RV Parks In Cripple Creek, Colorado
38.7467° N, 105.1783° W
Quick Overview
Cripple Creek is a historic gold-mining town turned casino district on the back side of Pikes Peak, sitting at about 9,500 feet in the southern Colorado mountains. For RVers it's a fun, quirky basecamp: a National Historic District of Victorian storefronts, a string of small casinos, a famous herd of wild donkeys that roams Bennett Avenue, and a narrow-gauge steam train, all surrounded by high country and gold-rush ghost towns. We like it as a two- or three-night stop where you can gamble a little, ride the train, and use the cool mountain air as a summer escape. Just respect the altitude and the short, weather-driven season.
For full hookups close to the action, the Cripple Creek Hospitality House & RV Park is a standout, with 58 full-hookup 50-amp sites just blocks from the casinos, set at a restored 1901 hospital on the National Register, and open year-round with limited winter sites. Up the road, the Cripple Creek KOA Holiday bills itself as the highest KOA in the world at exactly 10,000 feet, with full-hookup 50-amp sites about 15 minutes from the casino district. Both handle big rigs and put you in easy reach of downtown.
The public option is some of the best in Colorado: Mueller State Park, about 15 miles north near Divide, offers electric-hookup sites in a beautiful forested setting with superb hiking, wildlife and Pikes Peak views, reservable through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. There's also dispersed camping in the surrounding Pike National Forest for self-contained rigs. Here's our honest read: stay at a full-hookup casino-district park if gambling, the train and walkable downtown are your focus, and base at Mueller State Park when hiking and scenery matter more. Many of us do a couple of nights at each. Below you'll find the parks grouped public and private, with reservation windows, hookup details and real high-altitude costs.
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Gear for Your Trip to Cripple Creek
All Dump Stations Near Cripple Creek
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cripple Creek RV Park (Formerly Eagles Landing RV Park) | 0.2 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Lost Burro Campground | 2.9 mi | 3.3 | RV Park | Free |
| Cripple Creek Koa Holiday | 3.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Rocking M Ranch Campground | 4.4 mi | 4.8 | RV Park | Varies |
| Lone Duck Campground | 15.8 mi | N/A | RV Park | Varies |
| Lone Duck Campground | 15.8 mi | 4.4 | RV Park | Varies |
| Rocky Top Motel & Campground | 16.0 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Crystal Kangaroo Campground | 16.4 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Mountaindale Cabins & RV Resort | 16.7 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Pikes Peak RV Park | 16.8 mi | 4.0 | RV Park | Varies |
Cripple Creek RV Park (Formerly Eagles Landing RV Park)
0.2 miLost Burro Campground
2.9 miCripple Creek Koa Holiday
3.8 miRocking M Ranch Campground
4.4 miLone Duck Campground
15.8 miLone Duck Campground
15.8 miRocky Top Motel & Campground
16.0 miCrystal Kangaroo Campground
16.4 miMountaindale Cabins & RV Resort
16.7 miPikes Peak RV Park
16.8 miTraveling to Cripple Creek by RV
Cripple Creek is reached from US-24 west of Colorado Springs: turn south at Divide onto CO-67, a paved but winding mountain road that climbs and descends into town, or come up the gentler CO-67 from Florissant. There are no low-clearance issues, but the grades are steep and the curves tight in spots, so gear down, take it slow, and watch your brakes on the descents. Gas rigs will feel the thin air at 9,500-plus feet. The alternate Phantom Canyon and Shelf roads from the south are scenic but unpaved, narrow and not suitable for big rigs. Colorado Springs, about an hour northeast, is your hub for major RV service, propane and big-box shopping. Cripple Creek itself has fuel and basic groceries. Check CDOT conditions in shoulder seasons, since mountain snow can arrive early and late. If you're coming from the Colorado Springs side, fuel and provision before you turn off US-24 at Divide, because prices climb and choices shrink once you're up in the casino town itself.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Cripple Creek, Colorado, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Cripple Creek
Private full-hookup sites in the Cripple Creek casino district run roughly $40 to $60 a night, with the Hospitality House and the high-altitude KOA both in that range depending on hookups and rig size. The KOA and Hospitality House offer the convenience of 50-amp full hookups close to or walkable from downtown. Mueller State Park's electric-hookup sites cost around $28 to $41 a night plus the park pass, a good value for the forested setting and trail access. Dispersed camping in the Pike National Forest is free with a 14-day limit. The Hospitality House stays open year-round with limited winter sites, but most camping here is a summer-and-fall affair. Expect peak pricing and demand from June through the fall color season, with quieter, cheaper shoulder months on either side.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
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Best Time to Visit Cripple Creek by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
14F - 40F
Crowds: Low
Cold and snowy at 9,500 ft. Most camping closed; the year-round Hospitality House keeps limited winter sites for the casinos. Four-season rigs only.
Spring
Mar - May
24F - 52F
Crowds: Low
Snow lingers and CO-67 can ice up in storms. Mueller and the KOA begin reopening late spring. Cool, variable weather and quiet town.
Summer
Jun - Aug
40F - 72F
Crowds: High
Prime season and a cool mountain escape. All parks open, daily afternoon storms, cold nights. Book ahead for July, August and casino events.
Fall
Sep - Oct
28F - 60F
Crowds: Medium
Gorgeous golden aspens in late September draw crowds to Mueller. Crisp days, freezing nights, first snow possible. A beautiful but short window.
Explore the Cripple Creek Area
Acclimate to the altitude your first day; at 9,500 to 10,000 feet, take it easy, hydrate, and skip the big hike right after arrival. The wild donkeys that roam downtown are descendants of mining-era burros and are protected, so enjoy them but don't feed them. Ride the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad for a fun, short steam trip past old mine workings. Drive over to the ghost town of Victor, a less-polished, authentic mining town just a few miles away. Bring layers and propane, because even summer nights drop into the 30s and 40s up here. If you want to hike, base a night or two at Mueller State Park, where the trail network is excellent and you may spot elk, deer and even bighorn sheep. And give yourself a full day for Victor next door, since the old mining town and the surrounding gold-camp back roads reward slow exploring far more than a quick drive-through.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Cripple Creek
Are there full-hookup RV parks in Cripple Creek?
Yes. The Cripple Creek Hospitality House & RV Park has 58 full-hookup sites with 50-amp service just blocks from the casinos, set at a beautifully restored 1901 hospital on the National Register of Historic Places, and it stays open year-round with limited sites in winter. The Cripple Creek KOA Holiday, billed as the highest KOA in the world at 10,000 feet, offers full-hookup 50-amp sites about 15 minutes from the casino district. Both accommodate big rigs with power, water and sewer at the site. For the public alternative, Mueller State Park nearby has electric hookups but no sewer, so for full hookups, choose one of the two private parks.
How high is Cripple Creek and does altitude matter?
Cripple Creek sits at about 9,500 feet, and the nearby KOA tops 10,000, so altitude definitely matters. Most people feel the thin air for a day or two, so hydrate well, ease up on alcohol your first night, and don't plan strenuous hiking right after arrival. Gas engines and generators lose power and run less efficiently up here, meaning higher fuel use and slower climbs on the mountain roads in. Nights are cold year-round, dropping into the 30s and 40s even in midsummer, so carry extra propane for the furnace. If anyone in your group has heart or breathing conditions, consider consulting a doctor before a high-altitude trip like this one.
Can big rigs make the drive into Cripple Creek?
Yes, with care. The main route is US-24 to Divide, then south on the paved but winding CO-67, which climbs and descends with steep grades and tight curves into town. There are no clearance or weight restrictions for standard RVs, but gear down on the descents, take the curves slowly, and expect reduced power from gas rigs in the thin air. The private parks and Mueller State Park all accommodate big rigs. Avoid the scenic Phantom Canyon and Shelf roads from the south, which are narrow, unpaved and unsuitable for large RVs. In good summer weather it's a manageable mountain drive; just avoid CO-67 during spring and fall snowstorms.
Is Mueller State Park good for RV camping?
Very. Mueller State Park, about 15 miles north near Divide, is one of Colorado's finest state parks for RVers, with electric-hookup sites in a forested high-country setting, excellent facilities and a superb trail network of over 50 miles. Wildlife is abundant, including elk, deer, black bear and bighorn sheep, and there are big Pikes Peak views. Sites are reservable through Colorado Parks and Wildlife and fill for summer and fall-color weekends, so book ahead. It has electric but not sewer hookups, with a dump station on site. If you want hiking and scenery over casino proximity, Mueller is the better base; many RVers split their stay between Mueller and a casino-district park.
When is the RV season in Cripple Creek?
Short and summer-focused. At 9,500 feet, the comfortable season runs roughly late May through September, with July and August prime and the late-September aspen-gold window spectacular but brief. Mueller State Park and the KOA generally operate spring through fall, while the Cripple Creek Hospitality House stays open year-round with limited winter sites for casino visitors. Snow can fall in any month up here, and CO-67 can ice over in shoulder-season storms. Winter RVing means real cold and four-season rigs only. For most travelers, aim for midsummer through fall color, book ahead for peak weekends and casino events, and expect cold nights even in July.
Do I need reservations for Cripple Creek RV parks?
For summer and fall weekends, yes. The casino-district parks fill during peak season and around special events and casino promotions, so reserve ahead, especially for holidays. Mueller State Park's electric sites book up for summer weekends and the late-September aspen color, releasing on a rolling window through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, so set a reminder when your dates open. Weekdays and the shoulder seasons are much easier, often available with little notice, and dispersed forest camping is an unreserved fallback for self-contained rigs. The year-round Hospitality House can usually accommodate casino visitors but still books up on busy weekends. Plan ahead for any peak-season or fall-color trip.
What is there to do in Cripple Creek for RVers?
Lots of unique mountain-town fun. The historic downtown is a National Historic District of Victorian buildings housing a string of small casinos, plus the famous herd of wild donkeys that roams Bennett Avenue in summer. Ride the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad steam train past old mine workings, tour the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine deep underground, and visit the ghost-town-like mining city of Victor a few miles away. The Heritage Center and jail museum cover the gold-rush history. Nearby Mueller State Park offers superb hiking and wildlife, and Pikes Peak and the Cripple Creek Pikes Peak Heritage area are close. It's an offbeat, history-rich basecamp.
How cold does it get at night in Cripple Creek in summer?
Cold, even in midsummer. Because of the 9,500-foot elevation, overnight lows in July and August commonly fall into the upper 30s and low 40s, with the occasional frost. Days are pleasant and rarely hot, usually in the low 70s, which is exactly why Cripple Creek and nearby Mueller make such good summer escapes from the lowland heat. But you'll want the furnace at night, so carry extra propane and pack real layers rather than just summer clothes. Don't winterize your water lines too early in the season. The cold, thin, clear mountain air also makes for outstanding stargazing, a fair trade for needing a jacket after sunset.
Is there free or dispersed camping near Cripple Creek?
Yes. The surrounding Pike National Forest offers dispersed camping on many Forest Service roads in the Divide, Victor and Cripple Creek area, free with a 14-day limit and no hookups or services. You must be fully self-contained, pack out all waste and follow fire restrictions, which are common in dry Colorado summers. The roads can be rough, steep and narrow at altitude, so scout before committing a big rig; smaller trailers and vans do best. Dump stations are available at the private parks and Mueller State Park. Always check current motor-vehicle-use maps and fire bans before heading out, since conditions and closures change with the season and fire danger.
Are pets allowed at Cripple Creek RV parks?
Generally yes. The private casino-district parks are pet-friendly with standard leash rules, and Mueller State Park welcomes leashed dogs at campsites and on many trails, though some sensitive wildlife areas may restrict them, so check current rules. The Pike National Forest is very dog-friendly for leashed pets. Keep dogs leashed around the wild donkeys downtown, which are protected animals, and around the abundant wildlife near Mueller, including elk and bears. Bring extra water, since the dry, high-altitude air dehydrates animals fast, and watch their paws on rocky terrain. Note that casinos themselves don't allow pets inside, so plan accordingly. Confirm each park's specific pet policy when booking.
Where can I dump tanks and get water near Cripple Creek?
The private full-hookup parks, the Hospitality House and the Cripple Creek KOA, let you dump at your site since they offer sewer, plus potable water fill. Mueller State Park has electric hookups but not sewer, so you'll use its on-site dump station and water fill. If you're dispersed camping in the Pike National Forest, arrive with full fresh tanks and empty waste tanks, then dump at one of the parks afterward. Colorado Springs, about an hour away, has additional RV services if needed. Top off water and fuel before heading up the mountain roads or out to forest camping, since services thin out quickly once you leave the main highway corridor.
Can I camp in Cripple Creek in winter?
Yes, but options are limited and it's cold. Most camping, including Mueller State Park and the KOA, closes or goes limited for winter, but the Cripple Creek Hospitality House & RV Park stays open year-round with a limited number of full-hookup sites for casino visitors. Winter at 9,500 feet means deep cold, with lows in the teens and single digits, plus snow and occasionally icy mountain roads, so you'll need a true four-season rig with heated hoses and a reliable furnace. The draw is the year-round casinos and quiet snowy scenery. It's doable for the well-prepared, but most RVers treat Cripple Creek as a summer-and-fall destination rather than a winter one.
Are there full-hookup RV parks in Cripple Creek?
Yes. The Cripple Creek Hospitality House & RV Park has 58 full-hookup sites with 50-amp service just blocks from the casinos, set at a beautifully restored 1901 hospital on the National Register of Historic Places, and it stays open year-round with limited sites in winter. The Cripple Creek KOA Holiday, billed as the highest KOA in the world at 10,000 feet, offers full-hookup 50-amp sites about 15 minutes from the casino district. Both accommodate big rigs with power, water and sewer at the site. For the public alternative, Mueller State Park nearby has electric hookups but no sewer, so for full hookups, choose one of the two private parks.
How high is Cripple Creek and does altitude matter?
Cripple Creek sits at about 9,500 feet, and the nearby KOA tops 10,000, so altitude definitely matters. Most people feel the thin air for a day or two, so hydrate well, ease up on alcohol your first night, and don't plan strenuous hiking right after arrival. Gas engines and generators lose power and run less efficiently up here, meaning higher fuel use and slower climbs on the mountain roads in. Nights are cold year-round, dropping into the 30s and 40s even in midsummer, so carry extra propane for the furnace. If anyone in your group has heart or breathing conditions, consider consulting a doctor before a high-altitude trip like this one.
Can big rigs make the drive into Cripple Creek?
Yes, with care. The main route is US-24 to Divide, then south on the paved but winding CO-67, which climbs and descends with steep grades and tight curves into town. There are no clearance or weight restrictions for standard RVs, but gear down on the descents, take the curves slowly, and expect reduced power from gas rigs in the thin air. The private parks and Mueller State Park all accommodate big rigs. Avoid the scenic Phantom Canyon and Shelf roads from the south, which are narrow, unpaved and unsuitable for large RVs. In good summer weather it's a manageable mountain drive; just avoid CO-67 during spring and fall snowstorms.
Is Mueller State Park good for RV camping?
Very. Mueller State Park, about 15 miles north near Divide, is one of Colorado's finest state parks for RVers, with electric-hookup sites in a forested high-country setting, excellent facilities and a superb trail network of over 50 miles. Wildlife is abundant, including elk, deer, black bear and bighorn sheep, and there are big Pikes Peak views. Sites are reservable through Colorado Parks and Wildlife and fill for summer and fall-color weekends, so book ahead. It has electric but not sewer hookups, with a dump station on site. If you want hiking and scenery over casino proximity, Mueller is the better base; many RVers split their stay between Mueller and a casino-district park.
When is the RV season in Cripple Creek?
Short and summer-focused. At 9,500 feet, the comfortable season runs roughly late May through September, with July and August prime and the late-September aspen-gold window spectacular but brief. Mueller State Park and the KOA generally operate spring through fall, while the Cripple Creek Hospitality House stays open year-round with limited winter sites for casino visitors. Snow can fall in any month up here, and CO-67 can ice over in shoulder-season storms. Winter RVing means real cold and four-season rigs only. For most travelers, aim for midsummer through fall color, book ahead for peak weekends and casino events, and expect cold nights even in July.
Do I need reservations for Cripple Creek RV parks?
For summer and fall weekends, yes. The casino-district parks fill during peak season and around special events and casino promotions, so reserve ahead, especially for holidays. Mueller State Park's electric sites book up for summer weekends and the late-September aspen color, releasing on a rolling window through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, so set a reminder when your dates open. Weekdays and the shoulder seasons are much easier, often available with little notice, and dispersed forest camping is an unreserved fallback for self-contained rigs. The year-round Hospitality House can usually accommodate casino visitors but still books up on busy weekends. Plan ahead for any peak-season or fall-color trip.
What is there to do in Cripple Creek for RVers?
Lots of unique mountain-town fun. The historic downtown is a National Historic District of Victorian buildings housing a string of small casinos, plus the famous herd of wild donkeys that roams Bennett Avenue in summer. Ride the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad steam train past old mine workings, tour the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine deep underground, and visit the ghost-town-like mining city of Victor a few miles away. The Heritage Center and jail museum cover the gold-rush history. Nearby Mueller State Park offers superb hiking and wildlife, and Pikes Peak and the Cripple Creek Pikes Peak Heritage area are close. It's an offbeat, history-rich basecamp.
How cold does it get at night in Cripple Creek in summer?
Cold, even in midsummer. Because of the 9,500-foot elevation, overnight lows in July and August commonly fall into the upper 30s and low 40s, with the occasional frost. Days are pleasant and rarely hot, usually in the low 70s, which is exactly why Cripple Creek and nearby Mueller make such good summer escapes from the lowland heat. But you'll want the furnace at night, so carry extra propane and pack real layers rather than just summer clothes. Don't winterize your water lines too early in the season. The cold, thin, clear mountain air also makes for outstanding stargazing, a fair trade for needing a jacket after sunset.
Is there free or dispersed camping near Cripple Creek?
Yes. The surrounding Pike National Forest offers dispersed camping on many Forest Service roads in the Divide, Victor and Cripple Creek area, free with a 14-day limit and no hookups or services. You must be fully self-contained, pack out all waste and follow fire restrictions, which are common in dry Colorado summers. The roads can be rough, steep and narrow at altitude, so scout before committing a big rig; smaller trailers and vans do best. Dump stations are available at the private parks and Mueller State Park. Always check current motor-vehicle-use maps and fire bans before heading out, since conditions and closures change with the season and fire danger.
Are pets allowed at Cripple Creek RV parks?
Generally yes. The private casino-district parks are pet-friendly with standard leash rules, and Mueller State Park welcomes leashed dogs at campsites and on many trails, though some sensitive wildlife areas may restrict them, so check current rules. The Pike National Forest is very dog-friendly for leashed pets. Keep dogs leashed around the wild donkeys downtown, which are protected animals, and around the abundant wildlife near Mueller, including elk and bears. Bring extra water, since the dry, high-altitude air dehydrates animals fast, and watch their paws on rocky terrain. Note that casinos themselves don't allow pets inside, so plan accordingly. Confirm each park's specific pet policy when booking.
Where can I dump tanks and get water near Cripple Creek?
The private full-hookup parks, the Hospitality House and the Cripple Creek KOA, let you dump at your site since they offer sewer, plus potable water fill. Mueller State Park has electric hookups but not sewer, so you'll use its on-site dump station and water fill. If you're dispersed camping in the Pike National Forest, arrive with full fresh tanks and empty waste tanks, then dump at one of the parks afterward. Colorado Springs, about an hour away, has additional RV services if needed. Top off water and fuel before heading up the mountain roads or out to forest camping, since services thin out quickly once you leave the main highway corridor.
Can I camp in Cripple Creek in winter?
Yes, but options are limited and it's cold. Most camping, including Mueller State Park and the KOA, closes or goes limited for winter, but the Cripple Creek Hospitality House & RV Park stays open year-round with a limited number of full-hookup sites for casino visitors. Winter at 9,500 feet means deep cold, with lows in the teens and single digits, plus snow and occasionally icy mountain roads, so you'll need a true four-season rig with heated hoses and a reliable furnace. The draw is the year-round casinos and quiet snowy scenery. It's doable for the well-prepared, but most RVers treat Cripple Creek as a summer-and-fall destination rather than a winter one.
Are there free dump stations in Cripple Creek?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Cripple Creek.
All Dump Stations Near Cripple Creek (78)
RV ParkDiamond Campground
RV ParkMountaindale Cabins & RV Resort
RV Park with Dump StationsMountain View RV Resort
RV Park with Dump StationsMountain View RV Resort
RV ParkThe Starlite Long-term Campground
RV ParkCrystal Kangaroo Campground
RV ParkSpringdale Campground
RV Park with Dump Stations





