By Estes Park Team Realty
Estes Park sits at 7,522 feet on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, and the camping options reflect that position. You're either inside the park itself, tucked into surrounding open space, or set up along the Big Thompson River with the mountains as a backdrop.
The best campgrounds Estes Park offers span every style, from backcountry-adjacent tent sites inside RMNP to full-hookup RV pads and cabin rentals near downtown. Easy access to these campgrounds is a lifestyle factor we hear about consistently from buyers drawn to this area.
Key Takeaways
- Book early for RMNP sites: Reservations open six months in advance via recreation.gov and fill within hours; summer dates require planning months ahead
- Campground reservations include timed entry: A reservation at Moraine Park or Aspenglen serves as your vehicle timed entry permit, required May through October
- Hermit Park is the top alternative: Larimer County's Hermit Park Open Space, two miles southeast of town, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins with its own trail system
- Year-round access varies: Moraine Park is the only RMNP campground open in winter (first-come, first-served)
Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
No list of the best campgrounds Estes Park visitors use would be complete without the two east-side campgrounds inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Both require reservations through recreation.gov and offer something no private campground can match: falling asleep inside one of America's most visited national parks.
Moraine Park Campground
- Overview: RMNP's largest campground, set in the Moraine Park valley on the east side of the park, about two miles up Bear Lake Road from the Beaver Meadows Entrance via US Highway 36
- Sites and rates: Over 240 total sites, covering tent-only, electric hookup, and RV options, ranging from $35 to $55 per night. RVs and trailers up to 40 feet are accommodated, making this the more RV-friendly of the two park campgrounds
- Season and reservations: Open year-round, with winter camping available on a first-come, first-served basis across multiple loops. Summer reservations open via recreation.gov six months in advance, with the 2026 season beginning in late May
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, dump station, amphitheater, firewood and ice for sale, food storage lockers, and staff on-site. A utility rehabilitation project completed in 2025 upgraded the water, wastewater, and electrical systems
Moraine Park is the only RMNP campground open in winter. A camping reservation automatically includes a timed entry permit for Bear Lake Road and the rest of the park.
Aspenglen Campground
- Overview: A smaller, forested campground just inside the Fall River Entrance on US Highway 34, tucked into a ponderosa pine forest with some meadow sites overlooking Deer Mountain. A paved path leads to the Fall River Visitor Center and National Gateway Stables
- Sites and rates: Just over 50 sites in total, including tent-only sites, hike-to walk-in sites, and ADA-accessible options. All sites are $35 per night, and RVs are limited to 30 feet in length
- Season and reservations: Open from late May through late September. All sites require a reservation via recreation.gov, with some bookable six months out and others available closer to arrival
- Amenities: Potable water, seasonal flush toilets, amphitheater, firewood for sale, food storage lockers, and staff on-site. No dump station is available on the property, and generators are restricted to one loop during designated hours
Aspenglen is quieter and less crowded than Moraine Park. Frequent sightings include mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep near Horseshoe Park, and black bear.
Campgrounds Near the Park
Two well-regarded options sit just outside the park for campers who can't secure an RMNP site or want more amenities.
Estes Park KOA Holiday
- Overview: A full-service campground and cabin resort about a mile and a half east of downtown on US Highway 34, directly across from Lake Estes and the Big Thompson River. A free summer shuttle connects the campground to town and to RMNP
- Accommodations: RV sites in multiple configurations with full electric, water, and propane fire rings, plus tent sites, rustic cabins, and Deluxe Cabins with full baths. Sombrero Ranch horseback riding is adjacent to the property
- Season and contact: Open May through mid-October at 2051 Big Thompson Ave., Estes Park. Reach them at (970) 586-2888 or koa.com. Recent reviews highlight clean facilities, friendly staff, and included propane fire pits
- Nearby: Lake Estes marina with boat and paddleboard rentals, world-class Big Thompson River fly fishing directly across the street, and a family fun park with mini golf one block away
The KOA is the most amenity-rich option in the area and is consistently recommended for families and first-time visitors who want park access without competing for RMNP reservations.
Hermit Park Open Space
- Overview: A large Larimer County open space at 17 Hermit Park Rd., approximately two miles southeast of Estes Park, at elevations ranging from under 8,000 to nearly 9,000 feet. Managed by Larimer County Natural Resources and preserved through a collaboration with the Town of Estes Park, Great Outdoors Colorado, and multiple partners
- Accommodations: Hermits Hollow tent sites each include a fire ring, picnic table, and bear box. Granite Gulch provides RV hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections for rigs up to 30 feet. Camper cabins come with wood stoves and gas lamps, and a group pavilion accommodates large gatherings
- Season: Open March through mid-December, weather dependent. Entrance permits and camping fees are required, and reservations can be made through larimercamping.com. Vault toilets are available throughout but there are no showers on-site
- Trails: Hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails wind through the property, including the popular Kruger Rock Trail and the gentler Homestead Meadows and Limberpine loops
Hermit Park is the top alternative when RMNP is full. Reviewers from late 2025 and 2026 consistently note the spacious, private sites, clean facilities, and the ten-minute drive to downtown Estes Park.
FAQs
How far in advance should I book a campsite in Estes Park?
RMNP campground reservations open six months in advance on recreation.gov and the best summer dates sell out within hours of release. Hermit Park reservations are available year-round through larimercamping.com with generally better availability.
Do I need a separate timed entry reservation if I'm camping in the park?
No. A reservation at Moraine Park or Aspenglen serves as your timed entry permit. Campers can enter via the Grand Lake, Beaver Meadows, or Fall River Entrances beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of arrival. Day visitors without a camping reservation still need a separate timed entry permit, required May through October.
How does camping access factor into buying property near Estes Park?
It's a lifestyle factor we discuss often. Buyers who prioritize outdoor recreation consistently rank Estes Park highly because of how much is accessible without a long drive. Living here means Moraine Park and Aspenglen are a few minutes away on a Tuesday morning, not a weekend competition.
Contact Estes Park Team Realty Today
We know this community and the landscape that surrounds it. If you are exploring property in or near Estes Park, we would love to help.
Reach out to us at Estes Park Team Realty today and let's start the conversation.
