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Best Dispersed Camping near Idaho Springs, CO

792 Reviews

Hidden Wilderness Road branches off from Montane Road in Idaho Springs, providing access to multiple dispersed camping spots along a challenging forest service route. The road requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles, with numerous reviewers warning against attempting it in passenger cars. Campsites are scattered along switchbacks and atop the mountain, offering secluded spots with views overlooking Idaho Springs. According to one visitor, "There are campsites ever so often both on the left and right side of the road that are marked only by a pull off area with a fire pit."

York Gulch Road offers more accessible primitive camping options near Idaho Springs, featuring multiple sites along a dirt road that connects through residential areas. The main access road is well-maintained crushed dirt, suitable for most vehicles, though some rougher sections exist further in. Several reviews note that most sites have fire rings, with camping areas spread out enough for privacy. A recent review mentioned, "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." Other options include roadside pull-offs along Fall River Reservoir trail and Chinns Lake, providing opportunities for backcountry camping without facilities.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Idaho Springs, Colorado (148)

    1. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    24 Reviews
    Empire, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 567-4382

    "It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving. Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake. "

    "Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes."

    2. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    54 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    19 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Like the title suggests, this campsite is typical for a free forest service campground. Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes."

    3. Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site

    16 Reviews
    Georgetown, CO
    6 miles
    Website

    "Resources were running low on a Friday night so it was great pull off great views close to idaho springs down town , nice hiking trails as well traffic is pretty much non existent after 9pm"

    "Any unpaved areas around it are not flat."

    4. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    18 Reviews
    Empire, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 567-4382

    "This campground is just above Idaho Springs, which made it a relatively quick trip from Denver. Tons of dispersed campsites in various places all the way up to the reservoir."

    "Wonderful free dispersed camping. The majority of the road isn’t that bad, but you’ll certainly want something high clearance and 4WD for the last stretch of road up to the reservoir."

    5. West Magnolia Campground

    26 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    15 miles
    Website

    "Oe of my family's fav places, beautiful views, camping spots super far away from one another so awesome privacy, and completely free. Spots fill up quick on weekends, you can stay 14 days."

    "The roads around the whole campground were a little rough but i did okay in my Ford Escape. All of the sites seems to be really spread out. There were several people in the campground."

    6. York Gulch Road

    9 Reviews
    Dumont, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "Take the exit onto Fall River Road from the highway, a short road. You are then soon connected with forest service road of sorts York gultch."

    "Peaceful & quiet little area that’s about 10 mins from I-70 & 15 from Idaho springs."

    7. Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp #2

    8 Reviews
    Idaho Springs, CO
    1 mile

    "For those that can't find it, putting "Hidden Wilderness Rd" in the GPS should help. It's a dirt road at the top of the neighborhood road. You'll want 4wd for sure."

    "Gorgeous campsite overlooking Idaho springs and multiple mountain ranges. I visited at the end of May ‘24 and the roads were all clear of snow and ice."

    8. Loch Lomond Dispersed

    9 Reviews
    Empire, CO
    9 miles
    Website

    "There were some mixed reviews about needing a high clearance vehicle/4x4. We took our Subaru Crosstrek and the drive up was rough."

    "Leading to Loch Lommond, as well as plenty of sites around the lake. Really nice loop trail around the lake, not too difficult. Also a direct trail to James Peak which sits a little above 13,200ft."

    9. Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp #1

    6 Reviews
    Idaho Springs, CO
    1 mile

    "First off the campsite locations for hidden wilderness roadside camp is somewhat misleading."

    "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."

    10. Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    20 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Went on a Tuesday afternoon and there was foot traffic around our spot from people headed on hikes."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Idaho Springs, CO

539 Photos of 148 Idaho Springs Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Idaho Springs, CO

792 Reviews of 148 Idaho Springs Campgrounds

  • Paulina B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 20, 2024

    Kirby Gulch

    Worth the Rough Drive

    Kirby Gulch is a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience near Grant, Colorado. Situated off Route 1038, this dispersed camping area offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and wildlife watching.

    The campsites are well-spaced, providing plenty of privacy, and the area is generally clean, thanks to considerate campers. Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so make sure to come prepared. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for accessing some of the sites, especially after rain or snow.

    What makes Kirby Gulch truly special is its tranquility. You can enjoy the sound of the wind through the trees, the crisp mountain air, and dazzling stargazing at night. It’s also a great starting point for exploring nearby trails or simply soaking in the serene environment.

    If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and leave-no-trace principles, Kirby Gulch is a hidden gem worth checking out.

  • Sun H.
    Jul. 28, 2024

    Pole Hill Rd Dispersed

    Access not worth the trouble

    Don’t believe the navigation apps and go through lyons, it’s private property ; furthermore if you like I did make the drive though Estes park, have 4WD high clearance and a small vehicle… maybe you’ll make it to this brutally elusive last free camping spot off the main mountain roads

  • Meg G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Spectacular - 4x4 is required to access.

    We drove our BRAND NEW 4x4 Revel and were nervous the entire trip up and back.  We are a high profile vehicle, luckily we had plenty of clearance but it was very nerve wracking both up and back.  It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving.

    Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake.  When you arrive, there are several dispersed campsites around the lake.  All the spots have beautiful views and tons of space between other campers.  There are firepits (even though CO is on a fire ban) that  will be nice for future visits.  We visited on Sept 17-19, 2020, so the evenings are cold and the days short.  Additionally, the water level was very low.  

    The area is nice for hiking and exploring, and especially to get away from it all.  No cell phone service.

    As the weekend approached, there were several ATV's heading up for the day.  While we were there, only 3 other groups camping on the weekend.

    You will be at 11,000 feet looking at the Continental Divide!  THIS is Colorado camping!  Enjoy and please remember to leave no trace!

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Grays Peak Summer Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    Great base camp for summiting Gray’s/Torrey’s

    Stevens Gulch Road (321) is a dirt road off of I-70 west of Denver in the Arapaho & Rosevelt National Forests and the Pawnee National Grasslands. It has amazing scenery and access to gorgeous hiking trails to summit Gray’s, Torrey’s and Kelso Peaks. It is a fairly mellow SUV road with plenty of space to pass other vehicles and you will occasionally see passenger cars as well. The road leads to a large parking lot that fills up fast with car overflow parking spilling down both sides of the road. There are pit toilets and bear proof trash cans at the parking lot. The road continues past the parking lot a very short ways to some dispersed campsites by a river that have stone campfire rings. Definitely filter this water as there are uphill toilet paper gardens along the climb to summit.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

    A new favorite!

    This campground is just above Idaho Springs, which made it a relatively quick trip from Denver. Tons of dispersed campsites in various places all the way up to the reservoir.

    Be warned, this road is no joke. We did see a few brave drivers in Subaru’s, but most campers had high clearance 4x4 vehicles. The road is a mixture of rocks, small water crossings, and potholes. If you can tackle it, it is absolutely worth it!

    Very buggy at night, probably because we were camping right next to a running stream. Which was amazing! Just bring lots of bug spray.

  • Melissa B.
    Oct. 3, 2020

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Perfect Little Getaway

    (Camped 09/18-09/20) This was a little tricky to get to but totally worth the trip. Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes. Once you get to the "Invincible Lodge" entrance there is a dirt path off to the left. It has a sign at the entrance stating the drive up goes through about 3 miles of private property before reaching the dispersed camping area. It also says the route is for "high clearance vehicles"....and it isn't joking. The first mile isn't too bad...just mostly gravel. The next couple miles though get really rocky with some spots that have large dips and narrow paths. The route is ideal for Jeeps and offroad type vehicles, but it is still manageable in a small SUV or truck. Just have to really know what youre doing. Even in our Silverado, my brother had to drive very slowly and maneuver around large rocks sticking up otherwise we would have bottomed out. It took over an hour to get up to the camping area. There is a split in the road at one point and we continued to the left toward the Chinns Lake Reservoir.

    Once finally at the top there were plenty of spots to choose from. Gorgeous views and lots of wooded area around both reservoirs. There is a nice hiking trail that goes up the mountain side between the two reservoirs as well. We got a little lost and ventured off the path to go higher on the rocks, and the view was worth it. Was a little bit of an adventure to find our way back down though.

    Since it was mid-Sept it got pretty cold at night. Elevation was around 11,000 ft where we camped. We were in a fire ban as well so that didn't help. Probably got into the high 30s the one night. Beautiful view of the stars though, and plenty of small wildlife to see.

    Highly recommend staying in this area!

  • Karl G.
    May. 6, 2019

    Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    Dispersed Campsite with Views - Gordon Gulch (4x4 recommended)

    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. 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!

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping

    Good but not great

    Tarryall creek dispersed camping. The road in is a bit bumpy. I would not trade in a low clearance vehicle. Four-wheel-drive is needed if it should get wet or slippery. Once you get onto the road, the sites are big and spacious. This is dispersed camping, so there is no water no electric and very little cell service. We have periodic two bars of Verizon. The sites are definitely big enough to accommodate big rigs. You just have to take the road really slowly on the way up. If you carry on all the way up to 10, you get to fenced areas where there is no camping so we took 293 off to the left and immediately after the Turner a couple of sites. We followed it all the way down for a long way. The road is incredibly bumpy and four-wheel-drive is absolutely necessary. Along with high clearance. I would not advise it for big rigs. The Site that we got just on the left after the turn walls reasonably wide. Big enough to get a big rig into. It’s pretty flat too but it’s also very exposed. There’s not a lot of shelter for our tent or our gazebo. The views are OK but nothing spectacular.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Rollins Pass Dispersed Camping

    Great spot close to Winter Park

    Went up Rollins pass road (you can access it from the Lakota Trail neighborhood or down the road a bit on 80). The first gate was open but not the second or third to get to the top where there are def more spots and fire rings. You can only camp places where there are dots on the side of the road on the official county map. Check the Rollins pass website it’s very informative and a sacred land so leave no trace. We got one of the like 3-4 spots we saw with a fire ring that wasn’t taken yet. (No fire ban 6/14/25 I check don’t worry :).. Some back trails are very hairy, pretty busy with motor vehicles but a lot of the new electric dirt bikes which don’t make much noise, probably 10-15 ppl the entire night riding by only once. Got great weather and the main trail is pretty easy up to the second gate which is supposed to be open June 15-Sept 15 I think.

Guide to Idaho Springs

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Idaho Springs, Colorado, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers

  • Experience breathtaking mountain vistas at Bruno Gulch Dispersed, where you can camp next to a fresh mountain stream and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
  • The Gold Lake Area Dispersed offers numerous spots with stunning views and rock formations, making it a great choice for photography and relaxation.
  • For those seeking a more secluded experience, Loch Lomond Dispersed provides ample space and beautiful surroundings, perfect for a peaceful getaway.

Outdoor Activities While Free Camping Near Idaho Springs

  • Hiking enthusiasts will love the access to trails from Kirby Gulch, which leads to scenic routes and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
  • Fishing opportunities abound at Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping, where you can enjoy a quiet day by the water and potentially catch some fish.
  • Mountain biking is a popular activity near West Magnolia Campground, with well-marked trails that cater to various skill levels.

Unique Features for Dispersed Campers

  • The Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail is known for its rugged roads and beautiful scenery, making it ideal for adventurous campers with high-clearance vehicles.
  • At Gross Reservoir Dispersed, campers can enjoy the unique experience of camping near a dam, with the added excitement of off-road access to various sites.
  • For those looking for a more primitive experience, Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp offers a rugged terrain that requires a 4WD vehicle, perfect for those seeking solitude and stunning views.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is free camping available near Idaho Springs and what are the options?

Free camping is readily available near Idaho Springs in the surrounding national forest areas. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers approximately 15 numbered sites plus many more unnumbered spots further down road 233.1, providing a secluded experience with mountain views. Pole Hill Rd Dispersed is another free option, though access requires careful navigation and a high-clearance vehicle. Additional free camping can be found at Tarryall Creek, Loch Lomond, and West Magnolia areas. Most free camping locations follow standard dispersed camping rules: stay within 300 feet of established forest roads, use existing fire rings, pack out all trash, and camp at least 100 feet from water sources. The standard stay limit is 14 days within a 30-day period in most areas.

Where are the best locations for dispersed camping near Idaho Springs?

Several excellent dispersed camping areas surround Idaho Springs. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail offers numerous sites along the road up to the reservoir, just above Idaho Springs for a quick escape from Denver. For those seeking stunning mountain views, Grays Peak Summer Trailhead Dispersed Camping provides access via Stevens Gulch Road (321) off I-70, featuring amazing scenery and hiking trails to summit Gray's, Torrey's and Kelso Peaks. Both locations require high-clearance 4x4 vehicles for the rough roads. Additional options include dispersed sites along Hidden Wilderness Road and Peru Creek, each offering their own unique mountain settings. Always follow dispersed camping regulations including using existing fire rings and camping at least 100 feet from water sources.

What amenities and facilities are available at Chinns Lake dispersed camping area?

Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping is a true primitive camping experience with minimal amenities. Located just outside Idaho Springs via CO Rd 275, the area offers spectacular scenery but no developed facilities. There are no toilets, potable water, trash services, or designated fire pits. Campers must bring all supplies, including water, and pack out all waste. The access road is extremely challenging, requiring high-clearance 4x4 vehicles to navigate approximately 7 miles of dirt road followed by 4 miles of difficult terrain. The payoff is privacy and beautiful surroundings. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, so check local regulations before visiting. Despite the rustic conditions, the lake access and mountain views make this a popular destination for self-sufficient campers seeking solitude.

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