Dispersed tent camping near Westminster, Colorado offers terrain ranging from low-elevation foothills to subalpine forest regions between 6,000-9,500 feet. At higher elevations like N Boulder Creek Dispersed Camping areas, nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F even in summer months. Most sites require packing in water and supplies, with the closest grocery stores typically located in Nederland or Golden for last-minute provisions.
What to do
**Paddleboarding opportunities: **At Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir, water activities are accessible but regulated. According to one visitor, "Gross Reservoir is an awesome SUPing, kayaking, or canoeing option close to Denver and Boulder...There are a lot of inlets to paddle into and trails to explore." Note that swimming is prohibited and rangers patrol regularly.
**Fishing access: **Dude's Fishing Hole near Aspen Meadows Campground offers fishing within walking distance of campsites. One camper mentions, "People commonly drop in a paddleboard or kayak. I sadly don't have either, but I do have hiking boots...I took a hammock with me and planted myself on one side of the lake's perimeter." Small trout are common in streams throughout the region.
**Wildlife viewing: **Dawn and dusk offer the best chances to see local wildlife. Near Westminster, campers report moose, bears, and even mountain lions. "We were about to go to bed around 11pm when our dogs started barking. My wife went to quiet them down and when I shined my head lamp toward the tent I saw a mountain lion perched above where we were camping on some rocks about 30 feet away," reported one camper at Ceran St. Vrain Trail.
What campers like
**Natural soundscapes: **The rushing water at creek-side sites provides natural white noise. "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," notes a camper at Ceran St. Vrain Trail. Many campers mention this feature helps mask noise from neighboring sites.
**Stargazing opportunities: **Areas with minimal light pollution offer exceptional night sky viewing. "The stars were AMAZING and the sky was perfectly clear," reports a camper. However, some locations have unexpected light sources: "Once it got dark they had 3 bright spot lights that traveled across and lit up most of the campsites so you can't see any stars," warns a reviewer at Winiger Ridge.
**Quick access from urban areas: **Many dispersed camping sites near Westminster can be reached in under an hour. N Boulder Creek Dispersed Camping offers "Secluded but not hard to get to" camping areas. "Nice views, plenty of space. Dirt road for the last mile or so but it's in great condition," notes a camper, making these locations ideal for weeknight getaways.
What you should know
**Vehicle requirements: **Many sites require appropriate vehicles. At Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, "Recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach some of the spots, especially if there is poor weather." Another camper notes about Winiger Ridge, "Gnarly ass road, not for trailers/sedans... I wouldn't try this with a camper/RV, or anything that doesn't have high clearance and power."
**Proximity to noise sources: **Flight paths and construction can affect the wilderness experience. "We camped Sunday night and there is a Mine or Quarry on the other side of the 'lake' and they worked non stop for 24 hours, which means non stop noise," reports a Winiger Ridge camper. Similarly, at Aspen Meadows, "This campground is also under a flight path so very loud planes flew overhead into the night."
**Navigation challenges: **Maps and directions can be confusing. "The reservation confirmation gave us directions to Reverend's Ridge campground, which is wrong. It also said our site was on Aspen Loop, and there is no Aspen Loop - only Conifer Loop. It's a very poorly marked campground," notes an Aspen Meadows visitor. For Dream Canyon, "The coordinates on Dyrt are a little off from the actual location but if you drive down roads that lead to toward views of the canyon, you'll get there."
Tips for camping with families
**Safety planning: **Wildlife encounters require preparation, especially with children. At Allenspark Dispersed Camping, one camper 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. He's afraid of humans but he did try to get into the car while we were sleeping." Store food properly in secure containers.
**Short hike-in options: **For introducing children to backpacking, consider sites with minimal hiking required. Sawmill Hiker Campground requires only a one-mile hike with "an exact address available on the website and at the Open Space Office that you can put into your GPS and drive straight to the parking lot of the trailhead." A parent noted, "This was an excellent 'beginner' foray into backpacking!"
**Water features: **Streams provide natural entertainment for children. At Allenspark, "Lots of spots, and also lots of people. Some folks coming in late night. It's definitely a bumpy ride in," but the "beautiful creek" makes it worthwhile. Similarly, at Ceran St. Vrain, campsites are "spread along a hiking trail that follows the St. Vrain river" with spots that are "spread out pretty well."
Tips from RVers
**Length restrictions: **Most dispersed areas near Westminster have limited space for larger rigs. Smaller trailers and vans fare better than large RVs. At Dream Canyon Campsites, a visitor warns, "The parking lot has one giant rut that you must be careful to navigate around. 2 Wheel Dr. and low clearance vehicles can do it, but should be extremely careful in how they approach."
**Hookup locations: **For those needing electrical connections, Bear Creek Lake Campground provides "sites for tent/RV and have electric hookups. Beautiful area...Only drawback might be the bathrooms have no night lighting and you have a dumping station instead of sewage hookups. Also water is available but not at the site."
**Seasonal access: **Snow and spring mud can make roads impassable for heavier vehicles. At Gordon Gulch, "It snowed on me overnight and the road was still very passable. The last few sites felt just a little too sketchy for my driving skills." Winter camping requires careful planning, as many areas become difficult to access after snowfall.
