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Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Dispersed Camping provides free pet-friendly sites with drive-in and walk-in access throughout the Red Feather Lakes region. Dogs must remain leashed at all developed sites including Dowdy Lake Campground, which receives high marks for its clean facilities and lake access for pets and owners. Bellaire Lake Campground and Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch also welcome pets with picnic tables and fire rings at each site, though specific pet policies vary by location. West Lake Campground, rated 5 stars by visitors, accommodates both tent and RV camping with pets. Most established campgrounds in the area require pets to be leashed at all times, controlled by owners, and never left unattended. The campground hosts at several locations perform daily maintenance of facilities and enforce pet policies for the comfort of all campers. The Dyrt provides user ratings for locations near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado.
The trail around Dowdy Lake offers pet owners a scenic walk with water views, though swimming is not permitted for humans or pets. Multiple reviewers note the excellent fishing opportunities where dogs can safely watch from shore. Lost Lake Dispersed area provides a free alternative for camping with pets that can handle more rugged conditions, with big rigs welcome but no facilities available. Weather conditions change rapidly in the mountains, requiring pet owners to prepare accordingly with extra water and shelter options. The Red Feather Lakes area maintains pet-friendly status year-round, with some campgrounds like Dowdy Lake open for winter camping with electric hookups that benefit tent campers with pets during colder months. Local wildlife encounters require pets to be secured at all times, particularly after dark when larger mammals become active near camping areas.
"Dowdy is another wonderful (busy) campground at Red Feather Lakes, CO. I believe there are 62 sites total. Not all sites are open until later in the season."
"All pretty close to water access. Some spots were right on the water too. Super quiet area and everyone seems respectful of noise. Lots of dogs but leashed. Nice walking area around the lake."
from $30 - $81 / night
Check Availability"The road to lost lake requires high clearance. It is located 30 min away from Red Feather Lakes. There are a lot of dispersed camp sites."
"But stay on the main road to the lake some side roads are extremely hard even for my truck. But there is plenty of sites to disperse camp."
"We arrived on a Monday around 4pm and most of the spots were open, but it seemed like several others arrived at the same time as us and we actually snagged our spot right before someone pulled into it."
"Our spot was a little on the hill away from everyone and only had a few cars drive by."
"There is a hairpin switchback to get into the lower loop and the website states that it is not accessible to trailers longer than 20 feet."
"The sites are a bit small and the walk-up tent sites are pretty close together, but overall it was a great stay. The bathrooms were very clean."
from $29 / night
Check Availability"Toilets are a reasonable distance. There is lots of shade and a great hiking trail up the ridge line. Staff is very friendly and it is very well maintained."
"There are many places for multiple groups to be near each other, and reservations usually fill up."
from $41 - $185 / night
Check Availability"Beautifully placed right at the curve of the Poudre, there is a short walking trail next to it,a perfect hammock place in a shallow runoff, a spot to tether tubes or paddleboards in an eddy, a picnic table"
"The drive into the Poudre Canyon is a beautiful one. We camped Thursday to Sunday. Spots are scarce and were full by Friday mid day. Some sights have shade, some do not."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"West Lake is one of three campgrounds located near Red Feather Lakes in Northern Colorado."
"West Lake campground is a beautiful spot off 74. The lake is great for fishing, and the tent campsites are super private. Your pass includes access to other lakes in the surrounding area as well."
from $28 - $81 / night
Check Availability"Great spot near Red Feather Lakes and probably the only dispersed spot around that has AT&T service. Nobody else was here while I was camping and hardly anyone drove by, it’s pretty far out here."
"This campground is an especially good option for those wanting to avoid the summer crowds of the close by and popular campgrounds of Red Feather Lakes and Lost Lake."
"Bellaire Lake Campground, located in the Red Feather Lakes region, is a hidden gem. With only 26 sites and situated at an elevation of 8,600 ft, it is serene and secluded."
"This lakeside campground is a gem. With 2 loops, one close to the river, and one a short walk away, it's a nice smaller alternative to other campgrounds in Red Feather."
from $30 - $121 / night
Check Availability"Took the kids camping in Colorado for the first time and we had a blast. It rained on us a lot but it didn't stop us. Took a great hike up deer mountain....stunning views. Can't wait to go back."
"I was a Ranger one summer in Rocky - please respect the wildlife and keep a very long distance to not affect their behavior."
from $35 - $70 / night
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TravelerThe road to lost lake requires high clearance. It is located 30 min away from Red Feather Lakes. There are a lot of dispersed camp sites. Ours was set back from the road, in a meadow, surrounded by boulders. Loved it! The lake itself is small, but had enough space for many groups of people to enjoy. Folks were swimming, paddle boarding, and we enjoyed a Colorado version of a “Beach Day.” My fav spot to camp so far.
ScoutBellaire Lake Campground, located in the Red Feather Lakes region, is a hidden gem. With only 26 sites and situated at an elevation of 8,600 ft, it is serene and secluded. The interesting rock formations typical of the Red Feather Lakes area can also be found at this campground. Less than a mile away is Bellaire Lake, which is ideal for fishing, non-motorized boating, or enjoying a picnic.
GuideGreat spot near Red Feather Lakes and probably the only dispersed spot around that has AT&T service. Nobody else was here while I was camping and hardly anyone drove by, it’s pretty far out here. Good views at the end of the road of the meadow if you can make it up, other wise the lower spots have some cool rock formations to check out.
Highly recommend for car camping instead of trailers or RVs, though it is do-able. I came up here with a small off-road trailer just fine, and my family made it up with a 25ft RV but did bottom out at the first turn into the campsite as it is really rutted (short tho). If you come in, come in through Red Feather Lakes on 74E, that way you only have 8 miles of dirt road. Otherwise if you come in from the north it’s like 20 miles + of dirt and gravel, not anything bad but it is washboard-y.
Also go check out Elf Lane (Illy road) in Red Feather if you like weird stuff 🤓
LegendI have camped here multiple times and always have a great time. There are a few primitive sites here with fire pits, plenty of firewood for gathering, flat spots for a tent and fairly accessible with a high clearance vehicle. This campground is an especially good option for those wanting to avoid the summer crowds of the close by and popular campgrounds of Red Feather Lakes and Lost Lake. I often use this as a home base for exploring some of the trails in those areas. There are also lots of fun boulders in the campground area to climb around on or tuck your tent next to if needing protection on a windy night.
RangerWest Lake is one of three campgrounds located near Red Feather Lakes in Northern Colorado. The campground sits at the edge of a small lake that attracts fishermen and personal water sports like kayaks and paddleboards. The sites are large and most have shade. Eight sites are First Come, while the others are reservation. There are three vault toilets, garbage collection, picnic tables, and fire rings. There is also a host at this campground. Most all of the sites have a view of West Lake. A trail runs along the edge of the lake and at the far end of the lake there is a supermarket where you can purchase a good selection of supplies. Close by are three restaurants with various days of service. My visit was 5/17/2026. Yes it did snow. Site 16 & 17 are the closest to the entrance and smaller than most of the other sites.
GuideIt was a GREAT stay. The sites are well spaced and the tent spots are maintained to be even - no lumps under you! Toilets are a reasonable distance. There is lots of shade and a great hiking trail up the ridge line. Staff is very friendly and it is very well maintained. It s a short drive to other spots such as Red Feather Lakes. I would definitely stay here again.
TravelerSpent a quick couple of days there in late May. Was surprised to find they had openings. Our campsite was down a few steps and right next to the river flowing through the property, nestled amongst the pines, and shady. In this area, the distance between campsites was great. We did a lot of hiking and relaxing. The scenery and landscape in Red Feather Lakes area is as cool as it is unique. Really enjoyed it and will visit again.
Two Things:
- Firepits do not have any sort of cooking grate...we had to get creative, but made it work.
- Really only room for one tent in this campsite until that tree is further cut/removed
RangerDowdy is another wonderful (busy) campground at Red Feather Lakes, CO. I believe there are 62 sites total. Not all sites are open until later in the season. The area is popular with campers, and for fishing and watersports. No motorized boating. The sites near the entrance are closer together, while the last two loops are more expansive, and some are double sites.
There are no hook-ups for water or sewer and no dump station, but there is electricity. The toilets are vault toilets.
LegendStatus: Open year round
Reserve mid spring through September 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov
weekend reservations recommended
70 sites including 10 walk-in tent 30 sites year round $24.00 tent sites $32.00 electric $64.00 double sites
Vault toilets, water during season ,tent sites have bear boxes, picnic table, fire ring/grill, trash no sewer or water hookups The campground has beautiful Ponderosa Pines but the Pine beetle is beginning to take its toil.
The back loop closes early fall. all sites have electric except the tent sites. There are 5 double sites. The campground can accept various size rigs. The day use area with a boat ramp and pit toilet with a nice size parking lot. There were a lot of people fishing from the shore. The lake is beautiful with small islands and rock formations. The road to and in the campground is gravel and rather dusty. Potholes
Directions: Drive 21 miles north of Fort Collins on US Highway 287. Turn left (west) onto the Red Feather Lakes Road (County 74E) and travel approximately 22 miles. Turn right (north) and travel another mile to signed campground entrance on the right.
LNT
Better than when you found it
Stay safe Happy travels
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest offers numerous dispersed camping options in the Red Feather Lakes region at elevations between 8,000-9,000 feet. The area features distinct geological formations with large granite boulders and thick pine forests that provide natural separation between camping areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-80°F with rapid cooling after sunset.
Hiking at Mountain Park: Access the Mount McConnel Trail directly from the campground for panoramic views. "There is a whole loop of FCFS sites in case you don't get a reservation 6-months in advance," notes Becky M. about Mountain Park.
Paddle sports on Bellaire Lake: Non-motorized boating permitted with designated docks for launching kayaks and paddleboards. "The lake is beautiful, great for fishing...with 2 loops, one close to the river, and one a short walk away, it's a nice smaller alternative to other campgrounds in Red Feather," reports Maria M. about Bellaire Lake Campground.
Fishing the Poudre River: Cache la Poudre offers excellent trout fishing opportunities accessible from multiple campgrounds. "Caught trout 20 yards from my tent from the Cache La Poudre," shares Luke C. about the riverside sites at Upper and Lower Ansel Watrous Campgrounds.
Natural sound barriers: The rushing river drowns out road noise at canyon campgrounds. "Close to the highway but river drowns out the traffic," explains Cody L. about Ansel Watrous Campground.
Accessible dispersed options: Many free sites accommodate standard vehicles without specialized equipment. "This area is in National Forest so it is free and there are no 'designated' spots but there are lots of spots where people have made fire pits. Beautiful views and you don't need 4x4," explains Josh S. about Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Dispersed Camping.
Privacy between sites: Most established campgrounds feature natural barriers between campsites. "The sites are well spaced and the tent spots are maintained to be even - no lumps under you! Toilets are a reasonable distance," notes Patty F. about Mountain Park.
Seasonal limitations: Road access changes dramatically with weather conditions. "Dirt road that is well maintained in the summer. Specifically says it is NOT maintained in the winter," explains Kim A. about dispersed camping areas.
Wildlife awareness: Large mammals are common throughout the area, requiring food storage and waste management. "Saw snakes, blue birds, chipmunks, cranes," reports Kelsey C. at West Lake campground.
Site selection timing: Reservations for summer months fill extremely quickly at established campgrounds. "It's hard to get a spot here unless you reserve a spot 6 months ahead," advises Sabrina S. about West Lake.
Rock exploration: Many campgrounds feature boulder formations safe for supervised climbing. "Great beginner rock piles for the kids to climb on," shares Kimberly N. about Bellaire Lake Campground.
Water activities: Though swimming is prohibited in most lakes, shoreline activities provide alternatives. "There's a beautiful lake but posted no swimming. Fish were jumping out of the water and there's nice docks to sit on," notes Kimberly N.
Amenities for longer stays: Some campgrounds offer additional facilities that make extended trips more comfortable. "I appreciate the playground and horseshoe area as well as the bathhouse with coin-op showers. Great for a longer stay," explains Becky M. about Mountain Park.
Road conditions: Access roads to many campgrounds include dirt sections requiring preparation. "The road to get here is graded gravel & really not too bad. We saw some larger rigs, so people do manage it," explains Cynthia K. about Bellaire Lake.
Dog-friendly dispersed options: Free camping areas provide more space for pets to explore safely. "Stayed here over a weekend and wanted to stay longer. Pulled our 33' travel trailer and there were good spots off the road," mentions Lorene N. about Lost Lake Dispersed camping area, a popular dog friendly campground near Red Feather Lakes.
Electric hookups: Several campgrounds offer power connections for RVs and tent campers. "Some sites have electricity according to the Forest Service site," notes Cynthia K. about Bellaire Lake Campground, making it one of several pet-friendly camping options with hookups in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Red Feather Lakes, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Red Feather Lakes, CO is Dowdy Lake Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Red Feather Lakes, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 193 dog-friendly camping locations near Red Feather Lakes, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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