Best Campgrounds near Dumont, CO

Dispersed camping opportunities surround Dumont, Colorado, nestled in the mountains west of Denver along the Clear Creek. The region includes several primitive sites at Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping and Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail, offering free camping in forested settings. Developed options like Denver West-Central City KOA provide tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with amenities including electric hookups, water, and shower facilities. Golden Gate Canyon State Park, approximately 20 miles from Dumont, features both Deer Creek and Reverend's Ridge campgrounds with yurt rentals and improved sites for various camping styles.

Road access varies significantly throughout the camping areas, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. The Fall River Reservoir trail demands 4x4 capability, as a review noted: "This trail does require some 4x4 action to get to the top. Lots of rocks, bumps, and pools of water to travel through to get anywhere." Most campgrounds operate seasonally from late spring through mid-fall, with Denver West-Central City KOA open from April to October. Elevation in the region typically ranges from 8,000 to 9,000 feet, resulting in cool nights even during summer months and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Cell service remains spotty throughout the area, particularly at more remote dispersed sites.

Campers report high satisfaction with the scenic mountain views and water features near many sites. Proximity to rushing creeks offers both ambiance and recreation opportunities, especially for fishing enthusiasts. The Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area provides camping at approximately 8,800 feet elevation on the south side of a hill, offering good sunlight exposure and wind protection during cooler seasons. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Even at the end of the trail, next to the reservoir there are some great spots to camp at. And a hike around the reservoir would show you that you could even do a bit of backpacking if you wanted to camp by a waterfall for the night." Mixed-use trails surrounding many campgrounds accommodate hiking and mountain biking, with several areas providing access to the Colorado Trail system, making them ideal basecamps for day excursions.

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Best Camping Sites Near Dumont, Colorado (438)

    1. Denver West-Central City KOA

    30 Reviews
    Central City, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3043

    "good location for cute old mountain towns! also close to Denver and other must sees in Colorado!"

    "8100’ high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don’t worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!"

    2. Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    48 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $18 / night

    "area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"

    "Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."

    3. Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    30 Reviews
    Rollinsville, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $28 - $90 / night

    "This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."

    "Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."

    4. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Empire, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 567-4382

    "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."

    "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. "

    5. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    54 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    18 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."

    "Getting here is easy, only a few miles away from Nederland and I had cell service (verizon) the entire time."

    6. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

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

    "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!"

    "It is a light off road trail and would recommend having high vehicle clearance and 4x4. We were unable to park right next to the reservoir because it was closed off."

    7. Columbine Campground - Outside of Denver

    15 Reviews
    Black Hawk, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 226-3564

    $26 / night

    "Tons of forests to explore nearby. It was very busy- sign said campground full but after a drive around all the sites we found one that was open!"

    "The proximity to Central City/ Black Hawk is crazy ( less than 2-3 miles) but the proximity to i70 is what makes it a hidden gem."

    8. Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site

    16 Reviews
    Georgetown, CO
    5 miles
    Website

    "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."

    9. Vasquez Ridge

    31 Reviews
    Winter Park, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 541-2500

    "There are different types of sites, including some pull-offs for campers, some sites you could drive into off the road, and some with parking on the road and a small hike down to the site."

    "The site we found was tucked back away from the road giving us nice privacy. We could barely see our neighbors from our campsite, but we could hear them."

    10. West Magnolia Campground

    26 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    13 miles
    Website

    "Not only is this pretty easy to reach, but Peak to Peak highway is great to drive. Just take P to P south from Nederland and turn right on HWY 132… Campsites and trailhead are about 1/2 mile down. "

    "Great (free) Forrest Service campground west of Boulder, CO near a cute little town Nederland."

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Recent Reviews near Dumont, CO

3008 Reviews of 438 Dumont Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Pinion Pine Dispersed Campground

    Dispersed camping witha view of the Colorado river

    Camped here in order to do the hike to the Radium Hot Springs down the road.

    The access track (off Trough Rd) had one huge rut that a smaller car might find a bit hairy but we saw a small SUV had gotten in there.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Gold Lake Roosevelt Forest dispersed camping

    Peaceful. Nobody around

    Adjacent to boundary fence line between the private Lake and the national Roosevelt Forest. Nice high spot. Well shaded. Very large fire pit for fires when they're allowed. Weak AT&T.

  • Will F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Shrine Pass Road Dispersed Camping

    Overnight stay

    I stayed at the first pull out up the road. It’s quite bumpy road but was quite at night and conveniently off of i70. It’s a busy road during the day though. I didn’t go past the first pull out so idk how many spots there are.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Bear Creek Lake Campground

    Location, Location, Location

    The Good: Very clean. Diligently maintained. Super friendly staff.

    The Bad: Day use Denverite humans on bicycles who run their mouths as the peddle past. (Get a job, Chad).

    The Ugly: national home improvement retail outlet neon serves as a directional reference from every vantage point.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Camp Hale East Fork Group

    Timberleaf Teardrop Camper Jamboree

    Stayed for an annual gathering of Timberleaf trainer owners. Great site. Lots of things to see and trails to hike. Lots of nice sites. Three pit toilets well maintained. Kudos!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Camp Hale East Fork Group

    Nice Group Campsite

    This group site has space for about 15-20 small campers/tents. There are two pit toilets that are clean. There is no water or electric. There is a small beaver pond nearby that has some trout. The campground is located between Leadville and Minturn.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Ute Pass Dispersed Camping

    Nice spot by the river

    Really pretty spot on the Williams fork river. I’ve had really good service here with T-Mobile. Road is a bit rough and rocky but not far to get back to the sites by the river. There is sadly a ton of trash at some of the sites (beer cans and boxes and such), I will be removing as much as I can fit in one trash bag on my way out!

  • Haley L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    Beautiful free camping outside of Idaho springs

    Wonderful free dispersed camping. The majority of the road isn’t that bad, but you’ll certainly want something high clearance and 4WD for the last stretch of road up to the reservoir. Was mostly quiet and there’s a nice little trail around the lake. Plenty of spots for tent camping too.

  • Pamela M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Columbine Landing Recreation Site

    Perfect for mountain therapy

    Spacious area, not over crowded. Can park right by the creek and it was phenomenal! Shady but not to the point you can enjoy the morning sun. Gravel lot and drive. Huge perk is the bathroom, no running water but super clean


Guide to Dumont

Camping near Dumont, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and unique campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there’s something for everyone.

What to do

  • Paddleboarding and Water Activities: Head to Chatfield State Park Campground for some fun on the water. One camper mentioned, “Loved the paddle board experience,” highlighting the park's great spots for water activities.
  • Hiking and Exploring Trails: Check out Prospector Campground for nearby hiking trails. A visitor noted, “The campground has standard hole in the ground toilets/out houses, but it was obvious they were well maintained and clean,” making it a good base for outdoor adventures.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Arapaho Bay Campground, you might spot some wildlife. One reviewer shared, “We saw a moose in the morning drinking from the lake,” which adds to the charm of camping in this area.

What campers like

  • Friendly Staff: Campers appreciate the helpful staff at Chatfield State Park Campground. One review said, “The staff is really nice and you have all the services that you need,” making it a welcoming place for families.
  • Beautiful Views: Many love the scenery at Arapaho Bay Campground. A visitor remarked, “The sunsets were amazing,” which is a big plus for those looking to relax and enjoy nature.
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers at Peak One Campground enjoy the roomy spots. One camper mentioned, “The campground has spacious spots,” making it easy to set up and enjoy the outdoors.

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Prospector Campground, don’t have electric hookups or showers. A visitor noted, “There is no water, no electric, no sewer,” so be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Busy During Peak Season: Campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. One camper at Arapaho Bay Campground said, “The whole campground was full by the time we got there at 8pm on Friday,” so arriving early is a good idea.
  • Road Conditions: Some areas, like Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, have poor road conditions. A review stated, “The road is in very poor condition,” so be cautious if you're driving in.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places like Chatfield State Park Campground that offer activities like paddleboarding. One parent shared, “Very pretty paddle boarding sites,” which can keep kids entertained.
  • Plan for Bathroom Needs: Some campgrounds have coin-operated showers, like Prospector Campground. A camper mentioned, “Bathrooms were coin operated,” so bring some quarters if you plan to shower.
  • Find Campsites Near Water: Staying close to water can be a hit with kids. A reviewer at Peak One Campground said, “Our site was also a short walk down to Lake Dillon,” making it easy for kids to splash around.

Tips from RVers

  • Look for Big Rig-Friendly Sites: If you have a larger RV, check out Dakota Ridge RV Park, which is big rig friendly. One RVer noted, “Pull through sites are very practical to accommodate longer RVs.”
  • Be Aware of Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Dakota Ridge RV Park mentioned, “Noise from the bar goes till around 11,” so consider this if you’re sensitive to sound.
  • Check for Amenities: Make sure to check what amenities are available. A camper at Arapaho Bay Campground noted, “Vault toilets available throughout the area,” which can be a plus for RVers looking for basic facilities.

Camping near Dumont, Colorado, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Dumont, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Dumont, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 438 campgrounds and RV parks near Dumont, CO and 146 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Dumont, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dumont, CO is Denver West-Central City KOA with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dumont, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 146 free dispersed camping spots near Dumont, CO.

What parks are near Dumont, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Dumont, CO that allow camping, notably Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland and Rocky Mountain National Park.