Contents
- 1. Tiger Run Resort RV Park
- 2. Peak One Campground
- 3. Pine Cove Campground
- 4. Heaton Bay Campground
- 5. Windy Point Campground
- 6. Prospector Campground
- 7. Lowry Campground
- 8. Boreas Pass Dispersed Camping
- 9. Selkirk Campground
- 10. McDonald Flats Campground
- Map of Campgrounds near Breckenridge, CO
- Best Time to Go Camping in Breckenridge
When it comes to camping in Colorado, Breckenridge is on top of the world — literally. The Rocky Mountain ski resort of Breckenridge sits at 9,600 feet above sea level, and many of the peaks around it cap out at nearly 13,000 feet. Needless to say, you are camping with some incredible views when you choose Breckenridge.
Many of the prime locations for pitching a tent or setting up an RV or trailer are found nearby on the shores of Lake Dillon. Lake Dillon is technically a reservoir (and also goes by the name Dillon Reservoir), and is bordered by the towns of Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon. It is here that you’ll find the best camping near Breckenridge.
Lake Dillon is five square miles with 26 miles of shoreline, around which are the majority of the campsites near Breckenridge. Many places are first come, first served, but others do take reservations up to six months in advance. If you have your dates in mind, it may make sense to book early, especially considering peak travel dates. The dispersed camping sites do not take reservations, but eager campers are always on the hunt to snag these sites early. RV parks are always better to be reserved in advance.
When camping in Breckenridge, you open yourself up to the sprawling White River National Forest. The 2.3-million acre national forest has 12 ski areas within its boundaries and peaks that max out at 14,000 feet. For Breckenridge campers, this means endless hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and exploring the charming mountain towns that are all within a relatively short driving distance from each other.
For a look at the camping areas available, see our list of the best campgrounds near Breckenridge.
1. Tiger Run Resort RV Park
Upon first look at the Tiger Run Resort RV Park, the words “roughing it” go right out the window. This is Breckenridge “comfort camping” at its finest, with the beautifully cared for and expansive RV park.
The park features full-service RV sites, as well as mountain cabins that are beautifully appointed. The resort sits right between the Swan and Blue Rivers, in the shadows of the Tenmile Range. When you think of convenient and comfortable camping, you are thinking of this campground.
All RVs must be 20 feet in length, not including the hitch. They also must be vehicles that are less than 20 years old. The gates to Tiger Run are exclusive, so if your RV is older than 20 years, you’ll have to send current photos of the interior and exterior in order to be approved for a reservation.
The resort operates year-round and features a pool and fitness center, clubhouse, hot tubs, game room, tennis courts, volleyball, basketball, fishing, fire pit, and laundry.
Sites are open for booking only on the website. Tiger Run RV Resort also offers monthly rentals of 30 days or more and up to six months for RV sites and chalets. Monthly sites are available from late fall through early spring.
Address: 85 Revette Drive, Breckenridge, Colorado
2. Peak One Campground
With a view of the sprawling Dillon Reservoir (also called Lake Dillon) and the dramatic Swan Mountain, as well as the Gore and Tenmile Ranges, Peak One Campground truly has views for days. The campground has 80 sites that are able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs.
The site is part of the 2.3-million-acre White River National Forest, which is packed with activities, from eight wilderness areas to 10 peaks that top 14,000 feet. Lake Dillon itself is the biggest pull for this campground. The Lake is 3,233 acres and has 26.8. miles of shoreline.
Primed for fishing, boating, or hiking and biking around or nearby, Lake Dillon provides a one-stop shop for campers, and Peak One provides the easiest access to the lake. That said, there is very little shade at this campground. All sites are mostly exposed to the elements, which means things can get very warm during the summer months.
Within each site, you’ll find picnic tables and fire rings, and the campground itself has flush toilets and drinking water. Keep in mind, though, that electrical hookups are not available. If you’re coming with your boat in tow, the boat ramp is very close to the campsite, just around the corner in the Frisco marina.
Reservations are accepted at this campground and can be made at recreation.gov.
Address: Peninsula Road, Breckenridge, Colorado
3. Pine Cove Campground
Another Lake Dillon campground, Pine Cove Campground has similar epic views of Swan Mountain, and the Gore and Tenmile mountain ranges. But bear in mind that Pine Cove may delight or disappoint depending on your needs.
It’s a great campground for parking your RV, even though it is not exclusively an RV park. But the campground itself is basically a paved parking lot with hookups. The spaces can accommodate vehicles that are 40 feet long.
A grassy lake shore has a string of picnic tables, as well as incomparable lake access with a boat ramp. If you are coming to spend your days on Lake Dillon, Pine Cove Campground is truly one of the best campgrounds in Breckenridge.
You’ll also find four tent walk-in sites at the far end, which are right on the lake. Pine Cove is also incredibly close to Frisco and all of its amenities, so you’ll have the best of both worlds.
Reservations are first come, first served, and the season is mid-May to early October. The campground has vault toilets, as well as potable water.
Address: Peninsula Road, Frisco, Colorado
4. Heaton Bay Campground
On a different bank of Lake Dillon sits Heaton Bay Campground — one of the most centrally located campgrounds near Breckenridge and Frisco. The campground is at 9,000 feet and doesn’t have much shade, but with that comes uninterrupted views over Lake Dillon and the mountains.
Heaton Bay Campground is one of the larger campgrounds near Breckenridge, with 87 sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. The walk-in tent sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For a fee, you can use the electrical hookups that are available at many of the sites. Reservations can be made four days ahead of arrival and up to six months in advance.
The campground has picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and potable water. A boat ramp is nearby in both the towns of Frisco and Dillon. You will be within easy reach of Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Copper Mountain, all within 10 miles of Lake Dillon.
Address: Dillon Dam Road, Silverthorne, Colorado
5. Windy Point Campground
Also on Lake Dillon is the Windy Point Group Campground, which features two group campsites that are available: Lake Loop and Forest Loop. Both loops have spots for tents, trailers, and RVs, though guests should know that electrical hookups are not available.
From the campground, visitors will have views of Lake Dillon, Swan Mountain, and the Gore and Tenmile mountain ranges. Both loops have picnic tables, campfire rings, and vault toilets.
From the campground, visitors will be able to fish, as well as have access to the lake to board their motorized or non-motorized boating equipment. This is a great campground for large groups because the site includes a group camp and group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 100 people.
Reservations can be made when the campground is open, from May through October.
Address: White River National Forest, Dillon, Colorado
6. Prospector Campground
Located on Lake Dillon, between Keystone and Frisco, Prospector Campground is another popular campground for travelers who want to explore Breckenridge and the surrounding area.
Like the other campgrounds on Lake Dillon, Prospector offers similar views of Swan Mountain, as well as the Gore and Tenmile ranges. Prospector has 105 campsites and is part of the White River National Forest.
Note that the campground can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, but does not have electrical hookups. It does have potable water and vault toilets. Guests at Prospector enjoy getting out onto the lake, as well as horseback riding, backpacking, mountain biking, and generally enjoying the beauty of Summit County.
Additional amenities include grills, a boat ramp, picnic tables, an equestrian trail, and food storage locker. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
Address: White River National Forest, Dillon, Colorado
7. Lowry Campground
With 27 sites located near Lake Dillon, Lowry Campground is considered to be one of the best campgrounds in Breckenridge. Technically the campground is located in Dillon, but is a short distance to both Breck and Frisco.
The campground features 27 sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. The maximum length for a vehicle is 32 feet. The majority of sites have electric hookups, which are available for an extra fee. Three tent-only campsites are first come, first served.
Amenities at the campground include picnic tables, campfire rings, drinking water, and vault toilets. Bear in mind that Lowry Campground (and all the campgrounds near Breckenridge) come with considerable altitude, so packing appropriately for the evenings is a must. Lowry itself sits at 9,320 feet above sea level within the White River National Forest.
Many trails are near the campground, so it’s a great home base for outdoor activity. But the lack of tree cover means that the majority of campsites are fully exposed. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. The campground is open from the end of May to early October.
Address: Lowry Campground, Dillon, Colorado
8. Boreas Pass Dispersed Camping
If you’ve exhausted the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) campgrounds around Lake Dillon, or if you’re looking for something slightly more rustic, the dispersed camping along the Boreas Pass offers exactly what you’re looking for.
During the summer months, Boreas Pass (Highway 285 from Breckenridge to Como) is one of the most beautiful drives in the state of Colorado. Dispersed camping is possible in both Summit County and Park County, through which the Boreas Pass travels. This camping is free, but can be a bit more of a challenge to get to.
Driving through the national forest, you’ll see plenty of opportunities to use a preexisting campsite. Bear in mind, more campgrounds are available on the Como side of the pass, as opposed to the Breck side.
It will probably be roughly a 30-mile drive to the potential campsites from Breck. These sites do not provide any amenities, except for a space to park your car and pitch a tent. You don’t need reservations, but during high season, the majority of the sites will likely be occupied.
But what it lacks in amenities, it makes up for in uninterrupted views of Breck’s best peaks, as well as rolling meadows and explosions of colorful wildflowers.
9. Selkirk Campground
Located within Pike National Forest (in Park County over the Boreas Pass), Selkirk Campground features 15 campsites at an elevation of 10,500 feet above sea level. The campsites include a table, fire grate, and parking spur and can accommodate trailers up to 25 feet in length.
The camping season kicks off in May, and the campground stays open until snow closes the road. Once you’re at the campground, you’ll find vault toilets, as well as drinking water. Bear in mind that this is a pack-in, pack-out campground with respect to trash services. Reservations are first come, first served.
The beauty of Selkirk Campground is its remoteness along Boreas Pass Road. Guests are quite literally at the doorstep of some of the best hiking and mountain views in the area. You’ll also find Tarryall Creek, which is known for its brook and rainbow trout fishing.
10. McDonald Flats Campground
Much more secluded than the campgrounds around Lake Dillon, you’ll find McDonald Flats Campground. This campground sits on the southern shore of Green Mountain Reservoir, which is closer to the towns of Silverthorne and Heeney.
This is the go-to campground for people who love to be on the water. The Heeney Marina rents out boats, and many visitors to the reservoir are expert anglers. Other popular water activities include water skiing and jet-skiing.
The campground has 13 multi-use sites, including space for RVs, trailers, or tents. The campground does not take reservations, so be sure to get there early during peak season. The campground is open from May to October.
You will have to bring your own water into the campground, but it does offer vault toilets.
Address: White River National Forest, Forest Road 1699, Silverthorne, Colorado
Map of Campgrounds near Breckenridge, CO
Best Time to Go Camping in Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a year-round destination, but for sleeping outdoors, the summer months are the most ideal. July is the best month for camping, when daytime temperatures average about 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, even into the summer, the average low can still be around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
That said, while July may be the warmest month, it’s also the wettest with an average precipitation of 2.28 inches of rain in the month. June, September, and October are much drier months, but the weather can definitely be a bit chillier then. June’s average high is 65 degrees Fahrenheit and by August, temperatures are already dropping to 68 degrees. By September and October, temperatures may be too cold for camping.
If it’s too cold to camp, you’ll find that the hotel rates are very affordable between May and October, so it’s still a great time to visit Breckenridge.