When you feel the need to unplug, to step away from the chaos of everyday life, there’s no better solution than camping. With a campfire before you and the bright stars above you, camping is the perfect way to relax and unwind. In nature’s sweet embrace, among the company of friends and family, joy thrives.

Colorado is the nation’s premier camping destination. Its national forests cover more than 13 million acres and its BLM lands, more than 8 million. All of this land is open for camping—some free, some requiring a fee. Within the state’s 42 state parks, there are an additional 4,000 campsites, which means wherever you are in Colorado, there’s a campsite nearby.

See Colorado’s brightest stars and highest peaks from Leadville, where easy access to the San Isabel National Forest makes for endless camping choices. Whether you’re looking for a multi-day hike, a family-friendly campsite, or a remote, primitive site, there’s something for everyone.

Some of Leadville’s most popular camping destinations are Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake, where lakeside campsites provide gorgeous scenery and the serenity that comes from sleeping near water. Other popular options include the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area’s campgrounds, where the sound of white water soothes like a lullaby.