The best camping near Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area adventure.

Discover the natural allure of Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area.  

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Community favorites near Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area

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Creekside Chalets

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Salida, CO
Welcome to Creekside Chalets Escape from the stresses of everyday life with a rejuvenating mountain vacation. Here you can revel in the beauty of the mountains, relax to the sounds of the river, and experience an unforgettable trip. Our cozy and charming cabins & campsites offer stunning views, wonderful amenities, and an unbeatable location. Nestled among picturesque peaks, there is no shortage of lovely sights when you stay in our campsites & cabins. Every season is equally lovely. From snow-capped peaks in the winter to bright gold aspen leaves in the fall, you’ll never be left wanting when it comes to picture-perfect surroundings. We are just minutes from Monarch Mountain, which boasts 800 ski-able acres and an annual average snowfall of over 350 inches. Just a short drive east of our cabins is Salida, Colorado known as the ‘Gem of the Rockies’. This small but vibrant town offers a number of restaurants and shops as well as festivals and events throughout the year. New for 2023 Creekside Chalets has added 3 Creekside Camping spots all with access to the North Fork of the South Arkansas creek that flows through the property. The sites are located in an aspen grove along the creek with a picnic table provided and room to park one vehicle up to 20 feet long and space for a tent. 30 amp power is provided to each site, a porta-potty within 250 feet and water from a camp spigot. The campsites are pet friendly, $30 per pet per stay, max 2 pets.
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$50
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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
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Penitente Canyon Tin Can Camp

5 sites · Lodging200 acres · Center, CO
Nestled in the heart of the San Luis Valley at the entrance to Penitente Canyon and Special Recreation Management Area and 50 minutes to Great Sand Dunes National Park, San Luis Valley Great Outdoors welcomes all guests to come and enjoy their cabins at Tin Can Camp. Tin Can Camp is located within 200 acres of Colorado State Trust Land at roughly 8,000 feet above sea level. The landscape is arid high desert with scattered groves of piñon and juniper trees. The camp serves as a convenient home base for launching adventures across the San Luis Valley to various local Hot Springs, archeological sites, and other small town local attractions. For the more adventurous guests, there is recreation right from Tin Can Camp with The Valleys largest trail system and climbing area less than a mile away and access to the vast expanse of the Rio Grande National Forest. The cabins are "micro homes" outfitted with modern conveniences. Each cabin has solar power, a propane heater, a compact kitchen with a sink, water jugs, and pump, two full size loft beds, a small table with chairs, an incinerator toilet, and a covered porch. Incinerating toilets are self-contained waste management systems that burn human waste instead of flushing it into a sewer or septic system. These toilets use propane gas to incinerate waste at high temperatures, reducing it to a small amount of sterile ash. Incinerating toilets are commonly used in locations where traditional plumbing is impractical, such as remote cabins and environmentally sensitive areas. They are valued for their efficiency, minimal environmental impact, and the elimination of the need for water or chemical treatments. There is odor associated with the incineration process. Guests should know there is no water available on the property. You will need to bring water for all your needs. This includes cooking, washing, drinking, and for putting out fires. Guest should plan 2 gallons of water per person per day. A public well/pumphouse is at the intersection of County Road 38A and Road 40G (37.836363, -106.271551)(inoperable as of 7/11/2024- BLM working to fix it). Tin Can Camp is adjacent to the future Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Reserve, and the property has spectacular views of the Milky Way Galaxy. Each cabin has a fire ring for guests to relax and enjoy the dark nighttime sky. Wood collecting on the property is not permitted, so guests must bring their own firewood. As mentioned, the property is located at the entrance to Penitente Canyon. Penitente Canyon is a Nationally-renowned climbing destination with more than 400 climbing routes. Penitente Canyon also has 30+ miles of non-motorized trails for mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian activities and guest have direct trail access from camp! Guests can ride mountain bikes directly from the property. There are numerous recreation, sightseeing, historical and cultural, and agricultural tourism opportunities in the nearby Rio Grande National Forest, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. Gas, ice, water, and some groceries can be found nearby at the La Garita Trading Post, which has operated since 1913. The La Garita Trading Post is in a historic log cabin and serves the best local-beef burgers in the San Luis Valley.
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$60
 / night
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(1)

Tomichi Creek Trading Post

28 sites · Lodging10 acres · Garfield, CO
Make the Most of Your Next Outdoor Adventure Whether you're looking for an action-packed week of outdoor adventures, or a relaxing weekend away where you can breathe clear mountain air and observe beautiful wildlife, Tomichi Creek Trading Post is the place you want to be. ​ We are located in one of the most scenic areas of Colorado and the year-round list of things to do is limitless. If you're new to the area, we'll be happy to answer your questions and offer our recommendations for activities during your stay. ​ Our property is ride-in, ride-out to hundreds of miles of off-road trails, so you can unload at your site, and get out into the wild right away. And when you're at your site, you'll have just about everything you need close at hand. Gas and fuel, a well stocked store with gifts and souvenirs, a restaurant and bar, and even an EV charging station. We'll take great care of you!
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$75
 / night
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(9)

Salida RV Resort

81 sites · RVs10 acres · Salida, CO
Salida RV Resort is a brand new luxury RV park in Colorado with over 1,600 feet of Arkansas riverfrontage and is surrounded by the beautiful Collegiate Peak mountains. Book your spacious RV Site and be just 2.5 miles to shops and dining in Salida’s lovely and hip historic downtown district. With year-round full hookup RV Sites, Salida has four seasons of outdoor adventure awaiting you! Perfect for year-round guests, we offer access to all of the wonderful river activities, including our private river access ramp for non-motorized rafts and floats. Visitors can explore wonderful mountain biking and hiking trails for all skill levels in the nearby Sawatch Range, or participate in the town of Salida’s many great summer festivities! In the winter, Monarch Ski Resort is just 23 miles away. Don’t forget to take a dip in one of the local hot springs while you’re here any time of year! Salida’s mild year-round climate caused by the “banana belt” is one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets!
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$65
 / night
100%
(47)

New Sky Ranch : Eco-building + Art

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Saguache, CO
New Sky’s bones are those of an old settler’s homestead in the San Luis Valley that dates back to the early 1900’s. Nestled up against the Rio Grande National Forest, it is a high mountain desert oasis that holds the original dance hall of the county and a whole lot of history. New Sky Ranch is a wild, wild place. We are not only off grid, but also nestled in a large natural caldera (meaning a volcano that has collapsed on itself) and are right next to national forest. This means that we can experience all 4 seasons in a single day - having extreme winds and rain in one moment, and clear summer skies the next! We invite you to not only be prepared for this, but to lean into the experience as this unique high alpine environment can be one of the most inspiring and epic places on earth. We are currently fixing up what is already on the property for an eco-experiential retreat as well as a space for like minded artists to take refuge and create magic on the land. We currently have our workshop and studio space up and running as well as the first of several livable structures completed - an 100 year old rehabbed miners cabin using Hempcrete and other natural materials, complete with a communal outdoor kitchen. We also have begun hosting our first artist/maker residents who are using the shop space and land to bring their own creations to life. Over time, we have dreams of permaculture farming, eco building workshops, community collaboration, and the ability to host gatherings – however, we are committed to taking it all one step at a time and allowing only what is meant to be to unfold. For now it is simply our home, a maker space for art and experimental eco building, a gathering spot for friends and a quiet Hipcamp spot.
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$39
 / night

The best camping near Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area guide

Overview

About

For those adventurous campers seeking an immersive experience in nature's finest settings, camping near Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area should be at the top of your list. Nestled within Colorado's vibrant Rio Grande National Forest, this locale offers more than just a night under the stars.

Dome Lakes, split into two moderate bodies of water, is a thriving habitat for a variety of aquatic wildlife. Rainbow trout and brook trout populate the lakes in abundance, much to the delight of fervent anglers. But that's not all, it's also an enticing venue for birdwatchers. Sightings of Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck are common, especially during the breeding season. Migrating phalaropes and potential other shorebirds also add to the lakes' vibrant ecological scene.

The allure doesn't end there. A Dome Lakes camping trip is your pass to an array of land-based activities too. Hiking trails crisscross the region, inviting exploration and a chance to encounter the local fauna, including coyotes often seen hunting in the vicinity. Remember though, this is a State Wildlife Area, so anyone aged 16 and above is required to have a valid hunting, fishing license, or a SWA pass.

Whether you're a seasoned camper or just starting to explore the great outdoors, Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area offers an enriching wilderness retreat. The blend of fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and camping in the midst of nature makes it an idyllic destination for any camping expedition. So, ready your gear and set your sights on a Dome Lakes camping trip; nature is calling!

When to go

The ideal time to visit Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area is during the spring and fall, when mild temperatures create perfect conditions for wildlife spotting and outdoor activities. Summer brings warmth and an abundance of life, but also a surge of visitors. Winters can be harsh, with snow and cold potentially limiting access and activities.

Know before you go

  • Check the latest park updates for any closures or restrictions before planning your visit.
  • Ensure you have the necessary permits for fishing or hunting, as regulations are strictly enforced.
  • Prepare for varying weather conditions by dressing in layers and bringing waterproof gear.
  • Accessibility information can be obtained by contacting the park's office prior to your trip.
  • Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve the park's natural beauty for future visitors.

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