Best Tent Camping near Idledale, CO

Recent Tent Reviews in Idledale

2209 Reviews of 79 Idledale Campgrounds

• 

  Paulina B.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 20, 2024

  Robbers Roost Campground

  Secluded Mountain Camping

  Robbers Roost dispersed camping area near Fraser, Colorado, is an excellent spot for campers seeking a peaceful retreat close to nature. Located just outside Winter Park, this camping area offers easy access to the Rockies while still being relatively convenient to town for supplies or activities.

  The campsites are well spread out, providing plenty of privacy and space to enjoy the outdoors. The views are breathtaking, with towering pines and a mountain backdrop that’s hard to beat. It’s a great base for hiking, mountain biking, mushroom foraging or simply relaxing and soaking in the fresh air.

  Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so campers need to come prepared with everything they need and pack out all trash. 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.

  One of the highlights of Robbers Roost is the proximity to Winter Park and stream access. You can explore the local trails by day and head into town for dining or entertainment in the evening. At night, the stargazing is spectacular, thanks to the minimal light pollution in the area.

  If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and love the outdoors, Robbers Roost is a hidden gem worth discovering. Just be sure to practice leave-no-trace principles to help preserve the beauty of this spot. Finally beware of the busy nearby road, especially if you are traveling with off leash pets.

• 

  Paulina B.

  Ranger

  

  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.

• 

  Kay S.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 17, 2024

  Cherry Creek State Park Campground

  Easy Access GO EARLY IN AM

  If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth. Once the capacity for the Park is reached, you will not be allowed in.

  Nice Swim Beach with brand new Bldg. Many covered Picnic sites, but again, you MUST arrive at the break of day to secure one.

  Please plan to pack your trash out. Seems to be a severe shortage of dumpsters or trash cans and people leave behind huge bags of trash - or, sadly, just trash strewn around. Please respect our space!

  Campground is usually fully booked all season. Reservations can be made six months out. Two week limit.

  I live close to the Park and visit every month of the year.

• 

  Paulina B.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 15, 2024

  White River National Forest Heaton Bay Campground

  Lakeside Bliss at Heaton Bay

  Heaton Bay Campground, located near Dillon Reservoir in Colorado, offers a stunning lakeside camping experience with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The campground is set in a picturesque location, making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy water activities, hiking, and enjoying the serenity of nature.

  The sites at Heaton Bay are spacious, well-maintained, and equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, providing a comfortable setting for both tent campers and RV travelers. There are flush toilets and potable water, but no hookups for RVs, so keep that in mind when planning your stay. The campground is nestled among tall pines, providing some shade and a peaceful atmosphere, though there are few trees at some sites, so be prepared for full exposure to the sun.

  One of the biggest highlights of Heaton Bay is its proximity to Dillon Reservoir, where you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. The campground is also just a short drive from the popular town of Dillon and the many hiking opportunities in the area, including access to the nearby Swan Mountain Trail and many 14ers.

  The only downside is that during peak summer months, the campground can be busy, as it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends. The nights can also get chilly, so it’s essential to pack warm layers, even in the summer.

  Overall, Heaton Bay Campground offers an excellent lakeside camping experience with a perfect balance of nature, water activities, and mountain views, making it an ideal spot for a Colorado getaway.

• 

  Paulina B.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 6, 2024

  Rainbow Trout Ranch and Campground

  Peaceful Riverside Retreat

  A hidden gem in the Colorado Rockies, Rainbow Trout Ranch offers a serene mountain retreat. With its riverside setting and towering trees, this campground is perfect for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The sites are rustic but well-kept, and the peaceful environment is ideal for disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of Denver. Nearby hiking trails and wildlife add to the charm.

  AIM for a site along the creek. And beware of the rules. No wildfires nor swimming in the creek.

• a

  andrew G.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 10, 2024

  Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide

  Fun in the snow

  There were a lot of options for us to pull off and camp. We had gone the day after a snow storm and the road was decent. I guess snow plows go through often since there’s nearby residential. Each campsite was decently spaced and far enough from the road so that you can U turn it and it doesn’t feel like you’re just pulling off to the side (accommodated out RTT nicely) There were great views and the pups enjoyed it.

• N

  Naomi K.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 20, 2024

  Camp Chandler Dispersed

  Beautiful Place.

  Bumpy ride up, but we were able to do it in our car SLOWLY. Absolutely beautiful place. Lots of campsite options. I was under the impression fires were allowed, as there were fire pits, but signs everywhere stating no campfires. Columbine Lake is a pretty hefty hike from the trailhead, but so worth the view. Had the entire place to ourselves pretty much all Friday. Beautiful beautiful beautiful

• 

  Landon C.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 19, 2024

  Bailey Area Dispersed

  Difficult road to get to but beautiful views

  The road here has some gnarly washboards. I had to slow down to a crawl at points because it was thrashing my rig around so much. There is also one turn on the road where if you’re not careful, I could imagine getting stuck. However, the views are incredible and it was well worth the effort. Cell signal from Verizon is extremely good, I am getting 5G UWB and download speeds of 180mbps. There’s some cool hills to climb and many great views.

• U

  UT801

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 17, 2024

  Denver West-Central City KOA

  Nicest KOA we've been to

  And in fact I believe they were KOA of the year 2023 or 2024. More expensive than we're used to, but has nice amenities. Sites level with concrete pads, fairly large. Some space between with trees. Nice metal patio furniture provided at each site(chairs, table, fire pit). Has decent showers, hot tubs, and off leash dog park. Inexpensive pancake breakfast and pizza/wings to your site are available, also an onsite store. Kind of at the top of a rise, so good views but also kind of chilly for July (60s/40s). Massive thunderstorms with hail and heavy rain two evengings (CO mountains tend to get afternoon t-storms). Communicate via text to let you know about goings on. Good radio station out of Idaho Springs KYGT 102.7 and 103.9

• U

  UT801

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 17, 2024

  Chief Hosa Campground

  Good proximity to Evergreen CO/EZ I-70 on/off

  Stayed in spot RV24. Easy access right off freeway and convenient to TPB start. Some nice small trails in area for easy walking. Mostly pine trees. Orderly, camp hosts seem inclined to enforce rules. Quiet.No campfire pits so no burning allowed at all and most folks seem to knock off early. Showers are available for.25/2 min with a 4 min max. Appeared old, clean.

  For road cyclists: Good place to stay for Triple Bypass

  Food aside: Cooked Hatch green chile sausage and added to Sprouts Hatch mac and cheese and put into burritos. Ate leftovers for breakfast. Low FQ (fart quotient).

• 

  870VERLAND

  Guide

  

  Oct. 16, 2024

  Glacier Basin Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

  Awesome!

  Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery

• A

  A A Ron J.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 16, 2024

  Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon

  Way too expensive

  I spent the night at Base Camp because the campgrounds North and South of Ned were full and it was dark and getting late. You have to be lucky with those ones to get one of the few good spots that are there. I have been to the convenience store at BC before and it was closer to Idaho Springs (I was going there the next day to meet a friend). $39 per night for a tent site is INSANE. I could have stealth camped and there was another spot I could’ve gone too but BC was close and I was tired. I guess that’s how they make their business. Begrudgingly it worked for what I needed.

• A

  A A Ron J.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 16, 2024

  Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

  Trash+long term campers

  The place fills up on the weekend. I drove through most of the trail system and did not find a spot. Came back during the week and took a closer spot so as not to risk it. Trash is everywhere. Multiple poop spots are within 100ft of the fire pit with copious amounts of used tp lying around. Trees are slashed, cut, and the forest is not doing well. There are multiple long term campsites here so watch out for squatters. I stayed near the start and then a bit deeper, which prompted me to take photos. I forget the site numbers but honestly it’s not looking good in most places. At the very back are what look like a few nicer spots because they are hard to get to with a non off-road vehicle. It breaks my heart how this campground exists.

• 

  Ioan P.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 16, 2024

  Springdale Campground

  Nice,

  Situated of 9,400 ft. Altitude ! Not for everyone! Clean, in the forest.

• 

  Ioan P.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 15, 2024

  Chatfield State Park Campground

  Super nice

  Very clean, very well maintained. Large spaces near the lake.

• e

  elizabeth M.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 14, 2024

  Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping

  Stunning views and close to town

  I came on a Sunday afternoon before Columbus Day and there were plenty of spots open. Super close to town and stunning views.

• 

  Andria R.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 12, 2024

  Dispersed Camp Near Dream Canyon

  Sketchy

  Two beat up, broken down cars at the entrance. Road is very rough, full of potholes from the start. Did not feel comfortable staying here.

• 

  Andria R.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 12, 2024

  Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

  4x4 and tents only

  Beautiful, but really need a compact 4x4 to get into and out of parking lot and there are tent sites only. We almost didn’t make it out with our 24 ft van (checked it out but didn’t stay overnight). Very crowded on a Saturday at 4:30pm.

• K

  Kerri M.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 12, 2024

  Denver East-Strasburg KOA

  Quick overnight

  Not a lot of options on I 70 east of Denver for overnight parking so opted for a KOA last minute. Easy last minute check in process. Served great for a quick in and out.

• 

  Courtney D.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 11, 2024

  Bruno Gulch Dispersed

  Loved it!

  Not super busy! Lots of open spaces when we arrived around 6pm.

• M

  Marcus K.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 10, 2024

  Arapaho National Forest Stillwater Campground

  Big campground with great lake view

  I arrived after 6pm and the office was closed. However, self service was available. Though the only option was to pay by cash since the office was closed. Water Dump was not available and some toilets were closed. It has a great view of the lake from some spots, however, you can hear the road during night. Cell phone reception is poor but available.

• 

  Conner

  Guide

  

  Oct. 9, 2024

  Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping

  <15 min from town, great views, 2WD just fine

  I came in October when the aspens and birch still had some leaves . Beautiful colors on bareus pass

• 

  Conner

  Guide

  

  Oct. 9, 2024

  Breckenridge Overlook

  Sleep in car only - park on the edge of a cliff with breathtaking views

  Just one mile further up the road or so you will reach Destinated camp sites which I prefer.

  Although I saw 5 camp cars parked on the side of the road (this is a Monday night) facing the cliff that night and like 2 the next morning when I left for work. I was jealous a little bit of their views

• R

  Rebecca L.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 8, 2024

  Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite

  Site #6 of 33

  Finally, a nice campsite on a road that isn't horrible. There are 30+ designated, numbered, dispersed campsites on this road. Each of them have a parking area right along the road with a fire ring a short distance away surrounded by awesome rock outcroppings. The parking areas tend to be very unlevel and there are only a few that you can pull right up to your campsite. #6 had a level spot large enough for my van and the camping area just a few steps away. These are great campsites and the area is really awesome. After so many horrible roads and places closed, it was a blessing to find this spot. The road is a bit of a washboard, but that is nothing compared to most of the forest roads in Colorado. Highly recommended! Cell service with At&t in site 6 is decent. Calling is 2 bars. at least half of the sites are big rig friendly. All of the sites are 100% free.

• 

  Savannah B.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 7, 2024

  Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail

  Perfect for a quick overnight trip

  My husband bought a new tent so we just wanted to find something kinda close to Denver but still beautiful for just a quick overnight trip. Our goal was Chinns lake but stupid Apple Maps took us here instead. It was still beautiful and there were a handful 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.

• 

  Doris D.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 5, 2024

  Stillwater Campground

  Not my favorite

  When I arrived, I found out the water had been turned off for the season and the dump station was closed, this should be noted on the website in a spot where you can’t miss it Almost all the spots are on the slope so there are steps you have to go down to your table. Spots are very close to each other, no privacy. Tables are old, wooden, and slanting in a lot of the spots. The worst part is the traffic noise, I definitely won’t return to this campground.

• c

  clinton H.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 3, 2024

  Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site

  Great spot, minus the “no camping” signs

  We camped here after a Red Rocks show. The spot is a great area. About 20 minutes off of I-70. There are many pull offs along this road that could theoretically be good camp sites. However there are “no camping” signs, which is why I gave it 3 stars. Everything is great besides that: beautiful stars, good tent site, safe parking area.

  The spot we chose is a bit farther down the road than the one listed here. It’s in between the bend in the road. We parked at the pull off and walked down a small hill to find a good tent site and a fire ring.

  Also be aware it’s pretty chilly compared to just a few miles up the road. It was in the mid 30s at night.