Early Season Camping in Colorado
WE’RE READY TO GET OUTDOORS
Spring weather is always wild in Colorado. Being stuck inside all winter has everyone itching to get outdoors. Luckily, there are plenty of great spots for early season camping and spots are generally much less crowded. We consider early season camping as anytime before Memorial Day weekend. Some spots have more snow than others, but as temperatures continue to warm up, the high-country snow begins to melt and more camping spots open up. To help you get outside, we rent campervans and 4x4 overland vehicles suited for the Colorado mountains.
The author and his scout exploring near Buena Vista, Colorado in early May
Where to Camp?
One of the greatest benefits to early season camping are the reduced crowds where you can soak up the spectacular views and enjoy the peaceful and quiet trails. You’ll find plenty of early-season camping spots, but here are some of our favorites:
Great Sand Dunes: Some spots require reservations, like the Piñon Flats campground. However, you can reach dispersed sites in the Sand Dunes with a 4x4.
Mesa Verde National Park: Mesa Verde is an American national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Montezuma County, Colorado. As you drive up to the ancient dwelling sites, learn about the historical significance by listening to a Self-Guided Audio Tour that syncs with your GPS and guides you through the park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: This area gets hot later in the summer, so early season camping is ideal here and can be found at both the North and South Rim Campgrounds. Black Canyon surrounds part of a deep, steep-walled gorge carved through Precambrian rock by the Gunnison River. You can also reserve camp sites on the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir at the Elk Creek Campground.
Salida/Buena Vista: This area offers plenty of dispersed options, including Fourmile Recreation Area, Baldwin Lake, and along Cottonwood Pass Road, each offering quiet and scenic spots. You’ll see stunning views of the snowy Collegiate Range.
Fruita is a Western Slope town located just west of Grand Junction, Colorado, and offers some spectacular trails and camping. Nearby Colorado National Monument offers some great spots as well, you can drive the 26-mile “Rim Road” which connects from Fruit to Grand Junction. Learn all about the site and road construction at the visitor center then enjoy vast sweeping views of sheer-walled canyons cut deep into sandstone and other rock formations.
Rocky Mountain National Park: RMNP is less busy, but hikes can still be snowy in early season. Trail Ridge Road generally doesn’t open until the end of May or June. Keep our heated campervans in mind for RMNP.
Hank the 4Runner coming to the end of the road during the spring thaw
Great National Sand Dunes with Medano Creek running in May
Helpful Early Season Camping Tips
We’ve enjoyed early-season camping over the years, so we compiled our top TAC tips to help on your adventure.
Pack plenty of warm clothes in case a rogue snow storm hits. You never know with spring weather! Also pack layers because temperatures vary. It’s always smart to toss in the Warm Sleeping Package as well!
Bring the rain boots in case things are a little wet or muddy.
Some 4x4 trails are open, but others remain closed. If there is a gate across the road, that means it is still closed for the season. We can help you determine which trails might be open!
Campervans can be nice when the weather is looking less than ideal as they give you more space to hang out inside. Our vans all have heaters too!
Some campgrounds will still be closed but others are first come first serve. However, this is ideal because some of the very popular spots that need reservations later generally have availability now (like RMNP).
Roll with it! Conditions can be unpredictable, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning snow-capped scenery and fewer people in the parks.
