6 Best RV Campgrounds near Red Rocks Amphitheater

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Nestled in the Colorado’s Rocky Mountain foothills just 15 miles west of Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an iconic event venue destination offering unforgettable experiences.

Whether you’re attending a  live performance under a star-strewn sky, taking a tour with a local microbrew in hand or soaking up nearby Red Rocks hikes, these RV parks and campgrounds near this epic locale provide the perfect base for your adventure-ready home away from home.

Clear Creek RV Park

Why you should go: Clear Creek RV Park is situated in the heart of charming downtown Golden, with the peaceful sounds of Clear Creek flowing nearby while Lookout Mountain provides beautiful views.

This RV park features 37 campsites total, with 34 being dedicated RV sites. Rates start at $58, depending on which campsite you pick and required amenities you’ll need such as full electric (20, 30 or 50 amp), sewage, water, Wi-Fi, and more.

Pros: What sets this particular RV park apart is the abundance of hiking trails, kayaking, tubing, fishing, parasailing, biking, and exploring just steps from your door.

As if that wasn’t enough, a short half mile stroll along Clear Creek brings you to the main historic thoroughfare of Golden, where you’ll find indie coffee shops, mom-and-pop restaurants and small businesses in abundance.

Cons: Nabbing a space in this highly sought after RV park will take advanced planning — sometimes up to a year ahead of time — since the majority of guests are longtime fans who have long standing reservations.

Golden has a population of about 19,800 residents, but receives over one million tourists — most of which visit the small town in May, June and July, the high season for Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The majority of those visitors will choose to spend their time exploring the downtown Golden corridor, where this RV park is located. As one reviewer said, if you choose to go with this RV Park, just know that “there is limited privacy. The park is right on Clear Creek and a main walk/bike path. From morning to night, the creek is filled with tubers and the trail with bikes, runners…We had zero privacy.”

If you go: 1401 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401; (303) 278-1437

Distance from Red Rocks Amphitheatre: 10 miles

Chief Hosa Campground

Why you should go: Chief Hosa Campground is the least expensive RV park on this list, with rates starting at $32.50. This singularly unique campground hosts the Chief Hosa Lodge, located a one minute stroll away.

The historic structure was designed by architect Jules Jacques Benois Benedict in 1918 with the main goal of seamlessly blending into its surroundings by using timber and stone sourced from the immediate area. The lodge was dedicated, by Benedict, to the “Southern Arapaho tribal leader who was given the honorary title ‘Hosa’ by the Ute tribe, which meant ‘peaceful and beautiful.’”

The campground, along with the lodge, features striking views of the Continental Divide. A viewing area is located nearby where you can check out a buffalo herd grazing peacefully against the backdrop of Genesee Mountain.

Pros: Usually, a city-run rural campsite located outside of the greater metro area will only provide dry camping and be minimally maintained, at best, but, surprisingly, not this one. A recent review left for Chief Hosa reported that the grounds were “very clean and well maintained” with a “nice staff” on hand.

As for the necessities provided, all sites are equipped with water, electric (20, 30 or 50 amp) and even Wi-Fi, with only one single site offering sewage hook-ups. Good news, if you want to dump your black water tank before leaving, there is no extra charge.

Cons: Onsite showers cost $0.25 per 2 minutes at 4 minutes max; be ready for your last call in the shower stall and the need to manage your suds in the most creative kind of way due to the quick countdown.

The majority of the spaces in this particular RV park max out at a length of less than 30 feet, with only a few sites allowing up to, but not to exceed, 35 feet.

If you go: 27661 Genesee Dr. Golden, CO 80401; (303) 526-1324

Distance from Red Rocks Amphitheatre: 7.8 miles

Bear Creek Lake Park Campground

Why you should go:  Bear Creek Lake Park Campground  is one of the easiest spots to get to after a concert, tour or visit.

The campground consists of 47 RV campsites nestled among a greater urban park, complete with a lake nearby and an extensive trail system. If outdoor activities are on your itinerary, this location has you covered with sailing, paddle boarding, biking, horseback riding, archery, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

The RV sites themselves were described by one reviewer as “spacious and landscaped” with peaceful vibes promoted by not being up close and personal with your neighbors. Each campsite features a fire ring and a picnic table for perfect s’mores under the stars.

Pros: Each site includes electrical hookups, with 20, 30 or 50 amp hookups depending on your electrical needs. A sanitation/dump station and shower and toilet facilities are on site at no additional fees charged. Pets are allowed though must remain on leash.

A valid park pass is required for all vehicles in the campgrounds, with one vehicle pass included in your reservation fee. The campground is set away from, but still within walking distance of outdoor opportunities and the many daily visitors to the park.

Cons: This campground does not have the capability to offer full hook ups such as sewage and potable water, so you’ll need to fill your water tanks at the fill station before you pull into your assigned site and dump your black water tanks before leaving the park, if needed.

There’s some confusion as to what this campground is actually named due to part of the property being formerly known as Indian Paintbrush Campground. Officially, the municipally run park has declared Indian Paintbrush as being absorbed into the Bear Creek Campgrounds system.

If you go: 15600 W. Morrison Road Lakewood, CO 80228; (303) 697-6159

Distance from Red Rocks Amphitheatre:  3.9 miles

Dakota Ridge RV Park

Why you should go: This privately owned RV park on the outskirts of Golden and Lakewood skips the bustle of these town centers.

Rates at Dakota Ridge RV Park start at $69. It’s also one of the best RV parks near Red Rocks. This park boasts 141 full-service and premium sites that are described as level, paved, and beautifully landscaped with your choice of pull-through and back-in sites, depending on your level of confidence in getting your rig situated into your assigned RV site. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi available throughout the property and a clubhouse featuring a fitness center, billiard room, fireplace, book and game library, and a swimming pool.

Pros: Since Dakota Ridge RV park is privately owned, they have a dedicated team of employees committed to maintaining the grounds and addressing their guests’ needs promptly. One recent Google review reported that “the staff was friendly, informative and truly excited to have you at their RV Park,” while another reviewer said that Dakota Ridge was a “wonderful park. Friendly staff. Level lots. Full hookups. Clean laundry and bathrooms.”

Cons: Multiple reviews of Dakota Ridge mentioned the Dirty Dogs Roadhouse Bar and Grill across the street, specifically detailing how loud the live bands and the vehicular noise can be.

Dakota Ridge is also located across a major thoroughfare from two older mobile home parks known to be frequented by the City of Golden Police Department. The RV park has addressed this issue in the past by having onsite security at night to reduce any possibility of criminal activity within this RV park to a rarity.

If you go: 17800 West Colfax Avenue Golden, CO 80401; (303) 279-1625

Distance from Red Rocks Amphitheatre: 3.1 miles

Chatfield State Park Campground

Why you should go:  Chatfield State Park Campground is located 12 miles away from Red Rocks Amphitheatre, making it the second farthest away. However, it’s also the largest, giving you the best chance at snagging a campsite.

Chatfield boasts four separate camping areas, totaling 197 sites, all of which are situated within this large, popular urban park known to the Denver metro area population for its water sports, biking/hiking trails and camping.

Campsites are described as being landscaped, well maintained and equipped with picnic tables and grills. Public bathrooms are reserved for those staying within the campgrounds and include “hot showers, laundry, centrally located water, and a sanitary waste dump station.”

Of the 197 available campsites, 146 sites are categorized as having full hook-ups with water, sewer and electricity (20, 30 or 50 amps) provided. There’s a wide selection of pull-through or back-in sites.

Pros: Nearby Chatfield Reservoir offers an abundance of outdoor activities.

Cons: As inexpensive as this campground appears to be with rates staring from $36, additional fees can quickly bump up your final total. A park pass is required and is priced at $10 per day or $80 annually.

If you’re thinking you’ll want to dump your black water tank before leaving the campgrounds, the fee is $28. If your RV does not have a bathroom and you’re reliant on the provided shower house and public bathrooms, you’ll need change on hand for the coin-operated bathing facilities.

If you go:  11500 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, CO 80125; (303) 791-7275

Distance from Red Rocks Amphitheatre:  12 miles

Reverend’s Ridge Campground

Why you should go:  Reverend’s Ridge Campground is located in the greater Golden Gate Canyon State Park region, making it the most remote site on this list.

Jaw-dropping views surround the campgrounds, with 12,000 acres of dreamy mountain meadows, verdant streams, rugged rocky peaks and dense piney forest nearby.

Reverend’s Ridge features 97 camp sites, 59 of which can accommodate RVs. Hook-ups include only electricity (20, 30, and 50 amp) with a fill station and black water dumpsite located nearby. Facilities onsite include flush toilets, shower and laundry.

Pros: Did we mention the epic mountain setting? Reverend’s Ridge Campground places you squarely within the Rocky Mountain range as opposed to the foothills of the Denver metro area.

As for the campsites themselves, one reviewer happily reported that the immediate area has “dense enough trees that the sites don’t seem crowded” and added that the campgrounds and community shower house were both “very clean.”

Cons: Rates start from $28 for a basic site, with a $10 a day non-negotiable parking fee per car.

This campground is nice, but it’s also far: its setting within Golden Gate Canyon State Park places you more than 45 minutes away from Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

If you go: 313 Reverend’s Ridge Road, Black Hawk, CO 80422; (303) 642-3856

Distance from Red Rocks Amphitheatre: 26.4 miles

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