Best Tent Camping near Allenspark, CO
Dispersed tent camping areas surround Allenspark, Colorado, providing primitive camping options within the Roosevelt National Forest. Multiple tent camping areas including Allenspark Dispersed Camping and Johnny Park Road Camping offer free sites situated along creek beds or in forested terrain. These areas serve as convenient base camps for exploring nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, with most locations positioned within a 30-minute drive of park entrances.
Access to tent sites typically requires driving on unpaved forest roads that pass through residential areas before entering public land. Many routes become increasingly difficult with high-clearance vehicles recommended for accessing more remote tent sites. Most dispersed camping areas provide no amenities—no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire rings exist at established sites, though seasonal fire bans are common during summer months. Bear activity is significant in these areas, with multiple reports of encounters and vehicle break-ins, requiring proper food storage in bear canisters or locked vehicles.
Sites along creeks are particularly sought after, providing pleasant background sounds and water access for those with filtration systems. The terrain varies from creek-adjacent flat spots to more elevated sites with partial mountain views. Vegetation provides good privacy between most tent sites, though during peak summer weekends, finding available spots becomes challenging, especially after Friday afternoon. A review mentioned that "there are sites along the ridge and if you keep going, there are sites down along the creek," highlighting the variety of tent locations available. Another camper noted, "Beautiful clean camp site. Dirt road was bumpy but very drivable to reach the camping site."
