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Best Dispersed Camping near Englewood, CO

670 Reviews

Buffalo Creek Recreation Area provides free dispersed camping about an hour from Denver, with 35 designated sites spread along Redskin Creek Road (County Road 550). Sites are well-spaced for privacy, generally large enough for tents and some accommodating smaller RVs or trailers. Most spots include fire pits with grill grates, though fire restrictions are common during dry periods. According to one visitor, "the sites are spread out, so even the neighboring campsite is a good distance away to feel like you're out there alone."

The area fills quickly, particularly on weekends when arriving by Thursday or early Friday morning is recommended. No drinking water, hookups or trash service is available, though several portable toilets are positioned along the 5-mile road. While popular for boondocking, the 14-day camping limit appears to be enforced, with rangers making regular patrols. The dirt access road is described as "washboard" but manageable for most vehicles. The recreation area offers excellent mountain biking and hiking opportunities, with trails connecting to the Colorado Trail network and world-class fishing available nearby in Deckers.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Englewood, Colorado (110)

    1. Buffalo Creek Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Buffalo Creek, CO
    25 miles

    "So busy that we had to go in the middle of the week to get a spot, so plan ahead here and expect crowds. That being said, each spot is unique and we loved it."

    "We stayed here a couple weekends in a row and we were able to try out some different spots and trails close to those spots. This free campground is perfect! "

    2. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    54 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    37 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."

    "Like the title suggests, this campsite is typical for a free forest service campground. Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes."

    3. Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite

    9 Reviews
    Buffalo Creek, CO
    26 miles

    "Over 30 dispersed campsites along a moderately smooth dirt road. Sites are spaced well apart, some sites are covered in trees while others are wide open."

    "About 32 or more spots along redskin creek road that goes back a few miles with spots with fire rings along the dirt road."

    4. West Magnolia Campground

    26 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    35 miles
    Website

    "Oe of my family's fav places, beautiful views, camping spots super far away from one another so awesome privacy, and completely free. Spots fill up quick on weekends, you can stay 14 days."

    "The roads around the whole campground were a little rough but i did okay in my Ford Escape. All of the sites seems to be really spread out. There were several people in the campground."

    5. Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    33 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Went on a Tuesday afternoon and there was foot traffic around our spot from people headed on hikes."

    6. Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping

    35 Reviews
    Monument, CO
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 636-1602

    "If you enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies, drive in dispersed camping and putting your off-roading skills to the test, this dispersed campsite is a must visit!"

    "It took us about 15 minutes driving past the coordinates (trailhead) to start seeing campsites. There was nobody around, and we picked a very spacious one with a great view."

    7. Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site

    16 Reviews
    Georgetown, CO
    33 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."

    8. Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed

    34 Reviews
    Ward, CO
    43 miles
    Website

    "We were right up on the lake but turns out it's private property and you cannot even go up to the water."

    "You are pinned up against private property around the lake, the camp sites are in the dirt area when you get to the lake down to the left."

    9. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    24 Reviews
    Empire, CO
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 567-4382

    "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. "

    "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."

    10. Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp #2

    8 Reviews
    Idaho Springs, CO
    28 miles

    "For those that can't find it, putting "Hidden Wilderness Rd" in the GPS should help. It's a dirt road at the top of the neighborhood road. You'll want 4wd for sure."

    "The road is very rocky and bumpy and requires 4WD."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Englewood, CO

501 Photos of 110 Englewood Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Englewood, CO

670 Reviews of 110 Englewood Campgrounds

  • Paulina B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 20, 2024

    Kirby Gulch

    Worth the Rough Drive

    Kirby Gulch is a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience near Grant, Colorado. Situated off Route 1038, this dispersed camping area offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and wildlife watching.

    The campsites are well-spaced, providing plenty of privacy, and the area is generally clean, thanks to considerate campers. Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so make sure to come prepared. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for accessing some of the sites, especially after rain or snow.

    What makes Kirby Gulch truly special is its tranquility. You can enjoy the sound of the wind through the trees, the crisp mountain air, and dazzling stargazing at night. It’s also a great starting point for exploring nearby trails or simply soaking in the serene environment.

    If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and leave-no-trace principles, Kirby Gulch is a hidden gem worth checking out.

  • Meg G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Spectacular - 4x4 is required to access.

    We drove our BRAND NEW 4x4 Revel and were nervous the entire trip up and back.  We are a high profile vehicle, luckily we had plenty of clearance but it was very nerve wracking both up and back.  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.  When you arrive, there are several dispersed campsites around the lake.  All the spots have beautiful views and tons of space between other campers.  There are firepits (even though CO is on a fire ban) that  will be nice for future visits.  We visited on Sept 17-19, 2020, so the evenings are cold and the days short.  Additionally, the water level was very low.  

    The area is nice for hiking and exploring, and especially to get away from it all.  No cell phone service.

    As the weekend approached, there were several ATV's heading up for the day.  While we were there, only 3 other groups camping on the weekend.

    You will be at 11,000 feet looking at the Continental Divide!  THIS is Colorado camping!  Enjoy and please remember to leave no trace!

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Grays Peak Summer Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    Great base camp for summiting Gray’s/Torrey’s

    Stevens Gulch Road (321) is a dirt road off of I-70 west of Denver in the Arapaho & Rosevelt National Forests and the Pawnee National Grasslands. It has amazing scenery and access to gorgeous hiking trails to summit Gray’s, Torrey’s and Kelso Peaks. It is a fairly mellow SUV road with plenty of space to pass other vehicles and you will occasionally see passenger cars as well. The road leads to a large parking lot that fills up fast with car overflow parking spilling down both sides of the road. There are pit toilets and bear proof trash cans at the parking lot. The road continues past the parking lot a very short ways to some dispersed campsites by a river that have stone campfire rings. Definitely filter this water as there are uphill toilet paper gardens along the climb to summit.

  • Karl G.
    May. 6, 2019

    Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    Dispersed Campsite with Views - Gordon Gulch (4x4 recommended)

    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. I am reviewing one of these unnumbered campsites in particular, because this one had the best view. Before you read too far, I can't guarantee you will be able to reach this campsite without a 4X4 high clearance vehicle. We got to the site with a Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Tacoma TRD so we had no problems... I can't definitely say a Subaru would make it though. In the pictures I have included a map of the Gordon Gulch trail system. Entering through the Gordon Gulch entrance and taking 226.1 to 233.1 is the hardest route - there is one very steep and washed out spot. Entering via 120J/Switzerland Trail from the Peak to Peak Hwy and then turning right onto 233.1 is the easier option. On that map I have marked the general area of the campsite with a pink dot and here are the coordinates.

    DMS: 40°01'18.5"N 105°28'37.6"W

    DD: 40.021814, -105.477103 - if you type this into Google Maps it will locate it

    As for the actual campsite, it is a great option for spring/fall camping in Colorado. The elevation is about 8,800 ft and it is on the south side of a hill so it gets a lot of sunlight and is protected from northern winds. In terms of privacy, there are no other campsites that can be seen from this one. However, Gordon Gulch is a popular off-roading area so dirt bikes and Jeeps pass by frequently. This campsite is set up high above and away from the road though, so it is really not that bad. Another thing to point out is that this is a popular area for shooting as well, so if you absolutely hate guns it may not be the place for you. Also, as stated before, this is a dispersed campsite the only thing it has is a fire ring. Pack it in, pack it out!

  • Doug C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 10, 2022

    Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping

    Choose Your Own Adventure From Rampart Range Road

    Rampart Range Road is the main dirt road that has plenty of smaller trails branching off of it to keep you busy exploring all summer. Rampart Range Road is accessible by 2wd vehicles while some of the smaller trails that branch off of Rampart Range Rd do better with a 4wd with high clearance. The southern portion of the road (south of Devils Head Trail) is open year around while the northern half of the road is closed seasonally during winter. Easily accessible outside of Woodland Park on the south end of the road and west through Sedalia. Lots of dispersed camping sites along the road, some are very large and could easily accommodate a large RV or large groups. Other campsites are tucked away off the road a little which is great because this road can be very busy & dusty in the summer. All in all, this place makes for a fun and easy weekend getaway as long as some ohv traffic doesn’t bother you too much. The best part of Rampart Range Road is the several forest service roads that branch off with dispersed camping. These smaller trails and dispersed camping make for a much more relaxing and peaceful weekend, I highly recommend if you have a 4x4. Find the right forest service road and you’ll feel like you are a million miles from it all.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping

    Good but not great

    Tarryall creek dispersed camping. The road in is a bit bumpy. I would not trade in a low clearance vehicle. Four-wheel-drive is needed if it should get wet or slippery. Once you get onto the road, the sites are big and spacious. This is dispersed camping, so there is no water no electric and very little cell service. We have periodic two bars of Verizon. The sites are definitely big enough to accommodate big rigs. You just have to take the road really slowly on the way up. If you carry on all the way up to 10, you get to fenced areas where there is no camping so we took 293 off to the left and immediately after the Turner a couple of sites. We followed it all the way down for a long way. The road is incredibly bumpy and four-wheel-drive is absolutely necessary. Along with high clearance. I would not advise it for big rigs. The Site that we got just on the left after the turn walls reasonably wide. Big enough to get a big rig into. It’s pretty flat too but it’s also very exposed. There’s not a lot of shelter for our tent or our gazebo. The views are OK but nothing spectacular.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Fraile’s Campground - Dispersed

    Huge sites on gnarly road

    CR 290 off Tarryall Rd. Campsites are all designated on 290 but there are numerous firepits on the side roads. The road to get up is very rutted. I recommend a high clearance vehicle. Definitely four wheel drive is required. I did see a Subaru forester up near the top. The sites are wide open once you get onto the plateau at the top. Easily could accommodate a big rig, but the issue would be getting it up the road. The views from the top are really nice. It opens out and you get some spectacular views of Pike National Forest. The sites are spacious with some pine tree coverage for tent campers. This would definitely be a possible back up spot if nothing on Matukat rd was available. Because they are dispersed there is no electrical hook ups or water. There’s no Creek running through the area. I imagine it would be really quiet and remote up here because the road to get in is going to deter a lot of people. We did find some spots with fire pits, but not sure you can camp there given there is no sign post reading designated campsite but they are off the main road so give it a try.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Rollins Pass Dispersed Camping

    Great spot close to Winter Park

    Went up Rollins pass road (you can access it from the Lakota Trail neighborhood or down the road a bit on 80). The first gate was open but not the second or third to get to the top where there are def more spots and fire rings. You can only camp places where there are dots on the side of the road on the official county map. Check the Rollins pass website it’s very informative and a sacred land so leave no trace. We got one of the like 3-4 spots we saw with a fire ring that wasn’t taken yet. (No fire ban 6/14/25 I check don’t worry :).. Some back trails are very hairy, pretty busy with motor vehicles but a lot of the new electric dirt bikes which don’t make much noise, probably 10-15 ppl the entire night riding by only once. Got great weather and the main trail is pretty easy up to the second gate which is supposed to be open June 15-Sept 15 I think.

  • Eileen S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping

    Crowded Camping Near Keystone

    This is beautiful camping close to keystone and likewise gets crowded in the summer months. If you want a spot on a weekend, get there early. There are a few pull offs along the road suitable for most cars, but if you have a high clearance 4WD you can go on a few offshoot roads and find more spacious spots. No cell phone signal or water, and frequent fire bans in the summer.

Guide to Englewood

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Englewood, Colorado, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of options available, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

Scenic Trails for Hiking Enthusiasts while free camping near Englewood

  • Explore the stunning landscapes and trails at Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, which offers numerous hiking paths suitable for all skill levels.
  • The area around Gross Reservoir Dispersed is perfect for those looking to combine hiking with breathtaking views of the water and surrounding mountains.
  • For a more secluded experience, check out Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp, where you can hike through beautiful wilderness while enjoying the tranquility of nature.

Fishing and Water Activities for Dispersed Campers

  • The serene waters of Gross Reservoir Dispersed provide excellent opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, making it a great spot for water enthusiasts.
  • At Loch Lomond Dispersed, you can enjoy fishing in a picturesque setting, surrounded by stunning mountain views and abundant wildlife.
  • For those who enjoy a more rugged experience, York Gulch Road offers access to nearby streams and rivers, perfect for a day of fishing or simply relaxing by the water.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Englewood, Colorado

  • When visiting Bailey Area Dispersed, be prepared for rough roads; a vehicle with good clearance is recommended to navigate the terrain.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles at Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area to help maintain the natural beauty of the area and ensure it remains accessible for future campers.
  • If you're looking for a quieter experience, consider visiting North Boulder Creek Dispersed Camping during the week to avoid the crowds that often fill the area on weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Englewood?

The Englewood area offers several dispersed camping options within driving distance. Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping provides numerous sites along a main dirt road accessible by 2WD vehicles, with smaller trails branching off that require 4WD. For those willing to venture a bit further, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers around 15 numbered sites plus additional unnumbered campsites further down road 233.1, providing more secluded experiences with beautiful views. Other options include Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, Mount Herman Road, and Gross Reservoir dispersed sites. Most areas require high-clearance vehicles for the best access, particularly after rain when roads can become rutted.

What amenities are available at Englewood dispersed camping areas?

Dispersed camping areas near Englewood are truly primitive with minimal to no amenities. At Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping, you'll find basic pull-offs suitable for most vehicles, but no facilities. Similarly, Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping offers beautiful surroundings but no amenities. Most dispersed sites have natural clearings and established fire rings, but you must bring everything else you need: water, waste disposal systems, and all supplies. There are no toilets, running water, trash receptacles, or electrical hookups. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. Come prepared with enough water, a way to pack out trash, and proper waste disposal methods for a self-sufficient camping experience.

Is free boondocking available in Englewood?

Yes, free boondocking is available near Englewood in several areas. Kirby Gulch offers peaceful, off-the-grid camping with stunning mountain views near Grant, Colorado. Another option is Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping, which features big, spacious sites but requires four-wheel-drive, especially in wet conditions. These areas typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees. Most dispersed sites follow standard National Forest regulations: camping is limited to 14 days within a 30-day period, and campers must practice Leave No Trace principles. Always check current regulations before heading out as rules can change seasonally.

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