Dirtbag camping near Denver

So, lets say someone wanted to be a working 9-5 professional by day and a dirtbag camper living out of a truck at night. Where might one camp at night near Denver/Boulder?

Slim pickings...only legal places that come to mind are: 1) parking on a street where you aren't noticed too much, but moving location every night, 2) Walmart parking lots (a culture all their own), 3) staying in state campgrounds like Chatfield Rez or 4) the nearest USFS land (miles away). There *might* be some private campgrounds scattered somewhere around southwest of Denver; but I know for sure there's nothing around Boulder, except a pricey private campground up Four Mile Canyon. It's tough being a dirtbag around here...practically same class as homeless people!

What part of Denver is your work?

There are a few not-too-remote dispersed camping spots in the hills, for instance right outside of idaho springs:
fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO…
All the ranger districts here have mvum maps that are incredibly detailed. There are also some spots up magnolia maybe 20 minutes outside of boulder (though I haven't checked these out). It's certainly not ideal in many respects (very seasonal, etc) but the price is right...

Anyone tried staying at the American Mountaineering Center parking lot in Golden? We park there all the time for day trips up Clear Creek and it seems like a great spot to overnight if you don't get hassled. There's a shower in the downstairs bathroom, a great climbing library, and Mountain Toad right across the street...

Don Ferris wrote:What part of Denver is your work?

Westminster.

Find some national forest access roads and you can pretty much camp most places abiding by regulations of course (14 days, water sources etc.). Honestly the closest I can think of is up in Ned.

There's always the walmart parking lot.

There is a large dirt lot a few yards north of Highway 72 at Plainview Rd, just as it's about to enter Coal Creek Canyon, that is supposedly kosher to sleep at (never done it personally). Look around on Google maps, you'll find it.

Easiest thing for you would be to just park in a lot 10 min away from work. Most malls won't take notice for a while at least. Walmarts, safeways, king soopers. Find a spot near a Starbucks for bathrooms and wifi. If you didn't mind a longer commute I'd camp up in dream canyon.

Nate Allen wrote:Anyone tried staying at the American Mountaineering Center parking lot in Golden? We park there all the time for day trips up Clear Creek and it seems like a great spot to overnight if you don't get hassled. There's a shower in the downstairs bathroom, a great climbing library, and Mountain Toad right across the street...

Folks - Please do not park or overnight camp in the AMC parking lot. It is a private lot for the AMC building, Coors employees, and AMC guests. If you are an American Alpine Club or Colorado Mountain Club member, please reach out to those respective clubs for more information. Thanks.

Nat Matthews wrote: Folks - Please do not park or overnight camp in the AMC parking lot. It is a private lot for the AMC building, Coors employees, and AMC guests. If you are an American Alpine Club or Colorado Mountain Club member, please reach out to those respective clubs for more information. Thanks.

lol and THAT is how you blow up a spot.

Jokes aside thanks for the heads up.

Grew up near Westminster. Here are two potential spots where you probably wouldn't be hassled much:

White Dot indicates small dirt parking lot. Not sure if they close the gates here at night. I don't think so.

Gray arrow on the left indicates spot. Been a while, but I stayed here at least one night without any issues. You can pull pretty far off the road.

Scott McMahon wrote: lol and THAT is how you blow up a spot. Jokes aside thanks for the heads up.

Yep, good to know. Thanks Nat.