Looking for an adventure where you can explore Central City and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Central City. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Five miles north of Nederland, National Forest System Road (NFSR) 226, commonly known as Gordon Gulch, turns east off of Colorado Highway 72. NFSR 226 intersects other forest roads: NFSR 314, 228, 233 and their off-shoots. There are 15 numbered, designated campsites scattered along the road system within 1.5 miles east of Highway 72. Camping is permitted in designated sites only. Take care when driving in this area. Snow and mud can persist through most of the year. The free Boulder Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map displays National Forest System (NFS) routes open to motorized travel and is available online and at the Boulder Ranger District offfice.
Streams; treat water for drinking.
Camping is allowed at numbered designated campsites. No fee is charged. Practice Leave No Trace Principles.
Camping is limited to 14 days in one location. After 14 days, your camp must be moved at least three miles away.
Maximum stay is 28 days within a 60-day period. After 28 days, all property and people must leave the Roosevelt National Forest.
Dispersed Camping information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd577265.pdf
With a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on national forest public lands. Camping in the national forest at one location is limited to 14 consecutive days. The campsite must then be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for an additional 14 days. Camping is restricted to a maximum of 28 days in any 60-day period.
More than 40% of lands within the Arapaho National Forest boundary are private or otherwise owned. A map showing land ownership is recommended. It is YOUR responsibility to know if you are on private, city, county, state, national park or national forest land.
Pack out all trash. There are no services.
Practice Leave No Trace ethics
NOTE: Campers who build any fires face fines up to $5,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment for open fire violations.
Leave No Trace must be observed, as in any outdoor space.
In any season this area is prone to very strong dry winds that can pick up a hot coal from a campfire that has lain dormant for as much as three days and ignite dry vegetation, causing horrific devastation. People from outside Colorado may not understand how tinder dry this area can be. 197 homes in this area have been destroyed by wildfires. All of these fires were started by humans.
Local residents overlook this area and if they see visible flame or smoke they will call the Boulder County sheriff. Any campers who require a campfire are recommended to disperse camp near Sugarloaf Mountain where fires are permitted.
This designated dispersed camping area along County Road 10 has 23 sites.
**Please note: Camping is ONLY allowed in areas designated by a sign. ** Camping in undesignated spots could result in a citation from the U.S. Forest Service. Not adhering to camping duration maximums or using U.S. Forest land for residential purposes could result in a citation from the U.S. Forest Service.
Please refer to special orders and contact the USFS Offices with questions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd842796.pdf
Regulations pertaining to designated dispersed camping are as follows:
Camp only in designated sites.
No camping at trailheads.
Food and garbage must be properly secured in bear-resistant containers or inside vehicles in sealed containers.
Pack out all waste: human, garbage, paper, organics, etc.
There are many dispersed camping opportunities in the forest ranging from backpacking to car-camping along designated Forest Roads. Visitors are encouraged to minimize resource impacts by utilizing established sites rather than creating new ones. Dispersed camping sites along Forest Roads are shown on Motor Vehicle Use Maps, which are available free of charge at ranger district offices.At the start of the tour you immediately have spectacular views of the Blue River Valley and the majestic Tenmile Range. The road, managed by Summit County, follows the old South Park and Pacific Railroad bed, climbing on a gradual 3% grade. The road climbs past Bakers Tank to the summit of Boreas Pass at the Continental Divide. The road then continues down the other side of Boreas Pass for another 10.4 miles to the town of Como in Park County. From 1872 to 1938 the road was used as a narrow-gauge railroad and gained fame as the nation’s highest narrow-gauge railroad, running from Como to Breckenridge. This is a great road to view Fall colors. This road is open to highway legal vehicles only during May-October, and closed to motorized vehicle access seasonally at Summit County discretion, generally October to May.
With a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on National Forest System lands. Restrictions protect resources, minimize road damage, and reduce conflicts between landowners and visitors. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in one location. After 14 days, the campsite must be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for another 14 days. Camping is restricted to 28 days in any 60-day period. Some areas may require the use of designated campsites, and some areas, such as Indian Peaks Wilderness, require camping permits. More than 40% of lands within Boulder Ranger District's boundaries are private property. It is your responsibility to know if you are on private or public land.
PLEASE NOTE: The water here contains heavy metals giving the water a distint blue/white color. People and pets should not drink from this water.
Please bring in drinking water
There are currently thirty designated sites with anticipation of adding more in the coming years. Please note that this area is surrounded by private land parcels and they aren't all marked. Campers must camp at a designated site or will otherwise likely be camping on private property.
Peru Creek is popular and will fill up on the weekends. Visitors should arrive early to make sure to get a site. The road can be narrow at times but is accessible to normal clearance vehicles. Low-clearance vehicles may have a hard time. Peru Creek Road is a popular place for OHV rentals to visit so drive slow and carefully. AT&T cell service is intermittent at the lower sites (1-8).
The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is the most popular destination on the Boulder Ranger District. Because of the area's high elevation, the best time to visit is after the snow melts in July and August. For road status, check the Road Status Table. PLEASE NOTE: Visitors that hike trails leading west from the Long Lake or Mitchell Lake Trailheads are responsible for following all Indian Peaks Wilderness permit requirements and regulations including group size, camping and campfire restrictions. Late June through mid-October (summer operating season): Summer Season Map Motor vehicle access is available 24 hours a day To protect muddy and snowpacked trails, the Long Lake and Mitchell Lake Trailhead parking areas do not open typically until late June A fee applies. A self-service fee station is located beyond the entry booth Expect 1-2 hour traffic delays on weekends (there is no bypass route for campers with reservations) Camping is allowed at Pawnee Campground (open July through early September). Check summer trail conditions before your visit See "Restrictions" below for additional regulations Mid-October through late June (winter season): Winter Season Map The gate is closed and the area free of charge for winter recreationists Park at the Brainard Gateway Trailhead Between November 15 and April 30, dogs are only allowed on the Brainard Lake and Lefthand Park Reservoir Roads Check winter trail conditions before your visit See "Restrictions" below for additional regulations Recreational shooting closures exist year round in this area. Hunting is allowed in accordance with regulations set by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Moose are present in the area. Be considerate of all wildlife. Approaching closely can be threatening to the wildlife and their reactions are dangerously unpredictable.
Scout
Stayed at the tent camp site. Very nice. Close to the bike trail which was nice, rode up to vail pass. Beautiful. There is some noise from the freeway but if you are closer to the river it shouldn't be too bad. The tent sites are hike in but it is not far to walk.
Guide
Bring your fishing pole, SUP, kayak, or hammock to hang out by the lake. This is my favorite campground in Colorado for the accessibility to the lake and town nearby.
Guide
This campground has a great view and is conveniently located to town. Tent camp sites are not fantastic or maintained very well.
Legend
We were in the area to fish as much of the river as possible and this was a great site.
Cell service- none (t-mobile) Firewood- none Camp host- none Water - non Toilets- port a potty Fire ring- yes No leveled tent sites- generally flat land.
Can car/van/roof top tent camp in the parking lot, for the same nightly fee as listed on the notice board. However, no trailers.
Traveler
This Rocky Mountain National Park campground is fantastic. I tent camped with my husband for 3 nights in Loop B. We saw tents and all sizes of campers many with families. Our tent site included a nice tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, and a shared bear box. The fire ban had been lifted and we could buy fire wood each evening-and ice cream! Clean bathrooms with flush toilets. This campground is very close to a number of trails. We hiked the Sprague Lake Trail. It’s 2 miles round trip and pretty easy. Breathtaking views. If you don’t hike, you can drive all the way to the Trail Ridge gift shop and cafe at the top. This park fills up quickly-amost 3 million visitors a year-so plan to get started early. We love RMNP. We will be back this fall!
Scout
I stayed here in 2016 on a bicycle tour across America. It featured some fantastic views of the nearby lake and mountains and had very clean facilities. Only problem, from a camping in a tent perspective, is due to its location if a storm rolls in the wind can really hit from every angle. Otherwise the price is very reasonable.
Guide
Very open campground, we camped in a tent but probably better for an rv
Legend
This campground has a equestrian area and a tent camping area. The tent camping is to the right after you enter, there are two tent loops with bathrooms. Water spigots next to the bathroom. There are a few trails here, some are horse trails. Overall a beautiful spot with some shade!
Scout
I didn’t get to my tent site until almost 9pm so I really haven’t seen the place during the daytime. However, when driving around looking for the 3 tent sites I noticed how no one was out and with the truck headlights it seemed to look very nice.
ScoutNote there's a 3 day limit on tent camping.
Legend
When traveling in this area and looking to explore Rocky Mountain National Park or the surrounding areas finding camping ahead of time is very important. During summer months campground fill quickly and overflow camps like this become your backup plan which sometimes can be difficult to squeeze into last minute.
From May until September this campground opens its doors to the masses for only$12 per night. Clearly a lot less expensive than some of the campgrounds offered in the area, this camp is quite appealing for those who wish to find inexpensive camping and can enjoy their time in nature without all the frills of an improved campground. This campground is first come first serve which is very important to know if you are wanting to stay in the area and will be arriving later in the day or near a weekend.
When I visited the season had just opened, literally the day of and there was no one on a weekday at the campground early in the day. I took a stroll around the campground and noticed there is an honor box for paying camp fees and that rangers were in the area driving through the various properties placing kiosk signage up and checking sites.
This campground offers no running water for those camping here. There are toilets but they are primitive and non-flushing. The sites looked comfortable and like they would be great for camping in a tent or mid-sized RV however they could become a little cramped if visiting in larger units.
The floor of the campground is blanketed with pine needles which give a fragrant welcome.
Each campsite has a picnic table and bear box on the site in addition to a fire ring with a small grill on top. You are encouraged to bring your own fire wood and not collect the fallen and absolutely cannot cut firewood in this area.
Just across from the campground is a pull off and picnic area for Roosevelt National Park which does not offer camping but does have additional areas for hiking and enjoying the nature of the area. There is also another restroom in this area.
One of the things I found to be very helpful about this campground for controlling traffic and also for accommodating groups was the placement of a few larger sites with additional parking toward the front of the campground. I noticed when I pulled in that in the front portion of the loop there were wider areas which made navigating a bit easier for RVs and also near the dumpsters in this area there seemed to be additional parking. Again during the first part of the season with no traffic passing through this might have been deceiving but it looked to be a great option.
TIPS:
Scout
Great tent camping nice space. Beautiful area! The camp host was very nice made us feel welcome.
TravelerWe had a great stay at a tent site here. Our site was number 8, had a tree, and was by the bathrooms. The bathrooms were clean, and had a nice shower as well. Everyone was friendly, the staff and the other people staying there. Lots of RVs, but only three of the regular tent sites were taken and we had the most amazing view!
Guide
The campground was clean and well maintained. We lucked out and got the best tent site - it was huge. The other sites were a little small but nice. Only drawback was that the tent sites were close to the road so you get some road noise. The staff was awesome and when we had to check out a day early, the cheerfully refunded our money. We definitely will stay there again.
Guide
if you pick a tent site it’s your best bet the electric sites are too close to RV’s
Guide
This is a small campground near Lake George in the Lost Creek Wilderness. The setting here is great, its a smaller primitive campground without many trees on the trailer side, but the surrounding area is what makes it special... in actuality the tent sites are some of the best we have seen (not being tent campers) and this makes us sometime think maybe we should ditch the trailer for a tent site when coming here. The tent sites are right along the Terryall creek in the tress and the trailer sites are on the other side. There are many trails that lead off from this Campground that go above the CG or into Lost Creek Wilderness. There are many rock formations and the vistas are great. The CG has picnic tables and fire-pits... all sites and the road are gravel so not always even, but easily manageable. There is trash and water available, although water is only form a hand-pump. The host is very nice and the sites and vault toilets are clean.
Guide
Limited number of tent sites, which is wonderful, for privacy and enjoying peace and nature! Camp hosts were wonderful.
GuideGreat view. Pretty expensive for a BARE minimum tent site. But facilities are well kept and convenient.
Guide
Right off the road! Super neat with walk in tent sites. Has a bear box for each site and a bathroom.
Traveler
Great place to car/tent camp or for small trailer. Accessible with places on the river. Mosquitoes can be bad though. Nice biking, hiking and views. Close to Winter Park and access to Grand County.
Traveler
Another peaceful setting, quite a few spots along the lake, RV friendly and some tent sites plus some vault toilets and fire pits
Scout
We had a blast and thanks to this site we plan on doing much more camping. Good tent sites, clean bathrooms, fire pits, and fun trails.
Scout
This was a very nice, clean campground with lots of amenities. We stayed in a tent site and all tent sites have a fire ring, table and bear box. The bathrooms and showers were very clean and well maintained. Our site was on the very edge of the campground so we had some great views and saw plenty of deer and an elk.
The one criticism is their very strict 2 tent max policy. We had a group of 5 people (under the 6 person max) and set up our three 2-person tents but were told to take one down. We didn't understand why we couldn't have three tents since we were under the 6-person maximum. There were sites with a single tent that was much larger than our three small tents combined!
Ranger
Small campground with tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. Main building has camp store with a variety of items available for purchase. Nice bathrooms including showers available.
GuideThe main building has a little of everything you need - from camping supplies to s'more making supplies. The tent camping sites are kind of close to one another, but you get your picnic table and fire ring.
ScoutThe road is closed so there's just a few spots off the road in the beginning. Okay for car camping not so much for tent camping. Very muddy so having a fire is very optional. Alright if you're on the go
Guide
There are RV, Tent and Yurt camping sites. Bathrooms, showers, dishwashing area and laundry facilities but still in nature and beautiful views and trails, especially in the non-electric tent sites. Great staff at the check in area.
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of Colorado, Central City offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Central City, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Central City, CO is Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area with a 3.6-star rating from 49 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Central City, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 91 tent camping locations near Central City, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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