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Tent camping areas near Lakewood, Colorado range from established campgrounds with amenities to remote dispersed sites on public lands. Bear Creek Lake Campground offers tent sites with access to drinking water, electric hookups, showers, and trash service, while more primitive options include Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir and Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, where tent campers can find more solitude.
Most tent campgrounds in the area have variable amenities, with some providing picnic tables and fire rings but requiring campers to pack in their own water. Sites at dispersed areas like Dream Canyon and Gordon Gulch typically lack facilities entirely, requiring proper waste disposal practices. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing the more remote tent sites, especially after rain or snow. Fire restrictions are common throughout the region, particularly during dry summer months. According to one visitor, "Gordon Gulch is a beautiful space, but the access road requires careful driving and some spots are only reachable with 4x4 vehicles."
Tent campers frequently find the best experiences at walk-in sites like Sawmill Hiker Campground, which offers more privacy than drive-in areas. Many primitive tent campgrounds throughout the region provide excellent stargazing opportunities and serve as gateways to hiking trails. Bear boxes are available at some sites including those at Reynolds Park, which helps protect food from wildlife. Tent sites at higher elevations offer cooler summer temperatures but may have snow until early summer. A camper wrote of Sawmill Hiker Campground, "This was an excellent beginner foray into backpacking with a 1-mile, easy hike to well-maintained and spread out campsites." Visitors should be aware that many popular tent camping areas fill quickly on summer weekends, with some requiring permits or reservations.
"Nice big sites, open space without a lot of trees, beautiful views, clean restrooms, showers (pay for) water fill stations, dump station, several restrooms."
"Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area."
from $34 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Came here for my birthday a few years ago, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking—mountains, lake views, the whole deal!"
"Stayed at campsite 18, had great views and nice weather, no water though but there is a lake down the road. 4x4 Required as roads were rough"
"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."
"Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes. After a quick clean up, the site was fine for my purposes."
"This semi-primitive campsite requires a permit from the Open Space Office of Jefferson County, CO. The permit is free, however you must pick up the permit in person at their offices."
"Great hike in campground. It was our first hike in and we loved it! Spots aren’t too close to each other and there’s great views!"
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Nice spot with a metal fire pit (good for stage 1 fire ban), picnic table, and tent pad. Tent pad was big enough to squeeze two 3-person tents and a 6-person tent (barely)."
"This site is surrounded by pine trees, aspens and boulders. Parking is a bit tight and the some of the sites pretty steep. Dude's Fishing Hole is within walking distance."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"The noise isn't bad at all, like your next to a heater running all night. The spots I stayed at are a bit up the road from the pin, in the curve of the road directly beneath the power lines."
"The road is very rocky and bumpy and requires 4WD."
"If you’re looking for a quick easy weekend camping trip with well maintained trails, you should check this park out. Campsites are a quick walk from the parking lot and vault toilets."
"I brought stoves no bigger than a jetboil/MSR dragonfly. Headlamps are a must. Also, we went in June and July. Check the weather."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"However, proximity to Boulder is a huge plus if you are looking for a quick and easy get away."
"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."
"Make reservations in person at Jeffco Open Space in Golden - those ladies are the best! Easy drive and a half-mile hike with moderate increase in elevation from parking to tent pads, numbered 1-5."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Cell service- none (t-mobile) Firewood- none Camp host- none Water - non Toilets- port a potty Fire ring- yes No leveled tent sites- generally flat land."
"Trash and Port a potties are provided. Site is right next to the Platte River. Picnic Table and Fire Ring is provided per site. Very relaxing, great views , and respectful neighbors."
from $24 / night
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Guide# 7 was a sweet spot - You can get three to four tents in this spot if you tent camp.
Tons of deadfall for firewood
I was able to pick up three pieces of trash. I am saying it's a clean spot!
Super quiet - Saw a moose!
Great area! Easy to get to!
TravelerIt’s awesome, but only if you have a very capable 4wd. There’s a great spot to camp at as soon as you start going up the hill. Past the first spot, the road becomes REALLY rough. So just be aware.
RangerBathrooms were very nice and clean. Lots of sites with minimal privacy. Pretty packed and noisy in October. Our site had electrical hookups and its own water. Picnic tables and fire rings available as well. Looks like a very family friendly campground. Stayed one night.
TravelerFrom a Sprinters point of view.
Sites are $45.00 a day plus parking
Sites were sloped, we took the flattest one we could find and it took 6” to block our van level.
Pit toilets were very clean.
Sites had trees and boulders, spaced roughly 50’ apart, but there visible traffic on the main road below.
It was a nice campground but we liked the Bobcat Campground a couple miles farther up the road.
See separate review.
TravelerWe took our Sprinter for its maiden voyage, this camp ground was beautiful, private and secluded.
Camping was $45.00 a day plus a parking fee.
Paid at the entry point to an extremely friendly attendant. Reservations can be made on line ahead of time and highly recommended in peak season, especially on weekends.
Site were 50’ to 100’ apart.
Sites were wooded and tucked into granite boulders.
In the 24 hours we were there we saw one car and two people walking their dogs.
Sites were pretty level, each with fire pits and picnic tables.
The pit toilets were very clean and with in 100’ of most sites.
Road in had signs stating you had to be in four wheel drive to avoid damaging the roads but they were very well graded.
ScoutLake Wellington is a beautiful family and dog friendly campground just about 90 minutes from Denver. There are 75 sites, and even when it's pretty full they are decently spaced out that you don't feel too on top of other guests. We brought our dogs and a group of friends and had a great few nights, even seeing Bald Eagles mating!
TravelerIf you are going to camp at a lakefront spot definitely have something you can sit in else you will be attacked by flies. Super quiet during the week - got busy over the weekend.
GuideI was pulling a camper and couldn't make it to the higher up spots. the spots near the entrance are littered with gross trash. I cleaned my area but there's too much . Hiking around has beautiful views.
GuideTakes you to a private road. After walking around probably someone parking towards the back pinned the location Follow the coordinates on the other Gordon Gulch and its easy to find
Dispersed camping near Lakewood, Colorado offers multiple options within a 30-60 minute drive of the city. Most sites sit between 7,000-9,500 feet elevation, resulting in temperature drops of 15-20 degrees compared to Denver metro areas. Camping areas range from basic roadside pullouts to designated primitive sites, with most locations implementing seasonal closures during winter months.
Paddleboarding access: Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir provides numerous paddling opportunities, though strict regulations apply. "Gross Reservoir is not gross! It is an awesome SUPing, kayaking, or canoeing option close to Denver and Boulder... There are a lot of inlets to paddle into and trails to explore. However, there are some cons to the reservoir; there are a lot of rules that are strictly enforced. There is no swimming in the reservoir," notes Karl G.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple camping areas offer opportunities to spot local wildlife including moose, deer, and black bears. "We saw deer all over the place, and heard reports of bear and/or lion sightings in previous years," shares Maria M. about camping at Idylease Campground. Many areas require food storage in bear boxes or vehicles.
Fishing access: Numerous camping areas provide direct access to fishing. The Osprey Campground sits directly on the South Platte River. "Right on the South Platte River where you can walk straight out your tent and into the streams. Very well supervised, clean bathrooms, trash dumps," explains Mitch A. Local fishing regulations vary by location, with some areas requiring catch and release.
Natural separation: Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers designated sites with reasonable spacing. "We went on a Sunday, the weekend after the 4th of July. 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," writes Quinton T. Sites are numbered and some require high-clearance vehicles.
Stargazing opportunities: The higher elevation and distance from city lights create excellent night sky viewing. "The best part? Our campsite was huge—plenty of space for our whole group, multiple tents, and a couple of cars. With a picnic table and fire pit included, it made for the perfect outdoorsy hangout spot," shares Amanda R. about Winiger Ridge. Light pollution decreases significantly at sites farther from Highway 285.
Short-distance backpacking: Sawmill Hiker Campground provides an entry-level backpacking experience. "This was an excellent 'beginner' foray into backpacking! This semi-primitive campsite requires a permit from the Open Space Office of Jefferson County, CO. The permit is free, however you must pick up the permit in person at their offices," explains Jessica K. The one-mile hike to campsites remains relatively easy for those new to carrying gear.
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require careful driving. "Gnarly ass road, not for trailers/sedans. Camp sites are nice, but except for a few (~5) the rest require a serious climb (drive) up a gnarly hill with deep ruts. I wouldn't try this with a camper/RV, or anything that doesn't have high clearance and power," warns Graham S. about Winiger Ridge.
Seasonal considerations: Temperature fluctuations can be extreme at higher elevations, even in summer. "We had very cold weather in both June and July, weather hit the low 30's," reports K R. about Staunton State Park Campground. Spring camping often encounters snow at higher elevations through early June.
Cell service limitations: Most tent camping areas around Lakewood have minimal or no cellular coverage. "There is zero cell reception... The roads coming in can be scary if you aren't used to driving on mountain roads. They're narrow, with mostly no guard rails, sharp corners and dirt roads," notes Stacy O. Emergency communications require satellite devices in most locations.
Beginner-friendly hikes: Many camping areas connect to suitable trails for families. "Panorama Point offers amazing views that even my 70 year old parents were able to join us on. PP gets really busy but get there early enough after camping and you'll have it mostly to yourselves. Frazer Meadows is also a fun hike that you can easily accomplish with a kid carrier," recommends andrew B. about Aspen Meadows Campground.
Space for active children: Look for campsites with natural features kids can explore. "My favorite for size and for kids is 19. This one sits atop all of the other sites and is one of the most accommodating and fairly private sites for families both in room and fun. It's a nice barrier to any dangerous cliffs, etc. And, you won't be bothered by anyone up there. There's nature to keep the kids busy," suggests K R. about Staunton State Park.
Water recreation restrictions: Families should know swimming limitations at reservoir camping areas. "You can only launch your boat at the boat launch on the southeast side (far from the campground) of the reservoir that is monitored by a ranger. He requires you to have a life vest, whistle, and your name written on your boat. Violating the rules is punishable by a fine," cautions Karl G. about Winiger Ridge.
Limited hookup options: RV camping near Lakewood generally lacks full hookups. "The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area. There's a few playgrounds within the campground and park area, with access to trails to the lake, a boat launch and boat rental, equestrian stables, and archery... Only drawback might be the bathrooms have no night lighting and you have a dumping station instead of sewage hookups," explains Kevin M. about Bear Creek Lake Campground.
Size restrictions: Most sites cannot accommodate larger RVs. "Campsite 1 is at the top, 5 is at the bottom, and in the middle of that row, there's a very clean outhouse, along with pre-cut firewood and non-potable water for campers' exclusive use!" shares Maria M. about Idylease Campground, where most sites work only for small trailers or truck campers.
Alternative parking options: Some camping areas prohibit RVs but allow parking nearby. "Can car/van/roof top tent camp in the parking lot, for the same nightly fee as listed on the notice board. However, no trailers," notes CC C. about Osprey Campground. This setup requires carrying gear to tent sites at many locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lakewood, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lakewood, CO is Bear Creek Lake Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lakewood, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 82 tent camping locations near Lakewood, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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