If you have lived in Greeley for any amount of time, you know that our community loves to get outside and explore the beautiful landscapes that Colorado has to offer. The amazing weather and variety of terrain make the Centennial state an adventurer’s paradise.
Springtime provides an array of ways to enjoy the outdoors. From camping and hiking to rafting, boating, and climbing, we can’t get enough of experiencing nature’s playground. Greeley is fortunate to be located near numerous distinct camping locations, some of which are located right in our own backyard.
Nestled along the South Platte River, minutes from downtown Greeley lies one of Northern Colorado’s most hidden gem. The Platte River Fort Resort and Event Center, fifteen minutes east of Greeley on Highway 34, offers a unique camping experience that will make you feel as though you’ve stumbled upon a faraway mountain town’s glamping resort.
General Manager at Platte River Fort, Hannah Long, described what makes The Platte River Fort camping experience different: “We have great views of Longs and Meeker Points, and water access for each of our campsites. There are not many places to the east that have water and mountain views.”
The 263-acre property includes five yurts for the finest glamping experience. Each yurt is fully furnished with beds, equipped with solar-powered lights, and is situated just a few feet from the Platte River. The area is secluded with an abundance of space between the campsites, offering guests more privacy than most campgrounds.
The grounds also have 40 tent campsites and four RV spaces. Additionally, each campsite has river access. Campers can take advantage of free innertubes to float from the public beach down to their campsite. Long said she hopes “all our visitors have a unique experience and leave feeling refreshed and with a new appreciation for the gem that we have here.”
If camping here sounds like your kind of adventure, book soon, as the sites typically sell out by May.
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway outside of the Greeley city limits, here are 10 of our top suggestions for camping within 90 minutes or less from Greeley.
Platte River Fort Resort and Event Center – Greeley
15 minutes
River access for all campsites, public beach, glamping in furnished yurts, tubing.
Redstone Ridge Relaxation – Livermore
60 minutes
Private 16,000 acre working cattle and horse ranch ranch with great bird watching. Multiple hiking trails with views of the Mummy Range. Biking, climbing, swimming.
Cottonwood Campground – Boyd Lake State Park, Loveland
30 minutes
Paved pull-through sites, water sports, hiking.
Home On The Range – Nunn
30 minutes
Glamping in an authentic sheep wagon on a working ranch with cattle, horses, and chickens.
Dutch George Campground – Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forest
90 minutes
Along the Cache La Poudre River, paved roads through campgrounds, able to accommodate larger RV’s.
Flatiron Reservoir – Loveland
50 minutes
47 acre reservoir with flat hiking trails.
Horsetooth Reservoir – Fort Collins
60 minutes
Boating, stand up paddle board rentals, multiple hiking trails.
Mary’s Lake Campground – Estes Park
90 minutes
View of Twin Sisters Peaks, hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, easy access to the town of Estes Park for shopping and dining.
Rainbow Lakes Campground – Nederland
60 minutes
Adjacent to Indian Peaks Wilderness with multiple hiking trails for all levels.
Dowdy Lake Campground – Red Feather
90 minutes
Canoeing, fishing, excellent trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
