Gear up, Colorado. Those sparkly green aspen leaves are about to turn glowing gold. It’s a once-yearly spectacle known throughout the U.S., and we’re lucky that it occurs right in our backyard.
If you haven’t experienced the fall colors in Colorado’s high country, it’s absolutely worth the trip. And if you have experienced it, you already know that! However, if you don’t plan ahead you may be in for a less-than-magical experience.
From infuriating traffic, to sold out campsites, tourists wandering onto highways, and more crowds than trees… this spectacle of nature has the potential to become a human spectacle.
5 Uncrowded Campsites for Leaf Peeping in Colorado
If you want to avoid the crowds, plan your leaf peeping trip during the week. If that’s not possible, we’ve gathered 5 family-friendly (drive-in) campgrounds that flaunt healthy populations of aspen groves and are off the beaten path of the typical leaf peeper.
When to See Peak Fall Colors in Colorado
The aspen leaves in Colorado reach their peak golden glory around the last week of September through the first week of October. Bear in mind that aspens at higher elevations turn yellow earlier. Aspens at lower elevations change later in the season — sometimes holding out until mid-October.
Weather also affects when the leaves change. Rainy or windy conditions may lead to leaves dropping earlier and sparse trees. But you can’t control the weather! So control what you can control. Pick a basecamp for your fall foliage adventure, book campground reservations ahead of time, and account for the elevation of your location when scheduling your trip.
Lodgepole Campground
Estimated time to visit for peak fall colors: Between September 21-28
Lodgepole Campground in Jefferson, Colorado sits at around 10,500 feet elevation, making it one of the highest elevation campgrounds on this list. That said, the leaves will turn earlier here.
A fishable creek runs along the Lodgepole campground. It’s located just a few driveable miles from Jefferson Lake and the campsites are surrounded by aspens and other leafing trees. You’ll be able to get a taste of the aspens turning right from camp. However, the real allure of Lodgepole Campground at this time of year is that you get to take one of the most scenic drives for leaf peeping over Kenosha Pass, without staying in the chaos.
Kenosha Pass and the Kenosha and Kenosha East campgrounds become flooded with leaf peppers this time of year. The Lodgepole Campground is just off the path enough to tuck away from the crowds at camp, but a short hike or drive in just about any direction will find you surrounded by an abundance of golden aspen leaves.
Reservations for Lodgepole Campground in Jefferson, Colorado can be made at least 4 days in advance here.
West Fork Campground
Estimated time to visit for peak fall colors: Between September 26-October 6
Shortly off U.S. 160 (A.K.A Wolf Creek Pass), you’ll find West Fork Campground. The nearest town is Pagosa Springs and while this area is growing, its distance (about 5 hours) from the front range means slower growth and less traffic. The West Fork Campground requires a fee to reserve, although it does offer drinking water and restrooms.
In most cases, driving to West Fork Campground will require you to take Highway 285. Traffic on 285 can be infuriating to put it nicely during the weekends, so plan accordingly. The traffic typically thins out once you pass Jefferson and Kenosha Pass.
West Fork Campground may be the destination, but the journey is just as notable. Coming from 285, expect mind-blowing seas of orange and gold along the roadside intermittently from Saguache to South Fork. You’ll want to prepare time to spend at the viewpoints and pull-offs along Wolf Creek Pass. There are a few marked spots to pull off as you cruise over the pass. You can get out of the car to take in some of the best leaf-peeping you’ll find in all of Colorado.
The valley below blazes with fall Colors in early to mid-October depending on the year and weather. This is a bit lower elevation than Lodgepole Campground so you can get away with visiting the first, and sometimes even the second weeks of October.
Reservations for West Fork Campground near Pagosa Springs, Colorado can be made here.
Can’t find reservations? Look up West Fork Dispersed Camping. There are plenty of primitive spots just a couple of miles down the road if you don’t mind not having access to drinking water or restrooms.
Lizard Head Pass
Estimated time to visit for peak fall colors: Between September 30-October 18
Access Lizard Head Pass from Telluride and drive the pass from north to south for a peak fall foliage experience. Not only will you take in an epic display of fall colors from your car window, but Telluride itself is one of the best places to spend the leaf peeping season in Colorado.
The drive from the front range is lengthy, but Telluride is no hidden gem; you certainly won’t be alone. You’ll find a handful of options for camping along Lizard Head Pass from dispersed camping at Priest Lake Campground to the Matterhorn Campground which offers just about any campsite amenity you could need from RV hookups to showers. Developed campgrounds like Sunshine Campground are first-come-first-serve, although its close proximity to Telluride can make it difficult to score a spot.
Plan ahead, make a reservation, or head out on a weekday to stake your claim. Lizard Head Pass doesn’t see as much traffic as iconic roads in the area like the Million Dollar Highway, but snagging a campsite can still be a challenge. Just know your efforts will be well worth it. There’s endless opportunity for running 4WD trails, hiking, and simply sitting in awe amongst the aspens along one of the most scenic passes in the state.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Estimated time to visit for peak fall colors: Between September 20-29
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is, in my humble opinion, one of Colorado’s most underrated state parks. Each time I visit, I’m surprised by how few people are around despite how packed other state parks often are.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is also incredibly scenic and rugged compared to some of the more “polished” state parks near the front range. The landscape is top notch and creates a picture-perfect Colorado leaf peeping scene. The aspens are abundant, the amenities and campsites are ADA accessible, and there are flush toilets as well as water and electric hookups in some of the more developed campsites. You can also reserve a yurt or cabin if you want to stay in style. However, more primitive, secluded sites are available if that’s what floats your boat.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park spans an area ranging from over 7,500 feet in elevation to over 10,000 feet at its highest peaks. It’s only about a 30-minute drive from Golden. One of the best things about this spot is that coming from Golden, you can strategically avoid much of the typical leaf peeping traffic by driving up Golden Gate Canyon Road and skipping I-70 and 285.
You can reserve campsites, RV sites, cabins, and yurts inside Golden Gate Canyon State Park here.
Is Camping During Leaf Peeping Season Worth It?
Taking time away to experience the fall foliage in Colorado as the aspens burst with color is one trip you’ll never regret taking. Just remember to plan ahead. Not only is “plan ahead and prepare” a key principle of Leave No Trace (which you can brush up on before your trip here), but doing so will help ensure the trip lives up to your awe inspiring social-media-fueled expectations.
Follow the pro tips in this article to make the trip at the right time, avoid the crowds as much as possible, and nail down a spot to stay during a time when many campground reservations are sold out. As always, remember to check local fire restrictions for the county you’re planning to camp in before having a campfire. With dry foliage lining the forest floor, the fall can be a risky time for wildfires. Remember to pack your LavaBox Portable Campfire to ensure fire restrictions don’t derail your plans for incredible scenery, s’mores, and spooky fireside stories.