Dispersed camping near Idaho Springs offers access to the Arapaho National Forest at elevations ranging from 7,500 to 10,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F at night to 75°F during the day, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Most sites lack designated boundaries, instead featuring informal fire rings marking usable areas.
What to do
Hiking at Loch Lomond: Trek up from the dispersed camping area to multiple alpine lakes. "There are a TON of trails. The trail up to Ice Lake is moderate level I'd say. Rocky trail, stream hop, I had to carry my dog over a rough boulder part," notes Timothy H. from Loch Lomond Dispersed.
Fishing opportunities: Cast for trout in mountain streams and reservoirs. "We were literally right next to a stream of water which was good fishing as me and my friend caught our daily limit of fish very quickly," reports Larry S. from Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail.
Mountain biking trails: Access nearby single-track routes. "Great location with single tracks for hiking and mountain biking. Camping spots are well-marked," shares Lori L. about the trails around West Magnolia.
Stargazing: Take advantage of dark mountain skies away from city lights. "Sites weren't marked like other places I've been but I expected it being dispersed. Had a wonderful time the sky was pretty it was secluded and lots of space," writes Wil L. about York Gulch Road.
What campers like
Proximity to town: Many rustic camping options remain within 15-20 minutes of Idaho Springs amenities. "Resources were running low on a Friday night so it was great pull off great views close to Idaho Springs downtown, nice hiking trails as well traffic is pretty much non-existent after 9pm," mentions Lenny G. from Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site.
Privacy between sites: Most dispersed areas feature well-spaced camping spots. "The campsites are spread out enough to limit others noise pollution and feel secluded. There is a fire ring at all campsites, but no amenities," reports Casey J. about West Magnolia Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Opportunities to see local fauna in natural habitat. "Lots of chipmunks and hummingbirds due to the many wild flowers," notes Dian G. about Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area.
Water features: Many sites provide access to streams or alpine lakes. "There are plenty of spots still open for us. I wouldn't recommend for a big group unless you get there early and claim the whole top but we really enjoyed it! The lake was low but still beautiful," shares Savannah B. about Fall River Reservoir.
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access roads range from maintained dirt to technical 4x4 routes. "The entrance road is hard to find - Drive to the Indian Hot Springs facility in Idaho Springs, take Montane Road. It turns into Hidden Wilderness Road when the pavement ends. As already stated by others, this is a Jeep trail. Do not attempt without 4WD at any time of year," warns John B. from Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp #1.
Early arrival recommended: Sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "We showed up on a Saturday morning in July around 10 AM and still found a spot," reports Francesca M. about Fall River Reservoir.
Weather variability: Prepare for rapid temperature changes and precipitation. "We went on a bit of a rainy weekend so it got super cold at night. The roads are super rocky as you get up to the reservoir and with the rain there were some large puddles," explains Caite E.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. "I have AT&T and had zero cell reception, some of the others had Verizon which had limited cell service," notes Chad C. about Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping.
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: For easier camping with children, select locations with better road access. "It's right next to 72, so traffic sounds, and there's 4 wheelers and dirt bikes, so not exactly quiet. I will only stay the one night, too loud for me," advises Abra J. about Gordon Gulch.
Look for flat tent spaces: Many primitive sites around Idaho Springs have uneven terrain. "Our campsite didn't have much even ground, but we strung up hammocks so that wasn't really an issue," shares JoeDan about Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp.
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain elevations mean significant day-to-night differences. "It was quite easy to find a campground for dispersed camping with other sites marked. Recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach some of the spots, especially if there is poor weather," suggests Quinton T. from Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area.
Bring adequate water: No potable water sources exist at dispersed sites. "This is a popular place for locals to shoot guns and ride dirt bikes. There are brass shell casings on the ground literally everywhere, and a LOT of shooting most days. No water, rivers or lakes, but otherwise no complaints," notes John B.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Larger RVs struggle on most primitive routes near Idaho Springs. "Positives: The drive is gorgeous, the road is mostly smooth. Negatives: It is a pretty steep ascent. There were a few spots that would have been ideal but were already taken. We looked a little further ahead and the road got rough. Take away: If you have anything bigger than a sprinter van, I wouldn't try this," warns Melanie S. about York Gulch Road.
Road reconnaissance: Scout roads before attempting with larger vehicles. "Partly my own fault. I didn't check the reviews! The road up is steep and has multiple sharp switchback turns. Got to the final turn and it was too tight for my rig and I bottomed out," cautions Melanie S. about Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp.
Use established pull-offs: Look for wider areas with existing fire rings. "A beautiful spot. This is a really big pull of, right off the side of the main road. Easily accessible for both big rigs and small, low to the ground rigs," recommends Jo S. about Pull off with fire ring.
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "This area is all paved. Don't expect to put stakes in the ground. Any unpaved areas around it are not flat," notes Chris A. about Pull off with fire ring.
