Primitive camping near Henderson, Colorado features dispersed sites situated at elevations between 8,000-10,000 feet across Roosevelt National Forest. Summer temperatures often drop below 40°F at night even when daytime highs reach 75-85°F. Most camping areas require driving on unmaintained forest roads with variable conditions that worsen significantly during and after precipitation.
What to do
Mountain biking on established trails: West Magnolia Campground provides direct access to mountain biking networks. "The sites are VERY spaced apart. The sun had already set by the time I found the last available one. Don't be afraid to ask other campers if you can share a site, some of them are massive!" A visitor notes how the area offers "single tracks for hiking and mountain biking. Camping spots are well-marked."
Wildlife viewing from camp: Beaver Park Reservoir campers regularly observe various animals. "Lots of wildlife; squirrels, rabbits, and a moose that walked right by our campsite," reports one camper. The reservoir area provides animal watching opportunities while staying at your site, with another visitor mentioning they "had a fox visit our site!"
Creek-side relaxation: Allenspark Dispersed Camping offers water features at many sites. "Right next to a creek, nice to have a water feature," notes a visitor. Another camper describes the setting as "Beautiful, secluded and right next to a creek," making it ideal for those seeking natural water sounds during their stay.
What campers like
Natural buffers between sites: Gold Lake Area Dispersed receives praise for site separation. "Very quiet. Minimal traffic. Good open spots for up to medium sized rigs," one camper notes. Another mentions "Lots of lovely spots close to Boulder. Most sites have well established firings, which is great."
Cooler summer temperatures: Higher elevation sites provide relief from summer heat. At Gordon Gulch, a visitor reports: "I spent multiple days at this site due to its remote beauty. Campsites far apart, and it was quiet other than the occasional atv. Lots of chipmunks and hummingbirds due to the many wild flowers."
Alternative to crowded campgrounds: Dream Canyon provides options when other areas fill. "We camped a very short walk from the parking lot. Amazing camp site with not many people around," reports one visitor. The area's proximity to recreation also appeals to campers: "This is the place my friends and I go to just for a night away from everything. It is just out of reach of the city and far enough away where we can find some peace and quiet."
What you should know
Road quality varies dramatically: Many dispersed areas require careful driving. At Buffalo Creek, "Sites were big and far enough away from neighbors. Would recommend," but visitors caution that road conditions determine accessibility. Roads often become impassable after rain.
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Hell Canyon Dispersed enforces varying fire rules. "Fires allowed in established rings only, always check with Roosevelt National Forest website to see if fires are allowed during your stay as this varies by season," advises one camper. Rangers patrol fire-restricted areas frequently.
Weekend planning essential: Sites fill quickly Thursday through Sunday. At West Magnolia, a visitor observed: "Arrived at 5:30 to find all of the spots were full aside from one (#18), possibly because of the negative review of it on this app?" Weekday arrivals have significantly better site selection.
Cell service limitations: Most areas lack reliable connectivity. At Gordon Gulch, a camper shares: "Cell Service is patchy at best. On verizon I had 2 bars of gen 1 service, and could only get patchy data with my multi directional cell boster. I moved on because of this."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with natural features: Areas with streams provide built-in entertainment. A family at Allenspark notes: "This was our first time dispersed camping and we loved it! The road was pretty mild but on up gets a lot more rough! The pull offs are great and most of them have fire rings."
Be bear aware: Wildlife encounters require preparation. "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," reports an Allenspark camper. Another visitor had a worse experience: "A huge bear got into my tent while I was gone for 2 hours and absolutely destroyed it."
Plan for temperature swings: Night temperatures drop significantly even in summer. A visitor at Beaver Reservoir notes: "This was a wonderful campsite, incredible views, fairly easy to access(we did it in a Honda civic), and was an overall great environment. Not much out there, except what appears to be a small town on the other side of the lake."
Tips from RVers
Site assessment before commitment: Forest Road 332 offers suitable spots for smaller rigs. "We did it in our sprinter camper van with 2WD and pickup," reports one camper. However, road conditions deteriorate: "If you go further down the road a high clearance vehicle is necessary the road gets worse as you go further."
Length restrictions at higher elevations: Gross Reservoir accommodates smaller RVs in limited areas. "Once past site 6 is a steep hill where 4x4 is highly recommended. We ended up turning around there but probably could have made it if I picked a good line," notes one camper. Another advises: "Beautiful lake with several good sized RV spots. We have a 25 foot camper and feet nicely in. Road in was good as well (May 2025)."
Early arrival necessary: Competition for level sites intensifies on weekends. "Good place to spend a day to a few weeks depending on lifestyle. I live out of my van and met a friend here few sites right off the highway with service. Fire pits and hiking near," explains a Buffalo Creek visitor.
