The best camping near Colorado National Monument

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Colorado National Monument adventure.

Hike, climb, search for wildlife, and take in epic canyon views.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Colorado National Monument

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Colorado National Monument

97%
(394)

The Views at Gateway

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2000 acres · Gateway, CO
Located on the Dolores river, this property is perfect for hikers, fishing, rafting, or just camping! There is a natural spring just a few miles from the location with drinking water as well. When you stay here you are located right on the river with nothing but places to hike, climb and have fun and there are several options for you to choose from. There is a cabin, an onsite RV, a canvas tent, and BYO tent or RV camping on the land - you can pick whatever suits you best! No matter what, you can fall asleep to the sound of the river after a great night of star gazing! Nearby outdoor points of interest include the Dolores River on property, Hanging Flume which is approx. 20 miles from site, Gateway Canyons Resort Auto museum 7 miles from site, Arches National Park 2 hour drive from site, Colorado national monument 1 hour drive. The Grand Mesa 2 hour drive, Telluride ski resort 2 hour drive! You can find hiking, biking, swimming, paddle board, kayaks, rafting, fishing, tubing, bird watching, star gazing rock climbing, bouldering, all right from the property. All sites are accessible without 4wheel drive. I love where I live and think everyone should be able to experience the peaceful quiet beautiful environment that it is!
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Palisade by Moonlight

3 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Palisade, CO
We live on a lovely 2 acres in East Orchard Mesa. ( which is approximately 8 miles from downtown Palisade) Our property is adjacent to peach orchards and vineyards and has a gorgeous view of the Grand Mesa. There are lawns and gardens and a landscaped area to enjoy a campfire 🔥 In 2010, The Wedding House venue began hosting weddings. Our home has a past! Formerly a church, and built in 1910, the house was brought into the property in the mid 60’s and was thoroughly remodeled.Learn more about this land:Located in the East Orchard Mesa area of Palisade.(about 8 miles and 15 min. from both downtown Palisade and Grand Junction! We are surrounded by Peaches/Vineyards and have an awesome view of the Grand Mesa. Our property is also a wedding venue with lawns and open skies, fire pit area, bbq grill, porta potty and hand washing station. Close by shooting range and ATV BLM land. A favorite road biking route through the rolling hills of Palisade Wine country. You cannot beat the sunsets, rainbows, and mountain views. The “chapel” can be a place to have an outdoor meal with tables and chairs available. Plenty of parking.
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96%
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Bear Family Ranch RV and Camping

10 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Mack, CO
Bear Family Ranch gives you a feeling of remoteness, away from the hustle and bustle. The family here works hard, but we are all laid back in the country. We are less than 2 miles from I-70, easy off and onto I-70. We are just outside of the small really small town of Mack, Colorado. We are 20 miles west of Grand Junction. We are 2 miles from the Colorado River, Horse Thief Canyon, and many other outdoor activities. Mountain Biking all around the valley, and you can bike on our trails around the 150 acres. We are a farm and ranch sometimes we have cattle, sometimes we have horses. Bear Family Ranch is a secluded and hidden ranch, you cannot see the ranch from the roadway. You will see incredible views of the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, and Mount Garfield. When the sun sets, shinning it's sun rays on the Colorado Monument the monument comes to life. There are 3 full hook-up RV sites and 7 dry camping, walk-in sites. The Bear Family Ranch sits in a desert like valley with, trees in and around the property, there is a pond fed by an irrigation stream, the pond is not stocked at this time, there is a creek nearby, and a river 1 mile from camping and still on our property. Farm animals we have, most are in pins, but you are welcome to explore. Go for a walk around the pond, explore the property, hike a mile to the Mack Wash (which is a small river) and you get there by crossing 1st creek, and winding through the small hills, and down to the river. Along the upper small canyon there are naturally formed mini rapids. You can mountain bike around the property. It's quiet with birds flying and chirping. This is a very private and secluded location with lots of space! ARRIVAL: Please ask for directions, there is a red sign out front that says "Bear Family Ranch'. Also, a blue and white sign with our address on it. You will drive on a dirt road up and over a hill, less than 2-10ths of a mile off of 10 road you will then see the Bear Family Ranch. When you arrive, we will assist you to your spot, there are 3 back-in RV spots, on a gravel and road base pad, with 30A/50A, water, and limited sewer hook-up (see below). There are 7 dry camping sites, raised 8 x 8 pad, and the sites are a short walk from where you park. Roughly 400 feet. There is no parking at the dry camping sites. You will park on the gravel pad and enjoy the short walk into the camp sites. (See dry camping below). Bring your own camping toilet or use our outhouse with a camping toilet inside. This toilet would be shared by whomever else is camping. Because it's a working ranch, we prefer to familiarize you and your guests to the ranch and show you the route to the site as we have exposed irrigation, irrigation ditches, and a pond. We prefer not to fish you out of the pond. LOL. Someone is always here at the Ranch, and if you experience a problem, we can try our best to figure it out and 'get'Rr-dun!' The goats, Tom Brady and Darelene along with baby goats, Haas and Cinnamin, are very happy to see you, but you can't go inside with them, without a Ranch hand. We have ducks, Turkeys and chickens. Farm eggs, ice, and firewood are available for purchase as availability allows. Chickens have a say in the eggs, LOL. There is a small store in the Salon, between the main house and the RV parking. The Salon is available with an appointment made at the Bear Hair Salon with April. There are limited use of the washer and dryer, and what is being washed, if you need to wash bulky or excessively dirty laundry, we recommend the laundry machines in Fruita. Sewer goes into a leach field and can only handle so much water, thanks for your understanding and flexibility. The Bear Family Ranch crew are up early and usually busy in the field, or around the ranch, as there is always something to do! We are 30 minutes west of Grand Junction. A family water park 15 minutes away. 1/2 a mile from the Annual 3rd week of June Country Jam, 2 miles from Colorado river, World Class Mountain Biking in Loma, Kokopelli trail, Horse Thief Canyon, 18 Road into the Fruita Desert, and Mtn Bike lunch loops in Grand Junction. 10 min from the Colorado Monument. 1 hour to the Grand Mesa, 1 hour and 15 min from Moab. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: DRY CAMP SITES are a SHORT WALK. Roughly 200 feet. We have a pull wagon, if necessary one of our family ranch hands can use a quad with a trailer. This is because of periotic and seasonal wet rainy times causing incredible muddy conditions all over the Grand Valley. Because of this mud, at times, we must have vehicles stay off of areas not graveled. For this reason, we currently do not have a park next to thew dry camp sites. (**IF DRY CONDITIONS EXIST, and we are not currently watering grass in and around the dry camping sites, it may be possible to park closer, in a designated parking area, about 40-80 feet from dry camp sites. There is absolutely no parking at the dry camp sites. (This does not apply to the RV sites as they are on road base and gravel). DIRECTIONS: If needed we can provide specific directions to the property, upon contact through Hip-Camp, for peace of mind and due to some map apps don't give direct location. LIMIITED SEWER (If you need to dump grey or black from your tank, please help us keep our leach field from being saturated, If you need to dump grey or black water from your RV, we recommend the really nice rest area in Fruita. The Colorado Welcome Center Rest Area is off of I-70 at EXIT 19, which has a FREE dump station. We are on a leach field, no paper products including toilet paper into the sewer, please and thank you. CHECK-IN is between 1 pm-8 pm, any sooner or especially later please notify the Host through Hip-Camp, for possible arrangements to change the check-in time. It is really helpful, for you and us to show you in daylight hours. We are up early every day, and you may understand we turn-in early at the ranch. Check out is 11 am. We must check you in, to familiarize you and your guests to the location where you will stay and the many nuances with a ranch/farm. We need to know what vehicles are here and know about any guests that may be visiting. Ater check-in you are our guests; you may come and go as you need. We respect your privacy, but if you need anything please contact us or go to the main house. Being a family ranch, we are always working and vigilant of our animals and the security of the Bear Family Ranch. We just need to know who is coming and going. We are also keeping you safe here.
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Dragonsong Sanctuary Forest Retreat

2 sites · Lodging40 acres · Cedaredge, CO
Dragonsong is home to our family and we are available to provide nourishment and nurturing if that is what you need. Tai Ji, Qi Gong, herbal consultations, Rune Readings, healthy organic homecooked meals (with advanced notice, vegan and gluten free too ), guided journeys to the Mesa or to your inner spaces, and hugs are always available. We also realize that sometimes what you need most is space and silence and that is something Dragonsong has in abundance. This is your journey and we want to support you in whatever way feels best! We're also here to host your joyful gatherings of friends who want to share stories, tasty beverages, and a beautiful fire. (weather and wind permitting) We are 25 minutes from the Grand Mesa and it's breathtaking 500 square miles of wilderness and 300 mountain lakes. Dragonsong Sanctuary sits amidst 40 acres of Juniper and Pinion forest with incredible views of the San Juan and West Elk Mountains. There are trails running through the property for you to explore and all well behaved dogs are welcome. We have a unique and colorful tiny home, several camp sites with a compost potty nearby, paddleboards available for adventures on the Mesa, a 23 ft Star Belle tent, and big open skies perfect for catching meteor showers and basking in the wonder of the Milky Way. We are 10 minutes from the town of Cedaredge, where you will find restaurants, galleries, a beautiful town park with playgrounds and a creek for the kiddos, free live music Friday nights through the summer at the Grand Mesa Arts and Event Center, antique shops, Snow Capped Cider tasting room, SIPS wine bar, and Applefest, our annual fall festival. Stop by the Appleshed, our local indoor art mall and enjoy a wine tasting from Williams Cellars, with Sugar Mama's bakeshop inside providing cafe faire and mouth watering fresh breads. Just add a well stocked local grocery store, golf course, thrift shops and wonderful boutiques, Cedaredge has something for everyone! We are an hour from The Black Canyon, Paonia and Palisade and their incredible wineries and organic farms, an hour and 20 min from Orvis Hot springs in gorgeous Rdigeway,and only 15 more min to Ouray, called the Switzerland of Colorado. National monuments, forests, canyons, hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, ancient culture, petroglyphs, rivers, mountains, incredible fall foliage and kind folks at every turn, there is something for everyone close by! Our mission at Dragonsong Sanctuary is to provide a space of safety, love and belonging while helping people connect deeply to the heart of Nature. We foster kindness, compassion, inclusivity, and believe in celebrating life with mirth and reverence. We welcome groups and retreats in alignment with that vision. We hold all life as sacred and ask that you honor the land and all the creatures who call this forest home. We look forward to sharing this beautiful landscape with you. Bright Blessings and lovelovelove, Kaewyn, Jory, Tirion, Nana Karen and Russ
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$95
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The best camping near Colorado National Monument guide

Overview

About

Just outside of Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument is best known for its massive sandstone canyons, rock formations, and ample opportunities to spot native wildlife. It's also home to Rim Rock Drive, a 23-mile-long scenic route offering fantastic views of rock formations and the Colorado wilderness beyond. Cycling and rock climbing are both popular activities in the park, with about 40 miles of well-maintained trails for hikers of all levels. Year-round camping is available at the Saddlehorn Campground, right by the park’s visitor center.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. A and B Loop campsites are available by reservation only from mid-March through mid-October. Sites can be booked up to six months in advance online or by phone.
  2. Sites that haven't been reserved in advance are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but only for one night.
  3. The A Loop remains open year-round with sites available on a first-come, first-served basis during the off season (mid-October through mid-March).
  4. Backcountry camping is permitted at the monument, and free backcountry permits are available at the visitor center.

When to go

You'll get the warmest weather if you visit the monument between late May and September, though this is the busiest time of year at the park and its campground. July and August are the rainiest months of the year here, so be prepared for torrential downpours or thunderstorms if you visit during those months. Crowds taper off sharply by mid-October, when temperatures begin to drop, and winters can get very cold. Ranger programs are offered between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Know before you go

  • The closest spots for groceries and other supplies are the town of Fruita, a 20-minute drive from the campground, and Grand Junction, about 25 minutes away by car.
  • Wood fires are not allowed, but there are charcoal-only grills at each campsite.
  • There are no hookups or showers at the campground and generators can only be used between 8am and8 pm.
  • Pets are allowed at the campground, provided they stay on a leash no longer than six feet in length.
  • There are two ADA-accessible campsites (sites #5 and #70).

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