Roosevelt National Forest offers several dispersed tent camping areas near Lyons, Colorado. Most sites are located between 8,000-9,500 feet elevation, providing cooler summer temperatures compared to lower elevations. Seasonal closures affect many forest roads from late fall through spring, with several sites requiring high clearance vehicles due to rocky, uneven terrain.
What to do
Fishing at streamside sites: At Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping, campers can access prime trout fishing spots along the St. Vrain river. One visitor noted, "Our spot was set back from the trail, right next to the stream. Just an amazing view, ample room for lots of tents, nice fire rings and huge logs around them for sitting." The hike to sites is approximately 0.25 miles from the parking area.
Photography opportunities: Early mornings at Johnny Park Road camping areas provide excellent wildlife viewing. Sites are located at higher elevations with more open terrain. As one camper observed, "There seems to be a number of sites up in this area. Maybe 5 or so as far as I can tell so far. I think it's great and it was just what we were looking for."
Hiking access: Dream Canyon Campsites connect to trails with views of the canyon. Though parking can be limited, these sites offer excellent day hiking options. A visitor commented, "There are plenty of flat spots to set up, close to the parking area of a bit of a trek through the woods. Views of the canyon are spectacular."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Allenspark Dispersed Camping features well-spaced sites along forest roads. One camper reported, "A lot of good spots to pull off and relax for the night with a nearby stream, however if you have a car like myself I'd recommend the first couple spots as the road got pretty uneven and hilly shortly down the road." Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations possible.
White noise from creeks: Many sites sit near running water, which masks other campground sounds. A camper at Allenspark noted, "Initially, the campgrounds were hard to find. Keep driving down Ski road until you find a fork in the road, and from there onwards are the campsites. Good whitenoise from the creek."
Easy access from Front Range: Brainard Lake Recreation Area provides established camping relatively close to Boulder. A visitor shared, "This is a wonderful area to explore from Boulder, although the construction on the road up the canyon makes for a slow trip." The campground requires reservations during peak season.
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters occur frequently in this region. A camper at Allenspark reported, "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he can 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." Bear-resistant containers are essential for food storage.
Site limitations: Many areas have specific restrictions on camping locations. At Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, a visitor noted, "There are fifteen 'marked' campsites. Throughout the summer they are all frequently occupied so it may be hard to find a spot at times." Weekday arrivals increase chances of finding available sites.
Road conditions: Access roads to the best tent camping near Lyons deteriorate quickly after rain or snow. About Allenspark, one camper observed, "Hard to find, no signs. You will get back up in there and will come to a Fork one road appears to go downward to the left, the other goes up. Stay to the left. Road is just about the limmit for 2wd."
Tips for camping with families
Proximity to streams: For families with children, sites near water provide natural entertainment. At Ceran St. Vrain, "This camping is spread along a hiking trail that follows the St. Vrain river. In order to get to the camp spots you have to park in the parking lot and then walk over a bridge and about a .25 mile down the trail until you hit the first camping spot."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to see wildlife in natural settings. A visitor at Dream Canyon reported, "This is also a huge spot for recreation like climbing and fishing, so almost everyone we saw were there just for the afternoon and we had the dispersed camping areas almost all to ourself."
Road noise considerations: Some sites near highways experience traffic sounds. A camper at Gordon Gulch mentioned, "It's right next to 72, so traffic sounds, and there's 4 wheelers and dirt bikes, so not exactly quiet. I will only stay the one night, too loud for me." Sites deeper into forest areas typically offer more quiet.
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Lyons have limited RV accessibility. At Longs Peak Campground, a reviewer noted, "The spaces are small but accommodate an RV or a single tent. Bear boxes and toilets close to everything." This established campground provides more RV-friendly options than dispersed areas.
Turning radius challenges: Forest roads often lack sufficient turning space for larger vehicles. As one visitor to Forest Road 119 warned, "We just hauled our trailer down this road to find out it's closed and had no where to turn around. Ended up having to back way down the hill before finding a spot and it still was a mess."
Seasonal closures: Many roads to the best RV camping sites near Lyons close seasonally. Check current conditions through Roosevelt National Forest before travel, as gates typically close after first significant snowfall and don't reopen until late May or June.
