Best Tent Camping near Walden, CO

Tent campers visiting Walden Reservoir in northern Colorado find free dispersed camping with drive-in and walk-in access around the 40-acre reservoir. Several established campgrounds lie within a 20-mile radius including BLM North Sand Hills Campground and Vic & Sigrid Hanson Memorial Park, which offers free tent sites within walking distance of downtown Walden. The region provides numerous primitive tent camping opportunities throughout Roosevelt National Forest and the Medicine Bow Mountains, with most sites located on public lands.

Most dispersed tent sites near Walden feature minimal development and require proper preparation. Walden Reservoir campsites have no facilities, potable water, or designated tent pads, requiring campers to bring their own supplies and pack out all trash. The area experiences significant seasonal variations, with mosquitoes being particularly problematic during summer months. Campers report ant populations can be problematic at many sites. Tent campers should secure belongings due to frequent high winds, especially in exposed areas along the reservoir. Sites generally remain flat and open with few trees for shelter or privacy.

Tent camping at Walden Reservoir offers expansive mountain views and quiet surroundings despite minimal facilities. The lack of trees provides excellent stargazing opportunities but limited protection from elements. Areas near water attract wildlife, particularly waterfowl like pelicans and seagulls. The region experiences dramatic temperature swings even during summer, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear year-round. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, tent campers should be prepared for insects: "Mosquitoes and biting ants but the sunsets are gorgeous and make it worth it." The open landscape creates privacy challenges between sites, making early arrival advisable during peak summer weekends. Nearby BLM North Sand Hills Campground provides more amenities for tent campers, including toilets and picnic tables, with good access to hiking trails.

Best Tent Sites Near Walden, Colorado (50)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Walden, CO

1247 Reviews of 50 Walden Campgrounds


  • C
    Aug. 2, 2018

    Glacier Basin Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    Great Campground

    This Rocky Mountain National Park campground is fantastic. I tent camped with my husband for 3 nights in Loop B. We saw tents and all sizes of campers many with families. Our tent site included a nice tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, and a shared bear box. The fire ban had been lifted and we could buy fire wood each evening-and ice cream! Clean bathrooms with flush toilets. This campground is very close to a number of trails. We hiked the Sprague Lake Trail. It’s 2 miles round trip and pretty easy. Breathtaking views. If you don’t hike, you can drive all the way to the Trail Ridge gift shop and cafe at the top. This park fills up quickly-amost 3 million visitors a year-so plan to get started early. We love RMNP. We will be back this fall!

  • Chad K.
    Aug. 3, 2019

    Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    Great campground

    This campground is in the middle of Rocky Mountain NP. Our site was in loop D. The sites are a little packed but give you enough space to spread out. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with a shared bear box. The tent pads are level as d have plenty of shade. The bath rooms have no showers and are a little dated but adequate for a national park. It is centrally locates to bear lake and Estes Park. We will be back.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Dowdy Lake Campground

    Reflections

    Status: 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

  • Amanda M.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    North Michigan Campground — State Forest State Park

    Gorgeous Rocky Mountain Camping - North Michigan Campground

    We found State Forest State Park on a whim this past July 2018. We were on a road trip from California to Colorado for a wedding in Granby, CO. We were camping in Utah at Dinosaur National Monument, but due to the smoke from a nearby wildfire and the high heat of the summer, we decided to cut our stay one day short, and head over to the Rockies a day early. We wanted to be fairly close to our final destinations, Granby then RMNP, but wanted to go somewhere we hadn’t been before. My boyfriend and I are both animal lovers, and our dream was to finally see a moose on this trip out to Colorado. In researching moosey areas on the internet, we found the Moose Visitor Center at State Forest State Park. We figured that a place with a Moose Visitors Center was as moosey as it comes, so we reserved a site online and headed out to Colorado.

    It was late afternoon when we arrived, but since we had already eaten, we didn’t have much to do besides set up our tent and sleeping pads for the night. Getting to the campground and visitors center is easy as they are both right off the highways 41 and 14, but it is quite a drive to get to, in general. The scenery is so pretty, that we did not mind the drive to or from SFSP. North Michigan Campground is right by a lake, it is pretty.

    The sites are primitive - each site had picnic benches and a firepit, but at the time we visited there was a Stage 2 fire ban in place, so we couldn’t have a campfire. The fire ban included the burning of wood and charcoal - using a propane stove was OK.

    There were pit toilets, and they were well maintained. The sites appeared to have once had more in the way of trees and shade, but it looks as though SFSP was hit by the pine beetles, like so much of Colorado. It’s sad to see the destruction the beetles left in their wake, and fewer trees mean less privacy and less shade for tent campers. We would have had a hard time setting up extra tarps in case it had rained that evening. Bringing an easy-up or canopy would be smart in the summer to protect against sun and heat, or a passing thunderstorm.

    WARNING: You ARE in bear country and there were no bear bins in the campground - be bear safe and bear smart, lock all of your food and toiletries inside your car at night. I was once told by a ranger in Yosemite NP that bears can recognize coolers when peering into car windows, so we always put a towel and gear over our coolers when keeping them in the car overnight.

    We packed up early and arrived at the Moose Visitors Center when they opened. The visitors center was educational and interesting, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. After studying some maps of the area with the rangers, we decided to try our luck driving along Highway 14 towards Fort Collins.

    We stopped at various spots along the highway, and ended up walking around the Joe Wright Reservoir for a while. Thunderheads were rolling in, and some rain and thunder started, so we decided to start making our way back towards SFSP then head down to Granby, our next stop. We were around Cameron Pass and had given up on seeing any moose when we saw traffic slowing and cars stopped alongside the road - there were two young bull moose snacking by a small river on the side of the road! We pulled over, turned our hazard lights on, grabbed the camera, and jumped out to see our first moose. The moose seemed unconcerned by their growing audience, and continued to chomp away on their lunch - there was a small ravine between the moose and their human audience, so neither moose nor humans felt threatened.

    According to the staff at the Moose Visitor Center, there are only about 1,000 moose in the entire state of Colorado - and here we stumbled across two moose at once! We were ecstatic, and so happy we made the impromptu, unplanned trip out to State Forest State Park! We returned to the Moose Visitors Center to share the experience with the rangers (they record the specifics of moose sightings in the area on a board), and the ranger gave us a high five for spotting our first ever moose.

    I would like to return to the area someday to hike, I imagine the nearby trails must be goregous!

    CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $18/night

    Plumbed Toilets: NO - pit

    Drinking Water: Yes

    Showers: NO

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grates: Yes

    Shade: Limited!

    Cell Service: NO

    Animal Bins/Food Lockers: NO

  • L
    Jul. 16, 2018

    Moraine Park Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    Spacious and shaded

    This campground is beautifully designed. The spaces are slightly spread out and staggered to offer more privacy than others in the area. Lots of trees and big rocks to add to the privacy. Very clean facility, with easy access to bathrooms, water and bear boxes. We were very pleased with the quality of the tent space and table. (Technically we tent camped at a site for an RV, but it still has a level tent spot). It was one of the best in the area we have camped at. Also walking distance to a shuttle that will take you to nearby touristy trailheads (like Bear Lake). Only disappointing thing is the full fire ban currently in effect- so no campfire.

  • Judy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Aspenglen Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    A quiet oasis in a busy park

    Aspenglen is located just inside the Fall River Entrance Station.  Once you have entered the park it is the first left that takes you down to the Aspenglen campground.  There are a few more trees in this area, so you are more likely to find shade.  There are some sites that are specifically for tents and others that accommodate small to medium RV's.  There are no hookups for electricity or water and cellphone service is mostly non-existent.  The sites are spaced more widely apart than at Glacier Basin.  There are bear boxes to store your food, fire rings, and tables.  Three loops, and some walk-in sites compose the layout.  There was a host at the campground.  They did sell firewood near the check-in post.

  • Isabelle K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2018

    Upper Chipmunk Backcountry Campsite — Rocky Mountain National Park

    Amazing backpacking campsite in Rocky Mountain National Park!

    I had the fortune of being invited along on a backpacking trip this past weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park. I say fortune in particular because obtaining Wilderness Permits for popular backpacking destinations can be difficult during the high season of tourism at RMNP. Thankfully, my friend had reserved this permit months in advanced so we were all set for our adventure! 

    To get to this campsite, backpackers typically park at the Lawn Lake Trail Head and hike the beautiful Ypsilon Lake trail. The site is located 4.2 miles from the trailhead just past Chipmunk Lake. The hike is moderately strenuous in my opinion, and is made more difficult with a full backpack of course. The approach to the site is all uphill (2100 feet of elevation gain) but that makes the hike out quite easy as your tired legs will be going downhill the entire way! From the campsite, the hike to Ypsilon Lake isn’t far and makes for a great additional day hike once you’ve set up camp. We also pushed on to the higher Spectacle Lakes, which is a very strenuous hike which requires some scrambling and route finding but 100% worth it. From the top there are amazing views of Long’s Peak, Estes Park and the Spectacle Lakes themselves which have the most magnificently glacial blue water. 

    About the campsites-

    There are two designated sites, we stay at the one on the right. At the site there is a designated space for tents which is relatively flat and free of rocks. There is plenty of shade from the dense surrounding pines. No fires are allowed at this site so a camp stove is necessary for cooking. Bear canisters are required and leave no trace ethics should be strictly followed. I was surprised to find that this site also had access to a privy. The privy itself was decently clean and signs indicated that no toilet paper should be thrown into it, although this rule was clearly not being followed as there was a good bit of trash in the toilet. Overall, the site itself was spotless and free of any trash. The views from the site were limited by the trees, but the nearby scenic lakes offer plenty of panoramic views. This is a great backcountry camp site and a fun backpacking trip overall. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone that enjoys the solitude of backpacking and has the time to obtain the necessary permits! 

    For more info, check out this site specific informational PDF: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/upload/019-Upper-Chipmunk-2017-2.pdf

  • b
    Aug. 2, 2021

    Arapaho National Forest Stillwater Campground

    Small but sufficient

    We camped here 23 - 25 July 2021. Arrived late in the afternoon on the 23rd and set up camp quickly. The pad was small (enough room for a 6 person tent, and a 1 person tent) the fire ring was taped up as there was a fire ban in effect. We had a walk to site, which was literally about 10 feet from the parking area. Sites are close to each other, we were concerned we may be too loud for our neighbors. The view of the lake was beautiful from our elevated site. Bathrooms were only about 200 yards away and water and dumpsters were another 100 yards in the other direction. We would stay here again for sure, but hopefully we could do it during a time of no fire ban.

  • Jackie S.
    Jul. 28, 2018

    Aspenglen Campground — Rocky Mountain National Park

    Quiet campground with occasion antlered visitors

    Campsites were nice sized, large food storage cabinets and the comfort station was new and cleaned well. Rangers were very helpful and happily answered questions for our kids. No electric at the campsites and no showers-par for the course at a National Park. Had a great stay


Guide to Walden

Tent camping opportunities around Walden, Colorado extend beyond the reservoir to several additional dispersed and established sites throughout Jackson County. Located in North Park at 8,000 feet elevation, this high mountain basin experiences significant temperature fluctuations with frost possible even in summer months. Camping areas provide access to Medicine Bow Mountains wilderness areas and the Illinois River headwaters, with road conditions varying significantly by season.

What to do

Explore sand dunes: North Sand Hills offers unique terrain for hiking and off-road recreation. The area requires careful navigation as one camper notes, "The roads going in there are rough and then turn to sand. Car struggled a bit. It's clearly an area for off-roaders and people with ATVs." (BLM North Sand Hills Campground)

Visit downtown Walden: Camp within walking distance of Walden's small downtown area for convenient access to supplies. "Great restaurant on Main Street. Reasonable grocery store at gas station," reports a camper at Vic & Sigrid Hanson Memorial Park, which provides free camping with basic amenities. (Vic & Sigrid Hanson Memorial Park)

Stargazing sessions: Camp at sites with minimal light pollution for optimal night sky viewing. "Excellent for stargazing," mentions one visitor about Sage Campground, where the complete lack of trees creates unobstructed celestial views across all sites.

What campers like

Easy accessibility: Some sites provide straightforward access for various vehicle types. At Beaver Creek Trailhead, campers appreciate that it's "completely free just follow the dispersed camping rules. No amenities." The site offers both drive-in and walk-in options without complicated restrictions. (Beaver Creek Trailhead)

Proximity to Grand Lake: Stillwater Pass Dispersed Camping serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby attractions. One visitor notes its "great site and location about 10 minutes from downtown Grand Lake. The sites had tons of space and a great view of the mountains." (Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite)

Simple camping experience: Many sites around Walden offer straightforward, no-frills camping. A Walden Reservoir visitor describes it as "simple, and easy place to get to... flat awesome sunset" - highlighting the area's appeal for those seeking uncomplicated outdoor stays.

What you should know

Insect challenges: Bug populations pose significant challenges throughout the camping season. Beyond mosquitoes, one camper at Walden Reservoir reports, "During the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies. Great place to overnight, but terrible place to hang out during the day unless you have a bug net."

Weather considerations: The area experiences extreme temperature fluctuations and wind. At North Sand Hills, a camper warns visitors to "be prepared for wind!" Sites typically lack protection from elements, making proper equipment essential.

Limited facilities: Best tent camping near Walden, Colorado generally means minimal or no amenities. At Sage Campground, "The bathrooms are very clean. There are fire rings, a picnic table, and tent pads in every site. Some spotty cell service." This represents better facilities than most dispersed options. (Sage Campground)

Tips for camping with families

Bring privacy solutions: Many sites lack natural screening between camping areas. For tent camping at Walden Reservoir, one visitor suggests: "Better for campers/cans as there isn't much privacy for tent campers. Not enough trees for bathrooms so you may want to bring a hide-able set up."

Plan shorter stays: Consider using sites primarily for overnight stops rather than extended stays due to bug issues. "We showed up at night and it was very quiet, no problem finding a spot to camp," notes one Walden Reservoir visitor, reinforcing the area's suitability for brief stays.

Contact local authorities: When using town sites, follow proper protocols. For Vic & Sigrid Hanson Memorial Park, visitors should "Call the sheriff on +1 (970) 723-4242 and leave name and number" before setting up camp. (Vic & Sigrid Hanson Memorial Park)

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: RVers should carefully evaluate ground conditions when selecting dispersed sites. At Stillwater Pass, a visitor notes "We took a left at the fork and found a site with the best view and a porta-john at the end of the driveway. The site appears to have been freshly cleared. There were lots of twigs and rocks and no grass, so it became a muddy mess as soon as the rain began."

Vehicle clearance requirements: Many access roads require appropriate vehicles. One camper at Stillwater Pass found "a nice spacious [site] a little off the road, there was a ditch between the road and the site so some higher clearance helped avoid scraping." Carefully assess road conditions before proceeding with larger vehicles.

Site availability patterns: Arrival timing significantly impacts site selection opportunities. A visitor to Stillwater Pass notes, "The sites had tons of space and a great view of the mountains. Only downside, there's only a few sites along this road and they filled up fairly quick on a Friday."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Walden, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Walden, CO is Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping with a 3.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Walden, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 50 tent camping locations near Walden, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.