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The San Isabel National Forest surrounding Leadville, Colorado provides numerous tent camping options at elevations between 9,000-12,000 feet. Established sites like Kite Lake Campground and Baby Doe Campground offer designated tent areas with basic amenities, while multiple dispersed camping zones exist along Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes. Most areas permit tent camping from late May through early September, with some higher sites not accessible until mid-June due to snowpack.
Tent campers should be prepared for primitive conditions at most locations. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing remote tent sites, particularly at Homestake Reservoir and along Chaffee County Road 390. Most dispersed tent areas lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service, though established campgrounds typically provide vault toilets and designated fire rings. Many areas enforce strict fire restrictions during summer months, and proper food storage is essential due to bear activity. According to one visitor at Portal Campground, "The temps were pretty chilly at night...upper 30s in late August...and a really pleasant high 60s during day."
Primitive tent sites throughout the area offer exceptional mountain views and access to numerous hiking trails. Many tent campers use these locations as base camps for exploring nearby fourteeners, with Kite Lake serving as a starting point for ascending Mt. Democrat and neighboring peaks. Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping provides lakeside tent sites with fishing opportunities, while Boreas Pass tent sites feature panoramic views along a historic route. The dispersed areas generally offer greater privacy and seclusion compared to established campgrounds. One reviewer noted that "sites 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."
"Found this spot at about 7PM on a Friday night near the Breckenridge end of the Boreas Pass Trail (39.451441,-106.014294)."
"This this is a long Winding Road up the mountain that has many nice places to pull over and Camp right off the road. Some are a bit further back than others. Most are accessible to any vehicle."
"If you go up 24 toward the South Elbert trailhead, you’ll find lots of dispersed camping options for everything from RVs to tent camping."
"A few spots allow you to pull off and set up a tent with great views. The site we stayed in was about 50 ft from the trailhead and could accommodate a group!"
"Did see a Porsche, but they did not drive all the way to the end. People drive up to camp and to park to hike the Quad."
"most reasons to head out to the kite lake area are to try and summit 4 fourteeners in one day. Mt. Democrat, Mt. Lincoln, Mt Cameron, and Mt. Bross."
from $5 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Close to shops in Leadville. Stayed here on Friday night multiple spots with fire rings. Seemed really crowded."
"A huge open area with some trees and fire rings throughout. No facilities but room for hundreds of rigs w/o crowding. Area has been logged and piles of slash remain, hence, free firewood."
"We stayed here for most of our camping trip to Colorado and loved it! It's easily the most beautiful campground we've stayed at. There's only ~5 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring."
"This was a stunning campground tucked away high up in the mountains on Independence pass."
"Located near the town of Granite, this forest service road is host to trailheads and lots of dispersed camping."
"* Great views and access to a stream.
- Great sites and fire rings.
- Access to trails nearby and Buena Vista if you need to supplies.
Cons
- Little to no privacy. "
"Nice sites with plenty of shade. Clean facilties and close to the lake. Really beautiful woods all around with soft pine need floors... great for camping!!!"
"Great campground on the shores of Turquoise Lake. Lots of clean toilets. Sites are well placed with space between them. Some are tight for a trailer. The bugs were not bad."
from $29 - $33 / night
Check Availability"It has space for one tent for sure, and several more tents if you aren't picky about smooth and level ground under you. You could definitely fit an RV or trailer in the space as well."
"Level and had a turn around for a larger rig. Many tent sites around. Road is in good shape."
"I would recommend a 4x4 or offroad vechicle for most of the pull off roads in the area. Campsites have signs designating them and fire rings. Look for signs and pull offs from the main road."
"As the other reviews describe, it’s a groomed dirt road entrance near the parking lot for the Mount Quandary trail."
RangerQuiet campground, off grid, no cell signal, no wi-fi. Busy campground due to proximity to Aspen. Adequate space between sites. Pit toilets, dumpsters available. May pose access challenges for larger rigs. Each site has picnic table, fire ring, bear box. No amenities, no laundry, no showers, no electricity. Smallest amount of road noise, depending on what site you are in. Day use parking lot available.
LegendWe stayed at the Gore Creek Campground last summer 2017 on a drive from Southern California to Denver, CO. We took highway 15 through Nevada and Utah, and connected to Highway 70 in Utah to Colorado. To budget this trip, we tried to camp most of the way out and back to California - we saved our Airbnb rentals for Denver, where I️ was competing in Pole Theatre USA, an international pole dancing competition. We wanted to find a spot to camp for the night that was close to highway 70 and not toooooo far outside of Denver - Gore Creek Campground was the spot. It’s about 10-15 minutes outside of Vail, and about and hour and a half outside of Denver.
Campsites at Gore Creek are reservable ahead of time on recreation.org - we planned this trip about 6 months in advanced so had no problem reserving a site for one night on a weeknight. This campground is fairly small, however, with fewer than 30 sites, so I️ imagine it fills up quickly during the peak summer months. There are mostly drive-in sites in this campground, but there were some neat walk-in sites in a loop beyond the drive-in sites.
Gore Creek is a beautiful wooded campground that sits next to Gore Creek. There are a few ‘riverside sites’ in the campground, that were 60 yards or so from the creek. We had our pick of the sites that many months in advanced, so we chose site 9 as it appeared to be well secluded and close to the river - both were true! The area is densely wooded, so the sites have a lot of privacy, and the sound of the river is relaxing and peaceful at night, and drowned out most of the noise pollution from the nearby highway.
Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. The camp hosts were extremely kind and welcoming, and kept the grounds and the vault toilets very clean. There is NO WATER available at Gore Creek, so make sure to bring in plenty of water for cooking, washing, and drinking.
WARNING: You ARE in bear country - be bear smart and safe and use your bear box! We had our own bear box in our campsite - I believe each site has its own food locker. Try to lock all of your food and toiletries inside the food locker - they are large, and we have always been able to fit our big cooler into locker. If you do have to leave a cooler in the car, I was once told by a ranger in Yosemite NP that bears can recognize coolers when peering into car windows - he suggested putting put a towel and gear over your coolers when keeping them in the car overnight in bear territory.
There is a lot of beautiful hiking trails in the Vail - Gore Creek area. We did not have much time to explore as I️ had an appointment in Denver in the afternoon, but the area is absolutely gorgeous.
CAMPSITE SPECS
Fees: $25/night
Plumbed Toilets: NO - vault
Water: NO
Showers: NO
Picnic Table: Yes
Firepit: Yes
Cooking Grate: Yes
Shade: Yes
Cell Service: Yes
Trash: Yes
Animal Bins/Food Lockers: YES
GuideI love this place. The campground is full every weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day due to reservations made at recreation.gov up to 6 months and more than 48 hours in advance, and being so close to metro Denver.
The campground has 16 sites; 4 Walk-In, 1 host and 11 are reservable. Check in after 2:00 and check out by 1:00. If someone has a reservation, like a hotel, their site is held until 1:00 the next day because of the Forest Service rule that the campsite must be occupied the first night and they could have had delays.
The campground is at 9600’ and the last mile of the dirt road is a bit rough, but I have seen low profile cars and 42’ Class A motor home with a towed vehicle. Well water normally supplies the campground to faucets, but has not been productive the entire 2019 season and there are vault toilets. Each site has its own bear box and fire ring. The creek is less than 100 meters from the campground and fishing this year was poor... water level was low. Lots of great hiking and climbing in the area. About a 40 degree difference between day and night. During the fire ban, dispersed camping is limited to just a few areas so the campground is a great place to stay and you might still be able to have a fire in the fire ring. Privately owned cabins can be seen as you walk through the woods. Hell’s Hole Trail is a few hundred yards from the campground. I’m looking forward to going back there as host next year.
RangerThis remote campground might pose some access challenges for larger rigs. Clean pit toilets, no showers, no laundry. Fresh drinking water and dumpsters are available. No dump station in campground. Mixture of river and non river sites. Plenty of room and privacy between sites. No mobile phone coverage, no wi-fi, no amenities within 30 miles of the campground. 2 campground hosts on site. Small reservoir lake nearby for fishing and canoeing. Hiking and fishing nearby. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and bear box.
LegendFCFS
Check in 2:00 pm check out 12:00 pm Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am
Open late May or early June until Tuesday after Labor Day fees may be paid by cash, check, or money order
Fees: $22.00 $52.00
Picnic table, fire ring, toilet, firewood from camp host
Shady lodge pole pine and aspen forest that is set along the Lake Creek whitewater. You will spot anglers all along the cheek enjoying fly fishing. The stream is beautiful as it tumbles along and over the rocks and boulders. The campground is nice and flat with some decent size sites. Gravel base. Nicely shaded. Sites 1& 3 might be a bit noisy due to the highway that runs along the side of the campground. You may buy firewood from the camp host.
If you plan a trip be aware of the possibility of altitude sickness.
Directions: From Leadville, go 15 miles south on US 24, then west on CO 82 past Twin Lakes Reservoir and Twin Lakes Village
LNT
Clean, Drain, Dry
Stay safe
GuideReally gorgeous camping spot with easy access to tons of different outdoor activities. Tent sites are very well maintained and very beautiful. Walk-in sites are very close to parking, I would barely consider them walk-in sites. My only complaint is that the tent pads are made of gravel and therefore extremely hard to properly stake down tents.
TravelerGreat views, Milky Way was right above us, high ground clearance vehicles recommended, plenty of room for groups of RV’s, good distance between camping spots, but not completely secluded, great for riding ATVs and bikes, fire pits, bring extra water to ensure fire pit is fully out, check local fire bans, and tent camping bring a small portable gas stove with extra propane, no bathroom accommodations, first come, first serve, Free. It does get chilly at night, bring layers and good sleeping bags, Leave the planet better than when you found it and pack out all trash. Thank you, your fellow travelers.
GuideQuiet campground- especially early in the season.
$22/night; Firewood bundles on-site for $9.
Each site has a picnic table and a bear box for food storage.
Bathrooms were clean. Sites are smaller and very close together. Little privacy if visiting during a busier time.
Sites 7, 9, and 11 have trails that connect back to Chicago creek just a short distance away. Hiking trails are close by to nearby forests land. No cell service.
ScoutThe reservoir and surrounding areas are beautiful, but we don't plan to return to this campground. The roads in are so rough and created so much vibration that it was actually damaging to our A-Liner camper (with an off-road package). The speed limit is 55 and we weren't able to go much faster than 10 mph without the vibration becoming unbearable. The campsites are totally exposed with no tree cover, but it was too windy to set up our shade tent. The winds were so strong that we slept poorly; a neighbor in a tent said the wind ripped off two of his rain fly straps overnight. We chose Site 612 because the sites in that loop looked more private and spacious, but we failed to note that there was no bathroom on that side of the campground, with the nearest facilities being a short drive away. We left after the first night.
Dispersed camping sites near Leadville, Colorado include a mix of roadside pull-offs and designated areas at 9,000-12,000 feet elevation. Sites along Boreas Pass, Homestake Reservoir, and County Road 390 provide no-fee alternatives to established campgrounds. Winter conditions can persist through late May at higher elevations, with road access limited by snowpack until early summer in some locations.
Hike nearby fourteeners: From Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping, access several 14,000-foot peaks including Mt. Elbert. "If you have a 4x4 vehicle and can make your way toward the trailhead for south Mt Elbert, there are some amazing spots. A few spots allow you to pull off and set up a tent with great views. The site we stayed in was about 50 ft from the trailhead and could accommodate a group," explains Brielle E.
Fish at reservoirs: Fish in alpine lakes throughout the region. "There is great hiking in the area. We loved to hike on the other side of the lake to the old resort," notes Kate W. about Whitestar Campground. The campground provides walking-distance access to Twin Lakes fishing.
Mountain biking: The area offers forest roads ideal for mountain biking. The road to Portal Campground serves as a starting point. "Very easy flat dirt road I can see a sedan making it up there slowly. Potholes and few rocky bumps exist," notes Joe M. about Boreas Pass, highlighting the road conditions suitable for biking.
Secluded camping spots: Tent campers appreciate the privacy found at dispersed sites. "We were lucky to find a fantastic, more spacious spot. It had plenty of room for our truck, a large tent, and a canopy—perfect for spreading out and relaxing," says Jenny B. about Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping. "One of the best parts was the privacy. Our site was far enough from the neighboring spots that we couldn't see or hear other campers."
Wildlife viewing: The high-altitude environment hosts diverse wildlife. "Wildlife was another highlight—there were clear signs of moose activity nearby, and fellow campers just up the road mentioned seeing a moose wander around their site," Jenny B. adds about Boreas Pass. Deer, marmots, and various bird species are commonly spotted.
Cooler summer temperatures: Higher elevations provide relief from summer heat. "We stayed here in Early July and it was pretty busy but were able to snag a spot by the Lake. This is definitely worth the trip," notes Connor M. about Portal Campground. The alpine environment typically maintains daytime highs in the 60s-70s during summer months.
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to many sites requires appropriate vehicles. "The road to get out here was pretty rough, 5.5 miles of ruts and bumps. I would stick to a decently high clearance car, 4 wheel drive if the weather is bad," advises Anthony P. about Kite Lake.
Limited amenities at dispersed sites: Most dispersed camping locations lack facilities. "This is a really basic campground option right on the Homestake Reservoir road. It has space for one tent for sure, and several more tents if you aren't picky about smooth and level ground under you," notes Greg about Homestake Reservoir. Most sites have fire rings but lack toilets or water.
Weekend crowds during summer: Popular areas fill quickly on weekends. "I would definitely come back just to look at the view! About 12 miles deep the road turns very rocky, didn't go through there since it started raining and wanted to find a place to stay for the night," mentions Joe M. regarding Boreas Pass.
Choose established campgrounds for amenities: Families often prefer sites with basic facilities. "Great campground on the shores of Turquoise Lake. Lots of clean toilets. Sites are well placed with space between them," reports Craig R. about Baby Doe Campground. Established campgrounds typically offer more reliable access for family vehicles.
Prepare for variable weather: Mountain weather changes rapidly year-round. "Temps were high 70s in the evenings and low 40s at night in mid July so prepare with layers," advises Justin J. about McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping. Rain gear and warm clothing are essential even in summer.
Plan arrival time strategically: Arriving mid-week improves site selection for tent camping in Leadville. "We arrived here on a Friday afternoon in late August and were pleasantly surprised to find several spots still available, even later in the day," notes Jenny B. about Boreas Pass. Thursday arrivals often secure better locations.
Limited trailer access to dispersed areas: Many roads prohibit large RVs. "If you are in a tent, these may provide some great options. We went by the first 6 sites. Even with our lifted AWD van, there were sites we didn't want to drive up to," reports Rebecca B. about McCullough Gulch. Higher clearance vehicles with limited length fare better.
Scout ahead before committing: Narrow forest roads challenge larger vehicles. "Drove up Homestake Road on a Thursday afternoon, lots off spots taken already. We took our offroad capable teardrop to the loop at the reservoir but I don't recommend taking a non-offroad trailer past Gold Park," warns Elizabeth S. about Homestake Reservoir.
Choose level areas at lower elevations: RVers find more suitable terrain at lower elevations. "Road is in good shape. Any car will make it," notes Anthony P. about Chaffee County Road 390, referencing the accessibility for smaller vehicles. Dispersed sites along main roads provide better options for larger vehicles than remote locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Leadville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Leadville, CO is Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 43 reviews.
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