6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Dispersed camping options near Dumont, Colorado include Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area and Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail, offering tent sites with minimal amenities in the Roosevelt National Forest. Both locations permit tent camping in primitive settings with designated fire rings. Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp #2 provides additional tent camping opportunities within driving distance of Dumont, though accessibility varies by season and weather conditions.
Most dispersed campsites require high-clearance 4WD vehicles to access. Fall River Reservoir's route includes rocky terrain with water crossings that standard passenger cars cannot navigate. According to one visitor, "The road is a mixture of rocks, small water crossings, and potholes. If you can tackle it, it is absolutely worth it." None of these dispersed areas provide drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers must pack out all waste and bring sufficient water supplies. Fire restrictions commonly apply during summer months, particularly in drought conditions when complete bans may be enforced.
Tent sites along Fall River typically sit near flowing streams, providing natural soundscapes and water filtration opportunities. Sites at higher elevations like Hidden Wilderness offer expansive mountain views but experience extreme wind and temperature fluctuations. A camper wrote that Hidden Wilderness "overlooks the town of Idaho Springs and faces mostly westbound at the continental divide. It was peaceful and beautiful, but extremely windy." Dream Canyon provides tent-only camping with free access, though fires are prohibited. For backpackers seeking more remote tent sites, Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping offers walk-in access to secluded spots, though permits are required. Weather conditions change rapidly at these elevations, with snowfall possible even in summer months, making proper tent stakes and rain flies essential gear for overnight stays.
"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!"
"Was mostly quiet and there’s a nice little trail around the lake. Plenty of spots for tent camping too."
"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."
"The noise isn't bad at all, like your next to a heater running all night. The spots I stayed at are a bit up the road from the pin, in the curve of the road directly beneath the power lines."
"The road is very rocky and bumpy and requires 4WD."
"We saw neither picnic table nor toilet as mentioned in the introductory paragraph. Still, it is a good place to pull over for a night or two of dry camping."
"Great spot close to town. There are around 10-15 designated spots on this road."
"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"
"Small, beautiful campsite about halfway between I-70 and Grand Lake. All sites are drive-in and fees are on an honor system."
"Super neat with walk in tent sites. Has a bear box for each site and a bathroom."
from $29 / night
"The first time we didn't have bug spray and had to pack up after the first night- the mosquitos were literally swarming around us."
"Plenty of campsites available just pass the trail markers for Mount Flora and Mill Creek Ridge Trail."
"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."
from $28 / night
"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."
"There are tent pads and groomed areas for camping. The group sites are large and there are bathrooms provided in the group camp area."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $69 - $263 / night
Guide# 7 was a sweet spot - You can get three to four tents in this spot if you tent camp.
Tons of deadfall for firewood
I was able to pick up three pieces of trash. I am saying it's a clean spot!
Super quiet - Saw a moose!
Great area! Easy to get to!
TravelerIt’s awesome, but only if you have a very capable 4wd. There’s a great spot to camp at as soon as you start going up the hill. Past the first spot, the road becomes REALLY rough. So just be aware.
ScoutNice easy access right off the highway with nice views… perfect overnight rest stop.
RangerBathrooms were very nice and clean. Lots of sites with minimal privacy. Pretty packed and noisy in October. Our site had electrical hookups and its own water. Picnic tables and fire rings available as well. Looks like a very family friendly campground. Stayed one night.
GuideThe campground itself is great! The sites can be pretty hit or miss. Some are very exposed and crowded up with other sites; some are set back in the trees and lovely! If you have strong preferences, be careful when picking your site.
TravelerFrom a Sprinters point of view.
Sites are $45.00 a day plus parking
Sites were sloped, we took the flattest one we could find and it took 6” to block our van level.
Pit toilets were very clean.
Sites had trees and boulders, spaced roughly 50’ apart, but there visible traffic on the main road below.
It was a nice campground but we liked the Bobcat Campground a couple miles farther up the road.
See separate review.
TravelerWe took our Sprinter for its maiden voyage, this camp ground was beautiful, private and secluded.
Camping was $45.00 a day plus a parking fee.
Paid at the entry point to an extremely friendly attendant. Reservations can be made on line ahead of time and highly recommended in peak season, especially on weekends.
Site were 50’ to 100’ apart.
Sites were wooded and tucked into granite boulders.
In the 24 hours we were there we saw one car and two people walking their dogs.
Sites were pretty level, each with fire pits and picnic tables.
The pit toilets were very clean and with in 100’ of most sites.
Road in had signs stating you had to be in four wheel drive to avoid damaging the roads but they were very well graded.
ScoutLake Wellington is a beautiful family and dog friendly campground just about 90 minutes from Denver. There are 75 sites, and even when it's pretty full they are decently spaced out that you don't feel too on top of other guests. We brought our dogs and a group of friends and had a great few nights, even seeing Bald Eagles mating!
TravelerIf you are going to camp at a lakefront spot definitely have something you can sit in else you will be attacked by flies. Super quiet during the week - got busy over the weekend.
Dispersed camping options around Dumont, Colorado range in elevation from 8,500 to 10,500 feet, creating dramatic temperature fluctuations between day and night even in summer months. Most sites become accessible in late May through October, with higher elevation areas like Bill Moore Lake often remaining snowbound until June. Seasonal thunderstorms typically occur in July and August during afternoon hours, requiring adequate tent rainfly protection.
Mountain biking access: 4 miles. The Lost Site dispersed camping area provides quick access to nearby trails. "It seems like the locals and tourists love this spot," notes a camper who found it convenient for mountain biking. Another visitor reported, "We showed up on a Saturday morning in July around 10 AM and still found a spot."
Stargazing: clear nights year-round. Dream Canyon Campsites offers exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "We camped a very short walk from the parking lot. Amazing camp site with not many people around," writes one visitor. Another camper mentions, "proximity to Boulder is a huge plus if you are looking for a quick and easy get away."
Fishing: seasonal catches. Nearby creeks support various trout species. A camper at Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail explains, "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." Another notes, "With perfect views of the mountains and streams in all directions."
Proximity to towns: under 30 minutes. Robbers Roost Campground sits conveniently near Winter Park. One camper reports, "You can explore the local trails by day and head into town for dining or entertainment in the evening." The campground's location makes it "an excellent spot for campers seeking a peaceful retreat close to nature. Located just outside Winter Park, this camping area offers easy access to the Rockies while still being relatively convenient to town for supplies or activities."
Secluded lakeside spots: early arrival recommended. Sites at Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir provide peaceful water views for those who arrive early. "Always love driving down this 4x4 road it's a nice area to camp as well," writes one visitor. Another notes, "There are around 30 well spread out campsites - some on the shoreline and some covered by forest."
Wildlife viewing: dawn and dusk. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area provides opportunities to observe local animals. "Moose visitors at dawn and evening, and hungry bears scavenging for food at night is a common occurrence," reports one camper. Another visitor enjoyed "Lots of chipmunks and hummingbirds due to the many wild flowers."
Road conditions: high-clearance vehicles required. Most sites demand appropriate vehicles. A camper at Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping advises, "I'd recommend a mid-high clearance vehicle either way for the bumpy road in but did see a few cars make it with lower clearance Subaru Impreza's and such."
Cell service: spotty coverage. Connectivity varies widely between sites. At Fall River Reservoir, one camper reports, "Verizon cell service only had one bar in certain spots," while spots near towns offer better coverage.
Wildlife precautions: food storage essential. Bears actively seek food at campsites. "Luckily my car alarm scared them off pretty easily," reports one Gordon Gulch camper. Several campgrounds provide bear boxes, with Robbers Roost noted for "bear-proof trash facilities and food storage bins."
Child-friendly hikes: under 2 miles. Aspen Meadows offers trails suitable for children. One camper shares, "Frazer Meadows is also a fun hike that you can easily accomplish with a kid carrier." Another notes that "Panorama Point offers amazing views that even my 70 year old parents were able to join us on."
Best time for kids: weekdays. Less crowded conditions prevail midweek. At Aspen Meadows Campground, a visitor reports a "Quiet (mid-week stay) campground with access to hiking trails."
Weather preparation: layered clothing required. Temperature swings demand appropriate clothing. One camper at Bill Moore Lake advises, "I thought it was much more pleasant in the fall (october was awesome) though you really have to bundle up at this altitude."
RV size limitations: under 25 feet recommended. Narrow roads restrict larger rigs. At Winiger Ridge, a camper warns, "I wouldn't try this with a camper/RV, or anything that doesn't have high clearance and power."
Turnaround points: scout ahead. Tight roads make maneuvering difficult. One Peru Creek camper advises, "It was good to find plenty of places to turn the trailer around once we got up further in case we couldn't find anything. That's always the concern on these roads!"
Water conservation: bring 5-7 gallons per person. No water sources exist at most dispersed sites. An RVer at Robbers Roost notes, "Since it's a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so campers need to come prepared with everything they need and pack out all trash."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dumont, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dumont, CO is Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 110 tent camping locations near Dumont, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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