There’s nothing quite like camping in the Colorado Rockies. The smell of pine trees. The sound of birds chirping. The cool morning air as you step out of your tent in the morning. If you live in the Denver Metro area, you don’t have to travel far to find the ideal campground. Here are 10 of our top picks for places to camp near Black Hawk, CO.
Central City KOA
Located in the Rocky Mountains, just one mile above Central City and Black Hawk.
Website: https://koa.com/campgrounds/denver-west/
Location: 605 Lake Gulch Rd Co Rd 6, Central City, CO 80427
Amenities: 50 max amp, wi-fi, dog Park, hot tub/sauna
Recreation: games, Dinosaur Ridge, hot tubs, playground, rafting
White Ranch Park
Sawmill and Sourdough Springs Campgrounds at White Ranch Park are semi-primitive, tent-only, hike-in campsites. Make sure you grab your online permit at least seven days in advance. Permits are $12 per campsite per night and are valid for up to three consecutive nights. No more than eight campers and three tents are permitted per site.
Location: Belcher Hill Road, CO, 80403 (19 miles from Black Hawk)
Amenities: Bear-proof storage; horse trough, hitch, and corral; information area
Recreation: Hiking, horseback riding, outdoor education, wildlife viewing
Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon
This modern, full-service campground has everything a tent camper or RV enthusiast needs. It’s the perfect launching point for adventuring in nearby Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Location: 661 Colorado Highway 46, Black Hawk, CO 80422 (4 miles from Main Street)
Amenities: Convenience store, laundry, showers, propane, playground, liquor store, Wi-Fi
Recreation: Hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing
Reverend’s Ridge Campground
This fully equipped campground is located in picturesque Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The popular summer destination has a $10 entrance fee per vehicle, and permits are required to camp.
Location: 313 Reverend’s Ridge Road, Black Hawk, CO 80422 (11 miles from Main Street)
Amenities: Laundry, showers, dump station, electrical hookups (at 59 of the 97 campsites)
Recreation: Hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, tubing, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing
Aspen Meadows Campground
This 35-site, tent-only campground is located 2.6 miles from Reverend’s Ridge in Golden Gate Canyon. It’s considered a haven for horseback riders in the summer and hunters in the fall. Be prepared to pay the $10 entrance fee per vehicle and obtain a permit for camping.
Location: Aspen Meadows Campground Road, Black Hawk, CO 80422 (12 miles from Main Street)
Amenities: Water pump, vault toilets, equestrian facilities (at sites 15 and 16)
Recreation: Hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, hunting
Golden Gate Canyon Backcountry Campsites
Try one of the walk-in, backcountry sites for something a little more rustic in Golden Gate Canyon. There are four shelters and 20 tent sites, many of which are located in large, scenic meadows surrounded by rugged mountain peaks. Reservations are required.
Location: 303 Reverends Ridge Road, Black Hawk, CO 80422 (11 miles from Main Street)
Amenities: Bear-proof storage
Recreation: Hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, hunting
Works Ranch Group Campground
Go camping with a group of up to 30 friends at Works Ranch. The site features a basic, two-room cabin and a nearby tent camping area. Surrounded by a dense lodgepole pine forest, you get a truly private wilderness experience.
Location: Damascus Road, Black Hawk, CO 80422 (11 miles from Main Street)
Amenities: Heating, electricity, limited furnishings, and potable water spigot (no running water or refrigeration in the cabin); sleeping for up to six inside the cabin
Recreation: Hiking, fishing, stage shows at the nearby Reverend’s Ridge amphitheater
Pickle Gulch Group Campground
Are you looking for the ideal mountain setting to host a family reunion, wedding, or other gathering? Pickle Gulch can accommodate groups of up to 150. Day-use sites and walk-to tent camping are both available.
Location: Missouri Gulch Road, Black Hawk, CO 80422 (5 miles from Main Street)
Amenities: Picnic tables, campfire circles, volleyball courts, horseshoes pit, vault toilets
Recreation: Hiking, fishing, off-roading, scenic driving
Cold Springs Campground
When you want a quiet place to camp, check out Cold Springs. This lightly used site is set in a mountainside aspen-and-lodgepole forest, making it the perfect getaway just a short drive from the action. Of the 38 sites here, 31 are suitable for RV camping.
Location: 12174 Colorado Highway 119, Black Hawk, CO 80422 (5 miles from Main Street)
Amenities: Tent pads, fire grates, picnic tables, firewood for sale, restrooms, water area, playground
Recreation: Hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, off-roading, scenic driving
Columbine Campground
Located just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, this campground has 46 sites, 41 of which are suitable for RV camping. Each site accommodates up to eight people. The nearby grove of aspens and lodgepole pines creates a charming backdrop for your outdoor adventures.
Location: 2987 Bald Mountain Road, Central City, CO 80427 (3 miles from Black Hawk)
Amenities: Picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, vault toilets, water spigots, trash service, firewood for sale
Recreation: Hiking, biking, fishing, off-roading, scenic driving
Stop by Black Hawk on Your Way to and from Your Campground
If you get tired of roughing it, stop by the City of Black Hawk for some proper pampering. Here, you’ll have access to casual and fine dining, rooftop hotel pools, luxurious spas, and over a dozen casinos where you can try your luck at the slot machines, video poker, or blackjack tables. Come see for yourself why Black Hawk is one of Colorado’s top destinations!