Your guide to Colorado’s top glamping spots

LUXURIOUS WILDERNESS ESCAPES

The kitchen has running water, electricity and a stove in the North London Mill Office hut near Mosquito Pass near Alma. HELEN H. RICHARDSON — THE DENVER POST

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Rustic Rook’s grain bin villas feature a king bed or two full beds in the loft bedroom, a fold out couch, TV and telescope with dune/mountain views. The first floor includes a bathroom, kitchen, and eating area. The bins are fully climate controlled and have a concrete patio with seating and a charcoal grill. PROVIDED BY RUSTIC ROOK RESORT

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By Margaret Jackson

Special to The Denver Post

Glamping in Colorado blends rustic wilderness with luxurious comfort, allowing you to experience the state’s natural beauty without sacrificing modern amenities.

Colorado’s glamping scene offers something for anyone searching for a memorable outdoor experience, from secluded mountain retreats to riverside escapes.

You can bring a cooler with your favorite adult beverages without worrying about driving. You can lock your cabin or yurt and not worry about bears and bugs entering your tent.

“What’s so nice about the cabins and yurts is you can do stargazing,” said Bridget O’Rourke, statewide information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “You disconnect from your phone, and it’s just peaceful. It’s a place to zone out in nature.”

O’Rourke recommends booking your glamping trip early to ensure you get the days you want.

“If you wait until the summer, you can still find reservations, but they’re more likely to be during the week,” she said.

Yonder Yurts

Located in the ruggedly beautiful State Forest State Park, Yonder Yurts offers seven hard-sided yurts, ranging in price from $150 to $225 per night and accommodating between six and nine guests.The yurts are accessible via four-wheel-drive vehicles and short hikes. In the summer, a few can be reached in a two-wheel-drive car.

Visitors to State Forest State Park near Gould will enjoy 70,932 acres of forest, rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and miles of trails.

Riverside Colorado

Located in the scenic Poudre Canyon just 30 minutes outside Fort Collins, Riverside Colorado offers luxurious accommodations from canvas-walled tents to tiny homes and comfortable cabins.

Guests can enjoy the on-site general store, The Poudre Park Market, and coffee at The Kind Bean. It’s also just three miles west of the historic Mishawaka Amphitheater, where you can dine by the Poudre River and enjoy a concert.

Riverside Colorado is committed to sustainability. It uses solar power and minimizes environmental impact by controlling foot traffic and shuttle services.

North London Mining Office

The historic North London Mining Office, or The NoLo Office, is a gold mining site transformed into a backcountry experience.

Located on Mosquito Pass outside of Alma, it was part of one of the state’s richest gold strike areas from 1892 to 1942. The restored 1883 office now offers modern amenities like hot and cold running water, a shower, a fully equipped kitchen and WiFi.

The NoLo Office reopened in November 2023 and is available year-round to NoLo members — annual membership is $20 — for overnight accommodations at $400 per night.

The nonprofit NoLo organization offers winter backcountry and summer arts, recreation and education programs.

Rustic Rook Resort

Rustic Rook Resort offers glamping tents, camper cabins, grain bin villas and BYO tent sites just 19 miles from the Great Sand Dunes National Park entrance.

Amenities vary by lodging type but include bedding, towels, USB battery packs and a free hot breakfast for some options. The accommodations offer views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range.

Tent and cabin rates range from $140 to $400 per night, while tent camping sites cost $60 to $75 per night.

Guests can enjoy camp activities, including games, trails, yoga, and live music on some nights. If you want to slide down the dunes, rent sandboards for $20 daily. Several hot springs are located nearby.

Arapaho Valley Ranch

Arapaho Valley Ranch is a family-owned guest ranch nestled in the Arapaho National Forest near the Indian Peaks Wilderness in Grand County.

Accommodations range from comfortable glamping tents and tipis to rustic cabins, traditional campsites, and RV sites.

You can fish, hike, or enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings.

The ranch is also home to the Red Dog Saloon. Measuring just 80 square feet with four bar stools, this saloon is the smallest bar in Colorado and features a view of Arapaho Peak from the deck.

La Junta KOA

The La Junta KOA provides alternatives to tent and RV camping that elevate the camping experience.

Visitors can choose from cozy cabins, including deluxe options with full amenities, or experience an unforgettable stay in a restored 1928 AT&SF Railroad caboose.

For those who want a more modern experience, the Sprout Tiny Home offers a charming retreat.

The KOA provides a base for exploring local attractions, such as Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site and the Koshare Indian Museum.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Colorado Parks & Wildlife offers glamping experiences at yurts and cabins throughout the State Park system.

CPW’s yurts are typically equipped with features like heating, and some have electrical outlets, making them suitable for year-round use.

Locations like Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Mancos State Park, and Pearl Lake State Park offer yurt rentals. Each has its own scenic appeal, and many yurts are set in secluded areas, providing a peaceful retreat.

CPW’s cabins range from rustic to more deluxe. Amenities vary depending on location.

Lakeside options include cabins in Steamboat Lake State Park, Sylvan Lake State Park and State Forest State Park. All cabins require a minimum two-night stay.