Top Tent Camping near Dillon, CO
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Best Tent Sites Near Dillon, CO (96)
1. Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping
Blue River, Colorado35 Reviews•94 Photos•2060 SavesThis designated dispersed camping area along County Road 10 has 23 sites.
**Please note: Camping is ONLY allowed in areas designated by a sign. ** Camping in undesignated spots could result in a citation from the U.S. Forest Service. Not adhering to camping duration maximums or using U.S. Forest land for residential purposes could result in a citation from the U.S. Forest Service.
Please refer to special orders and contact the USFS Offices with questions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd842796.pdf
Regulations pertaining to designated dispersed camping are as follows:
Camp only in designated sites.
No camping at trailheads.
Food and garbage must be properly secured in bear-resistant containers or inside vehicles in sealed containers.
Pack out all waste: human, garbage, paper, organics, etc.
There are many dispersed camping opportunities in the forest ranging from backpacking to car-camping along designated Forest Roads. Visitors are encouraged to minimize resource impacts by utilizing established sites rather than creating new ones. Dispersed camping sites along Forest Roads are shown on Motor Vehicle Use Maps, which are available free of charge at ranger district offices.At the start of the tour you immediately have spectacular views of the Blue River Valley and the majestic Tenmile Range. The road, managed by Summit County, follows the old South Park and Pacific Railroad bed, climbing on a gradual 3% grade. The road climbs past Bakers Tank to the summit of Boreas Pass at the Continental Divide. The road then continues down the other side of Boreas Pass for another 10.4 miles to the town of Como in Park County. From 1872 to 1938 the road was used as a narrow-gauge railroad and gained fame as the nation’s highest narrow-gauge railroad, running from Como to Breckenridge. This is a great road to view Fall colors. This road is open to highway legal vehicles only during May-October, and closed to motorized vehicle access seasonally at Summit County discretion, generally October to May.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
2. Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping
Montezuma, Colorado12 Reviews•36 Photos•1153 SavesPLEASE NOTE: The water here contains heavy metals giving the water a distint blue/white color. People and pets should not drink from this water.
Please bring in drinking water
There are currently thirty designated sites with anticipation of adding more in the coming years. Please note that this area is surrounded by private land parcels and they aren't all marked. Campers must camp at a designated site or will otherwise likely be camping on private property.
Peru Creek is popular and will fill up on the weekends. Visitors should arrive early to make sure to get a site. The road can be narrow at times but is accessible to normal clearance vehicles. Low-clearance vehicles may have a hard time. Peru Creek Road is a popular place for OHV rentals to visit so drive slow and carefully. AT&T cell service is intermittent at the lower sites (1-8).
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area
Nederland, Colorado48 Reviews•81 Photos•1305 SavesFive miles north of Nederland, National Forest System Road (NFSR) 226, commonly known as Gordon Gulch, turns east off of Colorado Highway 72. NFSR 226 intersects other forest roads: NFSR 314, 228, 233 and their off-shoots. There are 15 numbered, designated campsites scattered along the road system within 1.5 miles east of Highway 72. Camping is permitted in designated sites only. Take care when driving in this area. Snow and mud can persist through most of the year. The free Boulder Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map displays National Forest System (NFS) routes open to motorized travel and is available online and at the Boulder Ranger District offfice.
Streams; treat water for drinking.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping
Empire, Colorado15 Reviews•57 Photos•1175 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed
Vail, Colorado11 Reviews•27 Photos•598 SavesThere are many dispersed camping opportunities on the forest ranging from backpacking to car-camping along designated Forest Roads. Visitors are encouraged to minimize resource impacts by utilizing established sites rather than creating new ones. Dispersed camping sites along Forest Roads are shown on Motor Vehicle Use Maps, which are available free of charge at ranger district offices.
Visitors are permitted to drive vehicles up to 300 feet from designated routes for purposes of dispersed camping as long as no resource damage is incurred in the process. Dispersed camping within 100 feet of lakes, streams, and forest system trails is prohibited unless otherwise designated. Campers may stay for a maximum of 14 days. Some areas may have additional special restrictions.
This dirt road begins at the paved Red Sandstone Road near Vail and ends at either Piney Lake or Hwy 131 north of Wolcott: This road gets heavy vehicle traffic and also a fair number of mountain bike riders, so please share the road. The climb is gradual and steady, and all but the very lowest of passenger cars can handle this relatively easy dirt road. The road winds its way up along Red Sandstone Creek and then Indian Creek with occasional views south over Vail Mountain, before reaching its high point near the trailhead for Lost Lake Trail. Here you can choose to head west toward Muddy Pass and Hwy 131, or head toward Piney Lake as your destination. Enjoy the peace and beauty here or take a hike up the Upper Piney River Trail, but remember that the lake is surrounded by the Eagles Nest Wilderness and is closed to bikes.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
6. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail
Empire, Colorado14 Reviews•59 Photos•1000 SavesDispersed Camping information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd577265.pdf
With a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on national forest public lands. Camping in the national forest at one location is limited to 14 consecutive days. The campsite must then be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for an additional 14 days. Camping is restricted to a maximum of 28 days in any 60-day period.
More than 40% of lands within the Arapaho National Forest boundary are private or otherwise owned. A map showing land ownership is recommended. It is YOUR responsibility to know if you are on private, city, county, state, national park or national forest land.
Pack out all trash. There are no services.
Practice Leave No Trace ethics
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
7. Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
Silver Plume, Colorado8 Reviews•11 Photos•222 SavesThe Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, can be accessed from either Grant or Georgetown. The south side of the Byway is located on the Pike National Forest/South Platte Ranger District and provides access to several hiking trails: Geneva Creek Trail (#697), Whiteside Trail (#697.A), Threemile Trail (#635), Burning Bear Trail (#601), Abyss Lake Trail (#602) South Park Trail (#600), Rosalie Trail (#603) and Bierstadt Trail (#711). There is also a short interpretive trail with a good viewpoint at the Guanella Pass summit. This is accessed from the west end of the upper/west parking area. Developed campgrounds include Burning Bear and Geneva Park. The north side of the byway is located on the Arapaho National Forest/Clear Creek Ranger District and provides access to hiking trails including Silver Dale Townsite Historic District, and Silver Dollar Lake Trail (#79). Developed campgrounds include Clear Lake and Guanella Pass.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
8. Lower Crystal Lake- Dispersed Camping
Blue River, Colorado6 Reviews•4 Photos•390 SavesMake sure to camp at least 100 feet from water Forest Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd896594.pdf
Please DO NOT drive on alpine vegetation as it is a very fragile ecosystem.
This area has beautiful alpine scenery with views of the Tenmile Range. A 4WD road leads to Lower Crystal Lake and then a hiking trail continues for approximately 2 miles to Upper Crystal Lake. The road will take you through numerous alpine meadows which are fed by the tributaries of Crystal Creek. The road rises onto a shelf with Lower Crystal Lake nestled against the mountain walls.
- There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187053.pdf
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Dispersed
9. Halfmoon Campground
Red Cliff, Colorado8 Reviews•29 Photos•241 SavesBear activity has been increasing. For this reason a food storage order is in effect at all developed campgrounds on the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, and the Piney Gaurd Station, Tigiwon Lodge, Mount of the Holy Cross Overlook, Homestake Road FSR 703, and Nolan Creek Road. This order requires all food and refuse to be stored in hard-sided vehicles, approved bear-resistant containers, or supended at least 10 feet clear of the ground at all points and four feet horizontally from any supporting tree or pole. This order has been issued to provide for public safety and wildlife conservation. Hopefully it will reduce wildlife habituation problems. The Halfmoon Campground is located at the top of Tigiwon Road #707 near the boundary for the Holy Cross Wilderness in a forested setting; all wilderness regulationsmust be observed when traveling in the wilderness (foot and horse travel only). This campground is located at the trailheads for several hiking trails and is heavily used by hikers who are climbing Mount of the Holy Cross. Due to the nature of the Forest Road to the campground and the short parking spurs within the campground, the Halfmoon Campground is not suitable for most RVs. There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this campground which is complete with directions, details, and other information about this campground.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Cabins
10. McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping
Blue River, Colorado5 Reviews•8 Photos•436 SavesTen sites in this area have been designated. Summit County does not allow parking along McCullough Gulch Road (County Road 851). Visitors must drive off of the county road and toward the campsites before parking. Sites 2 and 8 are suitable for some trailers. Sites 7-10 are high clearance vehicle recommended. AT&T cell service is intermittent at sites 1-6.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Showing results 1-10 of 96 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Dillon
2224 Reviews of 96 Dillon Campgrounds
Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed
Beautiful, but a little busy
Went out late on a Friday night. My timing was wrong to get a good spot, but I was hoping there would be at least one spot left, unfortunately all the established sites I could reach were taken! I couldn't get more than a few miles up the road, the first few were manageable in my Impreza but having a higher clearance vehicle is definitely ideal. I was able to find a spot to pitch my tent for the night, but it was far from level or smooth. Still, incredible views of the stars and absolutely gorgeous to see the Aspen leaves changing!
Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping
Quiet with a lot of options
We parked in the parking lot and walked into the valley. After a while we found quite a lot of options with fireplaces already there. So you should mostly find something.
It is quiet, but also a popular spot for hikers so early in the morning, some people arrived. But you can camp far enough in the valley and away from the trail. Water is available if you have a purifier or filter system.
Green Ridge Campground
Spacious and shaded
Some of these spots have a decent shade parts of the day. Decent privacy on a few spots. Maybe 10% full on a Wednesday night in September.
Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping
Beautiful & Easy
We stayed on site 21, arrived around 5pm on a Thursday night and it was amazing! We were shocked the site was still available, a couple other sites also had great views but 21 was definitely impressive. We read the previous reviews which made it easy for us to find. Sunset was beautiful, it was quiet and peaceful, and the moon lit up the entire area. Each site had a stoned fire pit and there are marked site numbers. The road up was busy with people leaf peeping so drive carefully, as of Sept 19th aspens were bright yellow and leaves were changing beautifully.
Ute Pass Dispersed Camping
Easy and secluded
We came here after failing to find a dispersed location closer to Silverthorne. It turned out to be a hidden gem with lots of secluded sites. Plus the drive in/out is super easy (apart from the final road to the campsite; that requires a 4WD vehicle, without question) - it was more-or-less the same drive time as original choice. Just without the hassle of navigating a busy one-way dirt road.
Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping
Easy to get to, beautiful scenery
Easy to get to from metro Denver and it's super close to Silverthorne. Dispersed camping sites are still somewhat close together. We could definitely hear other campers around us talking and such. The road to get up was easy (we stayed in #9 - not sure about the ones farther up the road). I had to come in later as I had a work appointment, so I drove up in my Jetta to meet up with my husband. If my little Jetta can make it, almost any car can! Timing wise, we were up Sept 21 & 22 (2024) and the fall colors were GORGEOUS.
Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping
Busy AF
Hard to find a spot. Even in shoulder season. Was busy 3 weeks ago too. Nearly no privacy. Nice view, but hardly worth it.
Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite
Cozy
No one around
Spruce Creek/Crystal Creek Designated Dispersed Camping
Spruce Creek Camping
Great campsite overall! You park and then walk to your site which is set back and surrounded by gorgeous trees. Lots of flat ground. It did get very chilly here, so beware! Also, lots of moisture in the air. The fire pit was fantastic!!
Gross Reservoir Dispersed
Road Closed Mid-September
There is no discernible reason that the road is closed 2 miles before where this app says the site is. Internet search says it should be open til middle of November unless there is some weather or other issue. Lovely weather, locked gate.
Lake Granby
Awesome Primitive Beach Campsite
There are tons of options along the shore of the lake in this area. We kayaked into our campsite from Sunset Point campground on Labor day weekend and didn't have any issues finding a spot. There was lots of boat activity during the day but it slowed down in the evening.
Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping
Tent Camping
This campsite was gorgeous and fairly easy to get to. We drove a 2WD SUV with average clearance up and as long as you go slow and avoid the divots you’ll be fine. We got our campsite on a Friday morning, most/all campsites were gone by Saturday so it’s definitely a good idea to get there early. Our campsite was a short walk down the hill from the road and it did a good job and keeping our site private.
FourMile Dispersed Camping
Tiny But Convenient
This dispersed camping area was extremely small but a convenient place to camp the night before summiting Sherman. It was a bit tricky to find/decipher what was dispersed and what was the intentional campground. Honestly not even sure if the place I found was the actual dispersed area. By other reviews left, it felt right to me. My friend and I car camped here, we had a quiet night. The neighbors were all very quiet and respectful of quiet hours and personal space. The vault toilet was extremely clean with no odor. I enjoyed the washboard road! During our time there were advisories for bear activity in the area.
McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping
Great campground!
My partner and I hiked the McCullough Gulch Waterfall trail and camped at this campground. Couldn’t have been a better location for the hike! No problem getting a site and the roads were fine to get to with our non-4wd rental car. There were a few sites (I’m assuming the ones with the valley view that we couldn’t access in our car though). Highly recommend overall though!
Chief Hosa Campground
Good Spot, Beware road noise
This was a one-night overnight tent spot after a work conference in Golden. Drive to the site was not bad. The roads are a little bumpy to get into the tent-only camping but even my little Chevy did okay. Bathroom facilities are good with coin-operated showers. Relatively quiet but there is quite a bit of road noise from I-70.
White Star
Great Central Location
I’ve always thought Twin Lakes was the perfect middle ground to do a lot of different activities over a few days.
The spots here were easy and felt like a regular campsite. Not too much coverage next to each site, but enough space where it doesn’t bother you.
Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed
Quiet
It can get a little windy, don't expect to do anything with the lake other than look at it. Locals are protective of it. Drove my Class C with no problem. A truck and trailer will also get down here with ease. I don't believe a Class A would be able to find anything. But the view is beautiful. There are a few spots coming in. Keep driving until you hit the lake and there is a large open area with several spots to park.
Forest Road 332 Dispersed
Quiet with lovely views
Found a nice big spot with sun and shade and a great overlook. Was a touch concerned that it would get ATV trafficy over the weekend as it was at a junction where 3 roads jet off. However upon inspection on mountain bike, they all dead end and aren't very long, so fun for a little bike ride but not much of an ATV or dirt bike adventure.
Being towards the end we saw very few people and it was quite and serene. We did it in our sprinter camper van with 2WD and pickup.
Only issue we had was due to the nature of disbursed camping not the site or area. A car with 3 men showed up Saturday evening. In the morning one of their dogs wandered over to our site (my husband had run into town so I was alone). Owner meandered over and retrieved her, without a word. Later the 3 of them started walking up one of the roads, them one walked across and just with the dog on the rock outcropping technically on our site. He eventually went back to their site. A while later one of the walkers returned and decided to use his metal detector on the road 30 from our site and right behind where I was sitting. There was oddles of space to explore so it was creepy that's he chose to be that close to me. As I got up to walk back to my van, the second dog came running at me barking. The guy eventually called it back and it left me alone, but again not a word.
I LOVE dogs, but I'm not a fan of their humans who don't keep them within their boundaries and let them charge after "the neighbors"
Except for the creepers, it was a wonderful place
York Gulch Road
Great place dark skies lots of space
Sites weren’t marked like other places I’ve been but I expected it being dispersed. Had a wonderful time the sky was pretty it was secluded and lots of space for dogs to run!
Arapaho National Forest Stillwater Campground
Beautiful campsite
Beautiful views of the mountains and water. Campground had flush toilets that were decently maintained. Got in around 5pm on a Friday in early september and had no problem finding a FCFS spot with a water view.
Lakeview Campground
Beautiful quiet campground
Spaces are large and well maintained. Views vary with the spots but all are peaceful. There
Sunset Point Campground
Solid Stay!
We camped right on the reservoir and watched the sun set from our site. Nice allocated areas to set up tents on flat ground and a good sizes fire pit. Just know there’s no firewood left to scavenge on the grounds.
Just a couple small things: There was lots of big rigs (although not right next to you) and you could hear highway 34 for a good portion of the stay.
Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site
Nice large paved pulloff with uneven grassy area and fire ring
The pulloff is one of many along the road. It's big, gets you quite far back from the road. Very little traffic on the road at night, I didn't notice any. Peaceful area. Not sure you could get a tent set up off of the pavement, but you could set one up on the gravel. I slept in my car.
Green Ridge Campground
Very Peaceful Campground
Nice campground right along the lake. Friendly host that had a few supplies and provided firewood. We saw a bull moose too!
Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping
2 nights of the best stay
Woke up on the first morning pretty much alone on a Tuesday after Labor Day, fishing happens but the lake remains nice and quiet. Night two had snow and woke up to some white caps. Will be back for sure!
Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite
Beautiful View!
This was our first time dispersed camping and it was definitely an adventure. There wasn’t a single person alive around us and we were hidden in trees so it was a little scary at first but once all the stars came out, it was so beautiful. The lows reached 40° so it definitely got chilly at night, but you can’t beat that sunrise over the mountains.
Arapaho National Forest Stillwater Campground
Amazing site
Incredible views, access to the lake, great and well maintained spots.
The reason I didn’t give it a 5 was that the management company employees were absolutely terrible and rude. Stay here just don’t interact with them unless you want a rude conversation.
Guide to Dillon
Camping near Dillon, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views and outdoor adventures. Whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just soaking up nature, there’s something for everyone.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities. One visitor at Glacier Basin Campground said, "The hiking trail to Sprague Lake is about a mile with plenty of birds and other critters."
- Fishing: The lakes and rivers nearby are great for fishing. A camper at Stoll Mountain Campground mentioned, "Take a canoe, kayak, or fishing poles and enjoy a day on the lake with a great view of the mountains."
- Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at East Portal Campground shared, "We saw elk and mule deer in the campground on multiple occasions."
What campers like:
- Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful landscapes. A review from Moraine Park Campground highlights, "Just beautiful and in the park so don’t deal with timed entry."
- Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Chatfield State Park Campground noted, "The staff is really nice and you have all the services that you need."
- Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful environment. One reviewer at Prospector Campground said, "I can't say enough about Prospector. One of my favorite places to camp in Summit County."
What you should know:
- Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Glacier Basin Campground is open from May 23 to September 11.
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Dakota Ridge RV Park mentioned, "The bathrooms never have soap and they are from the 70’s."
- Crowded Sites: Some areas can get busy. A visitor at Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake noted, "It gets windy in the afternoon so might want to skip the awning/canopy."
Tips for camping with families:
- Family-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds. One camper at East Portal Campground said, "Big playground and not crazy expensive."
- Clean Facilities: Choose campgrounds known for cleanliness. A visitor at Chatfield State Park Campground mentioned, "Very well kept with nice clean bathrooms."
- Wildlife Encounters: Kids will love seeing wildlife. A camper at Moraine Park Campground shared, "Camping at this campground also gives you a time+ entry permit good for Bear Lake Road."
Tips from RVers:
- Big Rig Friendly: Look for campgrounds that accommodate larger RVs. A reviewer at Chatfield State Park Campground noted, "The group campsite was spacious."
- Electric Hookups: Ensure your campground has electric hookups. A camper at Stoll Mountain Campground mentioned, "There are no hookups, trashy."
- Check for Noise: Be aware of noise from nearby areas. A visitor at Dakota Ridge RV Park said, "Noise from the bar goes till around 11 and construction sounds begin around 6 am."
Camping near Dillon, Colorado, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dillon, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dillon, CO is Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Dillon, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 96 tent camping locations near Dillon, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.