Camping Gear for Colorado State Parks

How to Choose Camping Gear

Colorado state parks offer some of the best camping in the country, from high-alpine meadows to lakeside sites at the base of the Front Range. The right gear makes the difference between a comfortable weekend and a miserable one — Colorado weather can swing 40 degrees in a single day, so we prioritize pieces that layer well, dry fast, and hold up to wind. Every pick below carries a 4.2+ quality score from real customer reviews.

Buying tips

• Layer your sleeping system. Mountain nights stay cold even in summer. Pair a three-season bag with a sleeping pad and a warm base layer to stay comfortable into the 30s.
• Buy a tent you can pitch in wind. Front Range campsites get gusty. Look for a full rainfly, sturdy poles, and stakes that actually hold. Dome tents like the Coleman Sundome are a dependable starting point.
• Cook with a stable stove. A two-burner stove or an integrated stove-and-pot kit beats a single burner when you're feeding a group. Bring a wind screen for exposed sites.

What to expect to pay