Camping around Eldo
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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? |
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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! |
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When I traveled through Denver, I found the camping options to be surprisingly scarce. Having lived there, I still don't know of many. |
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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 |
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If you're a light sleeper and can move quick, just bivy in one of the train tunnels to the south. |
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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. |
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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. |
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if i just get into the national forest will i be fine? |
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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. |
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Longmont's own Walmart parking lot. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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: |
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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: |
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Couple options I know... |
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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. |
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Eldolocal and MooseXing: |
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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. |
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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. |