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Camping around Eldo

Original Post
Reece Henson · · Knoxville, TN · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 65

I'm headed out that way in a few weeks and i need a place to camp for a few nights. does anyone know of a free place or relatively cheap that'd be reasonably close to the canyon?

Craig Randleman · · Bend, Or · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 290

there's nothing free in or around eldo, or boulder for that matter. and the campgrounds are even quite a ways away. boulder cops are on the lookout for us overnighters so there's even very little chance you'd pass a night in a parking lot undistrubed. good luck!

Evan1984 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 30

When I traveled through Denver, I found the camping options to be surprisingly scarce. Having lived there, I still don't know of many.

They are not too close to Eldo, but there are some free primitive sites right outside nederland. There are a number of places that you can find on a campground map sold at REI in Boulder, but they are 40-60 minutes into the mountains and another 30 to eldo. I'd choose soemthing up there because its close to boulder canyon climbing.

Golden Gate Park is in the foothills of Golden. Its probably 60 mins from eldo.

That said, you'll want to go a bit higher to escape the heat.

Good Luck

Reece Henson · · Knoxville, TN · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 65

yeah i think we might just hit up the place in nederland and make the drive. do you know anything cheap or free for climbing in the park that's not gonna be packed with toursits and families? and yeah the heat's gonna suck but i've always wanted to climb in eldo so i figured since i climb in 95 degree heat with 80% humidity here in the south i can manage a day in eldo ha

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

If you're a light sleeper and can move quick, just bivy in one of the train tunnels to the south.

Shawn Mitchell · · Broomfield · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 250

If you're not quite that adventurous, but still on the free spirited side, it's probably not too difficult to park on one of the county roads off Eldorado Springs and wander a little distance over a rise or two for an undocumented bivouac.

Charles Vernon · · Colorado megalopolis · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 2,655
Craig Randleman wrote: boulder cops are on the lookout for us overnighters so there's even very little chance you'd pass a night in a parking lot undistrubed. good luck!
Not so--I had a friend who lived out of (i.e. slept in) his car in Boulder for two years. Never had a run-in with the cops. And a number of other friends have done it for much shorter periods of time, also without issue. Of course, it helps to know where to go, have the right vehicle, etc.
Reece Henson · · Knoxville, TN · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 65

if i just get into the national forest will i be fine?

eldoradolocal · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 25

There aren't any good options near Eldorado. Residents keep an eye out for unfamiliar vehicles, and the sheriff and parks staff are out early and late. You're likely to get rousted, ticketed or towed anywhere in the valley or the outlying open space parking lots. There just isn't anywhere off the radar any more.

Adam Paashaus · · Greensboro, NC · Joined May 2007 · Points: 791

Longmont's own Walmart parking lot.

Mike Pharris · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 125
Reece Henson wrote:if i just get into the national forest will i be fine?
generally yes, but until your well out from the area around the park, its mostly privately owned along the roadways at least. Good access to legal camping is not convenient.
rob rebel · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 5
Reece Henson wrote:do you know anything cheap or free for climbing in the park that's not gonna be packed with toursits and families?
There are some national forests nearby the park you can drive in and camp in for free.

I love eldo and I climb there more than anywhere else but if you are coming up here this time of year spend most of your days in the park it will be well worth it.
Dirty Gri Gri, or is it GiGi? · · Vegas · Joined May 2005 · Points: 4,115
Mike Lane wrote:If you're a light sleeper and can move quick, just bivy in one of the train tunnels to the south.
A few years ago, Jonny, and I ran through those train tunnels; fun times! ; /
Hmmm... some of the spur of the moment things we do for fun- we're gonna die.

If you have a bivy sack, and can be low profile, you can probably camp for free just about anywhere.
Steve Grigel · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 5

Ditto on the comments regarding hard to find free camping close by and people keep an eye out. Your best bet for a pay (but inexpensive) camping area is in Golden. In the Golden RV park there are a handful of tent sites next to the river. Not a wilderness setting, but quite beautiful and walking distance to a number of bars, grocery, etc. About 20min drive to Eldo. Lots of sport options a few minutes drive/walk from the campsite up Clear Creek Canyon. Check out link:

ci.golden.co.us/Page.asp?Na…

Have fun

Steve Grigel · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 5

Ditto on the comments regarding hard to find free camping close by and people keep an eye out. Your best bet for a pay (but inexpensive) camping area is in Golden. In the Golden RV park there are a handful of tent sites next to the river. Not a wilderness setting, but quite beautiful and walking distance to a number of bars, grocery, etc. About 20min drive to Eldo. Lots of sport options a few minutes drive/walk from the campsite up Clear Creek Canyon. Check out link:

ci.golden.co.us/Page.asp?Na…

Have fun

JayG · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 70

Couple options I know...

There is a campground/cabin area at the bottom of 4 Mile Canyon:

bouldermountainlodge.com/

There is also good camping (although a bit of a drive) up Magnolia Road out of Boulder Canyon and up to road 68...Forsythe Canyon Trailhead. It's in the national forest and you finds spots there...

Cheers!

Dave Hurst · · somewhat near Boulder CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5
JayG wrote: There is also good camping (although a bit of a drive) up Magnolia Road out of Boulder Canyon and up to road 68...Forsythe Canyon Trailhead. It's in the national forest and you finds spots there... Cheers!
You're talking about Winiger Ridge Offroad Area.
Best to stick with the National Forest, which is west of Hy 119, south of Ned, generally. Or north on Hy 72 towards Estes Park.
BTW, camping is prohibited in South St Vrain Canyon and Boulder Canyon, and on all Boulder city and county parks and open space lands. Just wanted you to know, so a deputy doesn't wake you up at 2 am to give you a citation.

If you go to the Arapaho Roosevelt NF web site, search for "dispersed camping"--there is a huge list of free camping areas in the mountains west of Boulder.
tiny.cc/zejea

Several years ago, there was a small campground operated by Eldo St Park, but that closed a while back.
Shawn Mitchell · · Broomfield · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 250

Eldolocal and MooseXing:

Is it illegal to park overnight on the dirt county roads near Eldorado Springs? If yes, my idea won't work. But if no, then DirtyGri has the blueprint.

Greg D · · Here · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 883

We camped on Walnut st downtown a few year ago. We decided it was worth the risk cause we drank a few gallons of saki. Being cited for camping would be much better than a dui. No body bothered us.

Allen Hill · · FIve Points, Colorado and Pine · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 1,410

People tend to forget that there's two good campgrounds in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The Aspen Ridge one is actually very nice. Closer than Kelly Dale for sure.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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