Top Tent Camping near Lakewood, CO
Looking for the best options for tent camping near Lakewood? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Colorado tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Lakewood, CO (72)
1. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area
Nederland, Colorado48 Reviews•81 Photos•1313 SavesFive miles north of Nederland, National Forest System Road (NFSR) 226, commonly known as Gordon Gulch, turns east off of Colorado Highway 72. NFSR 226 intersects other forest roads: NFSR 314, 228, 233 and their off-shoots. There are 15 numbered, designated campsites scattered along the road system within 1.5 miles east of Highway 72. Camping is permitted in designated sites only. Take care when driving in this area. Snow and mud can persist through most of the year. The free Boulder Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map displays National Forest System (NFS) routes open to motorized travel and is available online and at the Boulder Ranger District offfice.
Streams; treat water for drinking.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
2. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir
Eldorado Springs, Colorado20 Reviews•55 Photos•1150 SavesCamping is allowed at numbered designated campsites. No fee is charged. Practice Leave No Trace Principles.
Camping is limited to 14 days in one location. After 14 days, your camp must be moved at least three miles away.
Maximum stay is 28 days within a 60-day period. After 28 days, all property and people must leave the Roosevelt National Forest.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
3. Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping
Nederland, Colorado18 Reviews•27 Photos•1135 SavesNOTE: Campers who build any fires face fines up to $5,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment for open fire violations.
Leave No Trace must be observed, as in any outdoor space.
In any season this area is prone to very strong dry winds that can pick up a hot coal from a campfire that has lain dormant for as much as three days and ignite dry vegetation, causing horrific devastation. People from outside Colorado may not understand how tinder dry this area can be. 197 homes in this area have been destroyed by wildfires. All of these fires were started by humans.
Local residents overlook this area and if they see visible flame or smoke they will call the Boulder County sheriff. Any campers who require a campfire are recommended to disperse camp near Sugarloaf Mountain where fires are permitted.
- Pets
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping
Empire, Colorado15 Reviews•57 Photos•1186 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. Staunton State Park Campground
Conifer, Colorado7 Reviews•31 Photos•222 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
6. Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail
Empire, Colorado14 Reviews•59 Photos•1011 SavesDispersed Camping information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd577265.pdf
With a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on national forest public lands. Camping in the national forest at one location is limited to 14 consecutive days. The campsite must then be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for an additional 14 days. Camping is restricted to a maximum of 28 days in any 60-day period.
More than 40% of lands within the Arapaho National Forest boundary are private or otherwise owned. A map showing land ownership is recommended. It is YOUR responsibility to know if you are on private, city, county, state, national park or national forest land.
Pack out all trash. There are no services.
Practice Leave No Trace ethics
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
7. Aspen Meadows Campground — Golden Gate Canyon
Black Hawk, Colorado6 Reviews•31 Photos•407 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
8. Allenspark Dispersed Camping
Allenspark, Colorado21 Reviews•54 Photos•931 SavesWith a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on National Forest System lands. Restrictions protect resources, minimize road damage, and reduce conflicts between landowners and visitors. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in one location. After 14 days, the campsite must be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for another 14 days. Camping is restricted to 28 days in any 60-day period. Some areas may require the use of designated campsites, and some areas, such as Indian Peaks Wilderness, require camping permits. More than 40% of lands within Boulder Ranger District's boundaries are private property. It is your responsibility to know if you are on private or public land.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9. Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp
Idaho Springs, Colorado6 Reviews•5 Photos•110 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. Sawmill Hiker Campground
Arvada, Colorado2 Reviews•3 Photos•257 SavesWhite Ranch Park is one of two Jeffco Open Space parks that allows for permitted camping. Sawmill and Sourdough Springs Campgrounds offer semi-primitive, tent-only, walk-in camping in designated sites is available by online permit. Required camping permits must be obtained at least 24 hours in advance. Permits are $12 per campsite, per night and valid for up to three consecutive nights. Camping is limited to a total of six nights within a 30 day period.
- Pets
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$12 / night
Showing results 1-10 of 72 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Lakewood
1757 Reviews of 72 Lakewood Campgrounds
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.
Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping
Super sick spot
We camped a very short walk from the parking lot. Amazing camp site with not many people around.
St. Vrain State Park Campground
Ok
Busy and right off highway
Gross Reservoir Dispersed
Great Spot, Bright Construction Lights
Overall a very fun spot if you have a vehicle with some group clearance to get to the nice sites by the reservoir. My Peak Edition Atlas handled it well. Only complaint is the damn project at Gross reservoir is a 24 hour site and the lights are ridiculously bright.
Pole Hill Rd Dispersed
Camping 10/10. Off-road Trail Extreme
I went up Pole Hill road in a 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD off-road and it took everything in me to not scrape or bottom out. Lifted 4x4 is highly recommended.
Once you get past the off-road portion, the camping is amazing.
Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping
Quiet with a lot of options
We parked in the parking lot and walked into the valley. After a while we found quite a lot of options with fireplaces already there. So you should mostly find something.
It is quiet, but also a popular spot for hikers so early in the morning, some people arrived. But you can camp far enough in the valley and away from the trail. Water is available if you have a purifier or filter system.
Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide
Beautiful Spots
Wanted to stay for two nights but only did two days, because a mountain lion tore a deer to shreds about a day or two prior to my arrival by my campsite and i was spooked. Had two dogs but had an eerie feeling and left early but it was gorgeous. Loads of OHVs tho
Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide
Great spots along ATV trail
Tons of level, large spots. Road is meant for ATV use, and was a fair amount of traffic throughout the day but tolerable. Hardly any at night. Restrooms at base of road. Found our spot 2.5 miles up the road, definitely needed AWD.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Larkspur
Nice but pricey
Overall Nice site. Stayed one night. Too pricey for a stopover. Propane fire pit looks nice but could not use. Must have a 20 pound tank. Store was closed as we arrived at 5 pm.
Train and traffic noise as expected for location. Lot of stuff for kids. Nice facilities. Clean park.Gross Reservoir Dispersed
Road Closed Mid-September
There is no discernible reason that the road is closed 2 miles before where this app says the site is. Internet search says it should be open til middle of November unless there is some weather or other issue. Lovely weather, locked gate.
Lake Granby
Awesome Primitive Beach Campsite
There are tons of options along the shore of the lake in this area. We kayaked into our campsite from Sunset Point campground on Labor day weekend and didn't have any issues finding a spot. There was lots of boat activity during the day but it slowed down in the evening.
Chatfield State Park Campground
Greast Spot
Stayed the last night with a rental RV that we needed to return to Denver by 10;30 AM. Campground has an unusual lay out with "loops" being 3 rings of sites. Sites are spread out well. Lots of privacy, Within an hour's drive of the RV rental return location (with a Costco on the way to fill the gas tank). Some sites have elec/water/sewer at the sites. Some have just electrical - this was our site. A communal water/sewer was available with ability to handle two vehicles at the same time.
Chief Hosa Campground
Good Spot, Beware road noise
This was a one-night overnight tent spot after a work conference in Golden. Drive to the site was not bad. The roads are a little bumpy to get into the tent-only camping but even my little Chevy did okay. Bathroom facilities are good with coin-operated showers. Relatively quiet but there is quite a bit of road noise from I-70.
Standley Lake Regional Park
Nice but no privacy
If you are used to RV sites or KOA you will be ok with this. On a scale of 1-5 here are my impressions.
- Site cleanliness. 5
- Bathrooms 5. Running H20
- Convenience 2. They lock the gates at 10pm.
- Electric 1
- Water hookups none 1
Overall esthetic 2. The lake is nice. The rest of the area is well compacted dirt with some scattered trees. City/road noise 2.
Forest Road 119
Still closed
The road is still closed
Rampart Range Dispersed Site
Great Access to Rampart Reservoir
Handful of spots stretched out along the road. It was hard to find some open space on a Saturday around 3.
Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed
Quiet
It can get a little windy, don't expect to do anything with the lake other than look at it. Locals are protective of it. Drove my Class C with no problem. A truck and trailer will also get down here with ease. I don't believe a Class A would be able to find anything. But the view is beautiful. There are a few spots coming in. Keep driving until you hit the lake and there is a large open area with several spots to park.
Forest Road 332 Dispersed
Quiet with lovely views
Found a nice big spot with sun and shade and a great overlook. Was a touch concerned that it would get ATV trafficy over the weekend as it was at a junction where 3 roads jet off. However upon inspection on mountain bike, they all dead end and aren't very long, so fun for a little bike ride but not much of an ATV or dirt bike adventure.
Being towards the end we saw very few people and it was quite and serene. We did it in our sprinter camper van with 2WD and pickup.
Only issue we had was due to the nature of disbursed camping not the site or area. A car with 3 men showed up Saturday evening. In the morning one of their dogs wandered over to our site (my husband had run into town so I was alone). Owner meandered over and retrieved her, without a word. Later the 3 of them started walking up one of the roads, them one walked across and just with the dog on the rock outcropping technically on our site. He eventually went back to their site. A while later one of the walkers returned and decided to use his metal detector on the road 30 from our site and right behind where I was sitting. There was oddles of space to explore so it was creepy that's he chose to be that close to me. As I got up to walk back to my van, the second dog came running at me barking. The guy eventually called it back and it left me alone, but again not a word.
I LOVE dogs, but I'm not a fan of their humans who don't keep them within their boundaries and let them charge after "the neighbors"
Except for the creepers, it was a wonderful place
York Gulch Road
Great place dark skies lots of space
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 for dogs to run!
Hermit Open Space County Park Hermits Hollow
Spacious campground
Lots of room to spread out but some weird regulations. Like only 3.2% alcohol?
Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site
Nice large paved pulloff with uneven grassy area and fire ring
The pulloff is one of many along the road. It's big, gets you quite far back from the road. Very little traffic on the road at night, I didn't notice any. Peaceful area. Not sure you could get a tent set up off of the pavement, but you could set one up on the gravel. I slept in my car.
Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping
2 nights of the best stay
Woke up on the first morning pretty much alone on a Tuesday after Labor Day, fishing happens but the lake remains nice and quiet. Night two had snow and woke up to some white caps. Will be back for sure!
Larimer County Hermit Open Space County Park Bobcat Campground
My favorite!
Just stayed here as our Basecamp for our RMNP adventures. This has moved to the top of my list of favorite campsites! Some sites are smaller, but several are good size and spaces far enough apart for the perfect amount of privacy. The vault toilets were the cleanest we have ever seen! Basically no cell service unless the wind blew just right. Also, they do charge an additional $15 to use the dump station. That felt like a rip off considering what we already paid to stay here with no services, but wasn’t much we could do about it.
LaVern M. Johnson Park
Great Spot in the creek with kids
This campground has everything. Full hook up, shower, restrooms, a great playground and a fantastic river.
Allenspark Dispersed Camp Spot
Some good views by 4x4
You really want a 4x4 in this area to get to good spots. It’s crowded and can be sketchy in my experience as a fire fighter up there. Bike riders take offense to people shooting and vice versa. Can be loud at night and day with motorized vehicles.
Pawnee Campground
Spectacular!
We loved camping here! We were very surprised that our site #14 did have trees and privacy after hearing from others that the Elk loop was bare from beetle kill. Lots of sites are bare, but this one is on the edge close to the Moose loop so plenty of trees. We did have to wait at the entrance gate until almost exactly our check in time at 2:00, but that was ok. Also, rec.gov had the check in and out times incorrect which was confusing, but the flexible and friendly campground hosts allowed us to finish our morning hike, giving us until noon to check out and into our second site(regular check out is 11:00). Something else surprising, the hosts said they often have same day availability due to cancellations and people who leave earlier than expected. Not sure I would take a chance and come up just for that, but it could extend your stay.
We ended up changing from Moose site 17 to site 34 for the second night. Both were amazing and private, but 34 had more space and suited us better. Wonderful experience with friendly and helpful hosts, very clean restrooms, quiet, peaceful, and fantastic hiking- oh and the views from the lake! Book early but don't give up- we got in on cancellations!
So wonderful to walk to the trails and there are many to choose from from. The restrooms are super clean, although not as many and as closely spaced as usual, but it wasn't a problem. We were so happy to make reservations on cancellations as it is super hard to get a spot here. We will try again in the future! Such a gorgeous place.
Pull off with fire ring - Dispersed Site
Spot guarantee
Went a little further up to a different pull out (same road, maybe 1/2 mile or less up), which ended up being a little more secluded. No outstanding views but a good spot. No cars at night so it was very quiet. If you keep driving on the same road you’ll find a bunch of pull off spots. No internet but starlink was great.
Guide to Lakewood
Camping near Lakewood, Colorado, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do:
- Paddleboarding and Water Sports: Head to Chatfield State Park Campground for some great paddleboarding spots. One camper mentioned, "Very pretty paddle boarding sites," making it a perfect spot for water lovers.
- Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails around Golden Gate Canyon State Park where one visitor said, "Great biking, hiking right from the campsite." It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
- Fishing and Relaxing: At Bear Creek Lake Park, you can fish and enjoy the beautiful sunsets. A reviewer noted, "Beautiful sunset," highlighting the park's scenic views.
What campers like:
- Friendly Staff: Campers at Denver West-Central City KOA rave about the helpful staff. One guest said, "Every staff member was so helpful and nice," making your stay more enjoyable.
- Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Cherry Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Bathrooms were exceptionally clean and well maintained."
- Scenic Views: Campers love the views at Reverend's Ridge Campground. One reviewer said, "Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado," which adds to the camping experience.
What you should know:
- Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Dakota Ridge RV Park noted, "Noise from the bar goes till around 11," which might be a concern for light sleepers.
- Road Conditions: If you're heading to Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, be prepared for rough roads. One review stated, "The road is in very poor condition," so a sturdy vehicle is recommended.
- Limited Amenities: Some spots, like Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, lack basic facilities. A visitor mentioned, "Not a single site felt safe or clean enough to camp there," so plan accordingly.
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places like Bear Creek Lake Park that offer swimming and fishing. A reviewer said, "Reservoir in the park for swimming and fishing," making it family-friendly.
- Check for Kid-Friendly Amenities: At Cherry Creek State Park Campground, families can enjoy a sand beach and hiking trails. One camper noted, "Easy access to the sand beach on Cherry Creek reservoir."
- Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds, like Reverend's Ridge Campground, are quieter, which is great for families needing downtime. A visitor mentioned, "Very nice, quiet and quaint camping spot!"
Tips from RVers:
- Look for Full Hookups: Campers at Dakota Ridge RV Park appreciate the full-service sites. One reviewer said, "Pull through sites are very practical to accommodate longer RVs."
- Be Prepared for Coin-Operated Showers: Many campgrounds, like Golden Gate Canyon State Park, have coin-operated showers. A camper advised, "Showers take quarters so come prepared."
- Check Site Levels: At Clear Creek RV Park, some sites can be uneven. A visitor noted, "The site was really bad. So uneven that no matter how much we tried we couldn't get level."
Camping near Lakewood, CO, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
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 Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area with a 3.6-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lakewood, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 72 tent camping locations near Lakewood, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.