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Dispersed Camping

Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping

8 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping, near Boulder, Colorado, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape into nature without the fuss of a traditional campground. This area offers a variety of dispersed campsites along the picturesque St. Vrain River, where you can set up your tent and enjoy the sounds of flowing water and rustling leaves.

The sites are spread out, providing a sense of privacy while still being close enough to the trail for easy access. Campers have noted the abundance of firewood nearby, making it easy to gather around a cozy fire at night. One visitor shared, “The stars were AMAZING and the sky was perfectly clear,” highlighting the stunning night sky you can expect here.

Getting to the campsites involves a short hike, which adds to the adventure. Many have praised the beautiful scenery, with plenty of trees and a breathtaking river view. Just be aware that the first few sites can be a bit noisy in the mornings as hikers pass through, but the overall tranquility of the area makes it worth it.

For those who enjoy fishing, the river is home to trout, though you might not catch anything big enough to keep. The location is also conveniently close to Boulder, making it an easy getaway for a quick camping trip. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a base for outdoor activities, this spot has a lot to offer.

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Location

Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

40.12465160171343 N
105.4419893011309 W

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Connectivity

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Brainard Lake Recreation Area

Brainard Lake Recreation Area

20 min away

Forest Road 332 Dispersed

Forest Road 332 Dispersed

24 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

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    Verizon
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    AT&T
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Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Reviews

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4.5

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8 Reviews

Jordan D.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2025

Lots of sites and beautiful views!

This place was a quick hike to some of the campsites. Beware there are signs stating to not build fires and be within 1/4 mile of creek. Place was clean and beautiful!

Month of VisitJune
Hanna K.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2024

Quiet with a lot of options

We parked in the parking lot and walked into the valley. After a while we found quite a lot of options with fireplaces already there. So you should mostly find something.

It is quiet, but also a popular spot for hikers so early in the morning, some people arrived. But you can camp far enough in the valley and away from the trail. Water is available if you have a purifier or filter system.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by Hanna K., September 27, 2024
  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by Hanna K., September 27, 2024
Dani S.
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2019

Great getaway

We went here with our 2 dogs for a quick overnighter-only about 45 minutes outside of Boulder. It was a Sunday morning and the lot was almost full when we got there around 9am. We packed it in and walked the whole trail looking for the best spot and ended up backtracking about half way to a site we saw across the St. Vrain. We crossed the creek by foot and set up right under what we later learned was a mountain lions apartment. We were far enough away from the trail that we were not bothered by day hikers. The stars were AMAZING and the sky was perfectly clear. Lots of firewood around-we brought our hand saw and cut enough feld wood to last until around 4am. We were about to go to bed around 11pm when our dogs started barking. My wife went to quiet them down and when I shined my head lamp toward the tent I saw a mountain lion perched above where we were camping on some rocks about 30 feet away. We yelled and made a lot of racket but it didn’t phase the lion. We threw rocks at it (something we had laughed at when we read about what to do in the event of an encounter) and that got it to slowly walk off into the night. About an hour later it came back and our dogs alerted us again. This time it was closer. We did the same thing-made a lot of noise and threw rocks at it until it went away. We stayed up making noise and being scared until our wood ran out and then passed out in our tent for a few hours until the sun came up. It was a scary experience but the next time we camp here we will stay closer to where everyone else stays at the beginning of the trail. When we got back to our car there was a big dusty bear paw print on our passenger side door. Colorado nature folks!

  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by Dani S., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by Dani S., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by Dani S., July 31, 2019
  • (5) View All
G
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2018

Great campground for how close it is to Boulder!

This campground is awesome if you're not trying to go to far. I went on Memorial Day weekend so there were a lot of people so I'm not sure how crowded it would normally be. Eventhough there were a lot of people, you feel pretty isolated in your campsite and would see hardly anyone at night. We camped on a pseudo island between the two streams and the running water helped drown out any noise too.

Month of VisitMay
Stephanie R.
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2018

Magnificently Beautiful River

This is one of my boyfriend and I’s favorite places to camp. You have to park in the lot and then walk down the hiking trail to get to the camping spots. The camp spots are pretty spread apart. They are set up along the river with fire pits and plenty of trees around. The only thing that im not to fond of is the first few camping spots on the trail or so close to the trail that in the eary morning when hikers start coming in it can get pretty loud and had woke me up. Other then that I love it here!

S
Reviewed Jul. 3, 2018

Tranquillity

I absolutely love this campground! This camping is spread along a hiking trail that follows the St. Vrain river. in order to get to the camp spots you have to park in the parking lot and then walk over a bridge and about a .25 mile down the trail until you hit the first camping spot. There are about 10-12 tent spots here. They are spread out pretty well to where there is a good amount of privacy between camps but in the morning the hikers start to come through. Tons of trees here andonhe river is absolutely breath taking.

  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by Stephanie R., July 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by Stephanie R., July 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by Stephanie R., July 3, 2018
  • (5) View All
A L.
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2017

Gorgeous getaway within minutes from Longmont

My son and I joined a friend from Longmont and headed to this trail to camp for a couple days. Very accessible road, lots of spots to choose from (we showed up on Thursday, it did get a little busier on Friday and Saturday). Our spot was set back from the trail, right next to the stream. Just an amazing view, ample room for lots of tents, nice fire rings and huge logs around them for sitting. Fire wood abounds but it was all a little wet still from the rains they've been getting. Some folks didn't seem to be aware of the "leave no trace" rule when it comes to going to the bathroom, which was a little gross. Overall, great experience, pretty trail views, caught lots of trout (none big enough to keep). A great getaway.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by A L., August 21, 2017
  • Review photo of Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping by A L., August 21, 2017
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to camp at Ceran St. Vrain?

Summer and early fall are ideal for camping at Ceran St. Vrain. The area becomes accessible and comfortable for camping once spring runoff subsides, typically by late June. July and August offer warm days and cool nights, perfect for enjoying the creek and surrounding nature. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends, especially holiday weekends when the parking lot can fill up early. Early fall brings beautiful colors while maintaining comfortable temperatures. The campground's popularity increases on weekends, so arriving early on Friday (or better yet, Thursday) will provide more site options.

Is there dispersed camping available at Ceran St. Vrain?

Yes, Ceran St. Vrain offers excellent dispersed camping opportunities. The camping spots are spread along a hiking trail that follows the St. Vrain river. There are multiple dispersed sites available, each with established fire pits. Sites are fairly well separated, providing a sense of privacy even when the area is busy. Most campsites are situated near the creek, offering pleasant water sounds and scenic views. Be aware that there are signs indicating you should camp within 1/4 mile of the creek, and some areas have fire restrictions, so always check current regulations before your trip.

What hiking opportunities are available on the Ceran St. Vrain trail?

The Ceran St. Vrain trail offers a pleasant hiking experience suitable for various skill levels. The main trail follows the St. Vrain river through a scenic valley, with beautiful views and several creek access points. It's relatively easy with gentle elevation changes, making it appropriate for families and casual hikers. The trail is well-maintained and provides opportunities to explore the surrounding forest and creek areas. While not an extensive trail system, it serves as both a pathway to the dispersed campsites and a relaxing day hike option. The natural beauty of the area makes even a short hike rewarding.

How do I access the Ceran St. Vrain trailhead for camping?

To access Ceran St. Vrain trailhead, park in the designated parking lot at the trailhead. The road to the trailhead is well-maintained and accessible for most vehicles. From the parking area, cross a bridge and walk approximately 0.25 miles down the trail to reach the first camping spots. Additional sites are located further along the trail. The trailhead is about 45 minutes from Boulder and also easily accessible from Longmont. The parking lot can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays, so arriving early is recommended to secure a spot. Once parked, you'll need to pack in your camping gear to your chosen site.

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