Daniel K.
Scout
ScoutPepper Pod Campground
Affordable, basic living. Mostly full time so openings are usually on a waiting list.
Tent Camping near Fort Collins, CO
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent campsites around Fort Collins, Colorado range from developed campgrounds to backcountry options in surrounding natural areas. The Backcountry Campground at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space offers reservable walk-in tent sites with basic amenities, while Canyon Lakes Ranger District provides free dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking a more primitive experience. Lory State Park Backcountry Campsites, located 6 miles northwest of Fort Collins, offer additional tent camping options with fire rings and picnic tables.
Road conditions to tent camping areas vary significantly depending on location and elevation. Many backcountry tent sites require high-clearance vehicles, particularly those in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Most tent campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, but drinking water is rarely available at primitive sites. A review mentioned that "the road to Buckingham Campground can be fairly rough in some spots and was made more difficult by the snow on the ground," highlighting the importance of checking road conditions before departure. During summer months, fire restrictions frequently limit or prohibit campfires, requiring tent campers to bring alternative cooking methods.
In early fall, many tent camping areas offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds compared to peak summer months. The backcountry tent sites at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space provide seclusion despite proximity to Fort Collins. A recent review noted these sites are "private, beautiful, and easy backpacking" options that would be "perfect for first-time backpackers." Walk-in tent sites generally offer more privacy than drive-in areas, with tree cover providing shade and wind protection. Tent campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, including bears in backcountry areas, with proper food storage essential. Most primitive tent camping areas follow Leave No Trace principles with pack-in, pack-out requirements for all waste and trash. The Cache la Poudre River area offers additional tent campsites with access to fishing and hiking trails, making it a practical base for multi-day trips.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Fort Collins (57)
1. Backcountry Campground — Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
"This would be a perfect first backpacking trip for beginners! Once you park, you sign in to the backpacking log to the right of the main entrance by the kiosk. The sites are first come first serve."
"if you are okay for a little bit of a hike up the mountain I grantee you will not regret the views you get of the beautiful town of fort Collins."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
2. Lory State Park Backcountry Campsites
"The campsite had a bench and a bear box, and was only .9 miles away from Arthur's rock. We walked to the rock at night and for sunrise and the view was beautiful."
"We did a quick overnight backpacking trip to one of the backcountry sites at the top of the Timber trail. It’s a beautiful meadow with wildflowers in the summer."
Check Availabilityfrom $18 / night
3. Boat In Sites — Horsetooth Reservoir
"The water also will go from so far above the trees that there is no shade to so far below that you're hoofing your gear 100 yards from the boat in the mud up to your campsite."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 / night
4. Canyon Lakes Ranger District Dispersed Camping
5. Allenspark Dispersed Camping
"Our spot was near the creek, the sound was beautiful. The only downside was absolutely no cell service."
"Fire ban was in effect when we went, but lots of fire circles available otherwise. Bring bug spray, the flies are bold."
6. Allenspark Dispersed Camp Spot
"Clear skies at night, but tree cover if you prefer. Quick drive to Estes Park. No Verizon cell service."
"Spacious site with a fire ring. Easy time finding, just follow all the arrows when there is a fork in the road."
7. Cache la Poudre River
8. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area
"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."
9. Longs Peak Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park
"The camp sites near the top of Longs Peak in the Boulderfield are worth the long hike (6 miles up steep terrain)."
"Amazing hikes and plenty of wildlife. The spaces are small but accommodate an RV or a single tent. Bear boxes and toilets close to everything."
10. Forest Road 119
"There are quite a few little spots right off the road that have plenty of space. The road is pretty rough and high clearance is recommended. A Subaru need our help a little bit."
Drive Time
- 30 min from Greeley, CO
- 43 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 50 min from Boulder, CO
- 59 min from Denver, CO
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Fort Collins, CO
88 Photos of 57 Fort Collins Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Backcountry Campground — Horsetooth Mountain Open SpaceM
Crown Point Road Dispersed
Allenspark Dispersed Camp Spot
Forest Road 119
Johnny Park Road Camping
Upper Chipmunk Backcountry Campsite — Rocky Mountain National Park
Wind River BluffS
Longs Peak Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park
Goblin's Forest Goblin's Forest — Rocky Mountain National Park
Allenspark Dispersed CampingE
Camper’s Creek Backcountry Campsite — Rocky Mountain National Park
Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping
Tent Camping Reviews near Fort Collins, CO
2028 Reviews of 57 Fort Collins Campgrounds
Drew M.
GuideCaribou Dispersed Site 6
#7
# 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!
Liam D.
TravelerForest Road 119
It’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.
- Adam C.Guide
Lost Lake Dispersed
It was a great site. Not hot surrounded on three sides by rocks. Lake was dried up but Colorado was dry this year.
Leona A.ScoutCottonwood Campground — Boyd Lake State Park
Nice, level spots. Great mountain and lake views. Great views of all your neighbors. 😉
Finn S.GuideMoraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park
The 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.
Brian T.TravelerHermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park
Hermits Hollow
From 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.
- Brian T.Traveler
Bobcat Campground — Hermit Park
Bobcat Campground
We 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.
Tom J.GuideVedauwoo Campground
Vedauwoo Rocks!
Quiet campground with great views. No full hook ups, but water is available and the scenery and hiking trails are awesome.
Guide to Fort Collins
Tent camping in Fort Collins, CO sits at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet with significant temperature fluctuations from day to night. Many sites become crowded on summer weekends, particularly those near water sources. Weekend campsites typically fill by Friday afternoon during peak season from late May through September.
What to do
Fishing access points: The Cache la Poudre River offers multiple fishing spots with native trout populations. "This is not a campsite this is mishawaka owned land. There is a campsite there for employees by the flags in the trees," notes one reviewer about specific locations along the river corridor.
Mountain biking trails: Sites near Lory State Park Backcountry Campsites connect to multi-use trail systems. "We hiked to the top of Arthur's rock to watch the supermoon rise and it was pretty special!" shares a camper who enjoyed the area's trails beyond basic camping.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at tent sites often yield wildlife sightings. According to a reviewer at Allenspark Dispersed Camp, "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he can back and we scared him off again. He's afraid of humans but he did try to get into the car while we were sleeping."
What campers like
Creek-side tent spots: Many Fort Collins area tent campsites feature water access. A camper at Allenspark Dispersed Camping reported, "We had a great night here! Spacious site with a fire ring. Easy time finding, just follow all the arrows when there is a fork in the road."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain nights provide excellent star viewing. One camper at Longs Peak Campground noted the advantage of this particular campground: "Less busy than the Estes Park campgrounds," making it ideal for quieter nights with less light pollution.
Quick overnight options: Fort Collins tent campers appreciate sites within 30-45 minutes of town. "This would be a perfect first backpacking trip for beginners! Once you park, you sign in to the backpacking log to the right of the main entrance by the kiosk. The sites are first come first serve. From the parking lot, it's only about a mile and a half," notes a reviewer of Backcountry Campground at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space.
What you should know
Road condition variability: Many tent sites require navigating unpaved roads. A camper at Allenspark Dispersed Camping CO shared: "About 1 hour from Boulder. Was super simple to access. The coordinates take you to the beginning of the rural part of Ski road. Keep driving on Ski road, you'll see the 'Entering National Forrest' sign and soon after that you will see dispersed camping spots."
Limited facilities: Most primitive tent camping areas lack running water and have minimal toilets. "There's a wooden table about 50 yards from where you set up your tent so no need to bring chairs. There isn't a water source close by so you'll have to pack all your water," explains one visitor about facilities at a backcountry site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping near Fort Collins?
Where can I find dispersed camping near Fort Collins?
The Fort Collins area offers several excellent dispersed camping options. Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping provides accessible spots alongside a stream, with many sites to choose from, though it gets busier on weekends. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers a more secluded experience for those willing to venture off-road with their vehicles (4x4 recommended but not required). Both areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The Canyon Lakes Ranger District also manages numerous dispersed camping areas, with specific regulations including camping only in designated spots, staying 100+ feet from water sources, and following fire restrictions during dry seasons.
Is there free camping available near Fort Collins?
Is there free camping available near Fort Collins?
Yes, free camping is available near Fort Collins primarily through dispersed camping options. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir offers free designated camping spots with beautiful views, though it can get crowded on weekends due to its proximity to Boulder. Dream Canyon Campsites provides another free option, but arrive early as sites fill quickly during peak season. Canyon Lakes Ranger District manages several free dispersed camping areas, but be prepared for primitive conditions with no facilities. Remember that free camping typically means no services (no toilets, running water, or trash collection), so pack out all waste and follow Leave No Trace principles.
What campgrounds are available in Fort Collins for tent campers?
What campgrounds are available in Fort Collins for tent campers?
Fort Collins offers diverse tent camping options for all experience levels. Buckingham Campground provides creekside sites with bear boxes and concrete picnic tables, though it's small with only five sites (including one accessible site). Lory State Park Backcountry Campsites offers reservable hike-in sites for a more secluded experience. For water enthusiasts, Boat In Sites at Horsetooth Reservoir provide a unique camping experience with amenities including toilets. The Cache la Poudre River area also offers tent camping opportunities with varying levels of amenities. Most established campgrounds require reservations during peak season (May-September), while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
What are the best tent camping spots in Fort Collins, CO?
What are the best tent camping spots in Fort Collins, CO?
For superior tent camping near Fort Collins, Hermits Hollow Campground in Hermit Park stands out with wooded sites offering privacy and shade. Campers praise its clean vault toilets, friendly staff, and convenient location near Estes Park. Each site includes a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. Backcountry Campground at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space offers an excellent beginner backpacking experience just 1.5 miles from the parking lot with first-come, first-served sites. For those willing to venture into Rocky Mountain National Park, the backcountry sites provide spectacular wilderness camping, though Wilderness Permits are required and can be difficult to obtain during peak season.
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