divide. Great Sand Dunes are visible from every site. With unlimited mountain views, beautiful starry night skies, come see the Milky Way, Eclipse, Meteor showers!!! Previously known as High Desert Ranch Campground, this land was originally part of a large ranch in the 1980s. The main ranch is still up and running but this parcel was used for many purposes over the years. In 2021, we were featured in USA Todays Ten Best for star gazing! My property has 360 degree mountains views with the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range as our back yard. Nearby you can find many different trail systems for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking to jeeping, ATV or dirt biking and equestrians - you can find it all! You will be surrounded by ranch land and state land with Wildlife Refuge just two miles away. Accommodations for those with livestock, just make sure you chat in advance your initial message. Close to BLM, and National Forest as well as 3 hot springs within 20 miles and the Great Sand Dunes. We are still under construction and making changes often so bear with us while we continue to add and change things for the better!
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$28
 / night
93%
(477)

Rabbit Hole Ranch

108 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Alamosa East, CO
The Rabbit Hole Ranch offers beautiful unobstructed views of the majestic Blanca Massif and the Great Sand Dunes and is just a (gorgeous) 35 minute drive from both to include Zapata Falls. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is a must-see, and I am grateful for the opportunity to offer you a place nearby to set up camp and go exploring. Alamosa, the largest town in the SLV, is just 20 minutes away. With a population of around 9,800 Alamosa has that small town feel and has the goods and services you will need. Camping here at the Rabbit Hole Ranch is primitive and dispersed (no numbered sites) and there 30 acres available for you to use. Typically, you will experience a rare kind of solitude and silence that feels…. other-worldly, with incredible sunrises and sunsets filling the enormous skies. On holidays, however, expect it to be busy. Our two Great Pyrenees are here to help keep you and your pets (and our chickens) safe. Please help make their jobs easier by not leaving any food or trash in or around tents. Please keep your pets on leash or under control until you’re comfortably certain they get along with all three of our dogs. This year we have a new Great Pyrenees to greet you, his name is TheoVon and he is huge! Returning this season is KayLee also a GP and and Finn, who is a little Benji lookin rescue from Alaska who just LOVES everyone. :) Quiet time begins at 10:00 pm. Note: Holidays still offer the excellent location and spectacular views, but are likely to be less quiet and far more busy. We do not strictly enforce quiet time during holidays.
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$33
 / night
97%
(400)

The Views at Gateway

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2000 acres · Gateway, CO
Located on the Dolores river, this property is perfect for hikers, fishing, rafting, or just camping! There is a natural spring just a few miles from the location with drinking water as well. When you stay here you are located right on the river with nothing but places to hike, climb and have fun and there are several options for you to choose from. There is a cabin, an onsite RV, a canvas tent, and BYO tent or RV camping on the land - you can pick whatever suits you best! No matter what, you can fall asleep to the sound of the river after a great night of star gazing! Nearby outdoor points of interest include the Dolores River on property, Hanging Flume which is approx. 20 miles from site, Gateway Canyons Resort Auto museum 7 miles from site, Arches National Park 2 hour drive from site, Colorado national monument 1 hour drive. The Grand Mesa 2 hour drive, Telluride ski resort 2 hour drive! You can find hiking, biking, swimming, paddle board, kayaks, rafting, fishing, tubing, bird watching, star gazing rock climbing, bouldering, all right from the property. All sites are accessible without 4wheel drive. I love where I live and think everyone should be able to experience the peaceful quiet beautiful environment that it is!
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$50
 / night
95%
(28)

Stoneyard Distillery Awesome Possum RV Camping

1 site · RV1 acre · Gypsum, CO
Stoneyard Distillery, producing Beet Sugar Spirits since 2013. Taking its name from the old stoneyard surrounding it. Upstream from the confluence of the Eagle and Colorado Rivers, this site was chosen for it's private water source. Rocky Mountain water pulled directly from the river. The Distillery sits on a 4000 year old lava flow from the Dotsero Volcano. This lava rock provides the vapor refining distillation packing in the still hand built by the owners. With it's scratch built process, Stoneyard distills the true Spirit of Colorado into every last drop. Get Hammered... Responsibly!Learn more about this land:With beautiful Rocky Mountain views, the Distillery sits on a 4000 year old lava flow from the Dotsero Volcano. River access just a short walk away! 10 minutes to Hiking, Mountain Biking, and Eagle River Water Park. 25 minutes to Hot Springs, 35 minutes to World-Class Skiing! 40 Flavorful & Smooth Spirits distilled from Colorado beet sugar and rocky mountain water from the pristine Eagle River Craft Cocktails Production Tours
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$25
 / night
100%
(1)

Navi's Sage Run

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Hartsel, CO
**Navi's Sage Run** is a serene escape located in the Old South Park Ranch area of Hartsel, Colorado. Our property is surrounded by the invigorating scent of sage and dotted with native cacti, offering a true taste of Colorado's rugged beauty. Named after our adventurous dog, Navi, who loves to roam and explore, this spot is perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat in nature. Visitors to Navi's Sage Run can enjoy the stunning view of Sulphate Mountain, an ancient volcano that adds a unique touch to the landscape. The area is also home to wild pronghorn, often spotted grazing nearby. For those who love to fish, the Antero Reservoir and Eleven Mile Canyon offer some of the best fishing in Colorado, with opportunities for ice fishing and catching various species of trout. Whether you're here to fish, hike, or simply relax and soak in the panoramic views, Navi's Sage Run is your gateway to the natural wonders of Hartsel. Come experience the tranquility and beauty that Navi enjoys every day, and create your own adventures in this breathtaking landscape.
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$5
 / night

Dog-friendly getaways

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Desert camping in Colorado guide

Overview

Looking to explore the desert terrain of Colorado? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 2,200 options specifically tailored to your desert camping preference in Colorado, you'll have no shortage of amazing campsites to choose from. Whether you're seeking a unique experience in a tipi at Old Moon Acres Tipi Haven (245 reviews), a rustic ranch getaway at Rabbit Hole Ranch (259 reviews), or stunning views at The Views at Gateway (243 reviews), you'll find the perfect spot to rest and recharge. And with popular amenities like trash, showers, and toilets, along with activities such as climbing, hiking, and fishing, you'll have everything you need for an unforgettable camping adventure. With an average price per night of $45 and options as low as $4, there's a campsite for every budget. So pack your bags and get ready to embark on an epic desert camping experience in Colorado!

Top parks in Colorado

Top regions in and near Colorado

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