car camping in the foothills (Denver, Golden: parks, places, reservation)

[woob]

Since I moved to colorado 3 years ago, I've done plenty of backcountry camping but now that we have a baby and bought a heavy family tent, I'm looking for more accessible car camping close to denver. I'm having difficulty finding established campsites within 45 minutes of denver and preferrably under 9000 feet with toilet facilities. It seems none of the jeff-co parks allow camping? Any other suggestions? thanks.

[reed303]

Check out the State Parks at
Colorado State Parks

Start with Golden Gate Canyon Park, which appears to fit your needs.

The 45 minute thing is really going to limit your choices to places not in the foothills, like Chatfield Reservoir

[Scott5280]

Reynolds Park in Conifer is very close. Upper Dear Creek Canyon just before Bailey is another option. both within 45 minutes of Downtown Denver non rush hour.

[infinitylove]

Golden Gate is good for kids. We've done it with a 6 and 2 year old. They take reservations. They may already be booked. You can use the link that was provided earlier to check Golden Gate. If you can't get a reservation you can sometimes walk-in on a first come first served basis. It's not the foothills but Chatfield and Cherry Creek are also okay to camp with a baby. When my son was a baby, we were at Cherry Creek and around midnight he had a meltdown and I had to come home. It was close enough that we were able to. When he woke up in the morning we went back to hang out with Daddy and sissy.

[woob]

Thanks for the advice. We will give these a try.

[Katarina Witt]

There is also Camp Dick near Nederland.

[Neditate]

Katiana, I believe you are thinking of Kelly Dahl which is just south of Ned along the Peak to Peak. Camp Dick is near Peaceful Valley about 25 min. north of here (definitely not 45 min. from Denver).

[davidv]

There is also Bear Creek Lake Park at US 285 and C-470. Not quite in the foothills, but more secluded than Chatfield and Cherry Creek.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Neditate

Katiana, I believe you are thinking of Kelly Dahl which is just south of Ned along the Peak to Peak. Camp Dick is near Peaceful Valley about 25 min. north of here (definitely not 45 min. from Denver).

You're right.

[McGoats]

Four days off work next week. Looking for car camping within an hour or two of Denver, mostly established sites, probably one night backpacking. The catch is that my car can hardly make it over the pass. Where can I get good enough camping without forcing my car up a pass?

Is there a more mild route to any part of Estes from Denver?

Really appreciate the input, might lose the old faculties if I am not camping in the woods in a week.