Best Tent Camping near Gardner, CO
Public lands surrounding Gardner, Colorado offer diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Davenport Campground, located in the San Carlos Ranger District, provides dedicated walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings in a forested setting. The campground operates seasonally from May through mid-October and requires short hikes to reach individual campsites. For more primitive tent camping experiences, Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites north of Gardner offer dispersed camping along a scenic creek with established fire rings and minimal facilities. Great Sand Dunes National Park, approximately 90 minutes southwest, features unique backcountry tent camping opportunities in the dunefield for those seeking a more adventurous experience.
Most tent campsites in the Gardner area feature dirt or gravel surfaces with varying degrees of shade. Walk-in sites at Davenport Campground require carrying gear approximately 50 yards from parking areas to campsites, with sites 8 and 9 being closest to parking. The campground has vault toilets and a hand pump for water, though many campers find the creek more convenient for collecting water to extinguish fires. Phantom Canyon BLM sites have limited facilities with only vault toilets available at designated points along the road. Bear activity has been reported in the area, particularly at Phantom Canyon, requiring proper food storage. Fire restrictions frequently apply during summer months, and many dispersed sites lack potable water, necessitating that tent campers bring their own supplies.
Tent campers at Davenport Campground frequently mention the exceptional stargazing opportunities. One visitor noted, "At night the site was amazingly dark. This was my first real time seeing the Milky Way." The walk-in nature of the sites creates a more secluded tent camping experience despite sites being relatively close together. In the backcountry dunefield of Great Sand Dunes National Park, campers describe a uniquely challenging but rewarding experience. According to reviews, "The hike in over the dune with all your gear is frankly not easy, but it's short distance so it's manageable." Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with deer, snakes, and various bird species frequently observed at tent sites. Weekday visits typically offer greater solitude and site availability than weekends, when popular areas can fill quickly.