Car Camping in Colorado

Car camping is one of the easiest ways to experience Colorado—but if you’re new to it, it can also feel a little confusing.

Can you just pull over and sleep anywhere? Do you need a reservation? Should I head to a campground or find some of the best dispersed camping in Colorado?

The good news is there are plenty of options, from developed campgrounds with bathrooms and picnic tables to free, more remote spots on public land.

I’m a Colorado Gal: born and raised, and have been exploring the state for over 40 years. My point: I know what I’m talking about! In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how it works, where to go, and how to choose the right setup for your trip.

Car Camping in Colorado (2026 Update)

Car camping in Colorado is even easier since you aren’t required to stay in a campground (Although the best campgrounds in Colorado are worth it!) Sure, there are some beautiful ones out there, but I much prefer dispersed camping. You get the serenity and quiet feel of backpacking with the ease of a drive-up campsite.

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Plus, I really think car camping is the perfect way to introduce beginners to the Great Outdoors. With less commitment and pressure comes more fun and enjoyment, especially if you’re just learning about this whole wilderness thing. I’ll always advise someone to try out car camping before going whole-hog with backpacking, yanno?

All that is to say that if you’re just starting out, you *still* need to know a few things. Otherwise, your first night of camping in Colorado is going to be uncomfortable! Here’s all the info you need to hit the hills for your first night under the stars.

Car Camping vs. Sleeping in Your Car

In this guide, I’m using “car camping” to mean camping with your car nearby — usually sleeping in a tent at an established campsite, dispersed campsite, or other legal camping area. You’re not backpacking, and you don’t have to carry everything on your back.

That said, some people use “car camping” to mean literally sleeping inside their vehicle. If that’s what you’re planning, the rules, setup, and comfort tips are a little different. You can do this in so many places: a campground, dispersed camping, or — yes — even in a Walmart parking lot.

The biggest things to consider are where it’s legal to park overnight, how to manage condensation, and how to stay warm once temperatures drop. If you’re headed out to try car camping in the winter, take a look at this YouTube video I made with tons of tips to keep you warm!

Where Can You Car Camp in Colorado? (2026 Changes)

When I first wrote this guide over a decade ago, car camping in this state was a lot different. It was quieter, less crowded, and fewer people actually enjoyed spending time outside. But now, there are so many more people living here so the car camping guidelines have changed accordingly.

As I mentioned above, the easiest place to start is a campground. You can find them all over the state: in national parks, in national forests, even on private land. These campgrounds typically cost money to stay there per night, but in exchange, you usually get the use of a bathroom and, potentially, shower facilities.

Downside? They tend to cram campsites together so privacy and solitude are practically nonexistent. But again, if you’re just learning to camp, it’s not a bad idea to pitch that tent where there are a few other people around to give you a hand.

If formal campgrounds aren’t your thing, don’t forget that dispersed camping is an option. Also called “wild camping,” dispersed camping is legal on most public lands. Think: USFS or BLM parcels. It’s typically capped at 14 days in any one location, and you do have to do a bit of legwork to find a good spot. Some regions don’t allow dispersed camping, so it’s important to do your research before you go. And, there are some wildly popular areas (like near the town of Crested Butte) that have enacted rules on designated dispersed campsites. This is still dispersed camping and is still free, but you can only use sites that have been marked. Bottom line: Research before you go!

If you head to Difficult Campground in Aspen and are looking to tackle a challenge, consider hiking the Knife Edge on Capitol Peak!

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What Do You Need to Go Car Camping?

Hands down, this is where first-time campers panic! What gear do you need? How warm of a sleeping bag do I need? Do I have to bring camp chairs?

There is a ton of gear that goes into the picture-perfect campsite, but you don’t need to run out and buy everything immediately. Let’s be real: camping gear is pricey, and dropping thousands of dollars on a new activity does not make a responsible decision! But there are some essential items that you will need to ensure your first night under the stars is everything you hoped.

This post does contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you purchase the items. As always, I appreciate your support!

Car Camping Tent

You have to sleep somewhere, right?! A tent will easily be one of your most expensive purchases but it’s worth it. This is your home away from home, the nylon walls that will shield you from Mother Nature’s wrath.

In particular, tents are broken into two categories: three season and four season. If you’re a beginner, there is a good chance you won’t be camping through the winter so a three-season shelter is perfectly fine. Then, you have to consider space. How many people will be sleeping inside? Do you have a dog? How about kids?

Since you don’t need to worry about carrying this sucker on your back, I’d suggest erring on the large side. Extra space always gets filled with pillows and clothing and other odds and ends!

There are two features I’d consider when shopping. First of all, I love tents that have retractable flies with mesh roofs. On a clear day, you can pull the fly back for fresh air and stargazing at night. Secondly, look for large vestibules! Vestibules house muddy gear, rainy clothes, and sometimes people during inclement weather. Extra covered space never hurt anyone.

Recommendations: For car camping, my all-time favorite is The North Face Wawona 6 tent. It’s large but it is so spacious and comfy for my family of three — and the dog! If you want something a little smaller and more affordable, take a look at the Kelty Wireless.

Car Camping Sleeping Bag

There are two types of insulation: down and synthetic. Synthetic is cheaper but takes up more space while down is considered the ultimate insulation for its warmth-to-weight ratio. If you know you’ll be camping in a wet environment, synthetic will be your best bet. I’m a lover of down insulation but again, it is pricey!

In particular, I see camping beginners in Colorado make the mistake of opting for too light of a bag. Guys, I use a 20-degree bag when camping in July! You see, the evenings still get chilly in the high alpine, and it sucks to be cold. Consider your overnight temps before purchasing your bedding.

But you know what is great for car camping? Car camping-specific sleeping bags! Outdoor brands are learning that small mummy bags aren’t necessary for car camping so instead, they’re creating luxurious, roomy bags with niceties like sheets. I’ve tested a few and I’ll admit: they sure make sleeping in a tent that much more comfortable!

Recommendations: I’m a big fan of the NEMO Jazz double sleeping bag. It comes with a built-in sheet so that you can still have a light layer on warm nights, and I love cuddling with my husband and/or daughter. For a really warm and affordable option (that weighs an absolute ton), take a look at the Alpz Redwood.

If you want to see views like this, be sure to visit Kebler Pass and some of my other favorite fall color drives in Colorado!

Car Camping Sleeping Pad

A sleeping pad is almost more important than a sleeping bag! I remember camping as a kid, long before my family knew anything about sleeping pads. We’d sleep on the cold, hard dirt and I could never figure out why I was freezing.

Turns out, a sleeping pad keeps you warm AND makes you more comfortable. For car camping, I like to use a wider pad that isn’t focused on cutting weight like a backpacking sleeping pad. This gives me more room to roll around, along with a lot more cushion. {Or, you can use an air mattress too.} Always check the R-value on your sleeping pad, ensuring it will keep you warm. The R-value is the pad’s insulation level, or its ability to insulate you from the ground. The higher the number, the warmer it will keep you.

Recommendations: The Exped MegaMat is my FAVORITE! It’s four inches thick and thirty inches wide {seriously}. Plus, it comes with a little foot pump so you don’t have to get winded inflating it.

Car Camping Campstove

If you’re at a campground or a frequently-used dispersed campsite, there is a good chance you’ll have a fire ring. And if you have a fire ring, you can also cook over a fire. But sometimes, it’s nice to have a camp stove so you can boil your morning coffee water without starting a fire.

Car camp stoves are different than backpacking stoves since they don’t try to consolidate and save on space. This makes them easy to use and allows for more elaborate camp meals. It’s up to you as to whether you want a one burner or two burner stove; I’ve used both and tend to prefer a two burner.

Recommendations: The Coleman Cascade is a bougier option, but gets the job done. And, it works really well.

Water Jug

You may not realize it, but you’ll go through a lot of water at camp! Between cooking, cleaning, and staying hydrated, water will disappear faster than you realize. We all know that it is irresponsible to continually buy plastic water jugs at the grocery store, so bite the bullet and invest in a large water jug. You can fill it from the tap before you leave home so that you have plenty of water while camping.

Recommendations: Honestly, you can use whatever cheap container you can find. But if you want something dedicated to this purpose, our family really likes our Dometic Water Jug that pairs with the Dometic Water Faucet.

Lantern

I’d always recommend bringing a headlamp for late-night bathroom adventures, but it can be nice to have a small lantern at camp. This makes it easier to play cards at night or while chatting in the tent. I don’t think you need to have a big one, but I do like having one that hangs from the ceiling of the tent. It provides  a little ambience while evenly illuminating the area for everyone to hang out and chat.

Recommendations: I love this Bare Bones LED Lantern. I got it on a press trip and have relied on it ever since!

Kitchen Accessories

How you handle your dishes is up to you. Technically, you don’t need to buy anything fancy for camp meals; you can use your dishes and pots from back home. But do you really want to do that?!

We have a large Tupperware container in our basement that has all of our camping kitchen utensils. We wash them when we get home and load them back into the container. This way, we don’t have to search around for dishes when we want to go camping; we just grab the Tupperware and load it into the back of our car.

What do we include? Personally, I’m lazy and I like to have a grab-and-go, all-in-one mess kit. It makes it easy and simple, especially if you don’t tend to do elaborate camp meals. If you have the gumption, you can also throw together cheap ladles, spatulas, forks, knives, and spoons from the dollar store too. Again, I’m just lazy!

Car Camping Cooler

Depending on what you’re cooking and how warm your campsite is, a cooler may be essential to keep your food chilled and unspoiled. Camping in Colorado usually means warm days and chilly nights, so a good cooler is worth it. As with most things, you get what you pay for!

Recommendations: If you want to dip your toe into the world of electric coolers, the Dometic CXF5 series is tough to beat. But yes, it costs a lot of money. If you want to stick to traditional coolers that will still keep your food chilled and safe, I really like the Yeti Tundra or the Dometic Recon.

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