Rustic camping near Thornton, Colorado offers primitive backcountry experiences at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 feet. Most dispersed sites are located along rough forest roads within 90 minutes of the city, requiring careful planning due to high mountain temperatures that can drop below 40°F even in summer months. Weather conditions change rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Beaver Park Reservoir, visitors can fish the lake, though be aware of private property restrictions. "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)," notes one camper.
Mountain biking trails: The Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers extensive trail networks for mountain bikers of various skill levels. A reviewer mentioned, "Great camping spot, esp, if you like mountain biking. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings present opportunities to spot wildlife. At Forest Road 332 Dispersed, campers report seeing "lots of chipmunks and hummingbirds due to the many wild flowers." Another camper at Allenspark reported, "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he can back and we scared him off again."
What campers like
Secluded spots: Many dispersed sites provide distance from neighbors. At West Magnolia Campground, "The sites are VERY spaced apart. The sun had already set by the time I found the last available one. Don't be afraid to ask other campers if you can share a site, some of them are massive!"
Water features: Streams and lakes enhance the camping experience. At Allenspark Dispersed Camping, sites are situated "right next to a creek, nice to have a water feature." Another camper noted the area has "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."
Accessibility: Some areas provide rustic camping without extreme road challenges. A camper at Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping shared, "The campsite was awesome and very peaceful. It did get pretty windy at night and it also dropped into the upper 30's. I think most of the campsites have rock fire rings in place even though it isn't 'fire-friendly'."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many roads deteriorate as you travel deeper. At Gross Reservoir Dispersed, "Going up past site 6 is a steep hill where 4x4 is highly recommended. We ended up turning around there but probably could have made it if I picked a good line."
Seasonal closures: Access can be restricted, especially in winter and spring. One camper reported, "There is no discernible reason that the road is closed 2 miles before where this app says the site is. Internet search says it should be open til middle of November unless there is some weather or other issue."
Environmental hazards: Ticks are common in certain areas. A camper at Gold Lake Area Dispersed warned, "The only thing I would caution about this area is the ticks. We brushed about Five off of us just during the visit. Unfortunately we must've missed one because my wife ended up with one attached when we got home in her scalp."
Tips for camping with families
Safety around wildlife: Be prepared for encounters. At Dream Canyon, a camper advised, "Basic primitive dispersed camping. Just watch your food or the Huskies might get it if you're not paying attention."
Arrival timing: Secure sites early, especially on weekends. A Buffalo Creek Recreation Area visitor noted, "This free campground is perfect! There are some sites that are better than others for group sizes and it isn't very RV friendly. 550 is a washboard road that ends up at Wellington Lake."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly. At Forest Road 332, campers recommend bringing "plenty of layers as temperatures can swing dramatically. We tent camped one night here, arrived at 3pm on a Friday, and found a site on the north side of the road. Views to the south and east, couldn't see the rocky peaks with snow to the west from our site."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most primitive camping near Thornton accommodates smaller rigs only. At Beaver Park Reservoir, "We have a 25 foot camper and feet nicely in. Road in was good as well (May 2025)," but another camper warned about site access: "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."
Road preparation: High-clearance vehicles fare better. One camper at Gross Reservoir advised, "Definitely need a high clearance vehicle. I saw a low clearance vehicle at site 6 & no idea how they got there... they had to have gotten scraped up."
Limited amenities: Come fully stocked with supplies. A visitor to Buffalo Creek noted, "There are no bathrooms so the first day we got there we did a trash clean up of the backwoods of our site from toilet paper left out there."
