Dispersed camping areas near Pinewood Springs, Colorado range in elevation from 7,000 to 9,000 feet, creating distinct camping environments as you travel up or down the mountain roads. Winter closures affect higher elevation sites from November through May, with some roads remaining snow-packed until early June. Road conditions deteriorate quickly after rain or snow, particularly on Forest Road 119 and Johnny Park Road.
What to do
Fly fishing opportunities: The creek at Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping provides accessible fishing within a short hike from the parking area. "Caught lots of trout (none big enough to keep)" notes one visitor who found the stream productive despite being relatively accessible.
Climb Kruger Rock: A moderately difficult 4-mile round-trip hike starts directly from Hermits Hollow Campground with significant elevation gain. "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," recommends camper Erin K.
Watch for wildlife: Early mornings at Allenspark sites offer opportunities to spot native species, though bear encounters require vigilance. As one camper at Allenspark Dispersed Camping 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."
What campers like
Creek-side camping access: Sites situated adjacent to running water provide natural white noise that masks other campground sounds. "Most camp spots are along the creek," confirms one visitor to Allenspark Dispersed Camping, with another noting, "Good whitenoise from the creek."
Proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park: Longs Peak Campground provides a strategic location for accessing the southern sections of the park without Estes Park traffic. "This is the only campground you can get to without going through Estes Park, which is great to avoid the congestion in that touristy little mountain town," explains one camper.
Secluded sites for privacy: While many campgrounds fill quickly on weekends, sites farther down forest service roads typically offer greater separation between campers. One visitor to Hermits Hollow noted, "This campground is the ones that the locals go to when not in RMNP. It is in Estes but far enough away to not be inundated with tourists. It is quiet, it is roomy, it is beautiful."
What you should know
Bear activity requires proper precautions: Most tent campsites near Pinewood Springs, Colorado have documented bear encounters. At Hermits Hollow, "The park provides every spot with a table, fire ring and bear box. The bear box is for more than just food. If you have anything that smells good, the animals (not just bears) WILL try to get into your vehicle to steal it. Sprays, lotions, deodorants… etc."
No-clothes hikers in some areas: Dream Canyon Campsites has designated clothing-optional areas that may surprise unprepared campers. "The biggest surprise of this site was NO car camping, and there are people who hike in the nude. Yes. The nude. The signs about getting naked are in fact truthful," reports one visitor.
Road conditions limit access: Many dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles with 4WD capabilities. Gordon Gulch camping areas become increasingly difficult to reach as you travel deeper. "Road gets tougher the further back you go, but my low clearance vehicle made it by driving slow," notes one camper who successfully navigated the terrain.
Tips for camping with families
Ranger interaction varies: Some campgrounds have minimal oversight while others feature frequent patrol checks. At Hermits Hollow, regulations are strictly enforced as one camper reported: "The rangers walked by LITERALLY every 30 minutes to an hour max. They will get on to you about EVERY SINGLE THING."
Plan for toilet facilities: Most dispersed tent camping areas near Pinewood Springs lack bathroom facilities. At Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, "There are no bathrooms, so we definitely had to rough it. If you're up for the full backcountry experience, it's totally worth it. Just make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out everything—yes, even that."
Early arrival recommended: Securing favorable campsites requires weekday arrival or early weekend timing. For Allenspark Dispersed Camping, one visitor advised: "About 1 hour from Boulder. Was super simple to access. The coordinates take you to the beginning of the rural part of Ski road. Keep driving on Ski road, you'll see the 'Entering National Forrest' sign and soon after that you will see dispersed camping spots."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions limit larger vehicles: Most forest service roads narrow significantly after the first mile, creating challenges for trailers and motorhomes. When exploring Johnny Park Road, campers note: "We arrived at around 10pm on a Saturday night and were able to find a spot way back, but it did require AWD. The site was small, but secluded."
Water access planning: No tent campgrounds near Pinewood Springs provide water hookups, requiring self-contained supplies. At Hermits Hollow, "There is a water fill up station which is nice. The park roads are not paved but AWD isn't really necessary," according to one RV camper who managed the terrain successfully.
