Campgrounds near Colorado Springs span from 6,000 to 9,500 feet elevation, creating temperature differences of up to 20 degrees between valley and mountain sites. Extreme weather variations are common, with sites like Pikes Peak RV Park experiencing afternoon thunderstorms in summer while snow can affect higher elevation camping into late May. Visitors should prepare for these elevation-based climate shifts regardless of season.
What to do
Visit local attractions: Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers extensive hiking with "20 plus miles of trails that are well marked and maintained," according to one camper. The park features "lots of wildlife, beware of rattlesnakes" and provides "awesome mountain biking, great for families and beginners."
Explore military history: Camp near the Air Force Academy at Peregrine Pines FamCamp where you'll find "several walking trails that start at campground access with beautiful views of the AF Academy." Military campers note that "wildlife is abundant with many black squirrels and a ton of black bears."
Fish at local ponds: Some campgrounds colorado springs feature stocked fishing options. Golden Eagle Campground offers a "great fishing lake" while also providing unique educational opportunities with its "cool bug museum in the registration building."
What campers like
Quiet mountain settings: Campers appreciate locations away from city noise. At Lone Duck Campground, visitors love camping "right next to the little stream and saw so much wildlife!" One camper mentioned waking up with "deer walking and eating down the creek right next to us."
Easy access to trails: Many campgrounds provide direct trail access. At Swift Puma Heights, one visitor noted it "offers no shade, and no trees for a hammock" but praised the "amazing" restrooms with "running flush toilets with sinks with running water and soap provided."
City views from elevated sites: Camping at higher elevations rewards visitors with panoramic views. One camper at Mount Herman Road dispersed camping area described "great views of the city lights and then sunrise" while another mentioned the area offers "panoramic views of the Rockies."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance planning. At Cheyenne Mountain State Park, "you MUST make reservations well in advance" especially during peak summer months.
Weather challenges: Wind can significantly impact camping comfort. Sites on exposed ridges experience strong gusts that can damage equipment. At Cheyenne Mountain State Park, one camper reported that "power went out and fried our surge protector."
Site size limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted tent areas. At Cheyenne Mountain State Park, a camper noted "our 8 man tent was hanging off of the camping plot in some places, so measure your tent before you go!"
Noise factors: Military installations and transportation corridors create regular noise at some campgrounds. At Colorado Springs KOA, a camper mentioned it's "next to the highway the people are grumpy sometimes just like at all the koa's but sometimes there nice."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds colorado springs provide family-oriented amenities. At Lone Duck Campground, families enjoy "all of the amenities. Pool, laundry room, gift shop/Grocery. Arcade, pond, clean bathrooms."
Choose campsites with playground access: Children need play areas to burn energy. Colorado Springs KOA offers a "water park for kids and a bounce pad" which provides entertainment options during downtime between activities.
Consider noise tolerance: Some locations have regular noise from military bases or highways. At Peregrine Pines FamCamp, campers hear "a railroad is close by so, there was a lot of noise at 2AM on one evening."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds have tight turns or difficult entry points. At Pikes Peak RV Park, a camper warned, "spots are TIGHT. We had to work so hard to get our trailer in. It's pretty cramped all around actually."
Water pressure issues: RV campers should be prepared for variable utilities. At Peregrine Pines FamCamp, a visitor noted "water pressure here is really strong so make sure you have a water pressure regulator handy."
Hookup placement matters: Utility connections aren't always conveniently located. At Garden of the Gods RV Resort, one RVer discovered "after getting setup I found out that I'd need to climb up the short retaining wall into my neighbors site to hookup our water hose."
