Cheyenne Mountain State Park Camping Review: Sites & Fees

Cheyenne Mountain State Park is a strong Colorado Springs base for RV travelers who value full hookups, trail access, and a public-park setting. Colorado Parks and Wildlife currently lists 61 campsites total, publishes campsite fees of $21–$41 per night, and says all RV sites have electric, water, and sewer hookups. A park pass is additional.

The main limitations are equally clear: reservations are required, campground Wi-Fi is not provided, and the showers and laundry building closes from November through April. Winter camping remains available with reduced services.

For most RV trips, the decision is simple: book Cheyenne Mountain if a correctly sized full-hookup site is available and you are comfortable driving to city attractions. Choose a private park if campground Wi-Fi, resort amenities, or a Manitou Springs location matters more. Our Colorado Springs RV parks guide compares those alternatives.

Cheyenne Mountain camping at a glance#

Detail	Current published information
Total campsites	61
RV hookups	Electric, water, and sewer at all RV sites
Campsite fee	$21–$41 per night
Park entry	Separate pass required; daily vehicle passes currently listed in a $10–$15 range
Reservations	Required; up to 6 months ahead
Season	RV and tent camping year-round, with reduced winter availability/services
Showers and laundry	Coin-operated, April–November; closed November–April
Wi-Fi	None
Check-in / checkout	1 p.m. / noon
Maximum stay	14 days in a 28-day period

Always verify the final site fee, applicable vehicle pass, and site dimensions in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife reservation system before payment.

The honest verdict#

What Cheyenne Mountain does well#

• True full hookups: the official campground brochure says RV sites include electric, water, and sewer.
• A public-park setting: the 1,680-acre park transitions from prairie toward Cheyenne Mountain rather than placing RVs in a commercial parking lot.
• Useful shoulder-season access: year-round operation makes the park relevant beyond peak summer.
• City convenience: groceries, fuel, and Colorado Springs services remain within practical driving distance.
• Clear reservation horizon: inventory can be booked up to six months ahead.

What to plan around#

• The entry pass is extra: the campsite rate is not the complete stay cost.
• No campground Wi-Fi: bring a connectivity backup if work depends on internet access.
• Seasonal camper services: showers and laundry are unavailable from November through April.
• Reservations required: this is not a dependable spontaneous overnight stop.
• A car-dependent location: Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and central Colorado Springs require driving.

Campground layout and sites#

The official map identifies three camping loops: Gobbler Grove, Raptor Glen, and Swift Puma. It marks sites 18, 19, 45, 46, and 49 as accessible.

Older reviews rank individual loops and sites by views or privacy, but those judgments can change with vegetation, neighboring equipment, and the assigned site’s orientation. Use the official booking map to compare:

• pad length and back-in versus pull-through access;
• distance from restrooms and camper services;
• proximity to internal roads and shared facilities;
• accessibility features;
• shade and site photos, where the reservation record provides them.

The park’s published rule allows one camping unit and up to six people per site. Tent pads measure 12 by 12 feet. Do not infer that every RV site fits every large rig simply because the campground offers full hookups; the selected site’s listed dimensions control.

Full hookups and campground services#

All RV sites have electric, water, and sewer according to the official brochure. That makes Cheyenne Mountain materially easier than a dry state-park campground for a multi-night stay.

Individual campsites also list picnic tables and fire rings. The park lists firewood and ice among campground amenities. Fire availability is always subject to current restrictions, so the presence of a ring does not guarantee that a wood fire is permitted during the stay.

The camper-services building provides coin-operated showers and laundry from April through November. It closes November through April. Winter campers should arrive prepared to use their RV bathroom and confirm which loop, restroom, and water services are operating.

There is no campground Wi-Fi. The official park material does not support promising a particular carrier, upload speed, video-call quality, or streaming performance at every campsite. Check a carrier map and bring redundancy if connectivity is essential.

Fees: calculate the complete nightly cost#

Colorado Parks and Wildlife currently publishes campsite prices from $21 to $41 per night. The range covers different site types; a full-hookup RV site will not necessarily be the lowest-priced category.

A park pass is required in addition to the campsite. The current park page lists daily vehicle-pass prices in a $10–$15 range and an individual daily pass at $4. The applicable product can depend on the vehicle and current CPW fee schedule.

Before comparing this campground with a private park, price:

1. the selected campsite;
2. the park pass for each applicable vehicle;
3. reservation or transaction charges shown at checkout;
4. cancellation terms;
5. any pet, extra-vehicle, or equipment conditions relevant to the booking.

The state-park option can still be good value, but comparing only the advertised campsite number understates the actual cost.

How reservations work#

Reservations are required and open up to six months ahead through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The published reservation phone number is 1-800-244-5613.

For a summer weekend or holiday period, search when the six-month window opens and keep a second Colorado Springs campground in reserve. For flexible travelers, compare several arrival days and site lengths rather than searching one exact configuration.

Check-in is at 1 p.m. and checkout is at noon. The maximum stay is 14 days in a 28-day period. Review the current confirmation for late-arrival procedures instead of assuming the gate or office will remain staffed.

Location and RV access#

The park address is 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80926, southwest of central Colorado Springs near Highway 115. Use the park’s current directions and compare them with any RV-specific height or weight restrictions for the approach.

The location works as a base for:

• trails and wildlife viewing within the park;
• Garden of the Gods;
• central Colorado Springs;
• day trips toward Pikes Peak and the foothills.

Do not confuse the public state park with the military installation inside Cheyenne Mountain. They are separate facilities, and the state-park campground does not provide public access to the military complex.

Pets, wildlife, and fires#

Pets are allowed under current park rules but must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and cannot be left unattended. Owners must clean up waste and obey any trail-specific restrictions.

Wildlife can pass through the campground. Store food, trash, and scented items securely, maintain distance, and never feed animals.

Fire rings are provided, but Colorado fire restrictions can change quickly. Check the park’s current alert before lighting a fire and confirm at arrival. A propane cooking setup with an on/off valve can be a useful backup, though it too must comply with the active restriction.

Summer versus winter stays#

April through November#

This is the full-service period for coin-operated showers, laundry, and the camper-services activity room. It is also the period most likely to produce reservation competition.

November through April#

The campground remains a year-round option, but CPW reduces loop and service availability. The camper-services building is closed. Freezing temperatures can affect how an RV uses water even when the park lists year-round camping, so confirm current pedestal and water status before connecting.

Who should book Cheyenne Mountain?#

Cheyenne Mountain is a good fit for:

• RV travelers who want electric, water, and sewer at the site;
• hikers who want trails directly from a Colorado Springs campground;
• travelers who can reserve ahead;
• self-contained winter campers who accept reduced services;
• visitors using a vehicle for regional sightseeing.

Look elsewhere if:

• dependable campground Wi-Fi is non-negotiable;
• a pool, hot tub, or organized resort program is the priority;
• you need a walkable Manitou Springs location;
• your dates are fixed and no correctly sized site is available;
• you need showers and laundry during the winter closure.

For other public-land and mountain options, see our Colorado Rocky Mountains RV parks guide.

Frequently asked questions#

How many campsites are at Cheyenne Mountain State Park?#

Colorado Parks and Wildlife currently lists 61 campsites total. The park offers both full-hookup RV sites and tent camping.

Do RV sites have full hookups?#

Yes. The official campground brochure says all RV sites have electric, water, and sewer hookups. Confirm the selected site’s equipment length and connection details when booking.

How much does camping cost?#

CPW publishes campsite fees of $21–$41 per night. A park pass is additional, and the current daily vehicle-pass range is $10–$15. Checkout displays the complete price for the specific reservation.

Does the campground have showers and laundry?#

Yes, from April through November. The coin-operated showers, laundry, and camper-services building close from November through April.

Is Cheyenne Mountain State Park open in winter?#

Camping is available year-round, but winter has reduced loop and service availability. Confirm the exact operating facilities before a cold-weather stay.

Is there Wi-Fi or guaranteed cell service?#

The campground does not provide Wi-Fi. Do not assume that a particular carrier or campsite will support remote work; bring a backup if connectivity is critical.

Official booking source#

Use the Colorado Parks and Wildlife camping page for current fees, operating status, rules, and reservations. The official page and booking confirmation supersede details in this review.