The Roosevelt National Forest surrounding Gould, Colorado offers tent camping options at elevations of 8,000 to 10,000 feet. Many dispersed camping areas require visitors to pack out all trash and provide their own water supply. Temperatures can drop below freezing even in July and August, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months.
What to do
Hiking near Stillwater Pass: During summer months, numerous trails provide access to alpine meadows and mountain views. "Large sites. We found a nice spacious one a little off the road, there was a ditch between the road and the site so some higher clearance helped avoid scraping," notes Ryan L. about Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite.
Wildlife viewing at Walden Reservoir: This shoreline camping area offers opportunities to observe migratory birds and waterfowl. "Amazing views but lacks tree coverage... Smells like sage and fresh air. Quiet as can be," reports Terri about her experience at Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping.
Mountain biking trail access: Forest roads around Allenspark provide connections to numerous single-track trails. A camper named Brett notes, "It was gorgeous! Lots of spots, and also lots of people. Some folks coming in late night. It's definitely a bumpy ride in."
What campers like
Creek-side camping options: Many sites at Allenspark offer natural white noise and water access. "About 1 hour from Boulder. Was super simple to access... Lots of spots available. Just keep driving along Ski Road and pick one that looks good. Lots of fire pits already build and most camp spots are along the creek," shares Jason H. about Allenspark Dispersed Camping.
Late-season availability: Some sites remain accessible into October when other areas close. According to Bobby J., "Very close to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. Didn't look like there were too many spots but the spots I did see were nice. Had no trouble finding a spot on a Sunday evening."
Wildflower viewing: Early to mid-summer brings colorful blooms throughout the area. Amie M. observed, "Even though this forest was impacted by the troublesome fire in 2020, this place is still very beautiful. We found a great camping spot close to a hiking/biking trail. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous and the Columbine flower is scattered amount the wildflowers."
What you should know
Fire restrictions and hazards: Many camping areas near Gould have experienced wildfires in recent years. "I think this would be a wonderful place to camp, however due to the forest fires that happened, I won't lie it's a bit depressing to be around all of the burned trees... it made it so there was little to no shade at all at really any of the campsites," notes Stephanie S.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes and biting insects can be prevalent, especially near water. A camper at Walden Reservoir observed: "We showed up at night and it was very quiet, no problem finding a spot to camp. However, during the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies. Great place to overnight, but terrible place to hang out during the day unless you have a bug net."
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require vehicles with adequate clearance. Brian C. reports about Stillwater Pass: "The coordinates are a bit early on 4. Roads are easy to navigate. Continue up the road for multiple flat locations. Some of the roads were closed but 4 is open."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom access planning: Most dispersed tent camping near Gould lacks established facilities. "BETTER for campers/cans as there isn't much privacy for tent campers. Not enough trees for bathrooms so you may want to bring a hide-able set up," advises Liv M.
Campsite selection timing: Arrive early for best options, especially during summer weekends. Sydney R. shared about Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite: "Great site and location about 10 minutes from downtown Grand Lake. The sites had tons of space and a great view of the mountains. Only downside, there's only a few sites along this road and they filled up fairly quick on a Friday."
Bear safety measures: Proper food storage is essential throughout the area. One camper at Allenspark reported: "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."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many dispersed sites require additional equipment for level parking. Steve M. notes about his experience: "Not at all a beautiful area, only a few places to camp and it's a bumpy road and the access points are not good, none of the sites are level, and if you want to go further on to the next dispersed camping area which I did not, you have to drive 10 Mi through private property on a cruddy Road."
Free overnight options: Vic & Sigrid Hanson Memorial Park in Walden provides services within walking distance. Robert T. shares: "Call the sheriff on +1 (970) 723-4242 and leave name and number. There are some picnic tables with a bit of shelter. As of July 2023, LOTS of mosquitoes. Great restaurant on Main Street. Reasonable grocery store at gas station."
Alternative camping areas: When primary sites are full, several backup options exist within short driving distance. Aly E. noted: "We stayed here last year and came back this year but there's a gate up blocking the entire dispersed area. Thankfully there's plenty of other places to stay!"
