Dispersed camping near Ward, Colorado occurs primarily in Roosevelt National Forest at elevations above 9,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-75°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from July through September. The alpine environment features lodgepole pine and aspen forests with numerous small streams running through camping areas during spring and early summer.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Multiple sites near Ward report moose sightings, particularly in early mornings. At Allenspark Dispersed Camping, one camper noted, "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. He's afraid of humans but he did try to get into the car while we were sleeping."
Mountain biking: The West Magnolia area offers extensive single-track options directly from campsites. "Great spot for mountain biking, hiking, and camping," mentions one reviewer, with another adding "the sites are VERY spaced apart. The sun had already set by the time I found the last available one."
Stargazing: Several remote sites offer dark sky viewing opportunities away from Front Range light pollution. At North Boulder Creek Dispersed Camping, a camper reported, "Went to this location to get dark sky to see the Perseid meteor shower. Views were great. Nice and quiet."
Creekside camping: Many spots offer stream access for ambient sound and natural cooling. A visitor to Ceran St. Vrain Trail Dispersed Camping said, "Our spot was set back from the trail, right next to the stream. Just an amazing view, ample room for lots of tents, nice fire rings and huge logs around them for sitting."
What campers like
Easy access from Front Range cities: Multiple areas provide quick weekend escapes within 45-60 minutes of Boulder. One reviewer of North Boulder Creek noted, "I loved this spot! it's only about 10 minutes from Nederland and 45 minutes from boulder. There are mountains and aspen forests and wildflowers everywhere!"
Privacy between sites: Unlike developed campgrounds, many dispersed areas offer significant separation. At Gold Lake Area Dispersed, a camper explained, "Very quiet. Minimal traffic. Good open spots for up to medium sized rigs."
Fall colors: The aspen groves near Ward provide spectacular seasonal displays. "We'll worth the visit. Lots of Aspen!" mentioned a Gordon Gulch camper who "spent multiple days at this site due to its remote beauty. Campsites far apart, and it was quiet other than the occasional atv."
Cell service at select sites: Some locations maintain limited connectivity. A camper at Beaver Park Reservoir - Dispersed shared, "I also was able to get some service with Verizon periodically. Was able to send some texts but no pictures."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads deteriorate with distance from highways. "Road is passable by standard cars. No cell service. Layout can be crowded with little space between but was pretty empty through the week," noted one Beaver Park Reservoir visitor.
Abundant wildlife requires precautions: Bear and moose encounters occur regularly. A Dream Canyon reviewer warned, "Went on a Tuesday afternoon and there was foot traffic around our spot from people headed on hikes. The coordinates don't take you exactly to the parking lot but if you continue straight you get there."
Weather changes rapidly: Afternoon storms and temperature drops are common. A camper at Beaver Park Reservoir explained, "This was a wonderful campsite, incredible views, fairly easy to access(we did it in a Honda civic), and was an overall great environment. Not much out there, except what appears to be a small town on the other side of the lake... a storm with high wind caused us to have to tear down camp in the middle of the night."
Ticks present spring through fall: Several sites report tick encounters. A Gold Lake camper cautioned, "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
Stream-access sites: Locations with creeks provide natural entertainment for children. At Forest Road 332 Dispersed, a visitor noted, "There's city glow from Boulder but still dark enough to see plenty of stars to the southwest. Road isn't too bad until you get to the end where it branches off. Sites are spread out in the first half of the road, a bit closer together and better for large groups the further east you go."
Arrive early on weekends: Most sites fill by Friday afternoon during summer months. "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," reported a West Magnolia camper.
Plan for bathroom facilities: No dispersed sites offer toilets. "Beware there are signs stating to not build fires and be within 1/4 mile of creek. Place was clean and beautiful!" mentioned a Ceran St. Vrain visitor.
Consider noise levels: Some areas experience ATV traffic or shooting activity. "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," explained one Gordon Gulch visitor who noted "it is populated with people on ATVs, as well as other campers near you if you decide on an easy-to-access campsite."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Most areas accommodate small to mid-sized rigs only. "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)," reported a Beaver Park Reservoir camper.
Ground clearance requirements: Access roads typically require higher clearance for RVs. A North Boulder Creek visitor shared, "A lot of camping areas. Some of which could support RVs. There is a container of water that is provided along the entrance Road for drowning fire pits. Some of the further spots might require 4x4 access."
Level site availability: Finding flat parking can be challenging in mountainous terrain. "Sites are VERY spaced apart. The sun had already set by the time I found the last available one. High clearance vehicle recommended to get to a lot of the sites, but not all," noted a West Magnolia visitor.
