Best Tent Camping near Evergreen, CO
Tent camping opportunities around Evergreen, Colorado include established campgrounds within state parks and more primitive dispersed areas. Staunton State Park Campground features walk-in tent sites that require a short hike of approximately half a mile from the parking area. Several dispersed tent camping areas exist in the surrounding national forest land, including Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp and Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail.
Tent campsites at Staunton State Park are set on gravel pads with defined tent platforms. Most tent-focused areas provide basic amenities such as picnic tables and pit toilets, though water access varies significantly. A visitor commented that "sites are stretched out along two short trails, most far enough that it makes sense to treat it a bit like backpacking." Many dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles for access, particularly at Hidden Wilderness where reviews indicate the road becomes "huge bumps that turned my car uncomfortably horizontal." Fire regulations change seasonally, with permanent fire bans in place at some locations, particularly Sawmill Hiker Campground where all fire rings have been removed.
Areas farther from urban centers provide deeper tent camping experiences with fewer crowds. Tent sites at Sawmill Hiker Campground offer remarkable views despite their proximity to Denver. A review noted that "at night you can see all the city lights of sprawling Denver, but then have a perfect view of the sunrise in the morning." Bear boxes are provided at several backcountry tent camping locations, including Reynolds Park Idylease Campground, where tent sites are spaced approximately 100-200 feet apart along a half-mile trail. Wildlife sightings are common near tent camping areas, with deer frequently observed and occasional reports of bears and moose. The walk-in nature of many tent sites creates a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience compared to drive-up campgrounds, though it requires careful planning regarding what equipment to carry.
