York Gulch Road
No RV
Great place for off roading and possibly tent but definitely not RV or trailer
Campgrounds in the Broomfield area span from developed state parks to urban-adjacent recreation areas, providing a range of camping experiences along Colorado's Front Range. Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers both Deer Creek and Reverend's Ridge campgrounds with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations approximately 25 miles west of Broomfield. Closer to town, Standley Lake Regional Park in Westminster provides camping with mountain views and water recreation opportunities just 5 miles from Broomfield's city center. The surrounding region includes dispersed camping options like Gordon Gulch near Nederland for those seeking more primitive experiences.
Road access varies significantly between camping areas, with most developed campgrounds featuring paved entrances while dispersed sites often require higher clearance vehicles. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F, though afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Many campgrounds like Standley Lake have seasonal operating periods, generally from May through September, while others such as St. Vrain State Park remain open year-round. Most established campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. A review mentioned that "Standley Lake is great, it's the best summertime camping place anywhere for locals in Arvada and Westminster Colorado."
Campers consistently highlight the mountain views and water access as primary draws to the area's campgrounds. While Standley Lake offers paddle craft rentals and fishing opportunities, visitors note the campground's exposure with "little privacy" and "not a lot of shade." Several campgrounds feature wildlife viewing opportunities, including Standley Lake's nesting bald eagles that receive frequent mention in visitor reviews. Urban-adjacent camping areas provide convenience but come with tradeoffs, as one camper noted, "If you're looking for a quick post up near Denver or Boulder, sure. If you're looking for peaceful camping, you could do far better." The campgrounds closest to Broomfield typically provide basic amenities like restrooms and picnic tables, while sites farther into the foothills offer more seclusion but fewer facilities.
$18 / night
"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
$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☀️"
$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."
"It is near I-25 highway so there is road traffic noise but becomes background noise after a day or so. But if that bothers you you won’t like it."
"This park is kind of pricey even in the winter (we stayed Nov22-Jan23) but it’s Colorado and it’s all pretty pricey. Park staff is super friendly and accommodating."
"Good site if you want to be close to Denver but still have a short drive to the foothills."
$35 / night
"Arrived in Colorado little after midnight, got a spot right away plenty of availability and close enough to some good hiking areas"
"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."
$68 - $85 / night
"Had a great spot right next to the Clear Creek walking path. The campground is clean and well looked after. Clean bathrooms and showers. Close to many hikes and mt trails."
"**Campground Review: ** Golden, CO is a super cute town on the outskirts of Denver. The city has a campground in a prime location, and we were lucky to book a site!"
"It was nice to be tucked away in the corner with no groups behind us or next to us. There were other campers near by but it felt pretty private. The weather was great."
"The Gross Resevoir outside Boulder is a great place for people to go for some recreation just outside the city. People commonly drop in a paddleboard or kayak."
"So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites."
"Getting here is easy, only a few miles away from Nederland and I had cell service (verizon) the entire time."
$36 - $200 / night
"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
"Good location close to interstate to access all the cool towns and site seeing west of Denver."
"When I walked in the office, I was greeted by 5 wonderful sweet dogs. I love dogs so there couldn't have been a better greeting. Kathy was very friendly and helpful."












Great place for off roading and possibly tent but definitely not RV or trailer
They need a sound reducing wall between the campgrounds and I-25. They need a lot more restrooms. Most campsites are too far away from a restroom. They need laundry facility added to the bathhouse. One of the vault toilets needed the floor mopped and front of toilet cleaned.
Wonderful camper services building with laundry and clean showers.
August 30, 2024.
Site 21, we stayed one night with friends prior to getting up in the morning to hike up Mount Bierstadt. We slept in the car and opted not use the tent. Site was flat, used a few rocks to block the wind to help heat up some dinner on the stove.
No electric, Shitters were pit toilets.
Beautiful views of gold lake, this specific spot has a rough road that will require high clearance. The other spots are off of a well maintained fire road if you’re in a low clearance vehicle. High 38mph winds all night long at 24 degrees F. Lake is private and there’s lots of private property lines to look out for. The only reason it’s not a 5/5
I have been camping here since 2023 and it’s one of my favorite spots. So close to denver, easy to get to, so much in the area, the spots are good sizes, the river is amazing, it’s not usually buggy and the views are awesome. I think it’s getting more and more popular unfortunately so it can get busy! When it’s not too busy it is so peaceful. I have camped here in March (don’t recommend it’s too cold) June, July and August.
Road closed early January. Came two weeks in a row, prepare to hike your gear in, I advise bringing a sled for winter camping. Barely made it to site 1, need to work on cardio 😓
We stayed Oct 6-7 and enjoyed our time there. It was great that it was open because Rocky Mtn National Park campgrounds were closed. It is pretty close the Rocky Mtn NP and we drove there before sunrise(ticketed entry and good for parking).
We just showed up and got a spot when we got there. Rangers recommended good sites. We were in Site H35 and had great views. There were very few other campers. Just pit toilets but they were clean and close by. A bit pricey ($45 I think it was, you need a vehicle pass too and pricing varies for weekends and holidays) but they had tall fire pit, bear box, and picnic table. We are tent campers but had our car set up with sleeping pads so we could sleep the two of us inside if really cold. We slept in car.
Wood is available for sale there too which we bought and had great fires. Price was probably average price.
Cell service didn't work unless you were down at the park entrance (t-mobile).
Drive up to site is switchbacks on dirt roads but we made it no problem with our Prius especially since there hadn't been rain.
Host was very communicative and friendly and met us at the one site on the property. Water and 30 amp electric available.
Camping sites near Broomfield, Colorado span across terrain ranging from 5,100 to 9,000 feet in elevation, creating varied camping experiences with temperature fluctuations between day and night that can exceed 30°F even in summer. The area's central location provides access to both mountain camping in Roosevelt National Forest and reservoir-based campgrounds along the Front Range, with most sites experiencing peak crowding between late June and early August.
Fishing opportunities: At St. Vrain State Park Campground, multiple stocked ponds make for reliable fishing spots that remain accessible year-round. "Very clean, well kept sites. Stayed on the sandpiper loop which was close to potable water source as well as electric hookup for RVs. Beautiful views, great showers, not a ton of fish in late June," notes Justin G.
Wildlife viewing: The nesting bald eagles at Standley Lake receive frequent mention, offering campers a chance to observe these protected birds. "I don't know how you could not like a place with a huge lake that bald eagles nest beside. With a rookery, this is the spot for bird enthusiasts!" writes Blair S.
Mountain biking: Golden Gate Canyon State Park provides numerous trails suitable for mountain biking enthusiasts of various skill levels. "This park has great trails for hiking and mountain biking. There is also a high elevation lake as well as fantastic views of the continental divide," explains Mike M.
Water recreation: Rentals for paddle craft are available at several locations, giving visitors options beyond just fishing. "Rent a floatation device or bring your own and enjoy the warmth on the lake," suggests Fairy T. about Standley Lake Regional Park. This makes water access possible even without owning equipment.
Proximity to urban areas: Clear Creek RV Park offers convenience for those wanting quick access to amenities. "Nice clean campground! Beautiful setting with lots to do nearby. We'll definitely be back!" says Robin W. The park sits within walking distance to Golden's restaurants and shops.
Hot showers: Several campgrounds provide shower facilities, though availability and cost vary by location. "Clean bathrooms. Very friendly attendant. Level primative spots. $26 for primative," notes Christa C. about Chatfield State Park Campground.
Large campsite spacing: Campgrounds like Reverend's Ridge offer more privacy than others in the area. "Reverend ridge is a favorite of ours. Plenty of space between sites, electricity. Wooded and scenic," reports Henry K. This contrasts with the more densely packed sites at other locations.
Cell service reliability: For remote workers or those needing connectivity, some campgrounds maintain better service than others. "Cell Service: 3 bars of 5Ge on AT&T. My personal hotspot worked great here," Jason F. mentions about Dakota Ridge RV Park, making it suitable for digital nomads.
Noise factors: Proximity to highways affects several campgrounds in the area. "The highway is busy and noisy. The bars across the road are noisy with loud music now and promises to get louder as time goes by," warns David M. about Dakota Ridge RV Park.
Reservation requirements: Most developed campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "We got site 47, which is labeled as an RV site, but it is NOT suitable for pop up campers. The site doesn't have even a hint of a levelable spot," Shannon S. cautions about Standley Lake Regional Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots near Broomfield, CO?
Broomfield offers convenient access to diverse camping options within a short drive. For a genuine Colorado wilderness experience, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers about 15 numbered sites plus additional unnumbered spots further down road 233.1, some with spectacular views. If you prefer more amenities, Dakota Ridge RV Park provides a comfortable base with friendly staff and on-site propane. Other excellent options include Standley Lake Regional Park (Westminster), St. Vrain State Park (Firestone), and Roosevelt National Forest areas. Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park is also accessible within about an hour's drive, offering both wilderness and developed campgrounds. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer months.
What lakeside camping options exist near Broomfield?
South Bay Campground at Horsetooth Reservoir offers some of the best lakeside views in Colorado according to experienced campers. The campground provides direct reservoir access, though it gets busy during summer months, so reservations are recommended. Another excellent option is Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, where Site 5 is particularly good for larger groups, offering privacy while still providing reservoir access. For those willing to drive a bit further, St. Vrain State Park features ponds and fishing opportunities, while Chatfield State Park Campground south of Denver offers lakeside camping with various water activities. These lakeside campgrounds typically fill quickly during summer weekends, so booking well in advance is advised.
Are there campgrounds with fire pits available near Broomfield?
Several campgrounds near Broomfield feature well-maintained fire pits for your camping experience. Roosevelt National Forest Camp Dick Campground offers a quintessential Colorado experience with stunning views, a rolling river, and well-maintained fire pits where you can enjoy evenings under the stars. Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake also permits campfires in designated fire pits, with firewood available for purchase at their visitor center. Keep in mind that fire restrictions may be in place during dry seasons, so always check current conditions before your trip. Most public campgrounds in the area provide fire rings, though some dispersed camping areas may have stricter regulations regarding fires.
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