Primitive tent camping sites surround Avon, Colorado within the White River National Forest, with options ranging from designated dispersed sites to established tent-focused campgrounds. The Red Sandstone Primitive Dispersed area offers multiple tent campsites in a forested setting, while Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District provides access to backcountry tent camping with mountain views near the Vail-Eagle corridor. Shrine Pass Road connects to numerous primitive tent camping opportunities with access to hiking trails and scenic overlooks.
Campers should prepare for challenging road conditions when accessing most tent sites, as many require high-clearance vehicles. Red Sandstone Road features deep ruts and rough terrain, with one visitor noting that "the road is REALLY rough with random holes, but once past the road, it was everything you'd want in a primitive site." Most tent campgrounds have established stone fire rings but lack facilities such as toilets or potable water. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, limiting legal fires to permanent rings at designated sites. Mosquitoes can be abundant in early summer, especially near creek-side tent sites.
Tent campsites near Avon typically offer wooded privacy and excellent stargazing opportunities. Sites farther up forest service roads offer greater seclusion but require more challenging approaches. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "There were probably 4-6 spots that were pretty close together near the creek. We took a left up the hill and found a more secluded spot." Tent campers should expect variable weather conditions even in summer months, with cool nights at higher elevations. Seasonal road closures affect access, generally limiting tent camping to late spring through early fall. Many tent sites provide proximity to hiking trails, with Lost Lake and Piney Lake being popular destinations accessible from nearby tent camping areas. Wildlife sightings including deer and occasionally moose are possible, requiring proper food storage techniques in all tent camping locations.
"You can drive or walk down a mile which leads to a trail to Lost Lake, which you can swim in. It was definitely buggy, got my fair share of mosquito bites, so I recommend bug spray."
"The campsites are decently spaced out but not the place to go if you don’t want neighbors, I chose the only single site I could find but could still hear dogs barking and music in the distance(to be fair"
"Halfmoon Campground is located at the end of Notch Mountain Rd (forest Rd 707) near Minturn, CO in White River National Forest."
"during the week very few camper, campfires allowed. water. no electricity. it was wonderful. no rain, great stars"
"**Campground Review: ** As an adventurer in Colorado, I often find myself driving down I-70 and over the Vail Pass."
"Great area, be prepared for weather and elevation gain."
"It has space for one tent for sure, and several more tents if you aren't picky about smooth and level ground under you. You could definitely fit an RV or trailer in the space as well."
"Level and had a turn around for a larger rig. Many tent sites around. Road is in good shape."
"Got in late and found a spot on a busy holiday weekend, it was forested with a good rock fire ring but some trash left over. Felt secluded enough but had hiking trails around. Saw a few other cars."
"Camp sites here are not well defined (look for fire rings). The trail is heavily rutted, and if it just rained gets incredibly muddy."
"Found this spot at about 7PM on a Friday night near the Breckenridge end of the Boreas Pass Trail (39.451441,-106.014294)."
"This this is a long Winding Road up the mountain that has many nice places to pull over and Camp right off the road. Some are a bit further back than others. Most are accessible to any vehicle."
"However there is designated overnight vehicle parking where people leave cars for hut trips in the Vail Pass Rest area lot, which is adjacent to Shrine Mt Road."
"Convenient spot off i70 but without the traffic noise. A few spots along the road."
"Nice places with amenities, but you can go off the beaten path and do some hardcore stuff. Water sources all around. Very cold until August."
"Site number 4 is the biggest and would be great for a couple tents. We stayed 3 nights and the campground was never full. 23/night is pretty steep in my opinion but all campgrounds are these days."
"Good for tent camping and very small trailers. Accessible via a maintained dirt road, but the road in the campground is a little rough. A few hundred yards from multiple trailheads."
ScoutThe man who runs the place is super nice, the shower, though small, is clean, as is the bathroom. The view was nice, but the noise from the interstate and the train is a deal breaker.
The website says there is a mountain between the campground and the highway, but it isn't tall enough to block the sound. It is not quiet, despite what the website says.
ScoutNice easy access right off the highway with nice views… perfect overnight rest stop.
TravelerNice little stop off on I70 near Glenwood Springs. When we checked in the guy at the desk told us the property has been sold, is being developed as affordable housing.
ScoutSmall campground with nice size sites.
RangerThis place was beautiful. The rough road was worth it. There were trails all around the grounds. The lake was beautiful and absolutely a fisherman’s paradise. There was no water available and the main water was turned off, but they had plenty of clean porta-potty’s. There were plenty of spots open and we were able to reserve our spot online after we picked it.
GuideNo access as the site is chain-locked.
ScoutClose to the road but also the Arkansas river, decent service for the area. Not an area for trailers
GuideMy husband loved this campground because of the rushing stream nearby that you could hear while sleeping. I liked it because there was only one other camper in the entire campground. I will say that if the campground had been full the campsites would be very close. We arrived late afternoon, never ever saw the camp hosts which was fine. The drinking water that DYRT says is available is just a place where you can fill jugs of water not a hookup to fill an RV freshwater tank. Over all I thought the campsite was nice enough. Frying pan road coming in was paved, the last little bit into the campsite was dirt, wasn't that bad. There is a road behind the campground that seems to attract some off road vehicles but that was only a few.
TravelerThere are showers! This is the reason we came, but we stayed for the quiet and beautiful views. The campsites are close to each other but when we came, it was quiet and peaceful. $32/night when we came. Worth it for the showers.
Tent campsites near Avon, Colorado offer varied terrain at elevations between 7,400-10,000 feet with temperature drops of 20-30 degrees from day to night, even in summer months. Most sites remain accessible from late May through mid-October, with earlier access at lower elevations. Roads to many campsites become impassable during winter and spring snowmelt.
Hike to alpine lakes: The trail to Lost Lake offers a moderate challenge with swimming opportunities during warmer months. "You can drive or walk down a mile which leads to a trail to Lost Lake, which you can swim in. It was definitely buggy, got my fair share of mosquito bites, so I recommend bug spray," notes Ali S.
Mountain summit attempts: Halfmoon Campground serves as a base camp for climbing Mount of the Holy Cross. "Used this campground as a base to hike Mt Holy Cross; a challenging but doable hike for fit folks. Use extreme caution choosing when to hike in regards to weather; hikers are exposed for a long time across scree fields and a windy ridge," reports Juliette.
Wildlife observation: Camping areas around Avon provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly during early morning and evening hours. Early summer offers the best moose sightings at higher elevations. Many campers report successful deer and elk viewing from roadside campsites.
Stargazing opportunities: The elevation and minimal light pollution create excellent night sky viewing conditions. At Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping, campers experience exceptional celestial views. "The views were absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping mountain scenery that made every moment feel special. Being at a higher elevation, one person in our group did experience some mild altitude discomfort," notes Jenny B.
Creek-side camping: Many campers prefer sites along water sources despite higher mosquito presence. "We took a left up the hill and found a more secluded spot, but that road was tight (probably not worth it in a van)," advises Amber M. about navigating to quieter spots beyond the busier creek-side areas.
Aspen groves: Fall camping brings spectacular foliage displays, particularly in late September. "Went out late on a Friday night. My timing was wrong to get a good spot, but I was hoping there would be at least one spot left...incredible views of the stars and absolutely gorgeous to see the Aspen leaves changing!" reports hercules N. about Red Sandstone in autumn.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to most dispersed camping requires careful driving on unmaintained roads. At Homestake Reservoir Rd Milemarker 3, Jeff H. reports, "Road out was a little bumpy but a 2 wheel drive sedan could easily make the trip. Quite a few ppl were camping along the road but still super quiet."
Seasonal closures limit access: Many forest service roads open later than anticipated. "Closed off road access unfortunately till June 20. Beautiful and the road can get a little wonky but you're gonna have to hike it up for a bit!" warns Nora S. about spring conditions.
Temperature fluctuations: Prepare for cold nights even during summer months. At higher elevations, temperatures regularly drop below 40°F overnight in July and August. Campers commonly report needing winter sleeping bags during summer camping trips.
Site selection for privacy: When camping with children, look for areas set back from main roads. At Blue Lake Camp, Isabelle K. describes, "The lake is accessible by hiking trails and by 4x4 roads, if driving I would highly recommend a high clearance vehicle as many of the ruts on the road are very deep. I have camped here many times, in the summer you are likely to be sharing the lake with another group or two but it is never crowded."
Plan for bug protection: Mosquitoes are particularly aggressive near water sources during June and early July. Multiple reviews mention the necessity of mosquito repellent, head nets, and enclosed shelter options for younger children.
Water availability considerations: No drinking water exists at most tent campsites. Plan to carry 1-2 gallons per person per day or bring purification systems for creek water.
Access limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Avon have significant restrictions for larger vehicles. "Definitely would advise 4x4, and not for travel trailers at all. Bringing one up could lead to a serious situation, since there are no places to turn around whatsoever," warns Adam D. about camping at Bellyache Road.
Limited turnaround space: Forest service roads often lack suitable areas to turn larger vehicles. Several reviews mention getting stuck and requiring assistance when attempting to navigate narrow roads in larger rigs.
Limited services: No dump stations or hookups exist at most camping areas. The nearest full RV services require returning to towns along I-70 corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Avon, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Avon, CO is Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Avon, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 80 tent camping locations near Avon, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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