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Colorado · Camping
Bellvue sits at the mouth of the Poudre Canyon, and the camping options fanning out from this small northern Colorado town cover a lot of ground — literally.
29 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapCamping · 29 spots
Bellvue sits at the mouth of the Poudre Canyon, and the camping options fanning out from this small northern Colorado town cover a lot of ground — literally. The Cache la Poudre corridor runs west from here, and most of the developed campgrounds in the area, including Kelly Flats, Sleeping Elephant, Ansel Watrous, and the Narrows, sit right along the river on Highway 14. Further up the canyon and into the Roosevelt National Forest, you get into quieter territory: Jacks Gulch, Tom Bennett, and Long Draw Campground push into higher elevation terrain where the crowds thin out considerably. For campers who want more flexibility, dispersed camping is also available through designated travel zones and individual sites scattered through the area. With 29 active listings in and around Bellvue, the range runs from pull-through sites close to the road and the river to remote spots that require more of a commitment to reach. The canyon itself channels cold air off the mountains at night even in July, so come prepared for temperature swings regardless of when you visit.
Kelly Flats, Sleeping Elephant, Ansel Watrous, the Narrows, and Tunnel Campground all sit along the Cache la Poudre River on Highway 14. These are the most accessible options and tend to fill up on summer weekends, so booking ahead is a good idea if you're coming Friday through Sunday between June and August.
The listings include designated dispersed sites (Site 1, Site 2, Site 4) as well as Travel Zone 1 and Travel Zone 2, which are managed areas where dispersed camping is permitted within set boundaries. Dispersed camping typically means no developed facilities — no water, no vault toilets — so you need to pack in everything and pack out all waste. Check current USFS regulations before you go, since fire restrictions and zone access can change seasonally.
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Bellvue, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Bellvue, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Bellvue, Colorado
Dispersed camping
Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
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Bellvue, Colorado
Camping
Bellvue, Colorado
Camping
Bellvue, Colorado
Late June through early September is the main window when most campgrounds are open and accessible. Higher-elevation sites like Long Draw Campground can hold snow well into June and may close again by October. If you want fewer people, aim for weekdays in late August or early September when summer crowds drop off but the weather is still reliable.
Jacks Gulch Campground and Mountain Park are generally considered good options for families, with more developed facilities than the dispersed sites. Kelly Flats and Sleeping Elephant are also straightforward to access right off Highway 14, which makes them practical for campers who don't want a long drive on a dirt road to reach their site.
Nights get cold even in midsummer — temperatures in the canyon can drop into the 40s Fahrenheit in July, so a three-season sleeping bag is worth bringing even if you're visiting in August. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through early August, so a waterproof rain layer and a tarp or tent footprint are practical additions. If you're heading to higher-elevation sites like Tom Bennett or Long Draw, add an extra insulating layer and be aware that cell service is limited to nonexistent once you're deep in the canyon.