Best Tent Camping near Fort Collins, CO

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 camping options with access to fishing and hiking trails.

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Best Tent Sites Near Fort Collins, Colorado (51)

    1. Backcountry Campground — Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

    3 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    7 miles
    +1 (970) 498-5610

    $25 / night

    "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."

    2. Boat In Sites — Horsetooth Reservoir

    2 Reviews
    Masonville, CO
    5 miles
    +1 (970) 619-4570

    $30 / night

    "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."

    3. Lory State Park Backcountry Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Bellvue, CO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 493-1623

    $18 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    4. Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park

    25 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 577-2090

    $35 / night

    "Best place to camp in Estes Park/Northern Colorado! Wooded sites mean privacy from your neighbors and shade during the day. Vault toilets are very clean, well kept."

    "Very conveniently located, only a short drive into Estes Park. Lots of trails for hiking and biking in the park. Each campsite had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring."

    7. Allenspark Dispersed Camping

    28 Reviews
    Allenspark, CO
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "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."

    8. Allenspark Dispersed Camp Spot

    9 Reviews
    Pinewood Springs, CO
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "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."

    9. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    54 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    44 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."

    "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."

    10. Longs Peak Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    14 Reviews
    Allenspark, CO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 586-1206

    "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."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Fort Collins, CO

1767 Reviews of 51 Fort Collins Campgrounds


  • Morgan Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2020

    Dowdy Lake Campground

    Beautiful Lake

    Very nice camping not far from Fort Collins. Great lake for non-motorized boats. 

    Leave no trace.

  • C
    Aug. 2, 2018

    Glacier Basin Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    Great Campground

    This Rocky Mountain National Park campground is fantastic. I tent camped with my husband for 3 nights in Loop B. We saw tents and all sizes of campers many with families. Our tent site included a nice tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, and a shared bear box. The fire ban had been lifted and we could buy fire wood each evening-and ice cream! Clean bathrooms with flush toilets. This campground is very close to a number of trails. We hiked the Sprague Lake Trail. It’s 2 miles round trip and pretty easy. Breathtaking views. If you don’t hike, you can drive all the way to the Trail Ridge gift shop and cafe at the top. This park fills up quickly-amost 3 million visitors a year-so plan to get started early. We love RMNP. We will be back this fall!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Dowdy Lake Campground

    Reflections

    Status: Open year round 

    Reserve mid spring through September 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

    weekend reservations recommended 

    70 sites including 10 walk-in tent 30 sites year round $24.00 tent sites $32.00 electric $64.00 double sites 

    Vault toilets, water during season ,tent sites have bear boxes, picnic table, fire ring/grill, trash no sewer or water hookups The campground has beautiful Ponderosa Pines but the Pine beetle is beginning to take its toil. 

    The back loop closes early fall. all sites have electric except the tent sites. There are 5 double sites. The campground can accept various size rigs. The day use area with a boat ramp and pit toilet with a nice size parking lot. There were a lot of people fishing from the shore. The lake is beautiful with small islands and rock formations. The road to and in the campground is gravel and rather dusty. Potholes 

    Directions: Drive 21 miles north of Fort Collins on US Highway 287. Turn left (west) onto the Red Feather Lakes Road (County 74E) and travel approximately 22 miles. Turn right (north) and travel another mile to signed campground entrance on the right.

    LNT

    Better than when you found it 

    Stay safe Happy travels

  • Florian J.
    Jul. 5, 2021

    Buckingham Campground

    Great location, sites next to creek, but very busy

    We came here in early July to hike up South and North Arapahoe Peaks (and Diamond Lake for warm-up). The sites are nice right next to a creek, with very few mosquitos. Make sure to stay close to the designated areas (fwiw, Rangers monitor the site). No campfires were allowed and they are no fire rings, so I assume that the fire ban is typical rather than the exception. Bear-proof food storage is provided at each site.

    We made it up the dirt road in our little Honda Fit but that was touch and go at times, and required some careful driving. 99% of the cars at the campground and trailhead were 4x4s. 

    The location is great with plenty of trailheads right next to the campground. But that also means that site is very busy. The trailhead parking fills up as early as 5am. It wasn't much of an issue in terms of loudness, but it does mean that the only two restrooms are also used by hundreds of hikers each day …

    There are no trash bins (i.e., pack out whatever trash you produce), there is no drinking water (except for the creek if you have filters), all sites are walk-in though parking is just a few meters away (one is ADA accessible with parking right next to the site). With Google Fi (Spring) we had no cell reception (we lost signal even prior to the start of the dirt road, so many miles before the campground). Sites are in the shade below trees, and there are picnic tables.

    Overall, I'd visit this place again, just because of the convenient access to amazing trails and scrambles. Trails to Diamond Lake (10km out-and-back) and Arapahoe pass were quite busy, but not unpleasantly so. The trail up to the Arapahoe Peaks (13km out-and-back to South Peak) was *much* less busy though we still saw about 8-10ish groups throughout the day (took us 2:10h up to South Arapahoe Peak, about 30-40 minutes to traverse to North Arapahoe).

  • Amanda M.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    North Michigan Campground — State Forest State Park

    Gorgeous Rocky Mountain Camping - North Michigan Campground

    We found State Forest State Park on a whim this past July 2018. We were on a road trip from California to Colorado for a wedding in Granby, CO. We were camping in Utah at Dinosaur National Monument, but due to the smoke from a nearby wildfire and the high heat of the summer, we decided to cut our stay one day short, and head over to the Rockies a day early. We wanted to be fairly close to our final destinations, Granby then RMNP, but wanted to go somewhere we hadn’t been before. My boyfriend and I are both animal lovers, and our dream was to finally see a moose on this trip out to Colorado. In researching moosey areas on the internet, we found the Moose Visitor Center at State Forest State Park. We figured that a place with a Moose Visitors Center was as moosey as it comes, so we reserved a site online and headed out to Colorado.

    It was late afternoon when we arrived, but since we had already eaten, we didn’t have much to do besides set up our tent and sleeping pads for the night. Getting to the campground and visitors center is easy as they are both right off the highways 41 and 14, but it is quite a drive to get to, in general. The scenery is so pretty, that we did not mind the drive to or from SFSP. North Michigan Campground is right by a lake, it is pretty.

    The sites are primitive - each site had picnic benches and a firepit, but at the time we visited there was a Stage 2 fire ban in place, so we couldn’t have a campfire. The fire ban included the burning of wood and charcoal - using a propane stove was OK.

    There were pit toilets, and they were well maintained. The sites appeared to have once had more in the way of trees and shade, but it looks as though SFSP was hit by the pine beetles, like so much of Colorado. It’s sad to see the destruction the beetles left in their wake, and fewer trees mean less privacy and less shade for tent campers. We would have had a hard time setting up extra tarps in case it had rained that evening. Bringing an easy-up or canopy would be smart in the summer to protect against sun and heat, or a passing thunderstorm.

    WARNING: You ARE in bear country and there were no bear bins in the campground - be bear safe and bear smart, lock all of your food and toiletries inside your car at night. I was once told by a ranger in Yosemite NP that bears can recognize coolers when peering into car windows, so we always put a towel and gear over our coolers when keeping them in the car overnight.

    We packed up early and arrived at the Moose Visitors Center when they opened. The visitors center was educational and interesting, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. After studying some maps of the area with the rangers, we decided to try our luck driving along Highway 14 towards Fort Collins.

    We stopped at various spots along the highway, and ended up walking around the Joe Wright Reservoir for a while. Thunderheads were rolling in, and some rain and thunder started, so we decided to start making our way back towards SFSP then head down to Granby, our next stop. We were around Cameron Pass and had given up on seeing any moose when we saw traffic slowing and cars stopped alongside the road - there were two young bull moose snacking by a small river on the side of the road! We pulled over, turned our hazard lights on, grabbed the camera, and jumped out to see our first moose. The moose seemed unconcerned by their growing audience, and continued to chomp away on their lunch - there was a small ravine between the moose and their human audience, so neither moose nor humans felt threatened.

    According to the staff at the Moose Visitor Center, there are only about 1,000 moose in the entire state of Colorado - and here we stumbled across two moose at once! We were ecstatic, and so happy we made the impromptu, unplanned trip out to State Forest State Park! We returned to the Moose Visitors Center to share the experience with the rangers (they record the specifics of moose sightings in the area on a board), and the ranger gave us a high five for spotting our first ever moose.

    I would like to return to the area someday to hike, I imagine the nearby trails must be goregous!

    CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $18/night

    Plumbed Toilets: NO - pit

    Drinking Water: Yes

    Showers: NO

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grates: Yes

    Shade: Limited!

    Cell Service: NO

    Animal Bins/Food Lockers: NO

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Upper and Lower Ansel Watrous Campgrounds

    Peace in the Valley

    Open: All year 

    Reservations: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

    Out of season FCFS 

    Fees: Reservation on line $9.00 call enter $10.00 

    water, pit toilets, picnic table, trash, bear box for tent sites, fire ring/w grill 

    No sewer hookups The sites are on the small side and a bit cramped. The Cache La Poudre River runs along the back side of the campground and provides a beautiful backdrop along with the tumbling towering rock bluffs. The drive along the canyon is a delight. 

    Directions: Drive 11 miles north of Fort Collins on US Highway 287. Turn left (west) onto Colorado Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon) and travel approximately 13 miles.  

    LNT 

    Better than when you found it 

    tay safe and travel happy

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2021

    Kelly Dahl

    Stark

    Sites:  46   20 sites FCFS

    Reservation:  877-444-6777 or recreation.gov

    Sites that fit tent, trailers, RV's

    Open Mid May - Mid Oct

    Firewood from camp host, picnic table, fire ring/grill, bear box at tent sites, pit toilet, water, trash, no electric, hookups, dump station or showers

    Sites are very small

    Great sightseeing to check out.  Several historic mining towns and some great hiking trails.  Views of the surrounding mountains are totally amazing.

    AT&T and Verizon service but it is spotty.

    The Mountain Pine beetle is decimating the forest and it is so sad to see.  The forest service is working very hard to keep up with the removal of dead trees and it is creating expansive open area.  The plus side of the removal is for solar.  They are also removing the stumps thank goodness.  Be very careful while walking in the forest for falling limbs or trees.

    Directions:  About four miles south of Nederland, Colorado, on Colorado Highway (CO) 119, watch for the entrance to Kelly Dahl Campground on the east side of the highway at mile marker 22.

    LNT

    Better than when you found it

    Stay safe and happy travels

  • Chad K.
    Aug. 3, 2019

    Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    Great campground

    This campground is in the middle of Rocky Mountain NP. Our site was in loop D. The sites are a little packed but give you enough space to spread out. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with a shared bear box. The tent pads are level as d have plenty of shade. The bath rooms have no showers and are a little dated but adequate for a national park. It is centrally locates to bear lake and Estes Park. We will be back.

  • I
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Vedauwoo Tent Campground (Wy) — Medicine Bow Routt N Fs & Thunder Basin Ng

    Pretty, close to HWY, nice trails, not much water

    Checked in about 8:30pm on weekday for car/tent camping.  Got last spot on upper tent loop (FC/FS-self serve).   Upper tent loop also has some RV spots. It seems like a very popular spot for XC RV drivers. The upper loop was very quiet, both the people and the area, and far enough from Interstate that Hwy noise was not an issue. The only problems were the wind(strong in am), and the lack of running water. Vault toilets were clean enough. The faucets near toilets did not work. The only available water was from the green well pump, and it had noticeable color to it. I used it for cooking and cleaning, but not drinking. Great trails! We did a nice 3.5 mile loop around Turtle Rock. It has good and climbing/bouldering, wish I had more time for that. It was cool due to a recent rainfall, and the 8000'ish elevation kept it that way at night. All creeks were dry in late august, and the 3 ponds were nearly so. Very pretty spot that feels more remote than it is. There is a lower tent walk in loop, which is much better sheltered from road noise and wind.  The lower tent loop has vault toilets, but it does not have water as far as I could tell.  Lower tent loop was completely vacant and available, while upper RV/tent area was full.


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?

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?

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?

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?

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.