70 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites in the foothills surrounding Henderson, Colorado range from established sites with basic amenities to remote dispersed locations in wilderness areas. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area and Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir offer primitive tent camping options within relatively easy access of the area, while locations like Dream Canyon Campsites provide free dispersed camping with tent-specific accommodations. The Roosevelt National Forest and nearby wilderness areas contain additional backcountry tent options for those seeking more solitude.
Most tent-only camping areas have fire rings but lack drinking water, requiring campers to pack in their own supplies or bring water filtration equipment. Tent pads are typically minimal, with surfaces ranging from packed dirt to forest duff depending on the site. Higher elevation backcountry tent sites may remain inaccessible until late spring due to snow. At Ceran St. Vrain Trail and Allenspark, tent campers must practice proper Leave No Trace principles as these areas have no toilet facilities and require packing out all waste. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, many dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles to access the best tent locations, with one visitor noting that "the dirt road leading to the camping area is manageable for most vehicles, though a higher-clearance option is recommended if conditions are wet or snowy."
Areas farther from town provide deeper wilderness experiences ideal for tent camping. Many sites offer proximity to hiking trails, making them excellent basements for day hikes or backpacking excursions. Tent campers at Winiger Ridge enjoy lakeside views but should arrive early on weekends to secure spots. The wooded tent sites at dispersed areas provide natural privacy screens between campsites, though sites closer to Boulder tend to become crowded during peak seasons. Wildlife sightings, including moose and deer, are common near backcountry tent camping areas, particularly at dawn and dusk. According to one camper, "Each campsite had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. There are plenty of trees for shade and some privacy, but you are still near other campers."
"Came here for my birthday a few years ago, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking—mountains, lake views, the whole deal!"
"Stayed at campsite 18, had great views and nice weather, no water though but there is a lake down the road. 4x4 Required as roads were rough"
"So 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."
"Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes. After a quick clean up, the site was fine for my purposes."
"However, proximity to Boulder is a huge plus if you are looking for a quick and easy get away."
"Was desperate to find "something" after driving 11 hours that day, and normal paid camp grounds were full. HOWEVER I was pulling a smaller trailer, and that turned out to be a real issue."
"Our spot was near the creek, the sound was beautiful. The only downside was absolutely no cell service."
"Fire ban was in effect when we went, but lots of fire circles available otherwise. Bring bug spray, the flies are bold."
"This semi-primitive campsite requires a permit from the Open Space Office of Jefferson County, CO. The permit is free, however you must pick up the permit in person at their offices."
"Great hike in campground. It was our first hike in and we loved it! Spots aren’t too close to each other and there’s great views!"
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Nice spot with a metal fire pit (good for stage 1 fire ban), picnic table, and tent pad. Tent pad was big enough to squeeze two 3-person tents and a 6-person tent (barely)."
"This site is surrounded by pine trees, aspens and boulders. Parking is a bit tight and the some of the sites pretty steep. Dude's Fishing Hole is within walking distance."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Nice big sites, open space without a lot of trees, beautiful views, clean restrooms, showers (pay for) water fill stations, dump station, several restrooms."
"Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area."
from $34 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Nice spot not to far from the roadside"
"Nice views, plenty of space. Dirt road for The last mile or so but it’s in great condition."
"My son and I joined a friend from Longmont and headed to this trail to camp for a couple days."
"We went here with our 2 dogs for a quick overnighter-only about 45 minutes outside of Boulder. It was a Sunday morning and the lot was almost full when we got there around 9am."
from $1 / night
Check Availability"Clear skies at night, but tree cover if you prefer. Quick drive to Estes Park. No Verizon cell service."
"Spacious site with a fire ring. Easy time finding, just follow all the arrows when there is a fork in the road."
Guide# 7 was a sweet spot - You can get three to four tents in this spot if you tent camp.
Tons of deadfall for firewood
I was able to pick up three pieces of trash. I am saying it's a clean spot!
Super quiet - Saw a moose!
Great area! Easy to get to!
TravelerIt’s awesome, but only if you have a very capable 4wd. There’s a great spot to camp at as soon as you start going up the hill. Past the first spot, the road becomes REALLY rough. So just be aware.
ScoutNice, level spots. Great mountain and lake views. Great views of all your neighbors. 😉
RangerBathrooms were very nice and clean. Lots of sites with minimal privacy. Pretty packed and noisy in October. Our site had electrical hookups and its own water. Picnic tables and fire rings available as well. Looks like a very family friendly campground. Stayed one night.
GuideThe campground itself is great! The sites can be pretty hit or miss. Some are very exposed and crowded up with other sites; some are set back in the trees and lovely! If you have strong preferences, be careful when picking your site.
TravelerFrom a Sprinters point of view.
Sites are $45.00 a day plus parking
Sites were sloped, we took the flattest one we could find and it took 6” to block our van level.
Pit toilets were very clean.
Sites had trees and boulders, spaced roughly 50’ apart, but there visible traffic on the main road below.
It was a nice campground but we liked the Bobcat Campground a couple miles farther up the road.
See separate review.
TravelerWe took our Sprinter for its maiden voyage, this camp ground was beautiful, private and secluded.
Camping was $45.00 a day plus a parking fee.
Paid at the entry point to an extremely friendly attendant. Reservations can be made on line ahead of time and highly recommended in peak season, especially on weekends.
Site were 50’ to 100’ apart.
Sites were wooded and tucked into granite boulders.
In the 24 hours we were there we saw one car and two people walking their dogs.
Sites were pretty level, each with fire pits and picnic tables.
The pit toilets were very clean and with in 100’ of most sites.
Road in had signs stating you had to be in four wheel drive to avoid damaging the roads but they were very well graded.
ScoutLake Wellington is a beautiful family and dog friendly campground just about 90 minutes from Denver. There are 75 sites, and even when it's pretty full they are decently spaced out that you don't feel too on top of other guests. We brought our dogs and a group of friends and had a great few nights, even seeing Bald Eagles mating!
TravelerIf you are going to camp at a lakefront spot definitely have something you can sit in else you will be attacked by flies. Super quiet during the week - got busy over the weekend.
Tent camping options near Henderson, Colorado extend beyond established sites into National Forest lands with varying levels of accessibility. Backcountry sites range from 5,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation, with many areas experiencing temperature swings of 30°F between day and night. Water access becomes more difficult at higher elevations, particularly in late summer when seasonal creeks often dry up.
Fishing opportunities: Gross Reservoir offers non-motorized boating options near Winiger Ridge campsites. According to Karl G., "There are a lot of inlets to paddle into and trails to explore. However, there are some cons to the reservoir; there is no swimming in the reservoir, which is very tempting."
Wildlife observation: The forested areas around Hermits Hollow Campground provide regular wildlife sightings. One camper reported, "Moose and black bear apparently frequent but haven't caused any problems. This is our 3rd stay here, and one of our favorites."
Hiking access: Multiple trails connect to campsites throughout the region. At N Boulder Creek Dispersed Camping, Kristen M. notes, "Very seclude, easy to access. I saw about 10 different pull in sites, maybe more. Never found a creek or water but there are some cute cows nearby! Wildflowers were crazy 7/3/23."
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed camping areas offer good separation between campers. At Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, Amanda R. shared, "The best part? Our campsite was huge—plenty of space for our whole group, multiple tents, and a couple of cars. With a picnic table and fire pit included, it made for the perfect outdoorsy hangout spot."
Water features: Streams and creeks enhance the camping experience at several locations. At Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping, Dani S. described their experience: "We crossed the creek by foot and set up right under what we later learned was a mountain lions apartment. We were far enough away from the trail that we were not bothered by day hikers."
Proximity to towns: Quick access to nearby communities makes these sites practical for weekend getaways. According to a reviewer at Aspen Meadows Campground, "The proximity to Denver is nice but I was surprised that the walk-in sites (29-35) were so close together. This section is probably only worth it if you can get site 34 or 35 which are the furthest back."
Road conditions: Many sites require high-clearance vehicles. Quinton T. noted about Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, "Recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach some of the spots, especially if there is poor weather."
Seasonal considerations: Snow impacts high-elevation sites well into spring. Catalina H. shared, "This dispersed site is pretty and is close to the highway, the road seemed a little sketchy in the snow but my RAV4 AWD made it just fine to most of the sites. It snowed on me overnight and the road was still very passable."
Facility limitations: Most sites lack basic amenities. Dream Canyon campsites have very minimal facilities, with Raymond H. reporting, "The coordinates on Dyrt are a little off from the actual location but if you drive down roads that lead to toward views of the canyon, you'll get there. The road passes through lots of private property, which can trick you into thinking you're driving down the wrong road."
Easier access sites: Choose locations with shorter hikes for younger children. Jessica K. described Sawmill Hiker Campground: "My husband and I came in through the West Trailhead. It is a 1 mile, easy hike. The first 1/3 of a mile is dirt, the remainder is gravel. It is fairly hilly, but easy enough that we actually opted to push our Jogging Stroller with our kid the entire way."
Environmental awareness: Teach proper outdoor ethics at primitive sites. One camper at Allenspark Dispersed Camping advised, "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."
Established campgrounds: For added security with children, consider locations with more facilities. Andrew B. recommends, "Our family loves this spot, the privacy and natural beauty all easily accessible for a 1 night trip for a family breaking in some unruly toddlers to the camping experience."
Size restrictions: Large rigs struggle on most forest roads. Graham S. warned about Winiger Ridge, "Camp sites are nice, but except for a few (~5) the rest require a serious climb (drive) up a gnarly hill with deep ruts. I wouldn't try this with a camper/RV, or anything that doesn't have high clearance and power."
Leveling challenges: Many sites feature uneven terrain. At Bear Creek Lake Campground, Vicky G. observed, "Nice big sites, open space without a lot of trees, beautiful views, clean restrooms, showers (pay for) water fill stations, dump station, several restrooms."
Alternative tent options: Consider tent camping when RV access proves challenging. Kevin M. notes, "Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area. Only drawback might be the bathrooms have no night lighting and you have a dumping station instead of sewage hookups."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Henderson, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Henderson, CO is Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir with a 3.8-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Henderson, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 70 tent camping locations near Henderson, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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