Park and Explore

See the Famous Flatirons

Those slanting ochre sandstone formations you'll see in our logo and referenced all over town are Boulder’s pride and joy. An up-close look at the Flatirons for yourself is a must. Head to Chautauqua Trailhead, where you can take some pictures and go for a hike on an extensive trail network if you'd like. (On summer weekends, you can ride the free Park-to-Park Shuttle from the CU Regent Lot or downtown to avoid parking hassles.)

Stroll Pearl Street

If the Flatirons are Boulder’s pride and joy, Pearl Street is its heart and soul. With four brick-paved blocks closed to traffic, this open-air promenade has the energy of a European plaza, lined with dining and shopping, great for people-watching and catching street performances.

Visit the Boulder Reservoir

Cruise out to Boulder Reservoir to picnic, swim, sunbathe or rent a paddleboard to float around this scenic spot that's been called one of Boulder's best beaches. Before you go, check entry fees and hours.

Go for a Hike or Nature Walk

Put your feet on a trail for some nature therapy and adventure. Two gentle but spectacularly scenic trails are available at Wonderland Lake or Bobolink Trailhead. If you would like more of a workout, head to Realization Point (be prepared for a short but steep and winding drive up Flagstaff Road) and try Range View or Boy Scout trails. And if you're really looking for a lung-buster, try Green Mountain or Bear Peak.

Museum of Boulder

The Museum of Boulder tells Boulder’s story with the most fascinating multimedia exhibits, starting with the area's Indigenous history, covering the town's culture-defining hippie movement and illuminating the Boulder of today. The museum has spacious galleries, a maker's workshop and a rooftop that's perfect for photo ops in front of the Flatirons.

Taste Tea at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

How a hand-carved, hand-painted and hand-assembled Persian teahouse ended up in Boulder is quite the story (read it here). You can visit Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse and enjoy a cup of tea — one of dozens of varieties they serve, sourced with care from across the globe. A nice, big, shady patio beside Central Park makes this a great place to dine outside.

Mural Tour

Thanks to several city-supported art programs, Boulder has seen a recent explosion of murals, with more than 135 scattered across town. On our murals page, you’ll find a map, so you can visit clusters of murals in neighborhoods across Boulder.

Try an Electric Bike Tour

If you’ve never tried an e-bike, you’re in for a treat. You'll feel like a superhero zooming up hills with the greatest of ease. The best way to see Boulder by e-bike is on a tour, but you can also rent an e-bike. Learn more in our e-biking guide.

Where to Camp With Your RV, Camper or Trailer

While there aren’t any RV parks in Boulder, there are a few RV-, camper- and trailer-ready campgrounds nearby. Keep reading below.

Additionally, A-Lodge Boulder has two reservable camper van spots. This hotel in beautiful Boulder Canyon feels very woodsy yet is just two miles from downtown. They do not host RVs but welcome Sprinter vans and vanlife-style vehicles under 20 feet in length with no generators. Hookups are not available. You’ll have access to the hotel amenities, including a pool, plus you'll be close to all kinds of outdoor recreation.

Nearby Campgrounds

Lavern M Johnson Park

In nearby Lyons, Colorado, about 30 minutes north of Boulder, this pretty park on the St. Vrain Creek is close to town but is close to nature, too, with fun activities like tubing, playing in the splash pad and picnicking. There are 16 RV sites in the parking lot with full water, electric and sewer hookups. Reservations recommended.

Boulder County Fairgrounds Campground

The Boulder County Fairgrounds Campground is a more urban experience in the center of Longmont, Colorado, about 30 minutes north of Boulder. There are 96 sites in a parking-lot setting with lots of trees. Open year-round, with water and electric hookups and a dump station, spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations and cash-only payment.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Just 40 minutes southwest of Boulder, this state park is a high-alpine escape that feels far from the city. Beautiful Reverend's Ridge Campground sites 1-59 have electric hookups and can accommodate RVs. Reservations are needed, as this campground fills up fast.

Brainard Lake Recreation Area

About 55 minutes west of Boulder is a wonderland of forest, crystalline lakes and mountain streams just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. The Pawnee Campground is near the beloved Brainard Lake, against a dramatic backdrop of jagged peaks, and has 47 campsites for tents, campers, trailers or RVs, with no hookups. Reservations are needed, as this campground fills up fast.

Kelly Dahl Campground

In a thick forest just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, about 35 minutes from Boulder, Kelly Dahl Campground has 46 single-family sites that will accommodate tents, trailers or RVs. No hookups. Twenty of these sites are first-come, first-served and the rest are by reservation.

Peaceful Valley Campground

This small but scenic campground on the St. Vrain Creek in a glacial valley has 17 sites, nine of which are suitable for RVs. No hookups. A handful of the sites are reservable and the rest are first-come, first-served.

Is there boondocking near Boulder?

Most of the free, dispersed camping near Boulder requires a high-clearance vehicle, but small RVs, campervans and pop-ups may enjoy West Magnolia. This stunning area near Nederland, Colorado, is about 35 minutes from Boulder. There are 22 designated campsites that are free on a first-come, first-served basis. A network of trails meanders through the aspen trees at West Magnolia and are popular with hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Check for road closures before you go, as its high-altitude location means this area can remain closed into June.

Camper, RV and Van Parking for the Day in Boulder

Vans are allowed to park downtown in parallel spots, and you must pay for as many spots as your van occupies, even partially. You can also find spots in city parking garages. For specific parking garage height limits, reference the city's Parking Garages page and navigate to the bottom section, "Van Access."

Boulder has a historic and continued commitment to land preservation, so the city doesn't offer many large parking lots, but there are a few options. Larger RVs, campers and trailers will need to look for street parking or larger parking lots like those at Basemar, NCAR, Twenty Ninth Street Mall or Diagonal Plaza, if you also intend to patronize the businesses there.

As a reminder, there is no overnight camping in the city of Boulder.

FAQs About RVs and Campers in Boulder