Dispersed tent camping across Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests ranges from 5,000 to 11,000 feet in elevation, offering highly variable seasonal conditions. The region spans over 1.5 million acres across north-central Colorado, including parts of Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson, Larimer, and Park counties. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors to camp at least 100 feet from water sources and 150 feet from roadways.
What to do
Hiking with wildlife viewing: The area surrounding Brainard Lake Recreation Area provides excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. "There are lots of moose and wildlife in general, and huge pine trees. The road is closed for a good chunk of the year so make sure you check their website for closures!" notes Becca H.
Fishing in mountain streams: Multiple streams and lakes offer trout fishing opportunities throughout the forests. At Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping, one camper reported they "caught lots of trout (none big enough to keep)" while enjoying the stream access.
Summit climbing preparation: For experienced hikers, camping at higher elevations serves as preparation for summit attempts. "This is the only campground you can get to without going through Estes Park, which is great to avoid the congestion in that touristy little mountain town. No reservations are taken here. Most of the people we saw were about to hike or had just hiked Longs Peak," explains Irene L.
What campers like
Ridge-top viewpoints: Many dispersed sites offer elevated perspectives of surrounding terrain. At Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite, Sydney R. found "Great site and location about 10 minutes from downtown Grand Lake. The sites had tons of space and a great view of the mountains."
Proximity to towns: Campers appreciate the accessibility to nearby communities for supplies. "About 1 hour from Boulder. Was super simple to access. The coordinates take you to the beginning of the rural part of Ski road. Keep driving on Ski road, you'll see the 'Entering National Forrest' sign and soon after that you will see dispersed camping spots," shares Jason H.
Easy backpacking options: Some areas provide gentle introduction to backpacking without extensive hiking. One visitor to Ceran St. Vrain noted it's "a short hike downhill to many dispersed campsites along the creek. Beautiful and easy! A must-see."
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many forest roads deteriorate quickly, especially after weather events. At Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, a visitor recommended "a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach some of the spots, especially if there is poor weather."
Wildlife precautions essential: Multiple campers report direct wildlife encounters. One camper at Dream Canyon warned, "A huge bear got into my tent while I was gone for 2 hours and absolutely destroyed it. So I had to leave and didn't get to enjoy the night under the stars."
Weather preparedness critical: Mountain weather changes rapidly at higher elevations. A Stillwater Pass camper reported that "It snowed on me overnight and the road was still very passable. It was pretty empty in January, one big pile of trash that was unfortunate and a few people seemed to be there long term."
Tips for camping with families
Choose established sites with room: Larger families need sufficient space for setup. At Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, Amanda R. found "our campsite was huge—plenty of space for our whole group, multiple tents, and a couple of cars. With a picnic table and fire pit included, it made for the perfect outdoorsy hangout spot."
Select sites with natural noise barriers: Creek-side camping provides soothing ambient sounds. At Allenspark, one camper noted "the sites get narrow and crammed up between the road and the creek. A lot of shade, not a lot of bugs. Zero cell service not much of a view. Creek is loud and drowns out noise."
Arrive early for best spots: Competition for prime family sites intensifies on weekends. "Given that this is so close to boulder, a ton of people come here. We tried to drive in Friday night and all the campsites were full so some kind people let us share theirs. I'd suggest getting their early to get a good spot!" advises a visitor to Winiger Ridge.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations for dispersed sites: Most dispersed areas accommodate only smaller RVs and trailers. One camper at Dream Canyon Campsites noted, "Not sure if the directions led me to the wrong spot but plugging this into any nav app just led me to a very narrow pull off on the side of the road, too close to passing cars for me to really consider."
Research permit requirements: Some areas require special permits during peak months. In Indian Peaks Wilderness, campers must obtain permits: "Make sure and get your permit from the Boulder Ranger District. Give them a call at 303-541-2500. They only allow 6 permits per night at this lake."
Seasonal road access varies: RVers should check current road conditions before attempting access. A visitor to Gordon Gulch observed, "the road seemed a little sketchy in the snow but my RAV4 AWD made it just fine to most of the sites. The last few sites felt just a little too sketchy for my driving skills."
