449 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed sites and developed campgrounds spread across the South Platte River corridor here, with Bailey sitting squarely in the middle of Pike National Forest access roads that feed a lot of weekend traffic from Denver. The Dyrt check-ins for this stretch run heaviest from May through September, and reviewers consistently flag the river-adjacent sites as the fastest to fill on Friday afternoons.
Bailey's dispersed camping spots cover the free national forest sites for those willing to trade services for no reservation requirement. Road conditions on the less-traveled forest tracks vary, and some require high clearance after wet weather. Deckers and Buffalo Creek to the south have additional dispersed and developed options if Bailey-area sites are gone.
"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! "
"There's several creeks that run through the area and a network of trails that intersect the Colorado Trail and the road. The area is popular with mountain bikers."
"The lake is quiet, there is plenty to explore, and it's usually not crowded. I will note that this location is maybe 20 minutes outside Bailey though...."
"Well-kept lake campground with lakefront sites available. You must book 3 months in advance and they can fill up quickly."
from $40 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
"This is the first time I’ve found a state park so close to a major metro area!! Because of its proximity to Denver, Chatfield fills up quickly, so book well in advance."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Each of them have a parking area right along the road with a fire ring a short distance away surrounded by awesome rock outcroppings."
"A large number of established roadside dispersed camping spots to choose from. All spots have metal fire rings, so campfires are allowed even with Stage 1 fire restrictions in place."
"We headed out to get to the backroad of Buffalo Creek through Bailey and found this spot."
"Welcoming campground, spur trails connecting it straight to the Colorado Trail and other connections in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"This site is just north of Bailey, about 20 minutes. Beautiful views. Sites are far enough apart to get a decent amount of privacy. RV trailer friendly. The creek provides a tranquil environment."
"You can hear the water and the creek is right next to your site. Bathrooms were very well maintained. You are close to your neighbors. I just wish they had a dumpster for your trash."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Nice area for Starlink and solar and dog walks. It’s a burn site."
"I had to slow down to a crawl at points because it was thrashing my rig around so much. There is also one turn on the road where if you’re not careful, I could imagine getting stuck."
"The pit, very clean are at base, and there is a porta-potty by site 14, far enough away from 14 to not be a problem."
"We brought out the bike and did some trails to find the perfect spot and since we went in the middle of the week we had our choice of spot."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Absolutely stunning area of Colorado with camping next to a beautiful fresh mountain stream. Very popular - try to come up early on a Friday if possible. Equestrian friendly!!"
"Had lots of fun hiking around and playing in the river. Only negative was that you are under DIA flight path and you hear airplanes all night so you are reminded how close to the city you are."
"Spruce Grove Campground is a beautiful location approximately 2 hours Southwest of Denver."
"This is a very popular spot for families with easy access to the South Platte for tubing and swimming, but not ideal for fisherman as many people playing in the river."
from $24 / night
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TravelerWe had a site on the stream nestled in a forest of pines. There was shade, sun, water, and privacy. Everything you could ask for! The road up gets a bit rugged. Our Tundra did fine, but would def recommend a high clearance vehicle.
ScoutA handful of pullouts for vans or car camping. A few big spots that could fit multiple vehicles and 1-2 private sites. Very close to main road so there is some noise but did not bother me.
TravelerLittle pricey for a night but worth it. You get hot showers and they have laundry!
TravelerThey have shower big plug! Extreme quiet and cozy id say.
GuideRough rocky drive up to the top Torrey trailhead, but worth the drive when get to the top. Multiple rough and rugged dispersed sites with amazing views and a creek running through. 4x4 is suggested.
GuideFor us, the campground served its purpose. It’s in a great location, is fairly quiet, has electrical hook ups, has water hook ups (non potable only), has a basic dump site, and has a dumpster! I think it was $55 a night, which is pretty steep for how close together the sites are. Everyone who is staying here is very kind. There are some long-term folks who are doing work here, but they’re very nice. The sites are basically all just in a large dirt lot, no privacy. I would not recommend it if you’re looking for a solitary camping experience or want to be in nature, but if it’s just a base camp to do activities or work during the day, then it works great. There are a ton of biting flies, which has not been great probably due to the fishing ponds.?
Scoutfound an awsome site very quiet and dark . arrived june 9 left on the 11th would go there again
GuideNot much covering, it’s pretty exposed. FR 300 has some traffic. Can’t really see the mountains unless you walk up a little path about 100 ft.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground many spots along the road both drive in and walk in. There are quite a few wonderful hiking trails. The only reason I am rating this camp a 4/5 is because the reservoir was not at full capacity, we could still fish but the campsites were not all the way to the water like usual. Other than that it is a fantastic spot!
Pike National Forest surrounding Bailey, Colorado contains numerous dispersed camping opportunities at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet. Nights remain cool even in summer, often dropping into the 30s at higher elevations. The area features a mix of forested campsites with creek access and open mountain sites with rock formations that create natural boundaries between camping spaces.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake offers non-motorized water recreation. "Great for paddleboarding (rentals available), kayaking, canoeing & kid's floats," notes Heather L. The lake has restrictions that enhance the paddling experience: "No motors allowed on lake," which creates a peaceful environment for water activities.
Mountain biking: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area serves as an excellent base for cyclists. "Great camping spot, esp. if you like mountain biking... Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels," explains andrew B. The area has become popular with the biking community as Sierra T. confirms: "Welcoming campground, spur trails connecting it straight to the Colorado Trail and other connections in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area."
Hiking: Several connecting trails around Bailey link to the Colorado Trail system. "The trail is well maintained as is the campground and sites," reports Amanda M. about Kenosha Pass Campground. For serious hikers, "the trailhead for section 6 of the Colorado Trail is right next to the campgrounds," adds Steve C.
Creek access: The sound of running water enhances many campsites near Bailey. At Green Mountain Campground, "we had 4 adults, 2 tents, and a pup on #2, walked our gear across an adorable bridge making the whole experience seem like a fairy tale," shares Stefan. The creek provides natural cooling: "The creek wasn't too high and was perfect for us to relax with our feet in," adds Hayley K.
Rock formations: Unique geological features surround many campsites. "The surrounding area is filled with hiking and biking trails, including the Colorado Trail," notes Hayley K. about Buffalo Creek Campground. At Spruce Grove Campground, "You are on the river, nestled amongst gorgeous boulders, easy to get in and out of even with a large travel trailer," Aaron M. explains.
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed camping areas offer good separation between neighbors. "The sites are pretty far apart from each other. Depending where you camp you can hear the water from the stream," explains Alexandra M. about Deer Creek Campground. At Redskin Creek Road, "Sites are spaced well apart, some sites are covered in trees while others are wide open," according to David H.
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common during dry periods. "Currently they don't have day-use open, so there's plenty of space at the lake to set-up and spend the day playing with the kids," notes Heather L. about Castle Mountain Recreation Area during COVID restrictions. Always verify current fire status before your trip.
Road conditions: Many sites require planning for rough roads. "The road is a bit of a washboard, but that is nothing compared to most of the forest roads in Colorado," says Rebecca L. about Redskin Creek Rd. Some areas have improved access: "Finally, a nice campsite on a road that isn't horrible. There are 30+ designated, numbered, dispersed campsites on this road."
Crowding factors: Sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Beautiful spot with easy access to lots of trails and Wellington lake. Only downside is that it is very difficult to find a spot on a weekend," warns Keiko F. about Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. Similar patterns occur at most free sites near Bailey.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. "According to the camp hosts the Government didn't approve for them to be turned on this year... I tried to turn on but no water came out," reports Amber M. about Buffalo Campground. Always bring adequate water supplies when camping near Bailey.
Kid-friendly water access: Spruce Grove Campground provides excellent opportunities for children to enjoy water safely. "This is a very popular spot for families with easy access to the South Platte for tubing and swimming," notes Amanda M. The variety of water depths accommodates different ages: "There are calm, protected shallows along the creek for supervised play as well," adds Jennie R.
Wildlife education: Turn animal sightings into learning opportunities. "The only critters we saw around were Magpies. They were 'worming' their way through the grounds and had breakfast with us each morning," shares Hayley K. at Buffalo Campground. Teaching children about proper food storage is essential as "there are black bears in the area."
Group site selection: For family gatherings, look for specific site configurations. "There is a big loop with a field in the middle for larger parties," notes Hayley K. about Spruce Grove Campground. Sites on outer loops often provide better family experiences: "The outer circle sites are better and some like 11 even have cool rock boulders to camp by," suggests Laria S.
Leveling challenges: Finding flat parking at dispersed sites requires preparation. At Redskin Creek Road, "The parking areas tend to be very unlevel and there are only a few that you can pull right up to your campsite. #6 had a level spot large enough for my van," notes Rebecca L. Site research before arrival helps avoid difficulties.
Site size considerations: Chatfield State Park Campground offers more developed options for larger vehicles. "Great layout and facilities. This is one of our favorite spots to stay when visiting Denver area. Great for biking and all kinds of water sports. Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites," reports Rick.
Campground access: Many roads leading to dispersed sites present challenges. "The road to get up here is a pretty rough and I would say that RVs and small cars might have a hard time but it is doable," explains Hayley K. about Green Mountain Campground. Buffalo Campground offers easier access with "sites for RV's, tent, or van stay."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dispersed camping allowed in the Bailey, Colorado area?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in several areas near Bailey, Colorado. The Pike National Forest surrounding Bailey offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area features both numbered sites and additional unnumbered sites further down Forest Road 233.1, some with exceptional views. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail is another option, though it requires 4x4 vehicles to navigate rocks and water crossings. Dispersed campers should follow Leave No Trace principles, camp at least 100 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings, and check for seasonal fire restrictions before visiting.
Where are the best campgrounds near Bailey, Colorado?
The Bailey area offers several excellent campgrounds within a short drive. Handcart Campground is a hidden gem with 11 first-come, first-served sites ($22/night) featuring beautiful river access and scenic views. Just north of Bailey, Deer Creek provides tranquil sites with enough spacing for privacy, trail access, and is RV-friendly. Other notable options include Horseshoe Campground with its smaller, tree-covered sites ideal for tent camping, and Buffalo Campground in nearby Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. For a lakeside experience, Castle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake offers a peaceful setting about 20 minutes from Bailey.
What amenities are available at Bailey campgrounds?
Bailey area campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities. Horseshoe Campground provides access to beautiful hiking trails that connect to Fourmile campground, with sites nestled among trees. Colorado Campground near Woodland Park (a short drive from Bailey) offers proximity to Manitou Lake and central access to the Pikes Peak wilderness trails while remaining close to town conveniences. Most established campgrounds near Bailey typically provide vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Some have potable water available seasonally. Amenities at dispersed sites are minimal to non-existent, so campers should bring their own water, pack out trash, and be prepared for primitive conditions.
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