It’s the season of wanderlust, but the snow has yet to melt from the high country.

While it’s a bit early to begin your backcountry adventures, there is perhaps no better time to hit the road for some quality car camping.

Inspect your gear, make a list of stuff you can’t forget – s’mores come to mind – and dream up some tall tales to tell around the campfire.

Here’s a selection of quality destinations to consider, near and far. If we’ve left off one of your favorites and you don’t mind sharing, shoot a note to lance.benzel@gazettedev.gazette.com.

Pikes Peak region

– Cheyenne Mountain State Park – With 22 miles of hiking and biking trails, an archery range and a spacious and comfortable visitor center, this 2,700-acre park at Colorado Springs’ doorstep is the perfect getaway – quick, easy and satisfying. There are 51 full-service campsites and 10 walk-ins, all in the shadow of Cheyenne Mountain. Seek out the visitor center’s stone fireplace to shake off the chill. Day-use fee is $7 per vehicle. Tent sites are $18 a night, and RV sites are $24. More info: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/cheyennemountain

– Mueller State Park – If a short drive to a park appeals to you, take the 30-minute drive past Woodland Park. Enjoy exploring some of the 55 miles of trails that thread this wildlife refuge and then lie down on a real bed in any of the cabins that are available. Day-use fee is $7 per vehicle. Tent sites are $18, and RV sites are $22. More info: cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Mueller

– Crags Campground, Divide – Yet another gem in our backyard, this spot makes it possible to get away without going far at all. While the campground offers several excellent sites with a bathroom and water nearby, there are free options along the road to the campground. Be sure to take the short hike to The Crags. More info: tinyurl.com/c5g2bkt

South

– Lake Pueblo State Park – Boasting nearly 10,000 acres of land and more than 4,600 acres of surface water, Lake Pueblo is one of the more popular destinations in Colorado. It is strongly recommended to reserve one of the 400 campsites on Lake Pueblo, as they fill quickly over the summer and holiday weekends. Day-use fee is $7 per vehicle. Camping is $16 a night for tent sites and $20 per night for RV sites with electrical hookups. More info: cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/LakePueblo

– Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Alamosa – The good news: Medano Creek is flowing beautifully. The bad: Snowpack is so heavy that the four-wheel drive to Medano Pass is closed. Console yourself by scaling the 700-foot sand dunes by foot, or seek out a backcountry hike to keep yourself occupied. The Pinon Flats Campground – offering 91 sites, roughly half of them first-come, first-serve – is a great place to watch the sun set. Day-use fee is $3 per passenger. The fee to camp is $20. More info: nps.gov/grsa

– Juniper Campground, Bandolier National Monument, Los Alamos, N.M. – This is a mesa-top marvel offering a home base to explore remote canyons. The first-come, first-serve camp sites are immaculately tended. A seven-day entry permit is $7. Camping is $12 a night. More info: nps.gov/band

North

– Golden Gate Canyon State Park – Located in Golden only 30 miles from Denver, this state park will have you feeling lost in a distant wilderness. Two campgrounds combine to offer 132 sites. There are also four shelters and 20 tent sites in the backcountry. Day-use fee is $7. Tent sites are $18, and RV sites with electrical are $22. More info: cpw.state.co.us/placesto go/parks/GoldenGateCanyon

– Moraine Park Campground – Rocky Mountain National Park teems with visitors in the summer, so be sure to reserve one of 244 spots. For the best view, look for the walk-up site near the entrance, which is ideal for hammock campers. Estes Park is only a short drive away. The camping fee is $20 per night. There are also park fees. More info: nps.gov/romo

– Steamboat Lake State Park, Clark – Hahns Peak forms the dramatic backdrop for this 1,053-acre lake and park that offers fishing, boating, trail access, camping and picnicking. Steamboat Lake offers both nonelectric and electric campsites for RVs or tents – 188 campsites in all. Campers can choose sweeping views or a shaded spot under aspen or evergreen trees. Some sites are near the shoreline. Reservations are encouraged. Day-use fees are $7-$9 per vehicle. Campsites are $18 per night, and RV sites are $22 per night. More info: cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/SteamboatLake

– Curt Gowdy State Park, Wyoming – An easy three-hour drive away, Curt Gowdy offers a dizzying variety of activities. Three reservoirs are available for boating and fishing, and a lazy stream draws kayakers. Trails wind through high-desert breaks and into lush forests. The singletrack is built according to International Mountain Bicycling Association standards, offering a variety of difficulty levels. For out-of-state guests, day-use fees are $6 and camping is $17 a night. More info: tinyurl.com/od3ke2m

West

– Halfmoon Campground, Leadville – A first-come, first-serve campground near the Mount Elbert and Mount Massive trailheads at nearly 10,000 feet, this spot is very popular for hikers, so be sure to show up early to stake your claim. Don’t expect luxuries, but there are picnic tables, fire rings with grates, drinkable water and vault toilets. The fee is $17 per night for up to two vehicles. More info: tinyurl.com/o2jnm3y

– Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, Gunnison – If you don’t mind roughing it, this Bureau of Land Management refuge offers abundant camping along the fire roads that criss-cross the open space. Enjoy hiking or mountain biking on the excellent trail network, or find a site in the shade and spend the day with a good book. The BLM discourages camping here, but it’s legal – and free. More info: tinyurl.com/nuz8swj

– Amphitheatre Campground, Ouray – The views are spectacular from this collection of 35 campsites arranged in tight loops high above town. There are several trails to explore, and Ouray, and its vaunted hot springs pool, are only minutes away. Camping is $20 per night. More info: tinyurl.com/k7y9y5l

– Ridgway State Park – A 5-mile reservoir with a swimming beach is perhaps the chief draw of this pretty, well-maintained park. The campsites number 258 for RVs, trailers, campers and motor homes. For a more remote experience, there are 25 walk-in tent sites shaded by trees. More info: cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Ridgway

– Saddlehorn Campground, Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction – One loop of first-come, first-serve sites and one loop of reservable sites are available at this Western Slope campground nestled in one of the state’s grander attractions. Tents and RVs are welcome. The park entrance fee is $10 per vehicle. Campsites are $20 each. More info: nps.gov/colm

– Up the Creek, Moab, Utah – Hot showers, flush toilets and access to glorious shade are the chief benefits of this humble creekside campground near downtown Moab, not to mention the easy access to incredible hiking, mountain biking, off-roading and exploring. It’s a great way to explore a resort town on the cheap. Fees start at $25 for one person and climb incrementally based on the size of your party. More info: moabupthecreek.com

Not in the mood for camping? Click here for eight scenic drives in Colorado.