Primitive camping near Pinewood Springs, Colorado follows strict regulations regarding campfire management, with many sites providing existing fire rings while requiring visitors to adhere to seasonal fire restrictions. The camping areas sit at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet, creating significant temperature fluctuations between day and night even during summer months. Most dispersed camping options require high-clearance vehicles to access, though several routes become increasingly difficult beyond the initial entry points.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Allenspark Dispersed Camping, visitors regularly encounter wildlife. "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," reports one camper about their experience with local wildlife.
Creek access for ambient sound: Many sites position campers near water features, providing natural white noise. One camper at Allenspark noted the "nearby stream" creates "good ambiance" while another mentioned that "the creek is loud and drowns out noise," making it easier to feel isolated despite other campers nearby.
Snowshoeing during winter months: At Johnny Park Road Camping, the season dramatically affects accessibility. "If you go in the winter bring some snowshoes for Johnny Park road into bright trailhead," advises one visitor, noting that while most sites close during winter, opportunities for snow recreation still exist for prepared adventurers.
What campers like
Natural sound barriers: The streams running through many camping areas create privacy despite proximity to other sites. A visitor to Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping appreciated that "the running water helped drown out any noise" even on busy holiday weekends when the area sees increased traffic.
Star visibility: The minimal light pollution allows for exceptional night sky viewing in clear conditions. A camper at Hell Canyon Dispersed mentioned, "Great views watching the sunset over the Rocky's! Highly need a 4x4 to get here! Had a great time!"
Site privacy: Many campers appreciate the distribution of sites that provides isolation despite popularity. At Ceran St. Vrain, a visitor observed, "Eventhough there were a lot of people, you feel pretty isolated in your campsite and would see hardly anyone at night," highlighting how the layout helps maintain a wilderness experience.
What you should know
Fire regulation fluctuations: Fire permissions change throughout the season. A visitor to Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area noted that "Signs were posted about no fires," while other campgrounds might permit them during less restrictive periods.
Bear safety precautions: Multiple campsites report bear activity, requiring proper food storage. One camper at Allenspark Dispersed described their experience: "Beautiful, secluded and right next to a creek. BUT a huge bear got into my tent while I was gone for 2 hours and absolutely destroyed it."
Road conditions by season: Many roads become impassable during and after precipitation. A visitor to Johnny Park Road Camping reported a "'road closed ahead' sign at the entrance" indicating that seasonal closures significantly impact accessibility across the region.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection based on hiking ability: For families with younger children, choose sites closer to parking areas. At Ceran St. Vrain, "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," which may be challenging with small children carrying gear.
Tick awareness: Some areas report higher tick concentrations requiring regular checks. At Gold Lake Area Dispersed, one camper warned, "The only thing I would caution about this area is the ticks. We brushed about Five off of us just during the visit... my wife ended up with one attached when we got home in her scalp."
Private property boundaries: Many dispersed camping areas border private land with strict access limitations. A visitor to Gold Lake Area noted, "Go to the location to find that the lake and the surrounding area is private land... needless to say, was disappointed to drive all the way there to find it was not exactly the dispersed backwoods camping the Natives are used to."
Tips from RVers
Turn-around space limitations: Several areas lack adequate turn-around space for larger vehicles. One RVer visiting Gordon Gulch commented that the camping area is "Not meant for travel trailers, pop ups, or anything except texts [tents]," noting the difficulty of maneuvering once on the narrow access roads.
RV site selection by road condition: Access becomes progressively more difficult deeper into camping areas. One RVer at Beaver Park Reservoir mentioned, "We have a 25 foot camper and feet [fit] nicely in. Road in was good as well (May 2025). Some pots are close to each other and others have more space."
Specialized parking requirements: Many areas have limited parking options for larger rigs. A visitor to Hell Canyon Dispersed mentioned the limitations: "The road was a little rough for a pop up camper. More for tents," highlighting that smaller camping setups often fare better in the region.
