Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Conifer, CO has a lot to offer. Conifer is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Discover great camping spots near Conifer, reviewed by campers like you.
"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! "
"Over 30 dispersed campsites along a moderately smooth dirt road. Sites are spaced well apart, some sites are covered in trees while others are wide open."
"About 32 or more spots along redskin creek road that goes back a few miles with spots with fire rings along the dirt road."
"The first 3 are out in the open and then the remaining 5 are past the trailhead. Nice area for Starlink and solar and dog walks. It’s a burn site."
"I had to slow down to a crawl at points because it was thrashing my rig around so much. There is also one turn on the road where if you’re not careful, I could imagine getting stuck."
"Resources were running low on a Friday night so it was great pull off great views close to idaho springs down town , nice hiking trails as well traffic is pretty much non existent after 9pm"
"Any unpaved areas around it are not flat."
"Kirby Gulch is a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience near Grant, Colorado."
"Plenty of trail heads nearby and had moose visitors right by camp each day which was cool but be sure to respect the wildlife and give them space."
"For those that can't find it, putting "Hidden Wilderness Rd" in the GPS should help. It's a dirt road at the top of the neighborhood road. You'll want 4wd for sure."
"The road is very rocky and bumpy and requires 4WD."
"We arrived around Monday lunchtime. There are 19 sites in this area as they are all designated. There were only two available when we arrived so we selected site number three."
"Great spots hidden in the trees. Dispersed free spots."
"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."
"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."
"First off the campsite locations for hidden wilderness roadside camp is somewhat misleading."
"The entrance road is hard to find - Drive to the Indian Hot Springs facility in Idaho Springs, take Montane Road. It turns into Hidden Wilderness Road when the pavement ends."
RangerKirby Gulch is a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience near Grant, Colorado. Situated off Route 1038, this dispersed camping area offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and wildlife watching.
The campsites are well-spaced, providing plenty of privacy, and the area is generally clean, thanks to considerate campers. Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so make sure to come prepared. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for accessing some of the sites, especially after rain or snow.
What makes Kirby Gulch truly special is its tranquility. You can enjoy the sound of the wind through the trees, the crisp mountain air, and dazzling stargazing at night. It’s also a great starting point for exploring nearby trails or simply soaking in the serene environment.
If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and leave-no-trace principles, Kirby Gulch is a hidden gem worth checking out.
GuideWe 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!
LegendStevens Gulch Road (321) is a dirt road off of I-70 west of Denver in the Arapaho & Rosevelt National Forests and the Pawnee National Grasslands. It has amazing scenery and access to gorgeous hiking trails to summit Gray’s, Torrey’s and Kelso Peaks. It is a fairly mellow SUV road with plenty of space to pass other vehicles and you will occasionally see passenger cars as well. The road leads to a large parking lot that fills up fast with car overflow parking spilling down both sides of the road. There are pit toilets and bear proof trash cans at the parking lot. The road continues past the parking lot a very short ways to some dispersed campsites by a river that have stone campfire rings. Definitely filter this water as there are uphill toilet paper gardens along the climb to summit.
RangerSo 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!
GuideRampart Range Road is the main dirt road that has plenty of smaller trails branching off of it to keep you busy exploring all summer. Rampart Range Road is accessible by 2wd vehicles while some of the smaller trails that branch off of Rampart Range Rd do better with a 4wd with high clearance. The southern portion of the road (south of Devils Head Trail) is open year around while the northern half of the road is closed seasonally during winter. Easily accessible outside of Woodland Park on the south end of the road and west through Sedalia. Lots of dispersed camping sites along the road, some are very large and could easily accommodate a large RV or large groups. Other campsites are tucked away off the road a little which is great because this road can be very busy & dusty in the summer. All in all, this place makes for a fun and easy weekend getaway as long as some ohv traffic doesn’t bother you too much. The best part of Rampart Range Road is the several forest service roads that branch off with dispersed camping. These smaller trails and dispersed camping make for a much more relaxing and peaceful weekend, I highly recommend if you have a 4x4. Find the right forest service road and you’ll feel like you are a million miles from it all.
LegendTarryall creek dispersed camping. The road in is a bit bumpy. I would not trade in a low clearance vehicle. Four-wheel-drive is needed if it should get wet or slippery. Once you get onto the road, the sites are big and spacious. This is dispersed camping, so there is no water no electric and very little cell service. We have periodic two bars of Verizon. The sites are definitely big enough to accommodate big rigs. You just have to take the road really slowly on the way up. If you carry on all the way up to 10, you get to fenced areas where there is no camping so we took 293 off to the left and immediately after the Turner a couple of sites. We followed it all the way down for a long way. The road is incredibly bumpy and four-wheel-drive is absolutely necessary. Along with high clearance. I would not advise it for big rigs. The Site that we got just on the left after the turn walls reasonably wide. Big enough to get a big rig into. It’s pretty flat too but it’s also very exposed. There’s not a lot of shelter for our tent or our gazebo. The views are OK but nothing spectacular.
LegendCR 290 off Tarryall Rd. Campsites are all designated on 290 but there are numerous firepits on the side roads. The road to get up is very rutted. I recommend a high clearance vehicle. Definitely four wheel drive is required. I did see a Subaru forester up near the top. The sites are wide open once you get onto the plateau at the top. Easily could accommodate a big rig, but the issue would be getting it up the road. The views from the top are really nice. It opens out and you get some spectacular views of Pike National Forest. The sites are spacious with some pine tree coverage for tent campers. This would definitely be a possible back up spot if nothing on Matukat rd was available. Because they are dispersed there is no electrical hook ups or water. There’s no Creek running through the area. I imagine it would be really quiet and remote up here because the road to get in is going to deter a lot of people. We did find some spots with fire pits, but not sure you can camp there given there is no sign post reading designated campsite but they are off the main road so give it a try.
GuideThis is beautiful camping close to keystone and likewise gets crowded in the summer months. If you want a spot on a weekend, get there early. There are a few pull offs along the road suitable for most cars, but if you have a high clearance 4WD you can go on a few offshoot roads and find more spacious spots. No cell phone signal or water, and frequent fire bans in the summer.
GuideWent 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.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Conifer, Colorado, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of sites available, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the stunning landscapes and recreational activities that this region has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping near Conifer, Colorado?
Several excellent dispersed camping options surround the Conifer area. Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers free camping with toilet facilities and is suitable for various vehicle types. For more secluded experiences, Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping provides numerous opportunities with smaller trails branching off the main dirt road. Most sites are accessible with 2WD vehicles, though high-clearance 4WD is recommended for exploring the offshoots. Look for established fire rings to identify designated spots. Additional dispersed camping can be found along Redskin Creek Road and Bailey area, both within reasonable driving distance from Conifer. Always check current Forest Service regulations before heading out, as available sites may change seasonally.
When is the best season for dispersed camping in Conifer, Colorado?
The prime dispersed camping season near Conifer runs from late May through early October, with July and August offering the most reliable weather. At Kirby Gulch, summer provides pleasant temperatures and stunning mountain views, while early fall brings gorgeous foliage with fewer crowds. Snow typically closes many dispersed areas from November through April, with higher elevation sites like Grays Peak Summer Trailhead Dispersed Camping opening later in spring. Weather can change rapidly in the mountains, so even in summer, be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms and cool evenings. The shoulder seasons (late spring and early fall) offer more solitude but require additional preparation for potentially cold nights and variable conditions.
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Conifer?
Dispersed camping in the Conifer area follows typical National Forest regulations. At areas like Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, you'll find numbered sites that must be used rather than creating new ones. Most dispersed sites have a 14-day stay limit within a 30-day period. Campfires are permitted only in existing fire rings, and complete fire bans may be implemented during dry conditions. Pack out all trash as there are no services. Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping and similar areas require camping at least 100 feet from water sources. Vehicles must remain on established roads and within 300 feet of designated routes. Always check with the local ranger district before your trip, as rules can change seasonally and by location.
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