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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Boulder, CO

2,658 Reviews

Reverend's Ridge Campground in Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers tent, RV, cabin, glamping, and yurt accommodations that welcome pets, complete with reservable sites, picnic tables, and campfire rings. Similarly, Deer Creek Campground features pet-friendly facilities with the same accommodation types and amenities. Dispersed camping options around Boulder County provide alternatives for pet owners seeking more primitive experiences. Dream Canyon dispersed sites require trekking a short distance from the parking area, with some campers reporting they had sites to themselves despite the area being popular for day hikers and climbers. The ditch getting into the Dream Canyon parking lot can be brutal, making 4WD necessary for safe access.

Gordon Gulch and West Magnolia dispersed areas near Nederland allow pets in tent and RV camping environments with fire rings but minimal facilities. These free sites fill quickly on summer weekends. For those needing more amenities, St. Vrain State Park Campground and Boulder County Fairgrounds provide pet-friendly sites with electric hookups, showers, and water access. Many visitors with dogs appreciate the hiking trails accessible from camp, though some areas have restrictions during wildlife breeding seasons. Owners should be aware that Dream Canyon has reports of off-leash dogs from local hikers. Most established campgrounds require pets to remain leashed at all times, have designated pet relief areas, and impose limits of 2-3 pets per site. Several reviews mention bringing extra water for pets as drinking water isn't available at many of the dispersed sites.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Boulder, Colorado (261)

    1. Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    48 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $18 / night

    "Pets allowed. Tons of beautiful hiking trails.

    Things to keep in mind when visiting in the winter- water is not available, there are vault toilets near the pay area but not in campground itself."

    "We have a Dog that had a hard time settling down due to the close proximity of the other campers and there dogs."

    2. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    54 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    14 miles
    Website

    "The drive to this site from Boulder was phenomenally beautiful and an adventure in itself. There’s a small town about 5 minutes from the campsite."

    "There isn't much free camping to be had in the Boulder area. So, our family has been grateful for this spot (and Magnolia Ridge nearby)."

    3. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir

    24 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 541-2500

    "We drove up around 8/9pm from Boulder. Most camps spots were already taken (1-8 sites only..) but we made our own site / shared with campsite #2. Roads are rough."

    "All-wheel drive and higher clearance car helped getting in, as the road is pretty bumpy. Stayed in the last park-in campsite."

    4. Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    9 miles
    Website

    "Loved the camp area, so close to climbing. Also loved the people in the area! We met so many amazing and kind people! It is gorgeous, and the road is really good up to the parking lot."

    "This camping spot is about a 30 minute drive from Central Boulder. I’m seeing a lot of reviews about the spot saying its not an actual campsite, but I had no trouble finding the campsites."

    5. Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed

    33 Reviews
    Ward, CO
    16 miles
    Website

    "It's about 50 minutes from Boulder, and you lose service about 40 minutes out, so it's great if you plan on staying for a least a couple days."

    "The lake was frozen. That’s okay other comments say that you can’t swim or drive nearby or the locals will be at you. We had no issues though. There’s some cool boulders to climb."

    6. Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    30 Reviews
    Rollinsville, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $28 - $90 / night

    "Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."

    "Numerous hiking trails. Excellent facilities. Accommodating campground hosts. Nederland, Blackhawk, Boulder CO. Stayed on 46, 56, and 51 during a 5 nite stay. Great sites. All pull thrus."

    7. Boulder County Fairgrounds

    20 Reviews
    Longmont, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 682-6762

    $35 / night

    "We couldn’t find anything near family in Highlands Ranch in July, but ran across this place- Tight spots for our 38 ft fifth wheel but, we made it."

    "Arrived in Colorado little after midnight, got a spot right away plenty of availability and close enough to some good hiking areas"

    8. West Magnolia Campground

    26 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    16 miles
    Website

    "Great (free) Forrest Service campground west of Boulder, CO near a cute little town Nederland."

    "Not only is this pretty easy to reach, but Peak to Peak highway is great to drive. Just take P to P south from Nederland and turn right on HWY 132… Campsites and trailhead are about 1/2 mile down. "

    9. St. Vrain State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Firestone, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 678-9402

    $36 - $41 / night

    "Very convenient campground with great access to North Denver/Boulder area. Only downside is proximity to I-25 and traffic noise. But there are many nice trails and lakes to fish from."

    "Great location north of Denver and Boulder but easy access to interstate. Very clean roomy sites. We were by Coot Pond and my husband fished several times."

    10. Standley Lake Regional Park

    15 Reviews
    Westminster, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 425-1097

    $35 - $55 / night

    "Take a friend and a picnic for a lovely day on this beautiful lake right here in Arvada. Your worries fall away and you can experience the joy in nature around you. Maybe weird but true!"

    "5 stars because of the lake, Mountain Views, and it not being far from town. Rent a floatation device or bring your own and enjoy the warmth on the lake☀️"

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Boulder, CO

341 Photos of 261 Boulder Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Boulder, CO

2658 Reviews of 261 Boulder Campgrounds

  • Nick E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2024

    Dispersed Camp Near Dream Canyon

    Tons of sites, super convenient location

    This has become my go-to spot for dispersed camping near Boulder. There are a ton of sites right after you pull off Sugarloaf road. The first few might be taken, but keep going and you should find one. Keep your eyes peeled for the road as it's easy to miss, but GPS should take you right there with the directions in the app. The road gets rougher the further you go and you'll definitely want some clearance, but I was totally fine in my stock Subaru Forester.

  • Corrin S.
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Roosevelt National Forest Camp Dick Campground

    Nice spot not too far from Boulder

    Camp Dick is is a nice campground surrounded by trails, and only a short drive from Boulder. The camp sites are not very private and it gets pretty crowded on the weekends. The staff were very nice.

  • Loren L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir

    Rough road, limited spaces

    We drove up around 8/9pm from Boulder. Most camps spots were already taken (1-8 sites only..) but we made our own site / shared with campsite #2. Roads are rough. Some loud campers nearby but we had fun.

    Beautiful views and campfire spots!

  • D
    Jul. 5, 2021

    Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir

    Beautiful lake adjacent campsite

    All-wheel drive and higher clearance car helped getting in, as the road is pretty bumpy. Stayed in the last park-in campsite. Had to hike in to the lake, but was much easier that bringing in camping gear to the lake-side campsites. Beautiful views. Great place for water activities, but no swimming allowed. An hour from Boulder because of the rough roads. Some 4-wheelers that could get a bit annoying. Primitive camping with one porta potty on the way in.

  • Zach H.
    Aug. 9, 2020

    Spruce Lake RV Park

    Great location for RMNL

    The selling point of this campground is location. It’s as close to Rocky Mountain National Park as you can get without actually camping on NPS property. You are completely surrounded by the mountains and the views are amazing. There’s a beautiful river flowing nearby. Easy access to Estes Park. I biked into downtown and back easily. Close to a great little market and several restaurants. Sites are very tight with no privacy unless you are along the edges of the park. Nice laundry facilities, mini golf, and a small pond. There’s a small dog park but I’d recommend taking your dog to the city’s dog park about 10 minutes away. It’s worth the drive and your dog can go swimming on a beach.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2023

    Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

    NOT DISPERSED CAMPING

    Drove more than 35 - 45 mins from boulder expecting a decent dispersed camping area like normal, but don’t let this fool you!! It is all residential and private land! I honestly don’t know of any dispersed camping near the city of boulder and so far this app is deceiving. Read the reviews before you head out!

  • Jason B.
    Apr. 24, 2025

    Boulder County Fairgrounds

    Decent spot

    It’s nice. I like how close it is to stores and shops and such. Also not far from boulder. Price is high. It’s $35 now and that’s especially high considering there is no water now.

  • h
    Mar. 15, 2022

    West Magnolia Campground

    Closed

    We came from Boulder and it took us down a 10 mile dirt road that was pretty bumpy (you can avoid this just make sure your GPS takes you the longer way). Once going through all that hassle it was closed 🙃🙃

  • Amber A.
    May. 28, 2017

    Rainbow Lakes Campground

    National Forest primitive camping with no reservations

    This is a pretty short drive from Boulder (or Denver) but since you can’t make reservations at this small site (15-20 sites), so plan to get there as soon as you can after it opens. The site is lovely and right along lakes with snow-capped peaks in the distance. A friend said she saw moose and beavers in this lake but I’ve only ever seen deer. There are vault toilets but no water so bring some and/or treatment methods.

Guide to Boulder

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Boulder, Colorado, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Pet owners like the amenities available at these campgrounds

  • At Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon, you'll find well-kept sites with drinking water and electric hookups, making it convenient for pet owners.
  • Dakota Ridge RV Park offers a friendly atmosphere with full-service amenities, including showers and laundry facilities, perfect for those traveling with pets.
  • Clear Creek RV Park features spacious sites with picnic tables and easy access to nearby trails, ensuring a comfortable stay for you and your dog.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Boulder

Tips for camping with dogs near Boulder

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the pet policies at Boulder campgrounds?

Most Boulder-area campgrounds require pets to be on leash at all times. At Roosevelt National Forest Camp Dick Campground, pets must be leashed and attended to constantly. Spruce Lake RV Park allows pets but expects owners to clean up after them and maintain control. Standard policies across most campgrounds include maximum leash lengths of 6 feet, proper waste disposal, and not leaving pets unattended. Some campgrounds may have breed restrictions or limit the number of pets per site.

Where are the pet-friendly campgrounds in Boulder?

Several pet-friendly campgrounds are located near Boulder. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area is a popular option about 30-45 minutes from Boulder with multiple marked campsites that welcome pets. Boulder County Fairgrounds offers convenient camping close to town with pet-friendly sites. Other options include West Magnolia Campground and Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir. Most dispersed camping areas in Roosevelt National Forest allow pets, though specific rules may apply.

Are there any off-leash areas for dogs at Boulder campgrounds?

While most Boulder-area campgrounds strictly require dogs to be leashed at all times, some nearby recreation areas offer more freedom. Near Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, there are trails where dogs can explore while under voice control, though they should be leashed in the camping areas themselves. Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed camping areas offer more flexible spaces for dogs, though they should always be under control. For true off-leash areas, consider day trips to designated dog parks in Boulder while camping nearby.

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