Longs Peak Campground
The Quick Take
Longs Peak Campground exists for one reason: to put you at the trailhead of the most iconic summit in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a small, no-frills tent-only camp with just 26 sites, tucked at the base of the Longs Peak trail off Highway 7, well south of the main park corridor. Forget flush toilets, forget showers, forget cell service -- this place is stripped down to the essentials. What you get instead is a quiet, focused staging area surrounded by dense subalpine forest, where your neighbors are almost certainly fellow peak-baggers setting alarms for ungodly hours. The bear activity here is real, not theoretical, so food storage discipline matters. Choose Longs Peak if you are climbing the peak or want a quieter, more rustic alternative to the busy campgrounds near Bear Lake and Moraine Park.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 26 sites are reservable.
Book at Rocky Mountain LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
3 ADA-accessible campsites. All campsites are designed for tents only. The surface around all campsites is uneven with rocks, branches, and other natural features. Some campsites have 3 to 6 steps to reach the tent pad. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Bear Safety:Wildlife including black bears, Mule deer and more frequent the area.
- Occupancy:There is an eight (8) person limit per site.
Pro Tips
Most Longs Peak summit attempts start between 2 and 4 AM to beat afternoon lightning. Book your site for the night before your climb so you can roll out of your tent and hit the trailhead in minutes rather than driving in bleary-eyed from Estes Park.
The campground sits along Highway 7, which connects to the Wild Basin trailhead just a few miles further south -- a far less crowded gateway to waterfalls and alpine lakes than anything on the Bear Lake corridor. Use your campsite as a base for both areas.
With no potable water or camp store anywhere nearby, you need to arrive fully self-sufficient. Pack all your water, food, and firewood before you leave Estes Park. And take the bear warnings seriously -- the food lockers are there because bears have literally learned to open car doors in this campground.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS Photo
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
From Estes Park, take CO Highway 7 south for 20 miles. Longs Peak Road will be on your right with signs for Longs Peak Ranger Station and Longs Peak Campground.
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