Dispersed camping opportunities near Indian Hills, Colorado center on Pike National Forest with elevations ranging from 7,500 to 9,000 feet. The area experiences dramatic weather shifts typical of the Front Range, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months and significant temperature drops after sunset even during warmer seasons. Most free camping areas feature rocky terrain with primarily pine and aspen vegetation.
What to do
Mountain biking on established trails: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers extensive trail networks popular with mountain bikers. "Great camping spot, esp, if you like mountain biking. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels," notes a visitor to Buffalo Creek Recreation Area.
Fishing in nearby lakes: Chinns Lake provides fishing opportunities at higher elevations. "Got to hike, fish, paddle board, and just enjoy time away from the city. It's a great place and not a very far drive from Denver," reports a camper at Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping.
Stargazing with minimal light pollution: The Bailey Area dispersed sites offer excellent night sky viewing. "There's some cool hills to climb and many great views," mentions one camper, while another notes, "If you have a roof top tent, you might be able to get 3-4 bars of 5G... both were able to doom scroll while it was raining."
What campers like
Distance from Denver: Many free camping sites near Indian Hills provide a quick escape from urban areas. "I love this place because of its proximity to Nederland and Denver," explains a camper at West Magnolia Campground. Another adds, "Beautiful spot; close enough to civilization to feel secure yet secluded enough to feel private."
Accessible dispersed sites: Redskin Creek Road features numerous marked sites. "Over 30 dispersed campsites along a moderately smooth dirt road. Sites are spaced well apart, some sites are covered in trees while others are wide open," explains a camper at Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite.
Privacy between sites: Many locations provide adequate spacing between camping areas. "The campsites are VERY spaced apart," notes a West Magnolia visitor. Another camper reports, "The sites are big and far enough away from neighbors."
What you should know
Early arrival essential: Most free camping near Indian Hills fills quickly, especially on weekends. "This 'campground' is not super large RV friendly so if you are in a large RV try and get site 13 or head to one of the established campgrounds down the road," advises a Buffalo Creek visitor.
Vehicle requirements vary by location: Some sites demand high-clearance 4WD vehicles. "You'll absolutely need a 4x4 or a high-clearance SUV to get up there. The road is rocky and steep in places, but manageable with careful driving and the right vehicle," cautions a visitor to Chinns Lake.
Fire restrictions and regulations: Forest Service regulations apply to all dispersed camping. "Johnny law love to patrol the area multiple times a day, so do not violate the fire bans. The ticket is a million dollars($510)," warns a camper at Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area.
Tips for camping with families
Select appropriate access roads: Some forest roads pose challenges for vehicles with young passengers. "Road leading to spots is dirt but not bad. Once you turn onto where the spots are the road does get Rocky. We stopped at the first site. Quiet. Off roaders showed up in the morning!" reports a camper at York Gulch Road.
Prepare for limited amenities: No services exist at these primitive sites. "There were no bathrooms so the first day we got there we did a trash clean up of the backwoods of our site from toilet paper left out there," notes a Buffalo Creek visitor.
Wildlife awareness: Proper food storage protects both campers and animals. "Moose visitors at dawn and evening, and hungry bears scavenging for food at night is a common occurrence. Luckily my car alarm scared them off pretty easily," shares a Gordon Gulch camper.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions assessment: Many forest roads challenge larger vehicles. "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," explains a visitor to Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp #2.
Camp spot selection for larger vehicles: Specific sites accommodate RVs better than others. "If you have anything bigger than a sprinter van, I wouldn't try this. The scenery is gorgeous though!" advises a York Gulch Road visitor. Another camper notes, "At least half of the sites are big rig friendly," referring to sites along Redskin Creek Road.
Leveling challenges: Many free camping areas near Indian Hills have uneven parking areas. "The parking areas tend to be very unlevel and there are only a few that you can pull right up to your campsite," observes a Redskin Creek Road camper.
