Dispersed camping near Commerce City, Colorado features sites at elevations ranging from 6,000-11,000 feet with dramatic temperature swings common even in summer months. Most locations sit on National Forest or BLM land requiring campers to follow pack-in/pack-out protocols. Seasonal road conditions vary significantly with spring runoff often making roads impassable until late May or early June.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: West Magnolia Campground near Nederland offers extensive single-track trails directly accessible from campsites. "Great spot for mountain biking, hiking, and camping," notes one visitor. "There is a fire ring at all campsites, but no amenities," adds another camper who appreciated the secluded feel despite proximity to town.
Fishing in high mountain lakes: Gold Lake Area Dispersed camping provides access to nearby fishing opportunities. While Gold Lake itself is private with restricted access, nearby streams offer alternatives. "We brushed about five ticks off of us just during the visit," warns one camper about potential hazards when approaching water sources in early summer.
Wildlife viewing from camp: Dream Canyon Campsites offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Had a fox visit our site!" reports one camper. Another notes the area's rich biodiversity: "Lots of chipmunks and hummingbirds due to the many wild flowers" at nearby Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area.
Paddle sports on reservoirs: Beaver Park Reservoir allows paddleboarding with direct water access from several sites. "We found a great spot with a fire ring overlooking the reservoir," shares one visitor, though they caution about wind conditions that can challenge water activities.
What campers like
Solitude on weekdays: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers better chances for privacy midweek. "We headed up there around 6:30pm on Friday night and after driving around for a couple hours ended up bailing and going home. We pushed our luck and went back on Saturday morning and were lucky enough to catch someone as they were leaving," explains one visitor describing weekend challenges.
Cool night temperatures: Allenspark Dispersed Camping provides relief from summer heat with naturally cool nights. "It was windy and snowing in February but overall a very good time! I will definitely be going back but it's sad that you can't even walk around the lake," notes a winter visitor to the area who appreciates the year-round access.
Proximity to small mountain towns: Sites near West Magnolia Campground offer quick access to Nederland for supplies. A camper describes this advantage: "I love this place because of its proximity to Nederland and Denver. Great views can be had easily." Another visitor notes that "If you're looking for just a spot to pitch a tent, then this is a pretty area."
Natural water features: Many campers highlight creeks near Allenspark: "Beautiful, secluded and right next to a creek. Lots of spots, and also lots of people. Some folks coming in late night. It's definitely a bumpy ride in," notes one visitor who appreciated the water access despite the crowds.
What you should know
Heavy summer weekend use: Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area fills completely by Friday afternoon in summer months. "We went on a Sunday, the weekend after the 4th of July. It was quite easy to find a campground for dispersed camping with other sites marked," reports one visitor, adding: "I saw complaints on here about trash around the campsites, but they were clean."
Challenging road conditions: Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping requires specialized vehicles. "You'll absolutely need a 4x4 or a high-clearance SUV to get up there. The road is rocky and steep in places, but manageable with careful driving and the right vehicle," warns one visitor. Another specifically notes: "Low clearance vehicles won't make it up with bumpers intact."
Variable cell service: Coverage differs dramatically between sites and carriers. "I had AT&T and had zero cell reception, some of the others had Verizon which had limited cell service," reports a Chinns Lake visitor. At Hell Canyon Dispersed sites, "Not too much cell service" was noted by multiple reviewers.
Limited turnaround space: Several narrow forest roads have few options for larger vehicles to turn around. "Be forewarned, the private land area at the end of the road does not have any turn around space," cautions a Gold Lake Area visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose established sites with fire rings: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area features over 30 designated dispersed sites. "There's about 30 or so sites. First come first serve but are free. Nice large sites many have room for RV's. Good distance between sites for privacy as well," notes one visitor who found the spacing helpful for family camping.
Watch for wildlife encounters: Bear activity is reported at several locations, particularly in summer. "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he came back and we scared him off again. He's afraid of humans but he did try to get into the car while we were sleeping," reports an Allenspark Dispersed Camping visitor.
Consider noise factors: West Magnolia campers note occasional noise disturbances. "You'll hear dirtbikes during the day. The only main complaint I had was the lack of peace due to constant checks from boulder sheriffs," reports one visitor. Another adds: "It's right next to 72, so traffic sounds, and there's 4 wheelers and dirts bikes, so not exactly quiet."
Bring adequate water: All sites lack potable water sources. "No amenities. Bring what ya need and shower ahead of time," advises a Gold Lake Area visitor, highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency.
Tips from RVers
Length limitations for larger units: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs under 25 feet. "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 a visitor to Beaver Park Reservoir, one of the more RV-friendly options.
Scout ahead when possible: Road conditions change seasonally, requiring advance planning. "We drove our 4x4 and were nervous the entire trip," explains one camper describing rocky roads. Another suggests: "Our Ambulance conversion which is not 4 wheel drive easily handled it" when discussing West Magnolia access roads.
Level site challenges: Finding sufficiently flat parking can be difficult. "Not all campgrounds are really that flat but it's free and it's Boulder, CO environment so I can't complain," mentions a Gordon Gulch visitor, highlighting a common challenge for RV camping in mountain terrain.
