Need to Unplug? Top 3 Campgrounds within 45 miles of Fort Collins

1. Horsetooth Reservoir South Bay Campground

Horsetooth Reservoir, CO by Greg Younger is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Horsetooth Reservoir is not only close to campus (about 4 miles away), but it also has a plethora of recreational activities. This is including but not limited to:

- Swimming or scuba diving

- Mountain biking or hiking

- Paddleboarding or kayaking

- Fishing or boating

In addition to amazing recreational potential, Horsetooth also offers gorgeous views throughout the 6.2-mile reservoir.

- Cost to camp: About $20.00-$30.00 per night (varies)

- Make a reservation here

2. Timber Creek Campground at Rocky Mountain National Park

Courtesy of the National Park Service

Rocky Mountain National Park is by far one of Colorado’s most gorgeous sites. Just under 45 miles from campus, RMNP has 355 miles of hiking trails and great options for fishing and wildlife watching. The Estes Park region also has significant historical value, as it’s the original land of the Ute people and was the site of intense geological history before this. The land was carved by a mixture of tectonic plate movement, as well as erosion from melting glaciers.

Timber Creek specifically has beautiful wildlife roaming near the campsite and beautiful water views, making it a great spot for photographers to head over to.

Unlike some other parks, RMNP not only has excellent campgrounds but also allows wilderness camping with reservations.

Cost to camp: $26.00 per night

Timber Creek Campsite does not take reservations: there are 98 spots, each is first come/first serve. To reserve a wilderness camping spot in the park, click here

3. Carter Lake South Shore Campground

Courtesy of Pixabay

Carter Lake is located near Loveland, CO and features a beautiful waterfront view. Carter Lake allows for tons of recreational activities, including:

• Fishing
• Sailing
• Water skiing
• Picnicking
• Swimming
• Scuba diving
• Rock climbing

In addition to fun activities, Carter Lake also features beautiful wildlife, making it a great spot for animal watching or wildlife photography.

Cost to camp: $20.00-$30.00 per night (depending on the season and how far in advance reservations are scheduled).

Make a reservation here