When To Camp in Colorado

Written By Guest User

Where To Go Camping During Each Season

Trip Ideas by Season in Colorado and the West

Ready for an adventure but not sure where to go or when? Sit back and relax because we are experts on camping in Colorado and the greater Southwest. Let us guide you through all your fantastic options no matter what time of year! 

First and foremost, the changing of the seasons is going to change where you want to adventure. Though there is always going to be an awesome spot to explore, no matter what time of year, each place has its own prime season. We thought we’d break it down for you and the below graphic is a quick synopsis.

Spring: ~March-May

Time to thaw out after a chilly winter and kick off the camping season! However, Colorado’s biggest snow months are March and April, with snowstorms rolling in as late as Mother’s Day. So don’t be fooled by a 60° day, you could have two feet of snow tomorrow!

In Colorado, most dirt roads above 7,000 feet are closed by the Forest Service. Your best bet for a Spring trip is to stay in the desert areas of Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Here are some of our choice suggestions:

To learn more of our tips and tricks for Fall camping, check out our blog: Spring Camping in the Desert Southwest

Summer: ~June-August

Summer is by far the best time to explore Colorado’s mountains. Many campgrounds and 4x4 roads in the Colorado high country open around June 15th. There are some even higher areas that don’t open until early July, particularly after a big snow year. 

You’re going to have access to everywhere in the Summer months, but you’ll want to focus on getting to the places that you can’t the rest of the year. Steer clear of the deserts, save them for Spring, Fall, and Winter. The higher the elevation, the cooler it will be, particularly at night and toward the end of August.

July is peak wildflower season in the Rockies. And late August will have fewer crowds as school is back in session. Here are a few of our Summer specific suggestions, but really, everything is fair game for the peak summer season!

  • Colorado 14ers

  • 4x4 Mountains Passes

  • Colorado State Parks

  • National Parks in Colorado

  • National Parks in Wyoming and Montana

  • Dispersed Camping in National Forest Lands

  • Visiting Mountain Towns

  • Rafting

  • Fishing

Fall: ~September-November

Fall—by far our favorite camping season! September and early October are awesome in Colorado and offer incredible camping. The crowds have thinned, the bugs have disappeared, and the leaves are starting to change into magnificent oranges, reds, and of course, the Aspen gold. The peak time for Leaf Peepers is late September. This is the time to take those last high mountain trips before the snow closes the 4x4 roads down.

By mid-October, the desert areas will again be ideal as the scorching heat has calmed and the snow is beginning to fly in the mountains. Layers are key during this time. Don’t be fooled by the warm days because the evenings will cool and mornings will be frosty. Heated vans or heated truck campers are great for late fall trips.

Many of the Spring favorites are terrific options for Fall as well. However, here is a definitive list of our favorites for this perfect time of year!

  1. Aspen, Crested Butte, Telluride (Leaf Peeping!)

  2. Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park for the elk rut)

  3. Colorado 14ers

  4. Desert Areas listed in Spring Section Above

*Be aware that hunting occurs during the Fall (Sept-Nov) on public lands!

To learn more of our tips and tricks for Fall camping, check out our blog Fall Camping Guide: How-to Camp & Where-to Camp in the Fall.

Winter: ~December-February

Having trouble imagining the entire winter without camping? Well, you don’t have to! Ditch the crowds, grab a heated Denver campervan rental or an overland truck camper, and experience winter camping. You can stick in the mountains and skip the expensive lodging at ski areas or road trip deep into the desert southwest seeking more mild temperatures.

Ski Camping: places to stay in a heated rig

Overnight Parking

  • Silverton Mountain Ski Area

  • Winter Park Resort

  • Wolf Creek Resort

  • Powderhorn Mountain Resort

  • Bluebird Backcountry

 If you want more info on where to ski camp, check out our blog Ski Camping.

Winter Overlanding Trips

Or why not take an overland trip into the desert of the southwest in Arizona or Nevada? During the winter months we offer a one-way option to Phoenix or Las Vegas of our Denver camping rentals, contact us to learn more.  

  1. Grand Canyon National Park

  2. Antelope Canyon-Horseshoe Bend

  3. Sedona

  4. Petrified Forest National Park

  5. Death Valley

  6. Las Vegas

Custom Planned Trips

Now, if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to plan the perfect adventure, no worries. Titus Adventure Co. can work with you to create a custom itinerary based on the time of year, route, activities, and experience level you’re comfortable with! Whether you want a remote backcountry trip or just looking for some more general guidance from the experts, we are here for you. Contact us today to get started!

How to Travel!

So you’ve got your destination, your route, and are brimming with excitement for all the memories you’ll make, how are you going to travel? Titus Adventure Co. is your one-stop shop for adventure, didn’t you know? No matter what time of year, we have the Denver 4x4, Jeep, or campervan rental you need for an amazing trip. Whether you’ll benefit from a heated overland truck camper or a pop-up tent on the back of a Denver 4x4 truck rental, we’ve got you. 

And we have even more Colorado camping rentals available. Do you need a stove? A fishing set-up? A warm sleeping package? We’ve got it all ready to go, contact us or check availability today and start planning your next expedition!

For more Colorado camping and adventure tips, check out our blog!

Guest User
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