Best Tent Camping near Denver, CO

Dispersed tent camping options surround Denver, Colorado, with numerous primitive sites within a 90-minute drive of the city. The Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area near Nederland offers rustic tent campsites with drive-in and walk-in access, while Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir provides lakeside tent camping with more seclusion. Dream Canyon Campsites offer tent-only spots with remarkable canyon views just outside Boulder in Roosevelt National Forest.

Most primitive tent sites lack amenities, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out all waste. Sites typically feature natural, uneven surfaces of dirt, pine needles, or rocky terrain with minimal improvements beyond basic fire rings. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many dispersed areas, particularly after rain or snow when roads become rutted or muddy. Tent pads, when available, are often unmarked and may require careful site selection to find level ground. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, with complete bans possible during high fire danger periods. Bear-proof food storage is available at some sites, though many primitive areas require campers to bring their own containment systems.

Walk-in tent sites at Sawmill Hiker Campground provide a more controlled camping experience with designated tent pads and basic facilities. At higher elevations, tent campers should prepare for dramatic temperature drops after sunset, even in summer months. Sites closer to Boulder and Denver fill quickly on weekends, with Friday arrival recommended to secure preferred spots. Several areas along the Peak to Peak Highway corridor offer excellent access to hiking trails and fishing opportunities. According to one visitor at Gordon Gulch, "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."

Best Tent Sites Near Denver, Colorado (56)

    1. Bear Creek Lake Campground

    3 Reviews
    Morrison, CO
    18 miles
    Website

    $34 - $40 / night

    "Nice big sites, open space without a lot of trees, beautiful views, clean restrooms, showers (pay for) water fill stations, dump station, several restrooms."

    "Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area."

    2. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir

    24 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 541-2500

    "Came here for my birthday a few years ago, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking—mountains, lake views, the whole deal!"

    "Stayed at campsite 18, had great views and nice weather, no water though but there is a lake down the road. 4x4 Required as roads were rough"

    3. 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."

    "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."

    4. Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    34 miles
    Website

    "However, proximity to Boulder is a huge plus if you are looking for a quick and easy get away."

    "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."

    5. Sawmill Hiker Campground

    2 Reviews
    Arvada, CO
    23 miles
    Website

    $12 / night

    "This semi-primitive campsite requires a permit from the Open Space Office of Jefferson County, CO. The permit is free, however you must pick up the permit in person at their offices."

    "Great hike in campground. It was our first hike in and we loved it! Spots aren’t too close to each other and there’s great views!"

    6. Aspen Meadows Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    8 Reviews
    Black Hawk, CO
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $28 / night

    "Nice spot with a metal fire pit (good for stage 1 fire ban), picnic table, and tent pad. Tent pad was big enough to squeeze two 3-person tents and a 6-person tent (barely)."

    "This site is surrounded by pine trees, aspens and boulders. Parking is a bit tight and the some of the sites pretty steep. Dude's Fishing Hole is within walking distance."

    7. Allenspark Dispersed Camping

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

    "Our spot was near the creek, the sound was beautiful. The only downside was absolutely no cell service."

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

    8. Osprey

    8 Reviews
    Buffalo Creek, CO
    33 miles
    Website

    $24 / night

    "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."

    "Trash and Port a potties are provided. Site is right next to the Platte River. Picnic Table and Fire Ring is provided per site. Very relaxing, great views , and respectful neighbors."

    9. Staunton State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Conifer, CO
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 816-0912

    $28 / night

    "If you’re looking for a quick easy weekend camping trip with well maintained trails, you should check this park out. Campsites are a quick walk from the parking lot and vault toilets."

    "I brought stoves no bigger than a jetboil/MSR dragonfly. Headlamps are a must. Also, we went in June and July. Check the weather."

    10. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    17 Reviews
    Empire, CO
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 567-4382

    "Such a nice escape from denver, the lake is soooo beautiful!! We showed up on a Saturday morning in July around 10 AM and still found a spot.

    People, CLEAN UP YOUR TRASH🙃"

    "I first camped in Colorado last year with a friend and we chose this dispersed due to it being close to travel too- yet still dispersed. I’ve come back 4 other times to camp here!"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Denver, CO

1437 Reviews of 56 Denver Campgrounds


  • Florian J.
    Jul. 5, 2021

    Buckingham Campground

    Great location, sites next to creek, but very busy

    We came here in early July to hike up South and North Arapahoe Peaks (and Diamond Lake for warm-up). The sites are nice right next to a creek, with very few mosquitos. Make sure to stay close to the designated areas (fwiw, Rangers monitor the site). No campfires were allowed and they are no fire rings, so I assume that the fire ban is typical rather than the exception. Bear-proof food storage is provided at each site.

    We made it up the dirt road in our little Honda Fit but that was touch and go at times, and required some careful driving. 99% of the cars at the campground and trailhead were 4x4s. 

    The location is great with plenty of trailheads right next to the campground. But that also means that site is very busy. The trailhead parking fills up as early as 5am. It wasn't much of an issue in terms of loudness, but it does mean that the only two restrooms are also used by hundreds of hikers each day …

    There are no trash bins (i.e., pack out whatever trash you produce), there is no drinking water (except for the creek if you have filters), all sites are walk-in though parking is just a few meters away (one is ADA accessible with parking right next to the site). With Google Fi (Spring) we had no cell reception (we lost signal even prior to the start of the dirt road, so many miles before the campground). Sites are in the shade below trees, and there are picnic tables.

    Overall, I'd visit this place again, just because of the convenient access to amazing trails and scrambles. Trails to Diamond Lake (10km out-and-back) and Arapahoe pass were quite busy, but not unpleasantly so. The trail up to the Arapahoe Peaks (13km out-and-back to South Peak) was *much* less busy though we still saw about 8-10ish groups throughout the day (took us 2:10h up to South Arapahoe Peak, about 30-40 minutes to traverse to North Arapahoe).

  • Mike S.
    Oct. 12, 2018

    West Chicago Creek

    Great place to stay, but Mt. Evans is 10 miles away

    I love this place. The campground is full every weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day due to reservations made at recreation.gov up to 6 months and more than 48 hours in advance, and being so close to metro Denver.

    The campground has 16 sites; 4 Walk-In, 1 host and 11 are reservable. Check in after 2:00 and check out by 1:00. If someone has a reservation, like a hotel, their site is held until 1:00 the next day because of the Forest Service rule that the campsite must be occupied the first night and they could have had delays.

    The campground is at 9600’ and the last mile of the dirt road is a bit rough, but I have seen low profile cars and 42’ Class A motor home with a towed vehicle. Well water normally supplies the campground to faucets, but has not been productive the entire 2019 season and there are vault toilets. Each site has its own bear box and fire ring. The creek is less than 100 meters from the campground and fishing this year was poor... water level was low. Lots of great hiking and climbing in the area. About a 40 degree difference between day and night. During the fire ban, dispersed camping is limited to just a few areas so the campground is a great place to stay and you might still be able to have a fire in the fire ring. Privately owned cabins can be seen as you walk through the woods. Hell’s Hole Trail is a few hundred yards from the campground. I’m looking forward to going back there as host next year.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2021

    Kelly Dahl

    Stark

    Sites:  46   20 sites FCFS

    Reservation:  877-444-6777 or recreation.gov

    Sites that fit tent, trailers, RV's

    Open Mid May - Mid Oct

    Firewood from camp host, picnic table, fire ring/grill, bear box at tent sites, pit toilet, water, trash, no electric, hookups, dump station or showers

    Sites are very small

    Great sightseeing to check out.  Several historic mining towns and some great hiking trails.  Views of the surrounding mountains are totally amazing.

    AT&T and Verizon service but it is spotty.

    The Mountain Pine beetle is decimating the forest and it is so sad to see.  The forest service is working very hard to keep up with the removal of dead trees and it is creating expansive open area.  The plus side of the removal is for solar.  They are also removing the stumps thank goodness.  Be very careful while walking in the forest for falling limbs or trees.

    Directions:  About four miles south of Nederland, Colorado, on Colorado Highway (CO) 119, watch for the entrance to Kelly Dahl Campground on the east side of the highway at mile marker 22.

    LNT

    Better than when you found it

    Stay safe and happy travels

  • Jessica K.
    Oct. 13, 2018

    Sawmill Hiker Campground

    Easy Backpacking Experience

    My husband went to this campsite with a group of Scouts and took me and our 1 year old a few weeks later. I had never been backpacking up until this point because I was always intimidated by the experience. This was an excellent "beginner" foray into backpacking!

    This semi-primitive campsite requires a permit from the Open Space Office of Jefferson County, CO. The permit is free, however you must pick up the permit in person at their offices. Be prepared with a valid ID. This is a popular campsite for Scout Troops, so calling ahead for availability is a great idea.

    There is an exact address available on the website and at the Open Space Office that you can put into your GPS and drive straight to the parking lot of the trailhead.

    My husband and I came in through the West Trailhead. It is a 1 mile, easy hike. The first 1/3 of a mile is dirt, the remainder is gravel. It is fairly hilly, but easy enough that we actually opted to push our Jogging Stroller with our kid the entire way (which is very doable) whilst wearing our backpacking gear.

    The campsites are well maintained and quite spread out from one another. So although there was a group of scouts, a group of friends, and a bigger youth group who all hiked in, it did not feel crowded or noisy.

    We brought our dog, as pets are allowed on a leash. We set up our tent on the graveled pad at each site and boiled up some soup on the provided picnic tables. The website as of 2018 will tell you that fires are permitted in the designated fire rings, however a permanent fire ban has recently been put into place (which is too bad!) and all the fire rings and wood piles have been removed from the area - so really, NO FIRES ALLOWED. The pit toilets are very accessible and clean. It is technically Bear Country, so bear boxes and trash cans are provided for the overall campground.

    My favorite thing about our particular campsite (site 15) was the view. At night you can see all the city lights of sprawling Denver, but then have a perfect view of the sunrise in the morning. Witnessing the sunrise from this spot will always be one of my favorite memories. Seriously so amazing!

    We hiked out the next morning, simple as that, but realized we had misplaced our car keys...after 2.5 hours of searching and walking back and forth between the campsite and our car, we found our keys in the bottom of our tent. So really, if I could offer one piece of advice, always know where your keys are! Despite this incident, the location was great and the experience worthwhile! And I feel like it gave me a good taste of what to expect when backpacking in the future, which is exactly what I was looking for.

  • P
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Columbine Campground - Outside of Denver

    Nicely Maintained, Would Return

    We stayed at sites #27 and #28 over Memorial Day weekend, 2021 which are on the outer loop. Both sites had tons of space for tents, large picnic tables, large bear boxes, and grated fire rings.

    There was one site kind of close to us, but they never showed up so we had a lot of privacy. Site 28 I believe is the one that is further back and more private.

    Parking was kind of confusing for the tent sites. There were 7 designated spots in a small lot for 4-5 sites that could each have two cars. While there are other places cars can park on the side, the host told us you could get ticketed by park rangers. We didn’t have any issues, as the lot got full and one person had to park there, but we still were unclear of where our allowed two cars could go. There is a huge OHV lot not far you could probably park in overnight. I think the sign said no camping, but not sure about overnight parking. When we arrived at 11AM we saw that there were still 5-6 first come sites available for the weekend (although rain was forecasted and probably had an impact).

    I was the only one with cell service (1 bar with T-Mobile). The host was really nice and came by to say hi. They sell firewood at the host site. Usually there is water, but they had a temporary outage when we went.

    The road getting to the campgrounds is pretty bumpy, but lots of RVs and cars made it fine.

    If we went again, we would probably get an RV site so we knew we’d have enough car space. Less than an hour from Denver and nicely maintained, would return again.

    We didn’t have any issues with noise like some reviews state. We were up until about 2:30 AM each night and couldn’t hear any other sites still up (although they probably kept things quiet after hours like we did).

  • William C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2023

    West Chicago Creek

    Quiet Campsite

    Quiet campground- especially early in the season.

    $22/night; Firewood bundles on-site for $9.

    Each site has a picnic table and a bear box for food storage.

    Bathrooms were clean. Sites are smaller and very close together. Little privacy if visiting during a busier time.

    Sites 7, 9, and 11 have trails that connect back to Chicago creek just a short distance away. Hiking trails are close by to nearby forests land. No cell service.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2022

    Buckingham Campground

    Beautiful setting, busy trailhead

    What an awesome site! Bear boxes and concrete picnic tables. There are only 5 campsites here and one is handicapped only. That and the next site, where I stayed, are right off the dirt road. There are 3 more sites past the barrier which are more secluded but require schlepping your stuff farther.

    Fourth of July trailhead is busy and parking fills up fast in the morning. The hike is breathtaking in beauty; the wildflower covered mountain meadows are glorious! It’s possible to backpack in and stay in the rough. I met several groups who’d done just that. Buckingham campground, however, makes a great base camp if you prefer, like I do, car camping.

    No fires allowed, of course, but a Ranger once told me as long as it has an off switch it’s okay. I brought my gas ring and was pleasant warm drinking tea and listening to a light rain hitting the awning as twilight turned to night.

    The one consistent drawback was airplane noise every few minutes. There’s a flight path right above. While I saw plenty of people in the trail the campsite was secluded and quiet, especially at night. Dogs on leash are welcome and there’s a vault toilet 😀

  • Kristin D.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Buffalo Campground

    Spacious sites, great trail access

    Love this place. I’m a new mountain biker and it’s currebtly my favorite trail system to ride. There’s currently a fire ban in most of Colorado, and Buffalo Creek is included. We just got creative with a small lantern so it felt like we were sitting around a fire.🔥The sites are very full on the weekends being so close to Denver, so a few people asked to share. The signage isn’t always clear, make sure you only camp where there’s a site number or it’s a $1K fine! It’s a favorite place, but don’t tell everyone! 😂

  • Cara W.
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake

    Private but Crowded

    Beautiful lakeside camping just outside of Denver. Campsites are a bit close together, but great for groups! No hookups here but you have bathroom facilities and a visitor center where you can buy firewood. Campfires allowed in the fire pits. If you have an RV beware quiet hours from 10pm to 8am, no generators allowed. Lake is perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing and you will most likely have phone service if you are with AT&T or Verizon. Many day use areas, however vehicles and individuals are charged. For campers, if you bring more than one vehicle you will be charged daily for any additional ones. No drinking water is available, you must bring your own. Dirt roads to the lake are rough and narrow. Close to Deckers for incidentals. Intersects with the Colorado trail for hiking and biking and close to the Colorado River for tubing!


Guide to Denver

Primitive camping options near Denver create unique overnight opportunities in Colorado's Front Range wilderness. Dispersed campsites typically sit at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet with dramatic daily temperature fluctuations even in summer. Most sites require visitors to store food properly due to bears and other wildlife active throughout the camping season from May through October.

What to do

Fishing access points: Fall River Reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities with quick limits possible. "With perfect views of the mountains and streams in all directions. Our tent was literally right next to a stream of water which was good fishing as me and my friend caught our daily limit of fish very quickly the only day we were there," notes Larry S. about the Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail.

Stargazing spots: Several remote sites provide unobstructed night sky viewing, though construction activities can impact some locations. "You can't beat the view. We sit at the edge of the boulders and watch the sunset," writes K.R. about Staunton State Park Campground.

Creek exploration: Many sites feature streams perfect for cooling off during hot days. "There is a beautiful creek right across the road that is great for filtering water and cooling off," explains Zack B. about Fall River Reservoir, adding "The reservoir itself is gorgeous. There are a few falls that flow in and some good bouldering routes towards the back."

What campers like

Quick escapes: Sites within 45-60 minutes of Denver provide convenient weekend camping. "This was a close 1 night get away spot. Pretty area, the sites we saw were numbered," explains Nicci M. about Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area.

Aspen groves: Fall color changes create spectacular settings at higher elevations. "In the Fall this park is just stunning with aspen leaves all different colors so it brings a bit of solitude in nature too even with all the people in the park," notes Hayley K. about Staunton State Park.

Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate separation between established sites. "The campsites are well maintained and quite spread out from one another. So although there was a group of scouts, a group of friends, and a bigger youth group who all hiked in, it did not feel crowded or noisy," writes Jessica K. about Sawmill Hiker Campground.

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed areas require appropriate vehicles. "Note you will need a 4 x 4 vehicle to reach this campsite as the road starts to get bumpy due to boulders and rocks on the road towards the end of the end road. So be prepared for a little longer and bumpy 45 minute ride up to the top," warns Larry S. about Fall River Reservoir.

Early arrival necessary: Most sites fill quickly on weekends. "We tried to drive in Friday night and all the campsites were full so some kind people let us share theirs. I'd suggest getting their early to get a good spot!" advises Gillian S. about Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir.

Water challenges: Campers must either carry water or filter from natural sources. "The water spigots are at the base as well and not at or near the sites - 1/2 mile from the farthest site, Site 19. We had to carry up jugs and refill at night," mentions K.R. about Staunton State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Wagon access: Some walk-in sites allow wagon use for hauling gear. "When camping with a whole posse of kids, we used a wagon to haul all that crap up. No problems with the wagon getting stuck. Trails are very clear," shares K.R. about their experience at Staunton State Park.

Boulder exploration: Kids enjoy natural features for climbing and play. "And, behind 19 are rocks and boulders. You could scramble up with or without kids (my kid was 2 and climbed with some help) and explore for about an hour just by the site," adds K.R. about Staunton Park.

Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for possible bear sightings. "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he can 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," warns Ben O. about Allenspark Dispersed Camping.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV access: Most dispersed sites accommodate small vehicles only. "Gnarly ass road, not for trailers/sedans. Camp sites are nice, but except for a few (~5) the rest require a serious climb (drive) up a gnarly hill with deep ruts. I wouldn't try this with a camper/RV, or anything that doesn't have high clearance and power," cautions Graham S. about Winiger Ridge.

Established alternatives: Look for designated campgrounds with RV accommodations. "The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area. There's a few playgrounds within the campground and park area, with access to trails to the lake, a boat launch and boat rental, equestrian stables, and archery," shares Kevin M. about Bear Creek Lake Campground.

Partial hookups: Many sites offer limited services. "Only drawback might be the bathrooms have no night lighting and you have a dumping station instead of sewage hookups. Also water is available but not at the site," adds Kevin M. about Bear Creek Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent camping spots near Denver?

Denver's surrounding mountains offer exceptional tent camping opportunities. Aspen Meadows Campground — Golden Gate Canyon provides established sites with tent pads large enough for multiple tents, metal fire pits, and picnic tables within an hour of the city. Buckingham Campground is another excellent option with creekside sites and concrete picnic tables, perfect for those planning to hike nearby peaks. Only featuring five sites, Buckingham offers a more intimate experience. For those seeking something less developed but still accessible, consider Bear Creek Lake Campground, Sawmill Hiker Campground (great for backpacking beginners), or Staunton State Park. Many campsites fill quickly during summer weekends, so make reservations where possible or arrive early at first-come, first-served locations.

What amenities can I expect at tent campsites near Denver?

Tent campsites near Denver offer varying levels of amenities depending on their development status. Robbers Roost Campground provides basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and bear-proof trash facilities and food storage bins. Sawmill Hiker Campground offers a semi-primitive experience for backpackers. Most established campgrounds near Denver typically include tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings, with access to vault toilets or restrooms. Many sites are equipped with bear boxes for food storage due to wildlife activity in the area. Water availability varies significantly—some campgrounds have potable water, while others require you to bring your own or filter from nearby streams. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. More developed campgrounds may offer additional amenities like shower facilities, but these are less common at tent-specific sites.

What's the best time of year for tent camping around Denver?

The prime tent camping season around Denver runs from late May through early October, with July and August offering the most reliable weather. At Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, summer camping provides beautiful lake views and mountain scenery, though it can get busy on weekends due to its proximity to Boulder. Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping is ideal in summer months with accessible streamside spots. Be aware that mountain elevations mean nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer—many campgrounds sit above 9,000 feet. Early summer brings wildflowers but also mosquitos near water sources. Fall offers spectacular colors and fewer crowds but colder nights. Spring camping is possible at lower elevations but unpredictable with potential snowfall. Always check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out.

Are there any free tent camping options around Denver?

Several free dispersed camping options exist within 1-2 hours of Denver. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers secluded, private camping for those willing to venture off-road, ideal for 4x4 vehicles though not strictly required. This area provides a more primitive experience without designated facilities. Allenspark Dispersed Camping is another free option near the town of Allenspark with drive-in access. These dispersed areas typically lack amenities like toilets, potable water, or garbage service, so campers must be self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles. Sites are first-come, first-served and can fill quickly on summer weekends. Most dispersed camping in national forests follows a 14-day stay limit. Always check current regulations as fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and some areas may temporarily close due to wildlife management or environmental concerns.