Best Tent Camping near Hillside, CO
Tent campers near Hillside, Colorado can choose from several primitive and established sites across the region's varied terrain. The Dunefield at Great Sand Dunes National Park offers a unique backcountry tent camping experience requiring permits, while Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites provide more accessible options with established fire rings. Davenport Campground in San Carlos Ranger District offers designated tent sites with picnic tables approximately 25 miles from Hillside.
Most tent sites in the area feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Phantom Canyon Road sites include fire rings but limited facilities, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out waste. The narrow, winding access road has washboard sections but remains passable for standard vehicles. At Davenport Campground, tent sites are walk-in only, requiring campers to carry gear approximately 50 yards from the parking area to their site. The campground provides picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and vault toilets. Red Canyon Park offers free tent camping with vault toilets and some sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings.
Tent camping in the Dunefield provides an extraordinary wilderness experience with complete solitude once past the day-use area. A review mentioned, "Once we crossed over the day use area, it was like being in another world. We didn't see another soul, and the only noise all night came from the sand blowing in the wind around our tent." Campers must obtain free permits from the visitor center, hike beyond the first dune ridge, and be prepared for strong winds. At Phantom Canyon, tent sites offer varying levels of privacy, with some tucked into small canyons providing separation from other campers. As one camper noted, "We couldn't see those spots nor hear anyone else. Travel on the road by our site was minimal and sites were abundant." Wildlife sightings, including bears, are common in the area, requiring proper food storage and waste management.
