Campgrounds and RV parks near Manitou Springs, CO

The Pikes Peak Highway climbs from Cascade to the 14,115-foot summit, with parking, a Summit Visitor Center, and a cafe at the top. Timed-entry permits are required to drive past mile 7 from the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30, and a shuttle from the mile 7 parking area runs in season with stops at Crystal Reservoir, Glen Cove, Devils Playground, and the summit for guests who prefer not to drive the switchbacks. Garden of the Gods offers free admission, a paved scenic loop, hiking and mountain-bike trails, and rock climbing by permit registered at the visitor center. Other family stops include Cave of the Winds, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, the Manitou Incline stair-climb, and Manitou Lake for trout fishing and paddling north of town.

The RV season peaks from mid-June through early September, when summit access is open, area shuttles are running, and daytime temperatures at town elevation sit in the low 80s Fahrenheit. Afternoon thunderstorms are routine over Pikes Peak during these months, so most hikers start early. National Forest campgrounds in the surrounding Pike National Forest, including seasonal sites north of town, generally open in late spring and close by mid-October. Spring brings wind, mud, and lingering snow at higher elevations. April is typically the windiest month, and measurable snow can fall on the peak into May. Fall shoulder season, mid-September through October, delivers aspen color along the Rampart Range and thinner crowds at Garden of the Gods. Winter camping is possible at the year-round private parks in Manitou and Colorado Springs. Snow and ice can close the upper Pikes Peak Highway on short notice, and overnight lows in the teens Fahrenheit are common from December through February.

Manitou Springs is a compact tourist town with narrow streets, limited RV parking downtown, and a free seasonal shuttle that connects lodging, trailheads, and the historic district. Most local RV parks are urban in feel: sites are close together, shade is limited at some, and traffic noise from Highway 24 or Manitou Avenue is common. Elevation matters. Guests arriving from sea level should plan an easy first day, drink extra water, and expect cool mornings even in July. Afternoon thunderstorms build quickly over Pikes Peak in summer, so plan hikes and summit drives for early in the day. Wildfire risk drives fire bans through much of the summer. Check current restrictions with the local ranger district before lighting a campfire, and note that some private parks do not allow open fires on site.