Camping at The Bank Campground, Colorado: Tips, Site Info, and Road Conditions
Sunset views from The Bank Campground. Photo by David Wong.
Looking for a last-minute, dog-friendly campsite within a few hours of Denver? We recently spent a weekend at The Bank Campground near Cañon City, Colorado, and it was a perfect mix of high-desert solitude and adventure. Tucked into the cliffs near Shelf Road, this Bureau of Land Management (BLM) campground is popular with climbers and weekend wanderers alike. Here’s everything we learned, plus tips to help you plan your own trip.
Choosing a Campsite
The Bank Campground is split into two loops:
Loop A – First Come, First Serve
Loop B – Reservation Only
We booked Site B-21 in Loop B, one of the few remaining sites available for the weekend.
Pro Tip: Campground listing photos can be limited in providing a general idea of the sites, so we created a drive-through video using our dashcam to help others preview each loop below:
Getting There & Road Conditions
When you approach the campground, you’ll turn onto a dirt road from the paved road. It’s mostly well maintained with some ruts and avoidable rough sections. For reference, we drove a Subaru Forester with all-terrain tires and a 1-1.5” lift, and at the campground we saw modified trucks and vans, smaller camper vans and SUVs, and a few trailers that made it up the road. Reviews online mentioned that the road had been recently improved, and I remember seeing a mention that a sedan made it up just fine. As always, road conditions can change, so check recent reviews or weather updates before heading out. Once you make it to the top of the dirt road, there’s a restroom to your left, and plenty of signage to find your way to Loop A on your right, or the entrance to Loop B straight ahead on your left. In summary:
You’ll turn off the paved road onto a dirt access road, which is passable for most vehicles with decent clearance.
We drove a Subaru Forester with a mild lift and all-terrain tires and encountered no major issues.
We saw sedans, vans, and trailers at the top, though your mileage may vary based on recent weather and maintenance.
What to Expect at The Bank Campground
The Bank Campground is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is a beautiful high-desert, rocky landscape. The main attraction for staying there would be the easy walking distance access to The Shelf, an impressive vertical limestone canyon destination for rock climbing with approximately 1000 established sport climbs. You can catch views of The Shelf when approaching and from within the campground.
There are 33 sites at The Bank Campground with two restrooms with two vault toilets each, one at the entrance and the other at the back of Loop B. The restrooms were well-stocked and had proper ventilation, however there are no sinks or running water. Each campsite has a metal fire ring, concrete picnic table, and a parking spot or pull through for the group sites. There is no drinking water, firewood, electric hook-ups, or trash services available, so plan accordingly and be prepared to pack your trash out. Overall, each site in Loop B either offered more privacy with piñon pine and juniper growth scattered around, or more space with less vegetation and more exposure. The sites in Loop A seemed packed close together. Here’s a few things to know before you go:
📍 Location & Vibe
Managed by the BLM, this campground sits at 6,890 feet in a high-desert landscape filled with limestone cliffs, piñon pine, and juniper.
The Shelf, one of Colorado’s premier climbing destinations, is just steps from Loop B. Making this a great option for Shelf Road camping.
🧻 Campground Amenities
33 sites (some more private than others)
2 vault toilet stations (clean and well-ventilated)
No water, trash service, or hookups
Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, and parking/pull-through area
🌦️ Weather & Conditions
Bring sun protection. Shade is limited, and high-elevation sun is strong.
Check the weather day-of and day-before: storms can roll in quickly.
Rain jackets are always a good idea in Colorado, even with a clear forecast.
🐾 Wildlife & Bugs
Expect ant hills and curious insects—keep food sealed and out of reach.
We only saw rabbits and birds; but bighorn sheep, goats, and bears are known in the area.
Summer visitors should prepare for pinyon gnats, flies, and heat as warned by BLM.
Look out for cacti in the area, some are low and not easily visible. We kept our dog on a short leash in camp to avoid any issues.
🔊 Campground Culture & Noise
We arrived to peaceful nature sounds, but nighttime was another story.
A large group with RVs pulled in late, bringing high-beams, parking chaos, and bass-heavy music into the early morning.
Pro Tip: Bring noise-canceling earbuds or headphones—we use AirPods Pro which serve a triple purpose of drowning out loud neighbors, providing quality audio, and prevents our entertainment from annoying others.
🧗 Nearby Adventures
Access to The Shelf climbing area via a short walk from Loop B.
Nearby: Royal Gorge, Phantom Canyon Road, and hiking trails.
We took the scenic route home along Phantom Canyon Road—a beautiful way to end the weekend.
Final Thoughts
The Bank is a great option for dog-friendly camping near Cañon City, especially if you're looking for scenic BLM campgrounds off the beaten path. The campground offers incredible views, access to world-class climbing, and a peaceful high-desert setting—if you're prepared. It's a great spot for a last-minute getaway or as part of a longer road trip. Just come ready with water, sunscreen, noise-cancelling headphones, and a sense of adventure.
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