Dispersed camping near Bellvue, Colorado provides access to the scenic Cache la Poudre River corridor and Roosevelt National Forest. The area sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation, with nearby camping sites reaching up to 7,500 feet in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while fall camping often features frost overnight even when daytime temperatures remain mild.
What to do
Fishing access: Direct river sites at Upper and Lower Ansel Watrous Campgrounds provide prime trout fishing locations. "Caught trout 20 yards from my tent from the Cache La Poudre," notes one camper, while another adds it's "a great location for hiking with Grey Rock and Hewitt Gulch about a mile or 2 away."
Hiking: Multiple trailheads connect directly to Mountain Park campground. "A nice hike leads to the summit of Mount McConnel right from the CG," explains one visitor. The area offers "hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are in the surrounding area, including the Mt. McConnel Trail, William R. Kreutzer National Recreation Trail and Young Gulch Trail."
Water recreation: Paddle sports are popular at South Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir, where "the lake was great for paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking." Sites feature convenient water access, with some campers noting "we had a great spot right on the water and our kids were able to play in the water right from the campsite."
What campers like
Canyon sound barrier: The roar of the Poudre River drowns out highway noise at Stove Prairie campground. "The river is SO close to these spots and it's just gorgeous. It was a great sound barrier at night and was fun to explore since the water level is low this time of year," shares one visitor. Another notes, "you can basically set your chairs IN the river."
Spacious riverside sites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at several canyon locations. At Dutch George Campground, "this campground is spacious and quiet and has the best riverside campsites. We stayed in site 10 for the night. Plenty roomy enough. Just steps from the river that roared all night long."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning and evening wildlife sightings enhance the camping experience. "Neighbors were friendly and told my husband to watch for a doe and her fawn that comes to the meadow across the river every evening," reports one camper. Another visitor to Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir mentions "deer wanderer in and out of the campgrounds and were always on the road. Beware."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many canyon campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. "We showed up around 4pm on a Saturday and there were about 4 spots available," notes one visitor to Dutch George. At Mountain Park, "it took driving around the various sections for a bit but I did find a last minute spot. It was the second weekend of June, so peak camping season."
Water level variations: The Poudre River changes dramatically throughout the season. During spring runoff, some campsites may experience higher water and louder river noise. "When the water is high this is the best spot for kids as there is a large rock in the middle of the river that creates a gentle pool/gulley right in front of this spot," explains a camper at Dutch George.
Additional fees: Be prepared for separate entrance fees at county parks beyond camping costs. At Cottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park, "Larimer County campground so have to have a pass (just like a state park) plus a reservation charge (one-time $9 or so) plus daily campground fee."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Mountain Park offers "lots of fun activities like a sand volleyball court, basketball court, and a playground," making it ideal for active children.
Water safety considerations: Sites directly on the Poudre require vigilance. "Site 8 is GORGEOUS but has a huge rock dropoff that would be terrifying with small kids," warns one visitor about Dutch George, while recommending "sites 19 and 20 which had a sandy area along the river that would work well for kids."
Shade availability: Summer temperatures can rise quickly in exposed sites. At Stove Prairie, one camper noted there's "not a lot of shade at this spot at least so be prepared," while another at Mountain Park appreciated that they "had lots of fun activities for a shorter stay or if the weather takes a turn for the worse."
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: Only select campgrounds offer power. At Riverview RV Park & Campground, "we booked a water/electric online, but got bumped up to full hookups. Beautiful river going beside many of the sites." Another camper noted it's "about 45 minute beautiful drive to Rocky Mountain National Park entrance."
Site preparation: Expect varying surface conditions at riverside locations. "The roads and campsites are dirt, and a little messy after a rain storm," reports one RVer at Riverview. At Horsetooth Reservoir, visitors recommend sites with "electric hookups (we used 50amp at our site) but no water hook up. Drinkable water close by at various locations within the campground."
Storm preparation: Many campers note the need for wind and rain readiness. "It can be suddenly and very windy here, so most campers did not use awnings," advises a Riverview visitor, while others recommend securing all gear overnight due to rapid weather changes common in the foothills.
