After traveling from coast to coast with our van life travel guides, for this guide we’re bringing it a little closer to home, giving you everything you need to know about traveling to Colorado’s Front Range in your van. Running along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, the Front Range offers some of the best outdoor and urban adventures in the country. There is a lot to cover in this area, so for efficiency’s sake this guide will focus on the northern portion – Denver to Fort Collins.

WHERE TO SLEEP

Most campgrounds and stealth camping areas in the Front Range will require you to venture up into the Rocky Mountains. Luckily, the main urban hubs – Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins – are less than an hour from most of these camping areas.

Established Campgrounds

If you’re looking for a place to park it for the night with some amenities like a bathroom, picnic table and fire pit, there are several paid campgrounds near the Front Range that we recommend. Sites at these campgrounds are either first-come, first-served or can be booked online. These campgrounds fill up quickly, make sure to plan ahead to secure a spot.

Kelly Dahl Campground – An established campground just south of Nederland, Colorado with 46 sites, vault toilets, drinking water and a small playground. Sites range from $17.25-$23.00 / night depending on the season.

Columbine Campground – This campground is northwest of Central City and offers 46 sites, vault toilets, and drinking water. Sites cost $21 / night during all seasons.

Rainbow Lakes Campground – Seven miles north of Nederland, this campground has 18 first-come, first-served campsites. It offers vault toilets but does not have drinking water or electricity. Sites cost $17 / night, remember to bring exact change in cash. (Note: There is dispersed camping nearby if you forget to bring campground fees.)

Cherry Creek State Park Campground – Unlike the areas listed above, this campground is located in Denver proper and is open year round. There are over 100 sites starting at $36 / night.

Free and Dispersed Camping

If you are looking to travel on a budget, there are plenty of areas in the Front Range with free andn dispersed camping. We use and recommend iOverlander and FreeCampsites.net to find stealth camping options. For something more official, we defer to National Forest Service designated dispersed camping areas. Below are a few of our favorites.

Gordon Gulch Dispersed Camping Area – This camping area is conveniently located just north of Nederland. There are several Forest Service roads with official numbered campsites. The roads are not paved and can be rough in places, but should be accessible in most vans.

Canyon Lakes Ranger District Dispersed Camping – This is an area with plenty of National Forest and Wilderness for free dispersed camping. A lot of this area was impacted by the Cameron Peak Fire, make sure to check their camping restrictions map to make sure you don’t park in an area that is off limits.

Pawnee National Grassland – This area is our northernmost recommendation and is a bit of a drive from the central hubs of the Front Range, but it offers extensive public land that is open for dispersed camping. There is some private land in the area, so make sure to reference their Motor Use Vehicle Map to ensure you stay in areas that are open to the public.

Sulphur Ranger District – This one is perfect for people who are drawn to the Front Range for the outdoor recreation opportunities. It’s a bit of a drive from the urban hubs, but these dispersed camping areas will place you high in the Rocky Mountains with plenty of outdoor playground to explore.

WHAT TO DO

Outdoors

Climb a 14er – Before the locals come at us for this cliche Colorado activity, let’s get real. It is cool to climb a 14,000+ foot peak. Is the hype exaggerated? Maybe. But we think it is worth hiking at least one 14er while traveling through Colorado. There are a few (relatively) easy peaks that are perfect for a day trip from Denver or Boulder including Quandary, Bierstadt, and Grays and Torreys.

Drive upMount Blue Sky – Want to get above 14,000 feet without all the huffing and puffing? Colorado has got you covered. There is a paved road all the way up Mount Blue Sky, one of the closest 14ers to the Front Range. It is a fast ascent, so if you are new to high altitudes be mindful of any symptoms of altitude sickness such as headache and nausea. Take breaks on the way up and stay hydrated. If you feel sick, turn around and drive to a lower elevation.

Visit Rocky Mountain National Park – While National Parks tend to feel a bit like the outdoorsy version of Disneyland, they are popular for a reason. Rocky Mountain is a great stop on any Front Range trip, with over 300 miles of hiking trails and 415 square miles of protected land. You can expect spectacular views, colorful wildflowers, plenty of wildlife sightings, and thanks to the high elevation and remote location, unbeatable starry skies.

Climb – Colorado is a climber’s paradise. If you found yourself scrolling past all the other information to get to this part of the to do list, we’ve got recommendations for you. For trad and sport climbing, check out Boulder Canyon. For trad, sport, and bouldering, head to Clear Creek Canyon or the Flatirons. You’ll get world class climbing with unbeatable views all within a short drive from the Front Range urban hubs.

Urban Adventures

See a show at Red Rocks – Red Rocks Amphitheatre is the coolest concert venue in the country. Full stop. If you are a fan of live music, seeing a concert here is a must.

The Denver Art Museum – One of the largest museums between Chicago and the west coast, the Denver Art Museum houses over 70,000 pieces in 12 collections including Indigenous art, modern and contemporary art, African art, photography, textile and fashion, and more.

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science – If you’re a fan of the natural sciences, this is a must visit. This museum offers a planetarium and permanent exhibits featuring Egyptian mummies, gems and minerals, wildlife, and prehistoric life.

Visit Colorado’s craft breweries – Colorado is one of the best places to visit if you like craft beer. The Front Range was the birthplace of some of the pioneers in craft brewing including Odell Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing Company, and Oskar Blues Brewery. From the classics to the newbies, Colorado is home to some of the best beer in the country.

WHERE TO FRESHEN UP

Showers

Golden Community Center – Golden

Loves Truck Stop – i70, east of Denver

Estes Valley Community Center – Estes Park

Breckenridge Rec Center – Breckenridge

Flying J Travel Center – Aurora

Pilot Travel Center – Denver

Laundry

Folsom Street Laundry – Boulder

Westland Coin Laundry – Lakewood

Wash ‘Em Up Laundry – Lakewood, Aurora, Thornton, Denver

Soapy Janes – Longmont

The Laundry Basket – Fort Collins, Loveland

Ready to Start Your Van Life Adventure?

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