Vail is one of Colorado’s most well-known mountain towns for camping, situated along Interstate 70 in the beautiful Vail Valley. Along with its ski town neighbors, Avon and Beaver Creek, Eagle County sees a lot of tourists looking for a place to camp.
Eagle County is home to a lot of awesome campgrounds, which lie close to its many great communities, including Vail, Minturn, Red Cliff, Eagle-Vail, Avon, Beaver Creek, Edwards, Wolcott, Eagle, and Gypsum.
The majority of the towns are located along Highway I-70, except for Minturn and Red Cliff, which are tucked away just off the interstate along Highway 24. The largest by population is Edwards (at over 10,000) and the county seat is Eagle.
All these mountain towns are surrounded by tremendous recreation within the White River National Forest. Each offers its access points and unique attractions to visit year-round. Most of the campgrounds reside south of Red Cliff on Highway 24, south of Eagle by Sylvan Lake, and near the town of Gypsum. There are sites for free, dispersed camping as well.
List of campgrounds near Vail, Red Cliff, Eagle and Gypsum, CO, in order of proximity:
Camping on Vail Pass near Vail
Continue west past Copper Mountain in Summit County on I-70 and you’ll soon begin climbing Vail Pass. In the winter it’s a super popular spot for snowmobiling, and in the summer backcountry hikes are common. Located 25 minutes west of Copper and less than 15 minutes to Vail is the only campground on the pass, Gore Creek.
It’s a great spot for both RVs and tent camping. You can access some great hiking, biking and off-road driving on Shrine Pass, via Vail Pass a little closer to Copper. It’s a seasonal back way to Red Cliff.
Gore Creek Campground
If you want to camp close to Vail, Gore Creek Campground is one of the very few options in this gorgeous area. A large amount of sites with ample room for RVs and trailers make this spot a popular one during the summer months, so be sure to reserve your spot before traveling to this campground.
- Closest Town: Vail (7mi), Eagle (37mi)
- Specs: 25 total primitive campsites; 16 back-in sites (35ft vehicle limit) and 8 walk-in tent sites; reservable
- Amenities: 4 handicap-accessible vault toilets, bear locker for food
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing in Gore Creek, mountain climbing, wildlife viewing, horseback riding
- Address: Forest Rd 721, White River National Forest, Vail, CO 81657 (Map).
Camping by Red Cliff near Vail
Few Vail and Beaver Creek visitors leave the familiarity of the interstate and venture south on Highway 24. Those that do are rewarded with a scenic drive, passing by the cool, somewhat hidden towns of Minturn and Red Cliff. The latter of which serves up a few campgrounds within the White River NF. Minturn is the larger of the two towns, but each has enough amenities for a camping trip.
Hornsilver Campground
Hornsilver Campground is a prime location for people looking for peaceful opportunities to fish and hike in the Homestake Creek area. Although the amenities at this campground are limited, usage of it is quite light and the sites are large enough to fit vehicles up to 30ft.
- Closest Town: Red Cliff (2mi), Vail (18mi), Leadville (20mi), Eagle (38mi)
- Specs: 7 total campsites with 30 ft vehicle limit; reservable
- Amenities: Vault toilet, fire pits, picnic tables
- Recreation: Fishing in Homestake Creek, hiking, wildlife viewing
- Address: Forest Road 7421A, Red Cliff, CO 81649 (Map)
Blodgett Campground
Blodgett Campground was once a site overseen by the Forest Service, but now it is a free campground that is open to all. Although there are limited amenities at this site, it more than makes up for it with its accessibility to nearby rock climbing and popular hiking trails.
- Closest Town: Red Cliff (4mi), Vail (19mi), Leadville (20mi), Eagle (40mi)
- Specs: 6 total campsites; 5 pull-thru sites (45ft vehicle limit) and 1 walk-in tent site; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Fire pits, picnic tables
- Recreation: Hiking, mountain climbing, wildlife viewing, rock climbing
- Address: Homestake Reservoir Rd, Leadville, CO 80461 (Map)
Camping by Eagle River b/w Edwards and Eagle
The tiny riverside community of Wolcott sits along the Eagle River about halfway between Edwards and Eagle on I-70. Exit CO-131 heading north, which leads you to the Flat Tops Byway in Yampa and eventually Steamboat Springs, a full hour and a half north. There’s one BLM campground located a little more than a mile west of Wolcott on Highway 6, which runs parallel with I-70.
Wolcott BLM Campground
Wolcott BLM Campground is an ideal jumping-off point to all of your adventures in Eagle County. With prime accessibility to fishing, rafting, and rock climbing, this campground is perfect for the most adventurous of travelers.
- Closest Town: Edwards (8mi), Eagle (8mi), Vail (22mi)
- Specs: 6 primitive pull-thru campsites; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Vault toilers, fire pits, picnic tables
- Recreation: Fishing, rafting, rock climbing, hiking, wildlife viewing
- Address: 8498, Edwards, CO 81632 (Map)
Camping by Sylvan Lake near Eagle
Sixteen miles and thirty minutes south of the town of Eagle lies the hidden gem of Sylvan Lake. This state park is surrounded by wilderness within the White River National Forest. There are two campgrounds at Sylvan Lake State Park, as well as a couple of USFS campgrounds nearby.
The state park also has some options for glamping, including cabin and yurt rentals. The town of Eagle features a nice historic downtown with some great shopping and dining to compliment your wooded experience.
Sylvan Lake State Park Campgrounds
If you’re truly looking to get away from it all, Sylvan Lake State Park camping is the way to do it. Not even cell reception can reach you so deep in the mountains, allowing you to relax in the tranquility to nature. Cabins and yurts are also available for rental if you want a more luxurious experience on the lake.
- Closest Town: Eagle (16mi), Vail (46mi)
- Specs: 44 total campsites over 2 campgrounds as well as 1 large group campsite (up to 60 people), cabin and yurt rentals also available; reservable
- Amenities: Coin-operated bathrooms and showers, vault toilet, fire pits, picnic tables
- Recreation: Boating and fishing on Sylvan Lake, biking, hiking, wildlife viewing
- Address: 10200 Brush Creek Rd, Eagle, CO 81631 (Map)
Yeoman Park Campground
Yeoman Park Campground is not for those unaccustomed to the mountain air. At around 9,000 feet in elevation, this campground is a great pick for animal and nature lovers, as it provides viewing opportunities of a beaver colony as well as wildlife like red-tailed hawks.
- Closest Town: Eagle (17mi), Vail (47mi)
- Specs: 34 total primitive campsites, many with room for vehicles over 30ft; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: 3 vault toilets, tent platforms, fire pits, picnic tables
- Recreation: Hiking, wildlife viewing (beaver colony nearby), fishing, close to historic town of Fulford
- Address: Crooked Creek Pass Rd, Basalt, CO 81621 (Map)
Fulford Cave Campground
Fulford Cave is a popular spot for spelunkers, and Fulford Cave Campground offers a respite just a mile from the cave itself. Only a small amount of campsites are available at this first come, first serve campground, so be sure to arrive early.
- Closest Town: Eagle (19mi), Vail (49mi)
- Specs: 7 primitive campsites near Fulford Cave trail, only one can accommodate up to 25ft vehicle; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Vault toilet, fire pits, picnic tables
- Recreation: Cave exploration at Fulford Cave (if open), hiking, wildlife viewing
- Address: Forest Rd 415, Basalt, CO 81621 (Map)
Camping by Gypsum near Eagle
The town of Gypsum isn’t a popular resort town or even much of a tourist stop. It’s probably most well known for housing the Eagle County Regional Airport, which serves the ski towns of Vail and Beaver Creek. Gypsum does, however, post a large mountain town population over 7,000 residents and access to some exceptional outdoor recreation.
The Eagle River flows through town and federal land within the White River National Forest and BLM are easy to reach, along with some worthy campgrounds. If you continue west thirty minutes you’ll come to the hot springs resort town and additional camping near Glenwood Springs in Garfield County.
Gypsum Campground
Located just off of I-70, Gypsum Campground is an easy pit stop to lay your head after a long day of driving through the Colorado Rockies. With limited amenities and no water, you’ll want to bring your own supplies to this BLM campground, as well as earplugs to deal with the highway noise while you’re trying to sleep.
- Closest Town: Gypsum (2mi), Eagle (9mi), Vail (39mi)
- Specs: 6 primitive campsites; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Vault toilet, fire pit, picnic table
- Recreation: Hiking, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing
- Address: US-6, Gypsum, CO 81637
Riverdance RV Resort
Looking for a little bit more luxury during your stay in Eagle County?Riverdance RV Resort is the only location in this area where you will find full electric hookups, as well as a dump station for the convenience of those traveling in RVs. There are showers, bathrooms, and free WiFi available for guests as well, allowing you to stay connected and clean while you’re on the go.
- Closest Town: Gypsum (3mi), Eagle (10mi), Vail (40mi)
- Specs: RV resort with electric hookups; reservable
- Amenities: 30 and 50amp sites, free WiFi, showers and bathroom ($5 guest pass), dog run, dump station
- Recreation: Fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, rock climbing
- Address: 6700 US-6, Gypsum, CO 81637 (Map)
Sweetwater Lake Campground
Relax in the shade at Sweetwater Lake Campground, located close to the shores of the lake for which it was named. You won’t find many amenities at Sweetwater Lake, but the views are absolutely unbeatable and the opportunities for recreation are endless.
- Closest Town: Dotsero (18mi), Eagle (30mi), Vail (60mi)
- Specs: 9 primitive campsites (30ft vehicle limit); first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Vault toilet, fire pits, picnic tables
- Recreation: Hiking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing
- Address: Sweetwater Creek Road, Gypsum, CO 81637 (Map)
Consider Leadville or Summit County
Continue past Red Cliff on Highway 24 and you’ll soon summit Tennessee Pass on your way to the highest incorporated city in Colorado, and the country. Located in Lake County, Leadville features one of the state’s best historic districts, an authentic forming mining town that’s gone through its share of booms and busts.
Before you reach it though, you’ll find some camping closer to Red Cliff at Camp Hale, a landmark from the 10th Mountain Division. If you make the full thirty minute drive between Red Cliff and Leadville, you should opt for the lakeside camping in Leadville around Turquoise Lake.
Summit County is a fantastic option for those coming from Denver. It’s closer than Vail, but puts you within an easy thirty minute drive to Vail from the heart of the county, Lake Dillon. There are some fantastic lakeside campgrounds in Summit County, a plethora of campgrounds located between two big reservoirs, Dillon Reservoir and Green Mountain Reservoir. Camping here will put you close by all the Summit County towns: Dillon, Frisco, Keystone, Silverthorne, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain.
That’s a roundup of the best camping in Eagle County, in close proximity to Vail, Minturn, Red Cliff, Eagle-Vail, Avon, Beaver Creek, Edwards, Wolcott, Eagle and Gypsum, Colorado. Respect these great outdoors and practice leave no trace. Happy camping!
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