Primitive camping near Rollinsville, Colorado consists primarily of forest service dispersed sites at elevations between 8,000-9,500 feet. Most locations require negotiating unpaved forest roads with varying degrees of difficulty. Nighttime temperatures typically drop into the 30s and 40s even during summer months, making proper cold-weather gear essential regardless of season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Beaver Park Reservoir Dispersed, campers can access the reservoir for trout fishing, though be aware of property boundaries. "Beautiful lake with several good sized RV spots. We have a 25 foot camper and feet nicely in. Road in was good as well (May 2025)," reports one visitor.
Mountain biking: The trails around West Magnolia Campground offer excellent single-track options for biking enthusiasts. As one camper notes, "Great location with single tracks for hiking and mountain biking. Camping spots are well-marked. WiFi was decent."
Wildlife viewing: Many sites provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping, one camper observed "Lots of chipmunks and hummingbirds due to the many wild flowers" while camping in the area, making it ideal for nature photographers.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: The sound of running water creates a peaceful backdrop at Allenspark Dispersed Camping. "About 1 hour from Boulder. Was super simple to access...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," shares one regular visitor.
Solitude on weekdays: Most sites experience significantly lower usage Monday through Thursday. At Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, a camper mentioned, "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."
Distance between sites: Several areas offer good spacing between campsites. At Forest Road 332 Dispersed, a camper noted, "Plenty of space between spots. Not too crowded when we arrived. We picked a site with more trees rather than over looking the mountain."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Fire bans frequently occur during dry periods. Check current restrictions before arrival. One visitor to Allenspark remarked, "This was our first time dispersed camping and we loved it! The pull offs are great and most of them have fire rings."
Road conditions: Many campsites require high-clearance vehicles. A visitor to Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail warned, "This trail does require some 4x4 action to get to the top. Lots of rocks, bumps, and pools of water to travel through to get anywhere."
Cell service: Connectivity is extremely limited or non-existent. One Chinns Lake visitor reported, "I have AT&T and had zero cell reception, some of the others had Verizon which had limited cell service."
Bears: Active wildlife requires proper food storage. An Allenspark camper shared 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."
Tips for camping with families
Easy access options: Several sites within the first mile of forest roads are suitable for families with standard vehicles. At Beaver Park Reservoir, one camper advised, "Road is passable by standard cars. No cell service. Layout can be crowded with little space between but was pretty empty through the week."
Safer water play: For families with children, some sites offer safer water features. "The sites themselves have obstructed view because of the little levy wall for the lake, but if you walk over to the lake the view is amazing. There is a super easy family-friendly mini hike with great view," noted a visitor to Gross Reservoir.
Weather preparation: The area experiences rapid temperature drops at night. A camper at Beaver Park Reservoir observed, "Got down to the 30's overnight" even during warmer months, making extra layers essential for family trips.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. At Beaver Park Reservoir, one RVer suggested, "Would recommend higher clearance and confident driving skills to get further towards the peninsula would not bring camper past site 10 gets a bit more sketchy driving."
Leveling challenges: Most sites have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. A visitor to Gold Lake Area Dispersed noted, "Very quiet. Minimal traffic. Good open spots for up to medium sized rigs. Be forewarned, the private land area at the end of the road does not have any turn around space."
Early arrival recommended: Weekends fill quickly with the most accessible RV spots taken first. As one West Magnolia camper explained, "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."
