75 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed camping areas populate the mountains and foothills west of Northglenn, Colorado, providing tent campers with both primitive and established options. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir offers designated tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Dream Canyon and Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area provide more rustic experiences in the Roosevelt National Forest approximately 30-45 minutes from Northglenn.
Many tent campsites in this region require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles to access. Winiger Ridge's access road features rough terrain with deep ruts, making it unsuitable for standard passenger cars. The designated tent sites typically include fire rings and some have picnic tables, but few offer drinking water or toilet facilities. A review noted, "Stayed at campsite 18, had great views and nice weather, no water though but there is a lake down the road. 4x4 Required as roads were rough." Most dispersed camping areas maintain a 14-day stay limit and require campers to pack out all waste, as trash service is nonexistent.
Walk-in tent locations at Sawmill Hiker Campground provide a beginner-friendly backpacking experience with more amenities than dispersed sites. A visitor commented that "It is a 1 mile, easy hike. The first 1/3 of a mile is dirt, the remainder is gravel," making it accessible for most tent campers. The walk-in tent sites at this location include picnic tables, pit toilets, and bear boxes for food storage. Tent campsites throughout the region fill quickly on summer weekends, particularly those closest to Boulder. Sites farther from population centers offer greater solitude but require more planning and self-sufficiency. During fire ban seasons, which frequently occur in summer and fall, open flames may be prohibited even in established fire rings, requiring campers to use camp stoves instead.
"Came here for my birthday a few years ago, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking—mountains, lake views, the whole deal!"
"Stayed at campsite 18, had great views and nice weather, no water though but there is a lake down the road. 4x4 Required as roads were rough"
"So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites."
"Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes. After a quick clean up, the site was fine for my purposes."
"However, proximity to Boulder is a huge plus if you are looking for a quick and easy get away."
"Was desperate to find "something" after driving 11 hours that day, and normal paid camp grounds were full. HOWEVER I was pulling a smaller trailer, and that turned out to be a real issue."
"Our spot was near the creek, the sound was beautiful. The only downside was absolutely no cell service."
"Fire ban was in effect when we went, but lots of fire circles available otherwise. Bring bug spray, the flies are bold."
"Nice spot with a metal fire pit (good for stage 1 fire ban), picnic table, and tent pad. Tent pad was big enough to squeeze two 3-person tents and a 6-person tent (barely)."
"This site is surrounded by pine trees, aspens and boulders. Parking is a bit tight and the some of the sites pretty steep. Dude's Fishing Hole is within walking distance."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"This semi-primitive campsite requires a permit from the Open Space Office of Jefferson County, CO. The permit is free, however you must pick up the permit in person at their offices."
"Great hike in campground. It was our first hike in and we loved it! Spots aren’t too close to each other and there’s great views!"
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Nice spot not to far from the roadside"
"Nice views, plenty of space. Dirt road for The last mile or so but it’s in great condition."
"My son and I joined a friend from Longmont and headed to this trail to camp for a couple days."
"We went here with our 2 dogs for a quick overnighter-only about 45 minutes outside of Boulder. It was a Sunday morning and the lot was almost full when we got there around 9am."
from $1 / night
Check Availability"Nice big sites, open space without a lot of trees, beautiful views, clean restrooms, showers (pay for) water fill stations, dump station, several restrooms."
"Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area."
from $34 - $40 / night
Check Availability"There are several spots for tent placement, panoramic mountain views, a well put together fire pit that you can actually use, so much free firewood and kindling, shade trees, and the spacing between sites"
"Incredible view and multiple campsites with shade. It’s a bit chilly even with the sun beating down, which is perfect. Spaced out campsites."
Guide# 7 was a sweet spot - You can get three to four tents in this spot if you tent camp.
Tons of deadfall for firewood
I was able to pick up three pieces of trash. I am saying it's a clean spot!
Super quiet - Saw a moose!
Great area! Easy to get to!
TravelerIt’s awesome, but only if you have a very capable 4wd. There’s a great spot to camp at as soon as you start going up the hill. Past the first spot, the road becomes REALLY rough. So just be aware.
ScoutNice, level spots. Great mountain and lake views. Great views of all your neighbors. 😉
RangerBathrooms were very nice and clean. Lots of sites with minimal privacy. Pretty packed and noisy in October. Our site had electrical hookups and its own water. Picnic tables and fire rings available as well. Looks like a very family friendly campground. Stayed one night.
GuideThe campground itself is great! The sites can be pretty hit or miss. Some are very exposed and crowded up with other sites; some are set back in the trees and lovely! If you have strong preferences, be careful when picking your site.
TravelerFrom a Sprinters point of view.
Sites are $45.00 a day plus parking
Sites were sloped, we took the flattest one we could find and it took 6” to block our van level.
Pit toilets were very clean.
Sites had trees and boulders, spaced roughly 50’ apart, but there visible traffic on the main road below.
It was a nice campground but we liked the Bobcat Campground a couple miles farther up the road.
See separate review.
TravelerWe took our Sprinter for its maiden voyage, this camp ground was beautiful, private and secluded.
Camping was $45.00 a day plus a parking fee.
Paid at the entry point to an extremely friendly attendant. Reservations can be made on line ahead of time and highly recommended in peak season, especially on weekends.
Site were 50’ to 100’ apart.
Sites were wooded and tucked into granite boulders.
In the 24 hours we were there we saw one car and two people walking their dogs.
Sites were pretty level, each with fire pits and picnic tables.
The pit toilets were very clean and with in 100’ of most sites.
Road in had signs stating you had to be in four wheel drive to avoid damaging the roads but they were very well graded.
ScoutLake Wellington is a beautiful family and dog friendly campground just about 90 minutes from Denver. There are 75 sites, and even when it's pretty full they are decently spaced out that you don't feel too on top of other guests. We brought our dogs and a group of friends and had a great few nights, even seeing Bald Eagles mating!
TravelerIf you are going to camp at a lakefront spot definitely have something you can sit in else you will be attacked by flies. Super quiet during the week - got busy over the weekend.
Tent camping near Northglenn, Colorado offers campers access to Roosevelt National Forest dispersed sites situated between 7,000-9,000 feet elevation. These camping areas experience significant temperature drops after sunset even in summer months, with nighttime temperatures frequently dropping 30-40°F below daytime highs. Most dispersed camping locations west of Northglenn sit along drainage areas or creek systems that create natural divisions between campsites.
Kayaking at Gross Reservoir: Located approximately 45 minutes from Northglenn at Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, visitors can paddle on the reservoir but must follow specific regulations. "Gross Reservoir is not gross! It is an awesome SUPing, kayaking, or canoeing option close to Denver and Boulder... There are a lot of inlets to paddle into and trails to explore. However, there are some cons to the reservoir; there are a lot of rules that are strictly enforced. There is no swimming in the reservoir, which is very tempting. You can only launch your boat at the boat launch on the southeast side of the reservoir."
Hiking to mountaintop views: Kruger Rock Trail at Hermits Hollow Campground offers panoramic views accessible to most fitness levels. "The Kruger Rock Trailhead is inside the campground, and it is a nice hike with an amazing view of the Rockies and Estes at the top. Bring your crayons - there are two trailmarkers on the trail that you can do rubbings of."
Wildlife watching at dawn and dusk: Many campsites offer opportunities to spot wildlife near Northglenn. "Moose visitors at dawn and evening, and hungry bears scavenging for food at night is a common occurrence," notes one camper at Hermits Hollow. Some sites like Allenspark Dispersed Camping require careful food storage, as one camper warned: "a huge bear got into my tent while I was gone for 2 hours and absolutely destroyed it."
Privacy between sites: Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area features numbered sites with sufficient separation. "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, especially if there is poor weather. It is populated with people on ATVs, as well as other campers near you if you decide on an easy-to-access campsite."
Creek-side locations: Many campers value water features at N Boulder Creek Dispersed Camping, where sites exist along natural water courses. "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! i also saw elk nearby. the road isn't terrible but there are some rocks and bumps. i made it in a volkswagen tiguan while towing a camper."
Peaceful weekday experiences: The dispersed areas near Northglenn become considerably less crowded midweek. At Allenspark Dispersed Camping, one camper noted: "Lots of spots available. Just keep driving along Ski Road and pick one that looks good. Lots of fire pits already build and most camp spots are along the creek. A 2wd car can access quite a bit but if you want to go further up Ski road, definitely bring a 4x4 with high clearance."
Vehicle clearance considerations: Roads into many campgrounds deteriorate seasonally and require appropriate vehicles. "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. I wouldn't try this with a camper/RV, or anything that doesn't have high clearance and power," noted one visitor about Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir.
Permanent resident concerns: Some dispersed camping areas have semi-permanent occupants. One camper at Gordon Gulch observed: "Overall a nice place to camp but as soon as you drive through you are met with run down sites filled with trash bags that look like people permanently live there. It gives meth lab vibes through out the camp until you get further out."
Regional wildlife precautions: Bears and other wildlife present consistent challenges in camping areas near Northglenn. At Dream Canyon Campsites, campers should be particularly vigilant: "Basic primitive dispersed camping. Just watch your food or the Huskies might get it if you're not paying attention."
Beginner backpacking experience: Sawmill Hiker Campground offers families an introductory backpacking opportunity with minimal commitment. "This semi-primitive campsite requires a permit from the Open Space Office of Jefferson County, CO. The permit is free, however you must pick up the permit in person at their offices. Be prepared with a valid ID. This is a popular campsite for Scout Troops, so calling ahead for availability is a great idea."
Playground access: Bear Creek Lake Campground features multiple play areas for children. "Super close to Denver and offered through the City of Lakewood. The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area. There's a few playgrounds within the campground and park area, with access to trails to the lake, a boat launch and boat rental, equestrian stables, and archery."
Larger group sites: Some areas accommodate multiple tents and vehicles for family gatherings. One camper at Winiger Ridge noted: "The best part? Our campsite was huge—plenty of space for our whole group, multiple tents, and a couple of cars. With a picnic table and fire pit included, it made for the perfect outdoorsy hangout spot."
Limited hookup options: Most dispersed camping areas near Northglenn lack RV amenities, but established campgrounds offer alternatives. "Nice big sites, open space without a lot of trees, beautiful views, clean restrooms, showers (pay for) water fill stations, dump station, several restrooms," reports a visitor to Bear Creek Lake Campground.
Road condition challenges: Many access roads deteriorate seasonally. "The road was pretty mild but on up gets a lot more rough! The pull offs are great and most of them have fire rings," noted one camper at Allenspark Dispersed Camping.
Weather preparations: RVers should plan for rapid temperature changes and sudden weather systems. "It snowed on me overnight and the road was still very passable. The last few sites felt just a little too sketchy for my driving skills. It was pretty empty in January, one big pile of trash that was unfortunate and a few people seemed to be there long term," shared a winter visitor to Gordon Gulch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Northglenn, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Northglenn, CO is Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir with a 3.8-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Northglenn, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 75 tent camping locations near Northglenn, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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