Mountain - Plains - Denver/Boulder overnight camping trips?

When I just need to go on vacation, I load up my bike for a mini-tour, usually just an overnight trip.

So far I've camped off Hwy 72 just south of Ward, that was a HUGE climb but nice camping with no other people in sight. I've also ridden up Golden Gate Canyon to White Ranch Park near Golden, also a big climb, quite a bit of traffic. There's a mile hike in to the campsites so I'd want to bring a backpack next time.

Any suggestions on your favorite places to camp, nice roads without much traffic, etc.? I live in downtown Denver so I can leave from there or catch the bus to Boulder (or Conifer, Evergreen, other RTD stops.)

I also live downtown and would be interested on what's recommended. Cherry Creek Reservoir and Chatfield Lake have camping facilities and have thought about staying at one of these for a weekend.

I also live downtown and would be interested on what's recommended. Cherry Creek Reservoir and Chatfield Lake have camping facilities and have thought about staying at one of these for a weekend.

IMHO, those are not the best camping destinations unless you are into hanging out with the RV/Jetski crowd. Also, they are both so close that they are just 2 and 3 hour roundtrips.

I am interested to see what comes up here too. I do most of my camping as backpacking, but have thought about a touring setup for cycling. I was thinking that Brainard Lake might be a good one.

IMHO, those are not the best camping destinations unless you are into hanging out with the RV/Jetski crowd. Also, they are both so close that they are just 2 and 3 hour roundtrips.

I am interested to see what comes up here too. I do most of my camping as backpacking, but have thought about a touring setup for cycling. I was thinking that Brainard Lake might be a good one.

I considered staying at Brainard Lake for my first trip, it was closed (mid-May?)so I ended up just south of Ward in Roosevelt National Forest. The climb from Nederland is tough. I didn't even think of attempting it all the way from Boulder because of the traffic on 119.

This past Memorial Day weekend, I stayed one night up on Squaw Pass east of Echo Lake. I camped in the woods near the Cloudland picnic area. I rode from downtown Denver which requires a few miles on the shoulder of I-70 between Genesee and the Evergreen Pkwy. Even with that, the ride wasn't bad. I woke up to an inch of snow on my tent. That made for a nice and quiet morning.

I've done overnighters at Cherry Creek and Golden Gate state parks, but both campgrounds were a bit noisy. Other options I've thought about for overnighters or weekenders include riding south to Sedalia, then into the hills to camp or a long weekend to ride a loop through Estes Park, RMNP, Winter Park and back to Denver.

Brainard lake is beautiful and it is a great ride from boulder. I don't know if you would want to attempt to ride into boulder then go up to the lake all in one day. That would be tiring for sure. You can escape the crowd on the weekend up at Brainard, you just have to take off the side of the road.

This past Memorial Day weekend, I stayed one night up on Squaw Pass east of Echo Lake. I camped in the woods near the Cloudland picnic area. I rode from downtown Denver which requires a few miles on the shoulder of I-70 between Genesee and the Evergreen Pkwy. Even with that, the ride wasn't bad. I woke up to an inch of snow on my tent. That made for a nice and quiet morning.


This looks good! Could you share the route that you took to get there & back?

Not having a car definitely has its drawback, I just need to get out of this city!

What about Echo Lake? I guess you could ride up Bear Creek to Evergreen and then over Juniper Pass.

Any updates?

I also live in the city and have no car but would love to do some solo camping away from the masses

I've heard stories of taking the bus up to Nederland and that there might be some sites up there?