Primitive camping near Brighton, Colorado requires driving 30-60 miles west into the Rocky Mountain foothills. Most dispersed sites sit at elevations between 8,000-9,500 feet, where summer temperatures typically range 30-40 degrees cooler than Brighton. Winter access becomes difficult from November through May due to snow accumulation and mountain road conditions.
What to do
Trout fishing options: Beaver Park Reservoir offers accessible fishing opportunities from shoreline camping spots. "Beautiful lake with several good sized RV spots. We have a 25 foot camper and feet nicely in. Road in was good as well (May 2025)," notes James S. from Beaver Park Reservoir.
Mountain biking trails: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area provides extensive trail networks for various skill levels. "Great camping spot, esp, if you like mountain biking. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels," reports Andrew B. at Buffalo Creek Recreation Area.
Creekside relaxation: At Allenspark, campers enjoy waterside sites with natural sound barriers. "Lots of spots available. Just keep driving along Ski Road and pick one that looks good. Lots of fire pits already build and most camp spots are along the creek," explains Jason H. from Allenspark Dispersed Camping.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Beaver Park Reservoir campers regularly spot diverse wildlife. "Lots of wildlife; squirrels, rabbits, and a moose that walked right by our campsite," shares Benjamin G. The area's elevation and water access make it a natural habitat for many mountain species.
Site spacing: Gold Lake Area offers well-separated primitive sites for more privacy. "Very quiet. Minimal traffic. Good open spots for up to medium sized rigs," notes Brian M. at Gold Lake Area Dispersed. Another camper adds, "Not too many people here, which was lovely. Very quiet and lots of space in between sites."
Cell service variability: Service can be crucial for extended stays. At West Magnolia Campground, "Cell Service is patchy at best. On verizon I had 2 bars of gen 1 service, and could only get patchy data with my multi directional cell boster. Gordon Gulch is five or so miles away with LTE service," reports Justin B.
What you should know
Elevation impacts: Weather changes rapidly at higher elevations. At Chinns Lake, campers note temperature swings: "It did get pretty windy at night and it also dropped into the upper 30's," cautions Chad C. Even summer nights often require winter sleeping gear.
Vehicle requirements: Road conditions limit access to many sites. At Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping, "The entrance road is a bit rocky and 4x4 would be suggested. Low clearance vehicles won't make it up with bumpers intact," warns Chad C.
Site availability timing: Most dispersed areas fill quickly. Buffalo Creek "fills up very fast on the weekends," reports Matt T., who recommends arriving by Thursday for weekend camping. Summer weekends often reach capacity by Friday morning at most sites.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife safety precautions: Bears frequent many camping areas. "Super nice spot but limited parking and a trek to get up," notes Cooper P. at Dream Canyon. Another camper adds, "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he can back and we scared him off again."
Early arrival recommended: Family sites with amenities fill first. "We arrived early Friday morning and most spots were already claimed. There are a total of 35 free camp sites," explains Ben B. from West Magnolia Campground.
Tick checks essential: Ticks are present in many areas. At Gold Lake, one camper warns: "The only thing I would caution about this area is the ticks. We brushed about five off of us just during the visit. Unfortunately we must've missed one because my wife ended up with one attached when we got home in her scalp."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Many dispersed areas have specific sites for larger vehicles. "Definitely need a high clearance vehicle. I saw a low clearance vehicle at site 6 & no idea how they got there.. they had to have gotten scraped up," reports Josh A. at Dream Canyon Campsites.
Trailer considerations: Consider detaching trailers at certain locations. Some campers note: "Going up past site 6 is a steep hill where 4x4 is highly recommended. We ended up turning around there but probably could have made it if I picked a good line."
Access road intelligence: Knowledge of access points saves time and frustration. "Road gets tougher the further back you go, but my low clearance vehicle made it by driving slow," explains Dian G. Dispersed sites within 5-10 miles of Nederland typically offer better RV access than more remote areas.
