Camping near Pueblo and the Reservoir

The southern front range offers its share of Colorado gems, and Pueblo makes a great base for exploring it all. A simple two hour drive south of the capital city on I-25, lands you in the “Steel City”. You’ll find plenty of camping opportunities close to Pueblo.

More than 111,000 people call Pueblo home, combined with its sister town of Pueblo-West and you add an extra 31,000+ residents. So setting up a basecamp nearby will put in quick proximity to city life. The biggest attraction in town, home to hundreds of campsites, is Lake Pueblo State Park. It’s located in Pueblo-West but only 10 minutes from downtown Pueblo too.

There are numerous campgrounds suitable for every kind of camper within an hour of Pueblo. Due to the city’s plains location, you’ll find mostly high desert campgrounds in town and a bit more nature and lakeside camping around Pueblo Reservoir.  We limited the campgrounds below to the ones closest to Pueblo, all within a 30 minute drive.

List of campgrounds near Pueblo and Pueblo Reservoir, CO, in order of proximity:

Campgrounds at Lake Pueblo

The gem of most Colorado cities is their proximity to nature. While Pueblo is situated a little further east from the front range mountains than say, Colorado Springs, the massive Lake Pueblo lies in its western backyard. It’s only 10 minutes drive from downtown for year round recreation, including camping. This sprawling state park is centered around the 4,600 surface acre, boat-friendly reservoir fed by the Arkansas River. That’s 60 miles of shoreline to enjoy, fish from, and relax on. There are 3 campgrounds featuring 400 campsites, suitable for tents and bigger RVs. Recreation includes biking, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing and boating and water recreation on Lake Pueblo, swimming at Rock Canyon Swim Beach.

Arkansas Point Campground

Arkansas Point is the easiest campground to access in Lake Pueblo State Park and it fills up quickly each summer, so it’s important to put your reservation in as soon as possible. If you are looking for quick access to the nearby swim beach or any of the water recreation that this state park has to offer, Arkansas Point Campground is a great starting point for your next camping trip.

• Closest Town: Pueblo (9mi)
• Specs: 95 campsites, 35 pull-through campsites for RVs/big rigs
• Amenities: Electric and full RV hookup sites available, paved parking pad, picnic tables, fire ring, flush bathrooms and showers, RV dump station, playground
• Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
• Address: 640 Arkansas Point Rd, Pueblo, CO 81005 (Map)
• Directions: Take Interstate 25 south towards Pueblo and exit at Exit 101, or US Hwy 50, and head west. Continue for 4 miles, then turn left on Pueblo Blvd. At Hwy 96, or Thatcher Blvd, make a right and continue for 4 more miles until you reach the south park entrance. Follow the Pueblo Reservoir Access Rd. for a quarter mile, then turn left and follow signs towards Arkansas Point Campground.

Juniper Breaks Campground

For a more intimate experience in the elements, Juniper Breaks Campground can’t be beat. This small campground offers limited amenities, but makes up for it with incredible views of the rocky landscape. Be sure to bring something to block the wind, as the gusts can get intense across this plain.

• Closest Town: Pueblo (9mi)
• Specs:  82 campsites
• Amenities: Paved parking pad, picnic tables, fire ring, self-service camper registration, vault toilet facilities, and water faucets (no water hookups)
• Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
• Address: Juniper Rd. Pueblo, CO 81007 (Map)
• Directions: From I-25 south, head towards Pueblo and exit at Exit 101, or US Hwy 50, and continue west. Continue for 4 miles, then turn left on Pueblo Blvd. At Hwy 96, or Thatcher Blvd, make a right and continue for 4 more miles until you reach the south park entrance. From the south entrance, follow the Pueblo Reservoir Access Rd. for a quarter mile, then make a right. Follow this road for approximately 4 miles until you reach the campground entrance.

Northern Plains Campground Complex

Includes: Yucca Flats, Kettle Creek, Prairie Ridge, and Eagle View Campgrounds

The Northern Plains Campground Complex is a sprawling array of different campgrounds, all situated together at the northern edge of scenic Lake Pueblo. If you want to be close to the water with a large choice in camping options, the Northern Plains Complex is perfect for your next outdoor adventure. Bring your boat or jet ski along too–this campground is situated close to the northern boat ramp to allow easy access to the lake.

• Closest Town: Pueblo (14mi)
• Specs: 210 campsites, including RV sites with electrical hookups
• Amenities: Paved parking pad, picnic tables, fire ring, easy access to north boat ramp, flush toilets and showers (only vault toilets at Eagle Creek), water fill-up station, dump station, park services
• Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
• Address: Northern Plains Rd. Pueblo, CO 81007 (Map)
• Directions: Take Interstate 25 south towards Pueblo and exit at Exit 101, or US Hwy 50, and head west. Continue for 4 miles, then turn left on Pueblo Blvd. At Hwy 96, or Thatcher Blvd, make a right and continue for 4 more miles until you reach the south park entrance. From there, head down Pueblo Reservoir Access Rd. for a quarter of a mile, then turn right. Follow this road for approximately 6 miles until you reach the Northern Plains Campground Complex.

Campgrounds in Pueblo

Those looking to camp outside of nature in the more developed town, there are numerous RV parks close by. From only a few miles drive to downtown Pueblo, to as far south as Colorado City, we’ve rounded up the top campgrounds for both travel trailers and tent campers. Even though RV may be in the name of the place, they often have a few treasured spots for tents.

Fort’s RV Park Inc

Centrally located in the city of Pueblo, Fort’s RV Park is a great place to stop for a night of rest as well as good starting point for your visiting Pueblo’s expansive outdoor recreation. This campground is ideal for RVs and pull-through campers, but offers premium campsites for tent camping as well.

• Closest Town: Pueblo (3mi)
• Specs: 55 RV sites with full electrical, water, and sewer hookups; 24 sites for 45ft+ vehicles
• Amenities: Showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, outdoor recreation area
• Recreation: 10min to Pueblo Reservoir, close by Nature Center, 10min to local hiking and mountain biking trails
• Reservations: Yes, call for reservations, (719) 564-2327
• Address: 3015 Lake Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004 (Map)
  
• Directions: On I-25 South, exit at Exit 94 for CO-45/Pueblo Blvd. Take a right onto Pueblo Blvd, then take the first right for Lake Ave. Fort’s RV Park will be on your left.

Pueblo West Campground and Arena

If you’re looking for a campground that will make you feel like you’re truly in the Old West, the Pueblo West Campground and Horse Arena will surely satisfy. This 46-acre campground features wide-open fields for camping, as well as amenities to make it feel a bit more like home.

• Closest Town: Pueblo West (1mi); Pueblo (11mi)
• Specs: 46 acre campground, pull-through sites paved and gravel
• Amenities: Bathrooms, shower, laundry, paved road, pet-friendly
• Recreation: Hiking and biking, horseback riding, nearby access to state parks
• Reservations: Yes, call for reservations, (719) 547-9887
• Address: 480 E McCulloch Blvd, Pueblo West, CO 81007 (Map)
  
• Directions: From I-25 South, take Exit 101 for US-50 and turn right. Take US-50 for 7mi then turn right onto E McCulloch Blvd and continue for 1mi. The entrance to the campground will be on your right.

Pueblo KOA Journey

KOA’s are some of the most common campgrounds and RV parks you will find across America, and Pueblo is no exception. This spacious park offers electrical hookups for RVs as well as premium tent camping sites in a location that is easy to access from both Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Go for a dip in the pool and the hot tub while you enjoy a night beneath the Colorado stars.

• Closest Town: Pueblo (12mi)
• Specs: Pull-through sites with full electrical hookups, 125ft max length, premium tent sites
• Amenities: Cable TV, pool, hot tub, snack bar, Wi-Fi
• Recreation: Golf, 15min to Pueblo Reservoir and hiking
• Reservations: Yes, at KOA.com
• Address: 4131 N, I-25, Pueblo, CO 81007 (Map)
• Directions: Take I-25 South from Colorado Springs. At Exit 108 for Purcell Blvd, exit right and turn right onto Frontage Rd. 0.5mi after, make a right to enter the KOA.

Haggard’s RV Campground

Looking for that homey feeling, even while camping out under the stars? Haggard’s RV Campground, located 15mi from Pueblo and 15mi from Canon City, is the perfect place to start out your southern Colorado vacation. The camp host has a reputation for taking good care of her guests, and your family will be no exception.

• Closest Town: Pueblo (15mi)
• Specs: 60 campsites for tent camping and RV, electrical hookups
• Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, pool, Wi-Fi, playground
• Recreation: Bishop Castle, easy access to Cripple Creek, Canon City, and Pueblo recreation
• Reservations: Yes, call for reservations, (719) 547-2101
• Address: 7910 US-50, Pueblo, CO 81007 (Map)
  
• Directions: From I-25 S, take exit 101 for US-50 and turn right. Continue for 18mi then take a right onto State Hwy 120/Old Portland Rd. After 2.5mi, take a right onto R St, then turn right to get back onto US-50. 3.5mi later, Haggard’s RV Campground will be on your right.

Pueblo South/Colorado City KOA

Roughly 20mi south of Pueblo, the Pueblo KOA South/Colorado City is a wonderful spot for families to camp where they can explore nature in peace. One bonus of this KOA location? A dog park for your furry friends.

• Closest Town: Colorado City (3mi); Pueblo (24mi)
• Specs: Pull-through sites with full electrical hookups, 80ft max length
• Amenities: Cable TV, pool, hot tub, snack bar, dog park, Wi-Fi
• Recreation: Mini golf, horseshoes, Frisbee golf, basketball, volleyball, walking trail with small pond
• Reservations: Yes, at KOA.com
• Address: 9040 Interstate 25 South @ Exit, 74, Pueblo, CO 81004 (Map)
• Directions: Take I-25 South from Pueblo. Exit at Exit 74 and turn left. Turn right onto Abbey St and the KOA will be on your left.

Consider Westcliffe or Cañon City

Consider checking out the campgrounds closest to Westcliffe or the campgrounds closest to Cañon City. They all make an efficient base for exploring all three Colorado towns: Pueblo, Cañon City and Westcliffe. If you’re looking for a true Rocky Mountain camping experience, go camping near Westcliffe, which is an hour southwest of town. You’ll find a lot of USFS campgrounds spread through the San Isabel National Forest. Some are less than 45 minutes to downtown Pueblo and even closer to the lake.

Another great option is heading around 40 minutes west to Cañon City or a tad further to the Royal Gorge. Due to the world renown of the Royal Gorge Bridge and recreation around it, there are oodles of campgrounds by Cañon City, which put you a touch closer to the mountains than camping in Pueblo. So give all three articles a read before settling on your site.

That’s a roundup of the best campgrounds near Pueblo, Colorado. Perhaps give the campsites near Colorado Springs a look next. Remember to leave no trace.