Colorado offers camping experiences ranging from full-service RV parks to primitive backcountry sites where you won't see another soul. The state has hundreds of developed campgrounds in national forests, state parks, and national parks, plus millions of acres where dispersed camping is free and legal.
The challenge is access - popular campgrounds, especially near Rocky Mountain National Park and major trailheads, fill months in advance. Planning ahead is essential for summer weekends. But with flexibility, you can almost always find a spot somewhere in Colorado's vast public lands.
High-elevation camping stays cool even in summer, with nighttime temps dropping into the 40s. Wildlife encounters are common - store food properly and understand bear country protocols. And be ready for afternoon thunderstorms that build almost daily in July and August.