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Green Mountain Reservoir's shoreline campgrounds include several pet-friendly options in the Heeney area. Cow Creek South Campground permits dogs throughout its spacious sites that offer picnic tables, fire pits, and bear lockers. Pets must be leashed at all times in these established campsites, which are positioned with excellent views of the Gore Mountain range and Eagles Nest Wilderness. Nearby, Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping allows tent and RV camping with pets in a more primitive setting without drinking water or facilities. Both McDonald Flats and Elliott Creek campgrounds also welcome pets, with Elliott Creek offering lake access where dogs can swim. The Cow Creek sites provide ample room between campsites, creating privacy while still allowing for multiple vehicles and tents.
Dogs enjoy water access at several campgrounds along Green Mountain Reservoir, though pet owners should be prepared for weather changes that can affect outdoor activities. High winds frequently occur in the area, sometimes reaching up to 70 mph, requiring secure pet containment. The nearby Cataract Lake features a beautiful one-mile loop trail suitable for dog walking, while more ambitious hikers with dogs can explore trails to Eaglesmere lakes, Tipperary lake, and Surprise lake. Wildlife including bears inhabit the surrounding wilderness, necessitating proper food storage in provided bear boxes. The Master Bait and Tackle shop on the other side of the lake offers supplies for extended stays. Limited or no cell service exists throughout the area, so pet owners should research veterinary options in Silverthorne before arrival.
"They take you off of Highway 9 and about 5 minutes you take a left and pass trail head (cant rmemeber the name) and parking lot and you continue on a pretty bumpy ride for about 10 minutes (you start hitting"
"There is a good amount of traffic heading towards the trail head but it was still quiet. Even had a moose run through our camp!"
"Was great to be able to walk with the dog off leash and throw the ball on the beach without having to worry about others"
"An easy drive in from highway 40 in any size rig. This place is great it is FREE plus there are a lot of sites to choose from. "
from $27 / night
Check Availability"This small campground is located right on the Blue River between Silverthorne and Green Mountain Reservoir on Highway 9. It is about 6 miles from Silverthorne and beautiful Dillon Reservoir."
"Cool campground, not huge on the highway noise but overall the campground is in excellent condition, very clean bathrooms, bear proof storage."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Located on Dillon Reservoir, Prospector Campground offers a nice balance of feeling remote while being conveniently near some really neat towns."
"Great views of lake dillon and each spot is tucked into trees so you don’t see neighbors even if you can hear them. Short Hiking trail connected to the campground plus so many trail options close by"
from $27 / night
Check Availability"If you are looking for a great boondocking location that is close to great trails and breathtaking views, this just might be the place for you."
"We stayed at the Gore Creek Campground last summer 2017 on a drive from Southern California to Denver, CO. We took highway 15 through Nevada and Utah, and connected to Highway 70 in Utah to Colorado."
from $29 / night
Check Availability"The more popular Colorado gets, the faster these spots fill up so get up there early to lock it down! Some spots are bigger than others but all can fit groups."
"Camping spots are far away from each other."
"Located right next to the water with a very friendly host. It was all booked up when we drove through but we will definitely stay on our way back through. Clean facilities and virtually zero shade."
"Big sites for campers, right next to lake, trees and wind blocks, great to good fishing. Almost always try to go here when we go. High Country Lake."
from $21 - $42 / night
Check Availability"The campsites are decently spaced out but not the place to go if you don’t want neighbors, I chose the only single site I could find but could still hear dogs barking and music in the distance(to be fair"
"Closed off road access unfortunately till June 20. Beautiful and the road can get a little wonky but you’re gonna have to hike it up for a bit!"
"We were close to an old boat ramp which ended up being a great spot to park the jet ski. There was no shade, so our pop up tent helped tremendously."
"We were looking for a place to overnight in between stays and stumbled onto McDonald Flats after having no luck at a few other spots along Highway 6."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"You can still hear the highway but it makes up for the location and how you can get to a few spots in less than 30 mins. Liked the distance away from campers."
"Not far off the main interstate and little to no noise from the smaller highway that passes nearby. Had cell service with AT&T, no service with Verizon at all within at least a mile."
Guidefirst place I went camping in Colorado and I loved it so much I paid for an extra day. it rained on the last day but it was still wonderful. felt lost in the mountains and loved it
ScoutGorgeous views, relaxing and very kind, courteous staff. Dog park, hot tubs, laundry, all you can eat pancakes (very reasonably priced) well worth the so steep drive on way up to 9,000 ft.
ScoutA lovely wooded campground literally on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park - we even saw moose from the back window of our RV! Options for everyone from cabins, to FHU RV sites (limited and not the ideal locations, but still nice), water/electric sites and tenting areas. Even Conestoga wagons! There is horseback riding on site and we loved watching the horses run in and out each morning/evening and you just have to cross the road for a pretty hike along the Colorado River in RMNP (no dogs on the trails). We camped with our Great Dane - very dog friendly with bag stations around the park. Friendly and helpful staff, a small shop with supplies and souvenirs, a cute little petting zoo with goats, sheep, and pigs.
LegendGore Creek Campground is a true gem of the National Forest Service. If you are looking for a great boondocking location that is close to great trails and breathtaking views, this just might be the place for you. The entrance to the campground is ~2 miles off of I-70 Exit 180 on Bighorn Road. Only 10 minutes from Vail Village and 25 minutes from Frisco.
We stayed in Site #8, which provided plenty of room for our 22’ travel trailer and pickup. The sites each have a large picnic table and fire ring.
Pit toilets are spread through the campground and were very clean and well maintained. The campground hosts do a great job of keeping everything tidy and looking great. They also have bundles of firewood for sale for $7 at their site just inside the entrance to the campground.
I can’t say enough about this place. It’s probably my favorite spot to camp in Colorado. I almost didn’t post this review for fear of the secret getting out.
RangerSo 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. I am reviewing one of these unnumbered campsites in particular, because this one had the best view. Before you read too far, I can't guarantee you will be able to reach this campsite without a 4X4 high clearance vehicle. We got to the site with a Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Tacoma TRD so we had no problems... I can't definitely say a Subaru would make it though. In the pictures I have included a map of the Gordon Gulch trail system. Entering through the Gordon Gulch entrance and taking 226.1 to 233.1 is the hardest route - there is one very steep and washed out spot. Entering via 120J/Switzerland Trail from the Peak to Peak Hwy and then turning right onto 233.1 is the easier option. On that map I have marked the general area of the campsite with a pink dot and here are the coordinates.
DMS: 40°01'18.5"N 105°28'37.6"W
DD: 40.021814, -105.477103 - if you type this into Google Maps it will locate it
As for the actual campsite, it is a great option for spring/fall camping in Colorado. The elevation is about 8,800 ft and it is on the south side of a hill so it gets a lot of sunlight and is protected from northern winds. In terms of privacy, there are no other campsites that can be seen from this one. However, Gordon Gulch is a popular off-roading area so dirt bikes and Jeeps pass by frequently. This campsite is set up high above and away from the road though, so it is really not that bad. Another thing to point out is that this is a popular area for shooting as well, so if you absolutely hate guns it may not be the place for you. Also, as stated before, this is a dispersed campsite the only thing it has is a fire ring. Pack it in, pack it out!
GuideRiver Run is our favorite place to stay when visiting RMNP. We have stayed here on two occasions and will be bringing family with us this July. Great dog parks, bike trails, bowling alley, arcade, swimming pools, playgrounds and very clean laundry rooms. They also have activities planned during your stay. The RV sites are well spaced, although it is a newer campground so landscaping is young. We have also stayed in a 2 bedroom villa, but had to leave early due to wildfires. My kids are always excited to visit River Run.
ScoutDefinitely a gorgeous area, but the Pets Allowed designation is misleading. RMNP has serious restrictions on dogs inside the park, like not letting them on any trails. If you intend to stay in a campground, and never leave it, then no problem. But if you want to hike, you'll need to have a plan for your furry friend. It gets very hot in any vehicle, because of the intense sunshine, so you absolutely cannot leave your pet in a vehicle, unless you are able to leave the A/C on for them. They also must be on leash at all times. There are lots of dispersed camping areas in CO, so I wouldn't go here if I want to take my dog camping with me.
RangerI’m a mountain girl! Like grab your back pack and hike in! Then we had kids and splurged on a camper... and now this place has me over here laying pool side... drink in hand, head over heels about glamping. Seriously I loved this so much. They have an amazing pool! Bowling alley, arcade, restaurant, bars (yes more than one!) they had live music, they have fishing, and dog parks, bike rentals, daily trash pick up from your campsite, firewood delivery, play grounds, golf carts... it is a little close together with out any trees of coverage BUT the pros far (FAR FAR FAR) out weigh that one con.
GuideI first camped in Colorado last year with a friend and we chose this dispersed due to it being close to travel too- yet still dispersed. I’ve come back 4 other times to camp here!
This trail does require some 4x4 action to get to the top. Lots of rocks, bumps, and pools of water to travel through to get anywhere.
The trail has a decent amount of dispersed sites along the way up to the top, although you can not camp the first mile or two, they are residential.
Even at the end of the trail, next to the reservoir there are some great spots to camp at. And a hike around the reservoir would show you that you could even do a bit of backpacking if you wanted to camp by a waterfall for the night.
This place has become a favorite camping spot of mine, and a place I love to bring friends. Quite clean, very scenic, and a beautiful creek rushing by most of the camp sites. There is also a really cool teepee stand waiting to be used to camp under at the top!
Green Mountain Reservoir features several dispersed camping areas located between 7,900 and 8,200 feet elevation in the Lower Blue River Valley. The region experiences extreme weather variations with temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night common in summer months. Cell service ranges from limited to non-existent across most campgrounds, with the strongest signals typically found at higher elevation points near the eastern shore.
Fishing the reservoir: Access prime fishing spots at Blue River Campground, where campsites along the water provide convenient locations. "Great spot for fishing (no bait)," notes Natalie S., who adds that this campground is "about 6 miles from Silverthorne and beautiful Dillon Reservoir."
Hiking nearby trails: The Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping area offers multiple hiking options. "Trailhead is easy to find at the end of the road and leads to a couple of sweet spots. We stopped by Boulder Lake and it was about 6.5 miles total of a hike," shares Jane W.
Stargazing opportunities: The area's minimal light pollution creates excellent viewing conditions. "Close to town, easy drive in (little bumpy but not a big deal for SUV). Can't hear the road, basically no light pollution. Beautiful scenery, beautiful night sky views," reports Raven S., who particularly recommends the clear views at Rock Creek.
River access sites: Ute Pass Dispersed Camping offers waterfront options that campers consistently rate highly. "Beautiful spots along the river at a first-come, first-serve basis. The more popular Colorado gets, the faster these spots fill up so get up there early to lock it down," advises Jeana P.
Secluded camping options: Many campers value the privacy offered at certain sites. "Fairly remote site considering its proximity to Silverthorne. Rough, rocky road, some clearance is nice to have... Sites are well marked and generally spaced pretty far apart although some sites are clustered together," notes Kevin K. about Rock Creek.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse bird and animal populations. "So many types of birds—great spot for birdwatchers!!!" mentions Raven S. regarding Rock Creek. Another camper reports, "Nice elk tracks in the snow when I was there along the river" at Blue River Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to several dog-friendly campgrounds near Heeney require careful driving. "Road was REALLY rough. One portion looked like someone had just run around digging random holes in the road; however, once you got past the road, it was everything you'd want in a primitive site," explains Rhonda C. about Red Sandstone.
Weekend crowds: Popularity varies significantly between weekdays and weekends. "By 1 p.m., it felt like a game of musical chairs. Drivers looping, turning around, hoping someone packed up. If you're aiming for a summer weekend, earlier is better—and be ready for company," reports one camper at Rock Creek.
Temperature fluctuations: Prepare for significant day-to-night changes. "It does get pretty cold at night so pack some extra clothes," advises Sean M., who camped at Williams Fork Reservoir. Several campers mention frost even in summer months, particularly at higher elevation sites.
Best sites for children: Williams Fork Reservoir offers family-friendly amenities and beach access. "The lots were spread out and I was fortunate to get one right on the beach. Was great to be able to walk with the dog off leash and throw the ball on the beach without having to worry about others," notes Eric B.
Bug preparation: Several campgrounds report significant insect activity. "SO MANY MOSQUITOS," warns Sara W. about Red Sandstone. Another camper advises, "beware of ticks here and be sure you bring bug spray!" when discussing Williams Fork Reservoir.
Wildlife safety education: Make wildlife awareness part of your family camping routine. "Bear country. Stream running near or by many sites is nice," notes Kevin K., emphasizing the importance of teaching children proper food storage techniques in bear territory.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Columbine Landing Recreation Site accommodates various RV sizes despite its rustic setting. "Big places and fireplaces our 27 fitted vood," reports Michi S., indicating the site can accommodate moderately sized RVs despite the entry road being "bumpy and rocky."
Weather challenges: RV campers must prepare for high winds that frequently sweep through the valley. "Very windy through the valley but very pretty with the gore range to the west," notes one camper at Columbine Landing. Another mentions, "The biggest drawback was the dust and wind at night."
Limited hook-ups: No electrical, sewer or water hookups exist at any campgrounds in the immediate Heeney area. "This is a nice little boondocking location that is close to great trails and breathtaking views," explains Jason F., who successfully camped in a 22' travel trailer at Gore Creek Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Heeney, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Heeney, CO is Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping with a 4.6-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Heeney, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 316 dog-friendly camping locations near Heeney, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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