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.

Best Camping Sites Near Dumont, Colorado (440)

    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. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    24 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. "

    4. 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."

    5. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    18 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."

    6. 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."

    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

3018 Reviews of 440 Dumont Campgrounds


  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Delmonica Gultch BLM Dispersed

    dispersed sites

    right off the highway you pull onto a dirt road, path is pretty rutted but my van made it no problem. Bigger rigs would have issues. Some highway noise but to be expected so close to the road. Open space for dogs to roam while at site. Good Mountain Views! Decent place about 10 min from Leadville.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    A-Lodge Boulder - Car Camping

    Quiet, cozy, very close to Boulder. Only 3 van/car spots

    Although there was a wedding in evening one night, it was over and folks dispersed by around 8pm, minimal bugs so we did not use screens for a good part of the time, the overall site is long and narrow and so parking/car traffic can be a little tight. We did go out the exit on far side to come back in to the entrance and that was >180 degree turn so try to avoid that. Three clean bathrooms, 1 mens with 2 toilet stalls and shower (toilet stall were very small--knees bumped against door), 2 co-ed bathrooms (one with toilet/sink/shower, one with toilet & sink only). One sink in co-ed had very hot water coming out of both faucets (no cold from this sink). Paper towel dispensers ran out and were empty for a day but then roll of paper towels appeared. 

    Wifi was spotty & disconnected regularly, no Verizon service. There is a small 'store': A fridge with drinks and burritos, shelves with some Mountain House dinners, and snack bars. There is a pool, dry sauna with great LARGE window looking at creek, and hot-tub (sauna worked great). Did get chance to see any of the rooms. Tent sites are up a VERY steep path and on platforms on side of hill (perhaps 50-60' up the hill?). There's an area with some slack lines set up, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.

  • B S.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Idlewild Campground

    Fall stay

    Stayed two nights with my sons. Grabbed one of the walk-in sites Friday at 1pm.

    Pros: Availability (one of the only sites in Winter Park), beautiful surroundings

    Cons: Right next to the highway so traffic (trains at times) can be heard at all hours of the night, most walk-in sites don't have a tent pad

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite

    Great view of the Lake + porta-potty

    We took a left at the fork and found a site with the best view and a porta-john at the end of the driveway. The site appears to have been freshly cleared. There were lots of twigs and rocks and no grass, so it became a muddy mess as soon as the rain began. Site had plenty of space and a good amount was flat. No fire ring, but there was a burn ban anyways. Nice and secluded but could still hear the neighbors a bit but it wasn’t bothersome. Gunfire and ATVs were much louder but stopped around sundown. Would go back to this site.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    Camp camp camp

    Went on a bit of a rainy weekend so it got super cold at night. The roads are super rocky as you get up to the reservoir and with the rain there were some large puddles but with the right vehicle should be all good. The views were amazing and the hike up is so pretty. So many great sites all the way up to the reservoir as well.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot, right on the water

    High clearance 4x4 recommended but could be doable without if you’re an experienced driver. Beautiful lakes and some campsites are right on the water. Only one other person camping on a Wednesday night. There is currently a fire ban so be sure to respect our forests and be updated.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Chief Hosa Campground

    I-70 off-ramp camping

    The campground is unfortunately too close to the highway and the noise makes it difficult to sleep or relax. Nice parking spot if you need to see the sights for a day or two.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake

    Camping near Rocky Mtn NP

    What a wonderful campground! Friendly hosts, full hookups offered, beautiful scenery and right outside the entrance to the national park!

  • Trish M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely beautiful

    My husband and I are addicted to dispersed camping 🏕 and every weekend, we try to go somewhere different. This place was beautiful beyond words! The road getting there really wasn't bad, but you do need a little ground clearance. We got in around 9 pm, so it was dark, and we didn't know where we were, so there was a spot open right as you get to the top that we parked in. The moon was so bright we could see the mountains around us and could even see the like big of snow up there. Woke up the next morning and fell in love with our spot, so we stayed. We decided to take a walk around the lake and check out the upper lake. Definitely loved it here. Will be back for sure.


Guide to Dumont

Camping spots near Dumont, Colorado range from 8,000 to over 9,500 feet in elevation, creating significant temperature variations even in summer when overnight lows can drop to the 30s. The Clear Creek drainage creates a natural corridor through the mountainous terrain, with several dispersed camping areas located along Forest Service roads that branch off from the main highways. Morning fog often settles in valleys during fall camping season, requiring extra warm gear for overnight stays.

What to do

Mountain biking on established trails: Reverend's Ridge Campground in Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers extensive trail access. "There are plenty of hiking trails in the park some easy some difficult. Make sure you leave out prepared," notes one camper at Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon. Another visitor adds, "Great hiking and bike trails. This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike."

Fishing in high mountain reservoirs: The area's lakes and reservoirs provide excellent fishing opportunities. At Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail, anglers report successful catches: "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 reservoir holds several trout species, making it a reliable fishing spot.

Short day hikes near water features: Multiple trails lead to scenic water features. A visitor to Fall River Reservoir shares, "The reservoir itself is gorgeous. There are a few falls that flow in and some good bouldering routes towards the back." Another camper mentions, "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."

What campers like

Protected sites with southern exposure: Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area sits at approximately 8,800 feet and offers good sun exposure. A winter camper at Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area shares: "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. It snowed on me overnight and the road was still very passable."

Natural water features: The sound of running water enhances many camping experiences. At Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping, one visitor noted, "Very buggy at night, probably because we were camping right next to a running stream. Which was amazing!" Another camper highlighted, "Absolutely gorgeous. Hiked up to an absolutely gorgeous lake, and upper lake. 10/10."

Spacious sites with adequate separation: Campers appreciate room to spread out. At Columbine Campground, a reviewer mentioned: "Both sites had tons of space for tents, large picnic tables, large bear boxes, and grated fire rings." Another camper at Columbine Campground - Outside of Denver observed, "Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Mostly level, fire rings, and very large metal picnic tables. Enormous amount of room."

What you should know

Vehicle requirements for dispersed sites: Many dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. A Chinns Lake visitor warns: "The entrance road is a bit rocky and 4x4 would be suggested. Low clearance vehicles won't make it up with bumpers intact." At Fall River Reservoir, a camper advises: "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."

Weather variability and preparation: The area experiences rapid weather changes. A camper at Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site noted: "Also be aware it's pretty chilly compared to just a few miles up the road. It was in the mid 30s at night." Another visitor mentioned, "The weather changes drastically up there and all three days we got 3/5 hours of rain."

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across camping areas. At Chinns Lake, "I have AT&T and had zero cell reception, some of the others had Verizon which had limited cell service." Similarly, at West Magnolia Campground, "Cell Service is patchy at best. On verizon I had 2 bars of gen 1 service, and could only get patchy data with my multi directional cell boster."

Tips for camping with families

Look for dedicated family areas: Some campgrounds offer better family accommodations. At Denver West-Central City KOA, amenities include: "The staff is pleasant and the view from sites 1-10 is good. Showers are clean." Another family noted the campground "offered pizza and wing delivery! They also offered an all you can eat pancake breakfast for $3 in the morning."

Choose sites with bear-proof storage: Families with food should prioritize bear safety. At Columbine Campground, a camper reported: "Beautiful surroundings, well maintained area, bathrooms were spotless and bear boxes were plentiful." This feature helps families store food safely without worrying about wildlife encounters.

Consider noise factors when selecting sites: Some areas experience significant noise. As one camper at West Magnolia Campground observed, "Other campers had loud TVs going and that made it difficult for the kids to sleep." Another family at Reverend's Ridge noted, "If you're looking for a place to get away from crowds, this is not the place for you."

Tips from RVers

Access routes and turn radius: RV drivers should research routes carefully. An RV camper at Columbine Campground noted: "The road getting to the campgrounds is pretty bumpy, but lots of RVs and cars made it fine." Another visitor explained, "1 Mile bumpy road into the site low clearance vehicle is fine non-winter months."

Site leveling requirements: Many mountain sites require leveling. At Reverend's Ridge, an experienced RVer advised: "The sites are not very level so be prepared to use your blocks." Another camper mentioned, "Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs."

Winter road closures: Seasonal access varies significantly. A visitor to Vasquez Ridge reported: "Tried to go on Vasquez Ridge, but was closed on Winter Park side. We actually were able to go around on the Fraser side with Road 72 and it ran right into the other side of Vasquez." For late-season camping, call ahead to verify road status.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Dumont, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Dumont, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 440 campgrounds and RV parks near Dumont, CO and 148 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 148 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.