Best Tent Camping near Indian Hills, CO
Tent campsites around Indian Hills, Colorado range from established state park grounds to dispersed backcountry areas within 30 minutes of Denver. Staunton State Park Campground offers walk-in tent sites with hiking access, while Sawmill Hiker Campground provides primitive tent camping experiences with more seclusion. For backcountry options, Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area north of Nederland provides basic tent camping with few amenities.
Most walk-in tent sites require permits obtained in advance, particularly at Jefferson County Open Space locations like Idylease Campground. Campsites typically feature tent pads on gravel or packed dirt surfaces, often with picnic tables but minimal other amenities. Bear boxes are available at several locations due to wildlife activity, especially at Idylease Campground and Sawmill Hiker Campground. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some locations like Staunton State Park enforcing permanent fire bans despite what older information might indicate. Vault toilets or pit toilets are common at established sites, while dispersed tent camping areas have no facilities.
Early reservation planning proves essential for tent campers seeking spots at popular locations like Staunton State Park's walk-in sites. Sites are typically spaced to provide moderate privacy, though visibility between neighboring tent areas remains common. The terrain around tent campgrounds near Indian Hills features moderate elevation gains, with some walk-in sites requiring gear transport over distances up to a mile. Many tent sites offer dual hiking access to trail networks within Jefferson County Open Space and Denver Mountain Parks. A visitor at Sawmill Hiker Campground commented, "Spots aren't too close to each other and there's great views. It was our first hike-in and we loved it." For Staunton Park's walk-in tent sites, a recent review noted, "Sites are stretched out along two short trails. Most far enough that it makes sense to treat it a bit like backpacking so you have fewer trips to make."
