Best Dispersed Camping near Commerce City, CO

The mountainous terrain surrounding Commerce City, Colorado features numerous dispersed camping opportunities within a 1-2 hour drive. National Forest lands northwest of the city host popular free camping areas like Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area near Nederland and Allenspark Dispersed Camping, where primitive sites accommodate both tent and small RV camping. Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, located southwest of the city, provides over 40 dispersed sites with established fire rings. Most camping options in this region are undeveloped, with Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping and Beaver Park Reservoir offering scenic waterfront locations at higher elevations.

Road conditions present significant challenges for accessing many dispersed sites. High-clearance 4WD vehicles are essential for reaching remote locations like Chinns Lake, where one camper noted, "We drove our 4x4 Revel and were nervous the entire trip up and back. It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging driving." Fire restrictions frequently affect the region, particularly during summer and fall months. Seasonal considerations include cold nights at elevation even during summer, with temperatures dropping into the 30s at sites above 9,000 feet. Many access roads become impassable during spring runoff or after heavy rains, with several campers reporting getting vehicles stuck or towed from washed-out roads.

Mountain views and water features rank as primary attractions at most sites. Campers consistently mention scenic vistas as compensation for difficult access, with one visitor to Fall River Reservoir noting, "If you can tackle it, it is absolutely worth it!" Wildlife sightings are common, with foxes and small mammals frequently observed. Weekend crowding affects popular areas, especially those closest to Denver. As one Buffalo Creek visitor explained, "We headed out on Memorial Day weekend and it was busy. So busy that we had to go in the middle of the week to get a spot." Trash management remains problematic at some locations, with multiple reviewers mentioning the need to clean sites upon arrival. Cell service varies significantly by location, with better coverage reported at Hell Canyon Dispersed camping.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Commerce City, Colorado (64)

    1. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    54 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    38 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Like the title suggests, this campsite is typical for a free forest service campground. Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes."

    2. Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    33 miles
    Website

    "Was desperate to find "something" after driving 11 hours that day, and normal paid camp grounds were full. HOWEVER I was pulling a smaller trailer, and that turned out to be a real issue."

    "Went on a Tuesday afternoon and there was foot traffic around our spot from people headed on hikes."

    3. Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed

    33 Reviews
    Ward, CO
    41 miles
    Website

    "We were right up on the lake but turns out it's private property and you cannot even go up to the water."

    "You are pinned up against private property around the lake, the camp sites are in the dirt area when you get to the lake down to the left."

    4. West Magnolia Campground

    26 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    38 miles
    Website

    "Oe of my family's fav places, beautiful views, camping spots super far away from one another so awesome privacy, and completely free. Spots fill up quick on weekends, you can stay 14 days."

    "The roads around the whole campground were a little rough but i did okay in my Ford Escape. All of the sites seems to be really spread out.

    There were several people in the campground."

    5. Buffalo Creek Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Buffalo Creek, CO
    43 miles

    "So busy that we had to go in the middle of the week to get a spot, so plan ahead here and expect crowds. That being said, each spot is unique and we loved it."

    "We stayed here a couple weekends in a row and we were able to try out some different spots and trails close to those spots. This free campground is perfect! "

    6. Allenspark Dispersed Camping

    28 Reviews
    Allenspark, CO
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "Fire ban was in effect when we went, but lots of fire circles available otherwise. Bring bug spray, the flies are bold."

    "Was super simple to access. the coordinates take   you to the beginning of the rural part of Ski road."

    7. Gross Reservoir Dispersed

    9 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "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."

    "Great camping about 31 dispersed spots most with tables and a fire ring decent trout fishing a great kayaking feels remote without being so remote."

    8. Hell Canyon Dispersed

    29 Reviews
    Pinewood Springs, CO
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "4x4 drive is a requirement. Good Verizon signal. Narrow road, however not busy at all. Stayed here for 4 days, no issue. The Google Maps directions is slightly wrong."

    "Turn just before or after Yogi Bear Campground and go up the decently maintained dirt road. (You will pass RVs at the beginning of the road as you head up)."

    9. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    24 Reviews
    Empire, CO
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 567-4382

    "It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving.

    Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake. "

    "Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes."

    10. Gold Lake Area Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Ward, CO
    37 miles

    "My GPS from the coordinates just took me to the nearest town of Ward, CO.

    This is how I got there coming from the North:

    Take RT72 South to County Road 100."

    "Many spots along the CR once you find it, came in around 4pm on a Friday and there were still plenty of spots but started filling up fast. By 7pm, people were turning around as no spots were left."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Commerce City, CO

432 Reviews of 64 Commerce City Campgrounds


  • Sun H.
    Jul. 28, 2024

    Pole Hill Rd Dispersed

    Access not worth the trouble

    Don’t believe the navigation apps and go through lyons, it’s private property ; furthermore if you like I did make the drive though Estes park, have 4WD high clearance and a small vehicle… maybe you’ll make it to this brutally elusive last free camping spot off the main mountain roads

  • Meg G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Spectacular - 4x4 is required to access.

    We drove our BRAND NEW 4x4 Revel and were nervous the entire trip up and back.  We are a high profile vehicle, luckily we had plenty of clearance but it was very nerve wracking both up and back.  It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving.

    Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake.  When you arrive, there are several dispersed campsites around the lake.  All the spots have beautiful views and tons of space between other campers.  There are firepits (even though CO is on a fire ban) that  will be nice for future visits.  We visited on Sept 17-19, 2020, so the evenings are cold and the days short.  Additionally, the water level was very low.  

    The area is nice for hiking and exploring, and especially to get away from it all.  No cell phone service.

    As the weekend approached, there were several ATV's heading up for the day.  While we were there, only 3 other groups camping on the weekend.

    You will be at 11,000 feet looking at the Continental Divide!  THIS is Colorado camping!  Enjoy and please remember to leave no trace!

  • Karl G.
    May. 6, 2019

    Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    Dispersed Campsite with Views - Gordon Gulch (4x4 recommended)

    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. I am reviewing one of these unnumbered campsites in particular, because this one had the best view. Before you read too far, I can't guarantee you will be able to reach this campsite without a 4X4 high clearance vehicle. We got to the site with a Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Tacoma TRD so we had no problems... I can't definitely say a Subaru would make it though. In the pictures I have included a map of the Gordon Gulch trail system. Entering through the Gordon Gulch entrance and taking 226.1 to 233.1 is the hardest route - there is one very steep and washed out spot. Entering via 120J/Switzerland Trail from the Peak to Peak Hwy and then turning right onto 233.1 is the easier option. On that map I have marked the general area of the campsite with a pink dot and here are the coordinates.

    DMS: 40°01'18.5"N 105°28'37.6"W

    DD: 40.021814, -105.477103 - if you type this into Google Maps it will locate it

    As for the actual campsite, it is a great option for spring/fall camping in Colorado. The elevation is about 8,800 ft and it is on the south side of a hill so it gets a lot of sunlight and is protected from northern winds. In terms of privacy, there are no other campsites that can be seen from this one. However, Gordon Gulch is a popular off-roading area so dirt bikes and Jeeps pass by frequently. This campsite is set up high above and away from the road though, so it is really not that bad. Another thing to point out is that this is a popular area for shooting as well, so if you absolutely hate guns it may not be the place for you. Also, as stated before, this is a dispersed campsite the only thing it has is a fire ring. Pack it in, pack it out!

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Rollins Pass Dispersed Camping

    Great spot close to Winter Park

    Went up Rollins pass road (you can access it from the Lakota Trail neighborhood or down the road a bit on 80). The first gate was open but not the second or third to get to the top where there are def more spots and fire rings. You can only camp places where there are dots on the side of the road on the official county map. Check the Rollins pass website it’s very informative and a sacred land so leave no trace. We got one of the like 3-4 spots we saw with a fire ring that wasn’t taken yet. (No fire ban 6/14/25 I check don’t worry :).. Some back trails are very hairy, pretty busy with motor vehicles but a lot of the new electric dirt bikes which don’t make much noise, probably 10-15 ppl the entire night riding by only once. Got great weather and the main trail is pretty easy up to the second gate which is supposed to be open June 15-Sept 15 I think.

  • A L.
    Aug. 21, 2017

    Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping

    Gorgeous getaway within minutes from Longmont

    My son and I joined a friend from Longmont and headed to this trail to camp for a couple days. Very accessible road, lots of spots to choose from (we showed up on Thursday, it did get a little busier on Friday and Saturday). Our spot was set back from the trail, right next to the stream. Just an amazing view, ample room for lots of tents, nice fire rings and huge logs around them for sitting. Fire wood abounds but it was all a little wet still from the rains they've been getting. Some folks didn't seem to be aware of the "leave no trace" rule when it comes to going to the bathroom, which was a little gross. Overall, great experience, pretty trail views, caught lots of trout (none big enough to keep). A great getaway.

  • Alyse P.
    May. 21, 2021

    Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    Good but tricky

    I went here the week before campgrounds opened in this area, around May 7th. I had a pop up trailer and got there around 5pm on a Friday. Most spots were already taken and the road was a bit washed out. We got stopped by a camper letting us know not to go further because of the road condition and we shared a spot for the night. I would recommend this spot if you have a 4 wheel drive car with high clearance. Later in the season when the water levels are lower it might be easier to navigate but we saw a car or two get towed out

  • Melissa B.
    Oct. 3, 2020

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Perfect Little Getaway

    (Camped 09/18-09/20) This was a little tricky to get to but totally worth the trip. Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes. Once you get to the "Invincible Lodge" entrance there is a dirt path off to the left. It has a sign at the entrance stating the drive up goes through about 3 miles of private property before reaching the dispersed camping area. It also says the route is for "high clearance vehicles"....and it isn't joking. The first mile isn't too bad...just mostly gravel. The next couple miles though get really rocky with some spots that have large dips and narrow paths. The route is ideal for Jeeps and offroad type vehicles, but it is still manageable in a small SUV or truck. Just have to really know what youre doing. Even in our Silverado, my brother had to drive very slowly and maneuver around large rocks sticking up otherwise we would have bottomed out. It took over an hour to get up to the camping area. There is a split in the road at one point and we continued to the left toward the Chinns Lake Reservoir.

    Once finally at the top there were plenty of spots to choose from. Gorgeous views and lots of wooded area around both reservoirs. There is a nice hiking trail that goes up the mountain side between the two reservoirs as well. We got a little lost and ventured off the path to go higher on the rocks, and the view was worth it. Was a little bit of an adventure to find our way back down though.

    Since it was mid-Sept it got pretty cold at night. Elevation was around 11,000 ft where we camped. We were in a fire ban as well so that didn't help. Probably got into the high 30s the one night. Beautiful view of the stars though, and plenty of small wildlife to see.

    Highly recommend staying in this area!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot, right on the water

    High clearance 4x4 recommended but could be doable without if you’re an experienced driver. Beautiful lakes and some campsites are right on the water. Only one other person camping on a Wednesday night. There is currently a fire ban so be sure to respect our forests and be updated.

  • Steve A.
    Aug. 4, 2019

    Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    Typical for a Free Forest Service Campground

    Camped here for one night in August. Like the title suggests, this campsite is typical for a free forest service campground. Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes. After a quick clean up, the site was fine for my purposes. I hammock camp and  I was happy to see that many of the sites here have more than adequate trees for hanging. The roads can be a bit rough so the further back you go the necessity for a high clearance vehicle increases. There are several off road and hiking trails directly attached to the camping areas. I noticed that the forest service had erected wooden barriers at several of the campsites in an effort to control where people park. At my campsite #6 someone had obviously pulled off road vehicles into the campsite and tore the ground up pretty good. Tent camping at this particular site would be difficult due tot he lack of flat spots. Other sites seemed to be flatter. All in all this was a great place to camp for free with several nearby hikes and attractions.


Guide to Commerce City

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Commerce City, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Commerce City, CO is Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area with a 3.6-star rating from 54 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Commerce City, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 64 dispersed camping locations near Commerce City, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.