Best Tent Camping near Arvada, CO
Arvada campers have access to several tent camping options in surrounding mountain terrain, with established campgrounds and dispersed areas within an hour's drive. Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers tent campsites at Aspen Meadows Campground, where sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to vault toilets. Additional tent campgrounds include Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir and Sawmill Hiker Campground, a walk-in tent-only area requiring a free permit from Jefferson County Open Space.
Tent pads at most locations consist of compacted dirt or gravel surfaces, with some campgrounds providing designated tent platforms. Sawmill Hiker Campground features a one-mile trail access, making it suitable for beginner backpackers seeking a primitive tent experience without extensive hiking. Many dispersed tent camping areas like Gordon Gulch, Dream Canyon, and North Boulder Creek require campers to pack in all supplies including water. Permanent fire bans exist at several locations, with Dream Canyon prohibiting fires completely. Most primitive tent areas lack toilet facilities, while established campgrounds provide vault toilets that may have limited maintenance.
High-clearance vehicles are necessary for accessing certain tent campsites, particularly at Winiger Ridge where 4WD is recommended. Sites within Golden Gate Canyon State Park offer more amenities for tent campers but can fill quickly during summer weekends. Tent sites at Aspen Meadows provide shade and natural barriers between campsites. In early fall, aspens throughout the region create scenic backdrops for tent camping experiences. Several campgrounds offer trail connections directly from tent sites to longer hiking networks. A camper at Sawmill noted, "The campsites are well maintained and quite spread out from one another. So although there was a group of scouts, a group of friends, and a bigger youth group who all hiked in, it did not feel crowded or noisy."
