Dispersed camping areas near Longmont, Colorado range in elevation from 6,000 to 9,000 feet with significant temperature drops after sunset even in summer months. Most sites sit within the Roosevelt National Forest along the eastern edge of the Front Range. Night temperatures regularly fall below 45°F even in July and August, requiring proper sleeping gear regardless of season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The creek at Allenspark Dispersed Camping offers accessible fishing spots throughout the camping area. A camper noted, "The pull offs are great and most of them have fire rings. There are some drive up sites and some park and walk down in sites along the creek." Trout fishing remains popular through summer and early fall.
Mountain biking access: Forest roads near primitive campsites provide connections to mountain biking trails. Several sites sit close to designated riding areas. As one visitor to Lefthand Canyon OHV Area stated simply, "Wicked dirt biking and amazing camp spots!"
Night sky viewing: The higher elevation tent sites near Longmont offer reduced light pollution compared to staying in town. A visitor at Dream Canyon described the experience: "Falling asleep underneath a crystal clear sky filled with stars; then waking up to a sun peeking over the mountain range is inspiring." Areas farther from major roads provide the darkest skies.
What campers like
Creek sound: The rushing water at many tent campsites near Longmont provides natural sound masking. A camper at Dream Canyon Campsites described it: "The road passes through lots of private property, which can trick you into thinking you're driving down the wrong road... Parking lot is a short walk to some beautiful views of the canyon!"
Wildlife viewing: Multiple dispersed camping areas support wildlife sightings. At Allenspark Dispersed Camp Spot, a visitor reported: "This place was slightly hard to find, but obtaining a MVUM for the region made it a lot easier. The sites are very spread out and there weren't many people there, despite it being a weekend in June when I visited."
Isolation from other campers: Many tent camping areas allow campers to find separation even during busy periods. A camper at Gordon Gulch noted, "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."
What you should know
Winter conditions: Snow affects tent camping sites near Longmont through late spring. A visitor at N Boulder Creek Dispersed Camping shared: "I loved this spot! It's only about 10 minutes from Nederland and 45 minutes from boulder. There are mountains and aspen forests and wildflowers everywhere! It got a bit chilly at night but not too bad!"
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans frequently affect the area from June through September. Check current restrictions before planning on campfires. A visitor stated, "The larger sites are the first few then the sites get narrow and crammed up between the road and the creek. A lot of shade, not a lot of bugs. Zero cell service not much of a view."
Road conditions: Many tent camping areas require higher clearance vehicles. A camper warned, "The road is pretty bumpy but we're able to do it in our little SUV. Road gets tougher the further back you go, but my low clearance vehicle made it by driving slow."
Tips for camping with families
Safety preparations: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. One camper reported, "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he came back and we scared him off again. He's afraid of humans but he did try to get into the car while we were sleeping."
Early arrival times: Family-friendly sites fill quickly on weekends. At Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, a visitor advised, "Given that this is so close to boulder, a ton of people come here... We tried to drive in Friday night and all the campsites were full so some kind people let us share theirs. I'd suggest getting their early to get a good spot!"
Potable water planning: No dispersed tent sites provide drinking water. A camper at Gordon Gulch noted, "It is populated with people on ATVs, as well as other campers near you if you decide on an easy-to-access campsite. Will go again! My only 4/5 star is due to the population, and also the slight confusion coming into the grounds."
Tips from RVers
Campsite size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. A camper at Hermits Hollow Campground shared: "We stayed in the month of November of 2021. The road is okay to drive on, we took our car and tent camped. We didn't take our camper as the switchbacks are very tight and the road is very steep."
Turn-around challenges: Forest roads often lack adequate turning space for larger vehicles. One RVer warned, "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."
Site accessibility: Early season camping requires checking road conditions first. A visitor noted, "Not meant for travel trailers, pop ups, or anything except tents. Even then, while the 1 area was tiny, the second was large and open but the ground was all dust-ash. Super filthy and made a mess of everything."
