Best Dispersed Camping near Northglenn, CO
Dispersed camping areas outside Northglenn, Colorado include several free primitive sites scattered throughout the nearby national forest lands, primarily in the Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests. Popular locations include Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area near Nederland, Dream Canyon, Beaver Park Reservoir, and Forest Road 332 dispersed sites. These backcountry camping zones require no reservations and function on a first-come, first-served basis. Most sites feature established fire rings and accommodate both tent and small RV camping, though amenities are nonexistent.
Access roads to dispersed camping areas vary significantly in quality and difficulty. Many sites require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles, particularly after rainfall or during spring snowmelt. Gordon Gulch's roads become increasingly challenging the further back you travel, with Forest Road 233.1 presenting steep, washed-out sections that demand careful navigation. Dream Canyon access passes through private property with one significant rut that even 2WD vehicles must carefully maneuver around. Most areas lack drinking water, restrooms, or trash receptacles, requiring strict adherence to Leave No Trace principles.
The dispersed camping experience near Northglenn combines mountain scenery with varying levels of solitude. Sites at higher elevations like Beaver Park Reservoir offer stunning Continental Divide views but experience significant wind, as one camper noted, "it was so so so windy at night we could barely sleep." Allenspark Dispersed Camping provides creek-side sites, though "the flies are bold," according to visitor feedback. Gordon Gulch tends to have more off-road vehicle activity, with one reviewer mentioning "dirt bikes and Jeeps pass by frequently," while noting their campsite was "set up high above and away from the road" providing decent privacy. Elevation at most sites ranges from 8,800 to 11,000 feet, resulting in cold nights even during summer months. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in many locations, offering a true off-grid camping experience.
