Dispersed camping near Denver offers primitive, free campsites within 1-2 hours of the metro area. Sites range from 6,000-10,000 feet elevation with temperature swings of 30°F between day and night. Most accessible locations remain under snow until late May, with summer thunderstorms common between 2-5pm.
What to do
Hiking access: Allenspark Dispersed Camping provides excellent trail access with minimal driving. "We hiked out to the 96 burn area to explore and we ended up doing a nice 7 mile loop to get down to the creek for a cool down," notes one camper who found multiple hiking options directly from their campsite.
Mountain biking: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers extensive trail systems for cyclists. "Great camping spot, esp. if you like mountain biking... plenty of trails for various ability levels," explains a visitor who appreciates the diverse terrain suitable for different skill levels.
Stargazing opportunities: Light pollution decreases significantly at higher elevation sites. "We had a blast at this place... sites were big and far enough away from neighbors," mentions a Buffalo Creek visitor who found the area ideal for nighttime sky viewing.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Allenspark Dispersed Camping features numerous sites along running water. "Right next to a creek, nice to have a water feature," shares a camper who appreciated the natural sound barrier between sites.
Wildlife viewing: Beaver Park Reservoir offers opportunities to see local fauna. "Lots of wildlife; squirrels, rabbits, and a moose that walked right by our campsite," reports a visitor who had close-up animal encounters while camping.
Accessible fishing: Many reservoirs allow shore fishing without permits. "Loved Chinns lake! Had to do a little 4x4 to get to our spot. Got to hike, fish, paddle board, and just enjoy time away from the city," explains a visitor who combined multiple activities during their stay.
What you should know
Weekday advantages: Popular sites fill quickly Thursday through Sunday. "This is a very nice area with many walking/biking trails... The area is busy and can easily fill for the weekend by Thursday mid-day," warns a Buffalo Creek visitor who recommends planning accordingly.
Cell service limitations: Mount Herman Road offers better connectivity than most areas. "The Pilot in Monument has showers and was an added bonus for being 15 minutes from our spot," explains a camper who appreciated the proximity to services while maintaining wilderness camping.
Seasonal road changes: Spring conditions often require more capable vehicles. "There's still at least 3 feet or more of snow and ice on this trail. It's just past the river. Spent 3 hours getting unstuck," cautions a May visitor attempting to reach Chinns Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Noise levels: Sites closer to Denver see more weekend traffic. "This dispersed site is pretty and is close to the highway, the road seemed a little sketchy in the snow but my RAV4 AWD made it just fine to most of the sites," notes a Gordon Gulch camper whose vehicle handled the conditions well.
Space considerations: Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers larger, more level sites for families. "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," comments a visitor who found the area well-organized despite its primitive nature.
Bathroom planning: Most sites lack facilities completely. "I saw complaints on here about trash around the campsites, but they were clean. Very little trash, even when exploring around the campsites and into the wooded areas," shares a camper who found the area better maintained than expected.
Tips from RVers
Maximum size limits: Gross Reservoir accommodates smaller RVs with some limitations. "Going up past site 6 is a steep hill where 4x4 is highly recommended. We ended up turning around there but probably could have made it if I picked a good line," explains an RV camper who navigated the challenging terrain.
Weather preparedness: Sudden storms require secure setups. "Free dispersed camping with zero amenities but man made fire pits. Windy and cold but beautiful!" notes a winter visitor to Beaver Park Reservoir who experienced challenging conditions despite the scenic location.
Leveling challenges: Many sites sit on uneven terrain. "Not all campgrounds are really that flat but it's free and it's Boulder, CO environment so I can't complain," explains a Gordon Gulch visitor who accepted the limitations of dispersed camping near Denver.
