West Magnolia

Star4.21
160 reviews

Quick Facts

8,661 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Seasonal closures ap...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG site

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West Magnolia
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Camping is free in all designated campsites.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.21

Satisfactory

Based on 160 reviews

131 Google reviews

Most mentioned

scenerycleanhiking

"User reviews of the West Magnolia Dispersed Camping area reveal mixed experiences. Campers appreciate the affordability (free camping), scenic views, and outdoor activities available in the area. However, many express frustrations with the challenging road conditions, difficulty in finding an available site, and the presence of long-term occupants or homeless individuals."

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Campground Map

West Magnolia

39.9505, -105.5044

Driving directionsWest Magnolia Trailhead is located west of the Peak-to-Peak Highway, and south of Nederland. Check the Boulder Ranger District's Motor Vehicle Use Map for the designated routes to follow.
Accessed via Forest Service Roads that are seasonal and typically closed November through May. Roads may include large potholes and gravel sections, making a 4x4 vehicle recommended for some areas.
Nearby places
Nederland (approx. 1 mile), Boulder (approx. 17 miles), Rocky Mountain National Park (approx. 27 miles)
Nearby supplies
Supplies such as groceries, fuel, and camping gear available in Nederland (approx. 1 mile away) and Boulder (approx. 17 miles away).

Best Time to Camp at West Magnolia

Mother Nature rules supreme at this high-altitude paradise, painting each season with dramatic brushstrokes. Summer brings warm days perfect for exploration, though mountain weather can surprise you with afternoon thunderstorms. As autumn arrives, crisp air and golden aspens create magical camping conditions. Winter transforms the landscape into a frozen wonderland, with temperatures plummeting well below freezing—so bundle up if you're brave enough to visit. The area typically closes from November through May, when heavy snows make the roads impassable, giving the wilderness time to rest and rejuvenate for another season of adventures.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open and highly popular in summer; warm days ideal for hiking and biking.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Open in fall and scenic, but fewer review specifics; shoulder season length is limited.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Seasonal closures apply Nov–May; spring closed.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Seasonal closures apply Nov–May; winter use not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Seasonal closures apply from November through May.
  • Current Alerts: Seasonal closures from November through May. Fire bans may be in effect during summer.

About West Magnolia

Escape into the wilderness at West Magnolia Dispersed Camping, where eight miles of winding Forest Service roads lead to your perfect backcountry hideaway. This pristine area embraces the true spirit of primitive camping—no hookups, no facilities, just you and the raw beauty of the Colorado high country. Adventure seekers flock here to explore endless hiking trails, tackle challenging mountain bike routes, and traverse scenic horseback riding paths that wind through dense forests and open meadows. Best of all? Your stay won't cost a dime, making this one of Colorado's best-kept secrets for budget-conscious outdoor enthusiasts.
West Magnolia Dispersed Camping is a free, designated dispersed camping area that offers a rugged and minimalistic camping experience. It caters primarily to tent and RV campers.
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Stay Limit
Maximum stay is 14 days, followed by a mandatory move of 3 miles away.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

West Magnolia offers a variety of outdoor activities for campers, including hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. The area is known for its extensive singletrack trails and scenic vistas, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
HikingApproximately eight miles of trails around the West Magnolia Trailhead are available for hiking. "The trails are really designed for mountain biking or running less so for hikers," notes one reviewer, emphasizing the area's suitability for more dynamic activities.
BikingThe campground and surrounding area are known for their excellent mountain biking trails. "West Mag provides a wide range of bike trails for motorized vehicles & mountain biking," a user review states, highlighting the diversity of biking opportunities.
Wildlife viewingWildlife sightings in the area include moose and bears, as noted in several user reviews. "Be careful, leave all food especially nuts in the car, bring bear spray," advised one user after a bear encounter.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRoads include large potholes and gravel sections, making access challenging for non-4x4 vehicles. Regular moose sightings have been reported, particularly during calving season, which can pose a danger to pets and hikers. Additionally, bears have been sighted, and food storage precautions are advised.
Active AlertsSeasonal closures from November through May. Fire bans may be in effect during summer.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at West Magnolia

Reviews

4.2
160 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
West Magnolia is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews of the West Magnolia Dispersed Camping area reveal mixed experiences. Campers appreciate the affordability (free camping), scenic views, and outdoor activities available in the area. However, many express frustrations with the challenging road conditions, difficulty in finding an available site, and the presence of long-term occupants or homeless individuals.
Review Summaries
Based on 160 reviews

What Campers Love

Many reviewers praised the beautiful scenery, free camping, and availability of outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. "This is my favorite place near Boulder to camp! They have really made...
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Based on 160 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback primarily focuses on the difficulty of accessing campsites due to poor road conditions, issues with long-term residents occupying sites, and trash left behind by previous visitors....
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Based on 160 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend arriving early, especially on weekends, as sites fill up quickly. Bringing a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle is also strongly advised. Several users emphasized the importance of...
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Based on 160 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is highly popular in the summer months, with many reviews mentioning that sites fill up quickly during weekends. Winter experiences are less common but include comments on the area's...
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Based on 160 reviews

Camper Quotes

- "Awsome place free 14-day free camping! You can watch the leaves change, you can ride bicycles, dirtbikes, quads, walk the dog has it all!" - "Be very careful if you're driving a low clearance car...
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Based on 160 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 19, 20, 21, and 22 are noted as only being accessible with a 4x4 vehicle. Users highly recommend avoiding sites that long-term residents have occupied, such as sites 8 and 21.
Based on 160 reviews

Accessibility Features

There is no information on accessibility from users with disabilities, but the challenging terrain and lack of facilities may pose difficulties.
Based on 160 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are welcome, but users caution about potential dangers such as moose and other wildlife in the area. "Our dog Sophia loves it up there but you must watch your dogs because of large and flying...
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Based on 160 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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