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Fort Collins, Colorado

Looking for the best camping in Fort Collins? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Fort Collins. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Camping Spots in and near Fort Collins

  • Ward, Colorado

    Isabelle Glacier

    5.0
    8.62 mi / 1578 ft gain
    Getting There The trailhead can be reached from Boulder by driving west through Boulder Canyon on Highway 42 to Nederland, then going north on the Peak-to-Peak Highway 72 to the town of Ward. From there, a National Forest Sign on the west side of the highway provides directions to the ranger stat...
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Car Camp at Timber Creek Campground

    3.0
    This campground just 10 miles north of Grand Lake is a prime example of the amazing campgrounds you can find in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located along the Colorado River, Timber Creek has 98 campsites that are all first-come-first-serve. If you're on top of it and show up at a decent time, y...
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  • Cheyenne, Wyoming

    Hidden Falls Loop

    5.0
    4.32 mi / 469 ft gain
    Directions: From Laramie, take I-80 east to exit 323 and continue on HWY 210 east for approximately 15 miles. From there the entrance to Curt Gowdy State Park will be clearly marked on the right side of the road. Then drive south for 1.4 miles until you reach a large parking area on the right sid...
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  • Cheyenne, Wyoming

    Lakeside Camping and Mountain Biking

    4.0
    This trail system is somewhat of a hidden gem to mountain bikers south of the Wyoming border. Those who know their way around the best trail systems, though, hail Curt Gowdy as one of the best. If you've got some energy to burn, try the IMBA Epic suggested route, which loops together the 20 miles...
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  • Walden, Colorado

    Cross-Country Ski to American Lakes

    4.0
    12 mi / 800 ft gain
    WARNING! AVALANCHE DANGER!Make sure you have avalanche safety knowledge and equipment. This route enters avalanche terrain.If you are looking for one of the ultimate cross-country ski treks along the northern Front Range, look no further. This trip takes you to the American Lakes at the base of t...
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  • Cheyenne, Wyoming

    Hike to the Chameleon

    4.5 mi
    Curt Gowdy State Park, one of the few southeast Wyoming hot spots, has a couple of hidden gems. One of the best is the “Chameleon,” ruler of Curt Gowdy State Park. To reach the Chameleon, head out on Crow Creek Trail, then loop back on Mo’ Rocka Trail. The trailhead is near the entrance of Curt G...
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  • Buford, Wyoming

    Turtle Rock Trail

    2.77 mi / 292 ft gain
    Starting at the trailhead near the parking lot, the trail starts off relatively paved and moves close to the base of Turtle Rock, a large outcrop of Sherman Granite that has stood the test of time from the creation of the Rocky Mountains. Following the trail to the left at the loop intersection,...
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Hike to Big Meadows and Granite Falls

    5.0
    10.3 mi
    The Green Mountain Trail is part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) which is a foot path from Mexico to Canada. Big Meadows is a great place to view elk, moose, and deer. Other animals you can see in the area are abert squirrels, river otters, weasels, and black bear.Big Meadow...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Verna, Spirit, Fourth, and Fifth Lakes

    19 mi / 2460 ft gain
    This summer backpacking trip provides plenty of opportunities for exploration and endless moments to take in awe-inspiring scenery. On our visit, after setting up camp at the Lake Verna backcountry site, I quickly made my way to the next lake (Spirit Lake) to photograph the sunset. The symmetry a...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Backpack to Lake Verna

    5.0
    13.5 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Want to get away it from it all and enjoy some high alpine lakes? The East Inlet Trail is just outside Grand Lake, on the westside of Rocky Mountain National Park, 2.35 miles east of Highway 34 on West Portal Road. From the trailhead, one can access 8 different campsites. The campsites are as ...
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  • Walden, Colorado

    Overnight at Nokhu Hut

    5.0
    3 mi / 540 ft gain
    The Nokhu Hut is part of the Never Summer Nordic Hut system, and makes for the perfect beginner Hut trip. The Hut has a stocked kitchen, wood shed, and small wood burning stove that keeps the tiny hut toasty warm.From the Hut, it is a short, easy hike to Lake Agnes - the trail often stays snowy u...
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Backpack the CDT Loop in Rocky Mountain NP

    24.3 mi / 4000 ft gain
    This section of the CDT begins at the North Inlet trailhead, located on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trailhead is north of the main town area of Grand Lake. Parking at the trailhead is limited, so hikers can also park along the road leading to the trailhead. The hike foll...
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  • Granby, Colorado

    Mirror and Crater Lakes via Cascade Creek Trail

    4.6
    14.94 mi / 2421 ft gain
    Start at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as ...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Upper Diamond Lake via Fourth of July Trailhead

    4.8
    8.12 mi / 2037 ft gain
    The trail begins at the 4th of July trailhead, which is located near the Eldora ski area and can be crowded during the summer and weekends. The road is rough in places but passable by any car when dry. From the parking area begin hiking the Arapaho pass trail, which will gently gain elevation thr...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Backpack to Caribou Lake

    4.0
    8.2 mi
    This is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in Colorado. It is a great trip for photographers, fisherman or anyone who enjoys mountain views, forests filled with wildlife and peaceful meadows. Distances: Arapaho Pass: 3.2 miles, Caribou Lake: 4.2 miles, Caribou Pass: 6.4 miles, Meado...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to Arapaho Pass and Lake Dorothy

    4.3
    7.5 mi / 2080 ft gain
    Begin by parking at the 4th of July trailhead. This can be reached by conituing past the Eldora ski area and up a rough but passable (for all vehicles) gravel road to the trailhead. The trail is easy to find, and will continue to rise for the next 1.15 miles.At just over a mile there is a fork fo...
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