Primitive camping near Eldorado Springs, Colorado offers remote backcountry sites throughout Roosevelt National Forest at elevations ranging from 7,000-9,000 feet. The area's forested terrain features ponderosa pine and aspen groves, with summer temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F during days and dropping to 40-50°F at night. Most sites lack designated boundaries, requiring campers to identify established fire rings and clearings.
What to do
Trout fishing opportunities: Several dispersed camping areas provide fishing access. At Beaver Park Reservoir, the man-made lake offers fishing though access can be limited. "Beautiful day for camping. Got really windy at night. Definitely need a high clearance vehicle," notes Josh A.
Mountain biking trails: The area features multiple trail networks accessible from camps. Near West Magnolia Campground, "Great location with single tracks for hiking and mountain biking. Camping spots are well-marked. WiFi was decent," reports Lori L.
Wildlife observation: Multiple sites report regular wildlife sightings. The camping areas along Ski Road in Allenspark present opportunities for wildlife viewing, though campers should exercise caution. As Renee warns, "Beautiful, secluded and right next to a creek. BUT a huge bear got into my tent while I was gone for 2 hours and absolutely destroyed it."
What campers like
Seclusion with accessibility: Many campers appreciate sites that balance remoteness with reasonable access. At North Boulder Creek, reviews highlight this balance: "Secluded but not hard to get to. Nice views, plenty of space. Dirt road for the last mile or so but it's in great condition," says Matt L.
Creek-side camping: Water features rank high among camper preferences. At Allenspark Dispersed Camping, Mason M. reports, "A lot of good spots to pull off and relax for the night with a nearby stream, however if you have a car like myself I'd recommend the first couple spots as the road got pretty uneven and hilly shortly down the road."
Varied terrain options: The region offers diverse topography for different camping preferences. At Forest Road 332, Steph P. notes, "We tent camped one night here, arrived at 3pm on a Friday, and found a site on the north side of the road. Views to the south and east, couldn't see the rocky peaks with snow to the west from our site."
What you should know
Fire regulations vary: Fire restrictions change frequently based on conditions. At Dream Canyon, fires aren't permitted, while most other areas allow them when fire bans aren't in effect. Always verify current restrictions before arrival.
Road conditions require planning: Road quality varies significantly throughout the area. Raymond H. shares about Dream Canyon: "The trailhead parking lot has one giant rut that you must be careful to navigate around. 2 Wheel Dr. and low clearance vehicles can do it, but should be extremely careful."
Private property boundaries: Several camping areas border private land with strict access limits. At Gold Lake Area Dispersed, Des B. reports, "Go to the location to find that the lake and the surrounding area is private land. There were a handful of campsites, but looked like it was surrounded by other properties."
Tips for camping with families
Moderate terrain access: For family camping, consider accessibility when choosing sites. As Danielle S. notes about Allenspark, "Kind of confusing at first because you go through a neighborhood first & then hit the camping spots. A bit rocky but was able to get where we needed to go in a rav4. Right next to a creek, nice to have a water feature."
Wildlife precautions: Teach children proper food storage and wildlife awareness. At Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, Amanda V. reports, "Moose visitors at dawn and evening, and hungry bears scavenging for food at night is a common occurrence. Luckily my car alarm scared them off pretty easily."
Weather readiness: Mountain weather changes rapidly. Mark W. from Beaver Park Reservoir cautions, "This was a wonderful campsite, incredible views, fairly easy to access (we did it in a Honda civic), and was an overall great environment. Not much out there, except what appears to be a small town on the other side of the lake. Lovely place, just be sure to check the weather before you get there as there is no service, and a storm with high wind caused us to have to tear down camp in the middle of the night."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most dispersed sites aren't designed for large rigs. At Gross Reservoir, James S. observes, "Beautiful lake with several good sized RV spots. We have a 25 foot camper and feet nicely in. Road in was good as well (May 2025). Some pots are close to each other and others have more space."
Technical driving skills: RV campers need confidence navigating challenging terrain. Justin B. notes at West Magnolia, "Roads are very easy except for the more remote areas. My Ambulance conversion which is not 4 wheel drive easily handled it."
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall can present additional challenges for larger vehicles. As Catalina H. observed at Beaver Park Reservoir, "They plow the main dirt road which makes the campsites difficult to get into because the snow banks block them, getting into the site was the hardest part of the drive. The snow was pretty deep in and especially behind the campsite, probably 3 feet at some places from accumulation."
