450 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The mountainous terrain surrounding Rollinsville, Colorado features diverse camping options within Roosevelt National Forest and adjacent public lands. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, located just 15 minutes from town, offers primitive sites with fire rings but minimal amenities. Nearby Kelly Dahl Campground provides more developed facilities with drinking water and vault toilets during its May to September operating season. West Magnolia Campground offers free dispersed camping with sites suitable for both tents and smaller RVs. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Golden Gate Canyon State Park's established campgrounds with full amenities including electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites.
Many forest roads in the Rollinsville area require high-clearance vehicles, particularly for accessing remote dispersed sites. As one camper noted about Gordon Gulch, "This trail does require some 4x4 action to get to the top. Lots of rocks, bumps, and pools of water to travel through." The region sits at elevations between 8,000-9,500 feet, resulting in cool nights even during summer months. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through September. Cell service remains spotty throughout the area, with limited coverage outside town limits. Fire restrictions frequently apply during dry periods, and seasonal closures affect many campgrounds from October through May due to snow accumulation.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank high among visitor experiences, with moose, elk, and black bears frequently spotted in the area. Campsites near Gross Reservoir provide water access, though one visitor mentioned, "It is very important that you have a high clearance car to drive on the road. It's a lot like off-roading on some parts." Hiking trails connect many camping areas to the Continental Divide and Indian Peaks Wilderness. The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway offers access to additional camping options, with Rainbow Lakes Campground (open June-September) providing established sites at higher elevations. Campers consistently praise the area's night sky visibility and relative proximity to Boulder and Denver while maintaining a wilderness experience.
"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."
"Getting here is easy, only a few miles away from Nederland and I had cell service (verizon) the entire time."
"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."
"Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."
from $28 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Not only is this pretty easy to reach, but Peak to Peak highway is great to drive. Just take P to P south from Nederland and turn right on HWY 132… Campsites and trailhead are about 1/2 mile down. "
"Great (free) Forrest Service campground west of Boulder, CO near a cute little town Nederland."
"good location for cute old mountain towns! also close to Denver and other must sees in Colorado!"
"8100’ high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don’t worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!"
"It was nice to be tucked away in the corner with no groups behind us or next to us. There were other campers near by but it felt pretty private. The weather was great."
"The Gross Resevoir outside Boulder is a great place for people to go for some recreation just outside the city. People commonly drop in a paddleboard or kayak."
"Kelly Dahl is a nice campground to get away from the heat of summer and be near Nederland and Blackhawk Colorado. It is quiet during the week and busy on the weekends."
"Mountain biking and hiking are nearby. Nederland Colorado town is nearby (population about 8k) for supplies."
from $29 / night
Check Availability"You are pinned up against private property around the lake, the camp sites are in the dirt area when you get to the lake down to the left."
"Like many Colorado disperse camping spots."
"Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes."
"It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving. Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake. "
"However, proximity to Boulder is a huge plus if you are looking for a quick and easy get away."
"This si the place my friends and I go to just for a night away from everything. It is just out of reach of the city and far enough away where we can find some peace and quiet."
GuideThis PIN is way off. Some reviewers mention turning off Hwy 36 which is East and North of this PIN location just south of the Town of Winter Park near the Corona Pass Road. I'm from Grand County so I have no idea where this campsite is other than it is on the other side of the Continental Divide somewhere near Lyons.
The Dyrt doesn't offer a way to correct the location.
TravelerFor People with military base access. Stayed while base trainings were in place, due to this long lines at gates and only special access was allowed (Essential Personal to the missions were allowed) Minor set back. A lot of construction on base. The road to the Famcamp was one lane with a stop light (up to a 15 minute wait). Washrooms were clean a bit outdated. Laundry room was free to use. Commissary and exchange were very well supplied and had some great prices. This was my second stay here and I will be back the staff was very nice even through the missions being preformed. Famcamp is very quiet and the base was clean as you would expect on an active military base. Aurora and Denver have plenty of things to do. The mountain view’s were spectacular.
ScoutThe rv park is close to town. It would be great if the rv park was on a shuttle stop. There is wide space between campers. The bathroom near my site was immaculate. The site was well groomed, fire pits CLEAN, and the tables as well. The camp hosts were warm and friendly. They even greeted us when we arrived! There is propane and firewood for purchase. The guests kept to the quiet hours. There were large trash receptacles, including recycle.
GuideMoraine Park is an excellent location for exploring the park and has some amenities, but the sites are laid out really bizarre and you won't have ANY privacy.
We stayed in A46 in a 4runner with a RTT plus an additional tent, and really liked our site. Ours was technically a "walk in," but the distance from the vehicle to the picnic table and tent pad is negligible - you can hold conversation from one spot to the other. We loved that the site sits a bit higher than the driveway and street (also it has its own driveway, not shared), and it has a fair amount of space all around except for the site to the left (if you're facing your vehicle from the site). The bathrooms/rinse station/potable water and trash were only a few sites down, and the solar showers (which we did not use) are one or two sites down the other direction. Ice and firewood are available nearby the entrance.
Be aware generators are allowed here during certain hours, which may be a plus or minus for you.
We prefer the tree cover and fewer people Timber Creek offers, but the location of this one is great.
ScoutNot a bad road getting here. One lane most of the way with a few turn around spots getting to the sites.
TravelerI wouldn’t necessarily plan another trip here but it’s nice to know the place. Came last week and we literally had the FCFS side of the campground to ourselves the 2nd night which was nice!
The spots really vary on that side and I wouldn’t say any have space for campers bigger than pop ups. Some were basically nothing., and maybe 4 had pop up parking. There’s a lake at the campground entrance and the sun sets behind it so it was gorgeous, no water access though. And I will say, I often wonder why we pay so much at campground’s…the camp host was constantly around maintaining the grounds. I’ve never seen that before.
ScoutJoined our close family friends on our first travel trailer trip from AZ to CO. Both sites are perfect for boon-dockers but stayed within seconds of the restroom for the children and emergencies. No showers present, so prepare if that’s a need as it is for us. We have a grey water collection tank so do use them. Wild life did come and inspect my setup since I had a hose running into a ditch into my collection tank for gravity.
Other than that, couldn’t have entered the pop-up community any better.
GuideChallenging road with ruts but worth the.peace over July 4th.
TravelerFamily of 5 with 2 littles. Staff is great. Clean showers, and grounds! Nice dog park Clubhouse is by far one of the nicest ive been to. Tons of games from mini golf, axe throwing patio set, jumbo board games, even on a hot weekend they brought out a blow up water slide. Hope to revisit on another trip next time.
Dispersed camping near Rollinsville, Colorado provides options for remote sites at elevations between 8,000-10,000 feet, with summer temperatures reaching highs of 75-85°F and lows frequently dropping to 40-45°F. Most established campgrounds operate from May through September, with early October closures common due to snow accumulation. Winter camping remains possible at dispersed sites but requires proper cold-weather gear and high-clearance 4WD vehicles.
Wildlife viewing at Rainbow Lakes: Located at nearly 10,000 feet elevation, this area offers excellent moose watching opportunities during summer months. At Rainbow Lakes Campground, one visitor noted, "I saw moose and beavers in this lake but I've only ever seen deer," while another mentioned, "The lakes next to the campground are beautiful and the train is easy to follow. Lots of wildlife and beautiful flowers."
Fishing access at Gross Reservoir: Fishing is permitted at Gross Reservoir, though swimming is prohibited as it's Denver's drinking water supply. A visitor to Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir shared: "Great place for water activities, but no swimming allowed. An hour from Boulder because of the rough roads." The campground offers approximately 30 well-spaced sites with varying proximity to the water.
Mountain biking near Nederland: The trail systems around West Magnolia provide excellent mountain biking routes through forest terrain. A camper described the area: "Great location with single tracks for hiking and mountain biking. Camping spots are well-marked. WiFi was decent." Another mentioned, "Plenty of space between sites, access to mtb bike trails and there were some campers with motorbikes/4-wheelers in the area."
Privacy at higher sites: Several campers note that higher elevation sites provide more privacy and better views. A camper at Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area mentioned, "I spent multiple days at this site due to its remote beauty. Campsites far apart, and it was quiet other than the occasional atv. Lots of chipmunks and hummingbirds due to the many wild flowers."
Night sky visibility: The distance from urban areas makes for excellent stargazing. One camper at Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed reported: "This was a wonderful campsite, incredible views, fairly easy to access(we did it in a Honda civic), and was an overall great environment." However, they cautioned about weather conditions: "a storm with high wind caused us to have to tear down camp in the middle of the night."
Proximity to small towns: The short driving distance to Nederland (15 minutes) and Central City (30 minutes) allows for supply runs. A visitor to Denver West-Central City KOA shared, "Great KOA! The sites all have great views. There is hiking galore in the area. You are super confidently located near black hawk and Central City while also being near i70." Access to these small mountain towns provides options for groceries, restaurants, and other services.
Fire restrictions vary by location: Many areas implement complete fire bans during dry periods. At West Magnolia Campground, a visitor cautioned: "Ole Johnny Green Jeans and Johnny law love to patrol the area multiple times a day, so do not violate the fire bans. The ticket is a million dollars($510). Do not discharge fire arms. They will hunt you down."
Cell service limitations: Most dispersed camping areas have very limited connectivity. One camper at Dream Canyon Campsites noted, "proximity to Boulder is a huge plus if you are looking for a quick and easy get away," but the area has little to no cell service. Verizon typically provides the most consistent, though still limited, coverage in the region.
Early arrival crucial during peak season: Competition for sites intensifies from June through August, especially on weekends. A camper at West Magnolia observed, "Arrived at 5:30 to find all of the spots were full aside from one (#18), possibly because of the negative review of it on this app? It was a great site for someone just staying the night."
Playground access at established sites: For families with young children, Kelly Dahl offers dedicated play areas. A visitor noted: "Nice campground bathrooms were very clean, not a lot of hiking or things to do. Prices fairly steep for no hookups ($23.00) per night. Good places for younger kids, nice little playground."
Weather preparation essential: Mountain weather changes rapidly even in summer. A camper at Beaver Park Reservoir warned: "Just be sure to check the weather before you get there as there is no service, and a storm with high wind caused us to have to tear down camp in the middle of the night."
Wildlife safety measures: Food storage protocols should be strictly followed due to bears and other wildlife. A visitor to Gordon Gulch reported, "Moose visitors at dawn and evening, and hungry bears scavenging for food at night is a common occurance. Luckily my car alarm scared them off pretty easily."
Leveling challenges common: Many sites sit on uneven terrain requiring stabilization equipment. A camper at Kelly Dahl observed: "Sites are not always great, and some of the larger campers are going to have problems with size, and level-ness of pads. I think that they are all dirt pads."
Hookup availability limited: Only select campgrounds offer electrical connections. At Reverend's Ridge Campground in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, one RVer noted: "Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Mostly level, fire rings, and very large metal picnic tables."
Road conditions restrict access: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. A camper at Winiger Ridge cautioned: "All-wheel drive and higher clearance car helped getting in, as the road is pretty bumpy. Stayed in the last park-in campsite. Had to hike in to the lake, but was much easier that bringing in camping gear to the lake-side campsites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rollinsville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rollinsville, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 450 campgrounds and RV parks near Rollinsville, CO and 145 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Rollinsville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rollinsville, CO is Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area with a 3.6-star rating from 56 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rollinsville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 145 free dispersed camping spots near Rollinsville, CO.
What parks are near Rollinsville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Rollinsville, CO that allow camping, notably Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Keep Exploring
