One of Denver’s closest mountain towns offers old growth trees and year-round outdoor fun.
Nested in the Rocky Mountains, Evergreen is just 19 miles west of Denver. A historic downtown offers amenities while Evergreen Lake and several public parks offer year-round outdoor recreation, including golfing, hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, fishing, paddling, and ice skating. Enjoy scenic views of the Rocky Mountain foothills and plenty of old growth evergreens. While there are no camping options within Evergreen itself, there are plenty of campgrounds to be found in the surrounding areas, from mountains and lakes to forests and wilderness.
Mt. Evans and Georgetown
Head west to tackle the 14,270-foot Mt. Evans by driving the highest paved road in Colorado, then hiking to the summit. Camp at the base with your tent or RV at Echo Lake Campground in Arapaho National Forest, pitch your tent in the Mt. Evans Wilderness Area, or camp at the Camp Rock Campground. Explore the historic town of Georgetown, then drive the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, with numerous trails and camping options on the way to Grant. North of Georgetown, the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests offer more than a million acres of wilderness for outdoor recreation and camping.
Denver
Colorado’s largest city and capital is just 30 minutes east and offers a wealth of urban adventure, while several area state parks pack in outdoor recreation and camping opportunities. Enjoy a reservoir, rolling hills, and campgrounds with amenities at Chatfield State Park or Cherry Creek State Park. Or head to Morrison to catch a movie or show at Red Rocks Park Amphitheatre and stay at a full service campground at Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood.
Golden Gate Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Park
Head north to Golden Gate Canyon State Park to go off the grid and camp or glamp in a tent, RV, cabin, or yurt. Or hop on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway from Central City past Nederland to Estes Park, where you can choose from numerous campgrounds along the byway and RV parks just outside town. For vast mountain landscapes and alpine lakes, continue on to Rocky Mountain National Park, home to several seasonal campgrounds and plenty of backcountry sites.
Evergreen is most popular in summer and winter. Boat rentals and public concerts are available on Evergreen Lake from May to September, while the popular Annual Dam Duck Derby is held in August. The Mt. Evans Byway is open in summer, while Mt. Evans State Wildlife Area is open from June to December. Ice skating and ice fishing are popular on Evergreen Lake once it freezes over.