Boulder Canyon Camping?

I'm headed out to Boulder Canyon for a few days (April 2-4) and was wondering where a good place to camp was. I called the National Park Service, US Forest, and State Parks, and all of these sites don't open until Memorial Day. They said backcountry camping was allowed, but I'm wondering what else is available. Anybody familiar with this area, or camped out there this time of year?

There's a Forest Service campground between Nederland and Rollinsville that I thought was open year round, but if the Forest Service says everything is closed, I'd believe them (it's probably a matter of the road not being plowed). Buckingham campground at the Fourth of July Mine trailhead (west of Eldora)isn't closed, but you'd have to ski in this time of year. There's a hostel in Boulder, if you don't mind paying. Or, if you want to sleep in your car, you can park in the street in front of my house.

The boulder mountain lodge off of fourmile canyon drive has pay camping. Sucks to pay but it is a good location if you are climbing in the canyon.

Just as an FYI, we are about to get another snowstorm of maybe a foot to top off the one we just had on Friday. Not that camping in the snow is bad, but you'll probably either find a lot of snow or mud. It's been intermittent 60+ degree days with snow dumping.

There is no overnight camping in boulder canyon any time of year.
Maybe west magnolia rd. 2 miles south of nederland would be the best bet. free forest service camping.There will be snow there until late may at least.Great cafe just across the highway. 10 minutes to boulder canyon.

My wife and I recently pondered this same question while climbing in the area. We got beta on a pay campground in the next canyon up, checked it out and they were full. Kind of ghetto anyway. We ended up driving to some free site a 'couple minutes' up the road from this campsite. Well about an hour later and a few thousand feet higher and just past a town that deliverence could have been filmed in we found the blm or conservation land. Seemed like fine free camping. But, this camp site being only a few minutes up the road we didn't grab food or beers. Looking at the map Nederland seemed like the closest town worth it's salt. Once we got into town (now raining) we first saw, dare I say it. The NICEST Best Western I've ever seen, cute little log cabin thing and low and behold a brewery within walking distance. Perfect!

I know it's not camping but I can't think of a nicer town that was just the right speed for a couple of roadtripping NH'rs.

nhclimber wrote:My wife and I recently pondered this same question while climbing in the area. We got beta on a pay campground in the next canyon up, checked it out and they were full. Kind of ghetto anyway. We ended up driving to some free site a 'couple minutes' up the road from this campsite. Well about an hour later and a few thousand feet higher and just past a town that deliverence could have been filmed in we found the blm or conservation land. Seemed like fine free camping. But, this camp site being only a few minutes up the road we didn't grab food or beers. Looking at the map Nederland seemed like the closest town worth it's salt. Once we got into town (now raining) we first saw, dare I say it. The NICEST Best Western I've ever seen, cute little log cabin thing and low and behold a brewery within walking distance. Perfect! I know it's not camping but I can't think of a nicer town that was just the right speed for a couple of roadtripping NH'rs.

There used to be a private pay campground just off Boulder Canyon in Fourmile Canyon. I think it's a lodge but still with a few campsites now?

I remember feeling ripped off, but I relied pretty heavily on the NFS dispersed camping rules and there's no chance of that in boulder canyon.

Anonymous Spraying Account wrote:There used to be a private pay campground just off Boulder Canyon in Fourmile Canyon. I think it's a lodge but still with a few campsites now? I remember feeling ripped off, but I relied pretty heavily on the NFS dispersed camping rules and there's no chance of that in boulder canyon.

I could swear that Kelly Dahl Nat.forest campground was open all year long. Just outside Nederland, up on a hill where it catches lots of snow into June.

Thanks for all the info. I think I'm gonna give that boulder canyon lodge a shot. If that doesn't work, the one close to the brewery will suffice.

If you are looking at cheap hotels, another option is Foot of the Mountain Hotel. Its right at the mouth of the canyon, walking distance to Pearl Street beers and close to climbing in the canyon. I used to put my parents up there in the 90's when I was living on the hill and going to CU. Its not luxurious, but you can't beat the low price and proximity to the canyon and creek.

Below is a link to Kelly Dahl Campground

recreation.gov/camping/Kell…