West Magnolia Campground
Arapaho National Forest
8 Reviews CR 132-W Nederland, CO 80466 303-541-2500 Official WebsiteGPS: 39.9468, -105.5176
Overview of West Magnolia Campground
Camping in designated sites only.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by CaptainDerp on 12/1/2019
Longest RV Reported: 27 feet
Reported by Van-Tramp on 2/19/2015
Number of Sites 22
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 8,694 ft / 2,649 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Reviews of West Magnolia Campground 8 people have reviewed this location.
“What a trashy shame”
Reviewed 12/1/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 10 |
Site Number: | 6 |
Gorgeous area and one of the only with reception. HUGE homeless and trash problem. When i got to my site i FILLED a large trash bag with garbage left from the last homeless encampment. Trash EVERYWHERE; mattresses, flattened tents, clothing, cans, bottles, batteries, anything you could imagine. Its obvious that homeless people setup h... more
Gorgeous area and one of the only with reception. HUGE homeless and trash problem. When i got to my site i FILLED a large trash bag with garbage left from the last homeless encampment. Trash EVERYWHERE; mattresses, flattened tents, clothing, cans, bottles, batteries, anything you could imagine. Its obvious that homeless people setup here for the summer and just walk away when it gets cold leaving their entire camp to rot. This was confirmed by a forest service woman that stopped by to clean a bit. I think they are working on the issue as rangers and forest service drive through daily, but they were very nice and great for safety enforcement.
The natural area is beautiful and there is a ton of wildlife. Theres a moose family living the area which walked through my camp daily, also saw some elk on the road. Great views and trails around.
Would absolutely stay here again despite the trash. I hope they keep cleaning up the area, and i hope the homeless arent disturbing in the summer months.
CaptainDerp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice views but very dirty dusty camp sites. ”
Reviewed 8/28/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 3 |
Not trash but dusty. Be prepared to clean everything after a night here. Motorbikes buzzing up and down the roads don’t help.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Rough Camping”
Reviewed 5/16/2018
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 11 |
When we stayed here in May 2018, the road for the campsites (10-15) was washed out, creating huge ruts in the road. We didn't find other campsites, although we didn't travel further down the county hwy, there were no signs for additional campsites. The road off the county highway was in terrible shape due to washout and vehicles that... more
When we stayed here in May 2018, the road for the campsites (10-15) was washed out, creating huge ruts in the road. We didn't find other campsites, although we didn't travel further down the county hwy, there were no signs for additional campsites. The road off the county highway was in terrible shape due to washout and vehicles that do not have 4x4 should not attempt it. The road to the other sites also is quite steep after site 14 (site 15 and 14 were first two sites). I would proceed with extreme caution and avoid bringing tow vehicles into West Magnolia.
There were no pit toilets, fire pits or picnic tables. Considering the area, it is a great area with lots of hiking/biking options. But it was rough camping.
Although the other reviews mention vagrants/gypsies and law enforcement, we did not experience any of that. We saw a park ranger drive by and one site was taken by people who didn't seem to own a vehicle, but no interactions with either. We could hear the traffic from Hwy 119 from the campground but it wasn't loud.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Getting better thanks to local law enforcement”
Reviewed 7/11/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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I've stayed here many times in the past, and over the recent few years it has gone down hill something bad. The vagrants who started living here for months at a time - trashing the place, causing all sorts of mayhem - are finally be pushed out by local law enforcement. As of July 2017 there is noticeable improvement in the area. It... more
I've stayed here many times in the past, and over the recent few years it has gone down hill something bad. The vagrants who started living here for months at a time - trashing the place, causing all sorts of mayhem - are finally be pushed out by local law enforcement.
As of July 2017 there is noticeable improvement in the area. It isn't perfect yet, but it seems to be an option for a stay again. Still lots of trash (both in garbage and people) around, but it is better. The further you get away from the first few sites, the better/cleaner things get.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Cops and locals won't leave you alone”
Reviewed 5/2/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 15 |
Just trying to hang out and have a good time.....Locals and cops are a pain in the ass, always reminding you to pick up your trash and put your fire out. Felt like I was being watched the whole time.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Law enforcement and locals harrassed us all the time.”
Reviewed 5/6/2016
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
I would not go back here again. It is not a decent place to hide out anymore. Law enforcement is all over the place, hassling everyone. They run all plates looking for warrants to arrest you. Other campers are armed. Someone was stabbed the last night I was there. Don't go here. It sucks.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Stop the world near the happiest town in Colorado”
Reviewed 5/10/2015
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Were this a review of the town of Nederland, I would easily be able to write novels on how amazing the town is. Lovely bars, ever present music, good food, beautiful scenery...and nearly every resident knows how wonderful their town is and fights fiercely to keep even a Subway out. As for West Mag, it's also a haven for the wanderi... more
Were this a review of the town of Nederland, I would easily be able to write novels on how amazing the town is. Lovely bars, ever present music, good food, beautiful scenery...and nearly every resident knows how wonderful their town is and fights fiercely to keep even a Subway out.
As for West Mag, it's also a haven for the wandering types, vagabonds, hippies, traveling warriors. The kind of kids you see hanging around Boulder or Portland with their dog, dressed like they should be in a band but apparently finding a hat with a "please give me money" sign more effective. Those are bums, the folks in West Mag are tramps. One travels, the other doesn't.
I like tramps.
I should also note that I was a young man in an old VW Bus before I continue.
The other people camping here were, to put it lightly, interested in something for free, almost without fail.
For some, they just wanted someone to hang around a campfire with. For most, it was a ride here, a few bucks "just until Tuesday", or a beer. Clever, they'd always offer something small the first night, a PBR or a rolled smoke. The next night they'd be looking for an American Spirit or three, or a fancy bottled beer.
It irked me after awhile, and combined with freezing cold temperatures forced me back down the mountain, away from the absolute splendor this place has to offer, away from the perfect town of Nederland.
This was years ago. I returned last summer and while the views were still stunning, a forest fire had devastated the trees. I didn't camp here, but was giving someone a ride from town who needed to get out of his hotel and into a free camping situation. The place was still full of traveling warrior types.
I saw the guy a few weeks later. He asked me for $20, "just until Friday."
Surprisingly, he showed up with the twenty only one day late.
Nathan @ Wand'rly would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Dispersed camping right outside Nederland, CO”
Reviewed 2/19/2015
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 5 |
West Magnolia is likely one of the best places to camp for free in this area of the Rockys, and is (was now?) a bit of a secret. Although there is not a lot of marked camp sites, there are many other places you can get a rig into and setup camp. Some of the marked sites are so large you can fit multiple campers into each. When I stayed... more
West Magnolia is likely one of the best places to camp for free in this area of the Rockys, and is (was now?) a bit of a secret. Although there is not a lot of marked camp sites, there are many other places you can get a rig into and setup camp. Some of the marked sites are so large you can fit multiple campers into each. When I stayed in my van, I invited three car loads of tent campers and still did not feel crowded. I even got some free food and beer out of the deal :)
Arriving pre-weekend will be key in peak season. No reservations makes it first-come-first-camped, and even though there is a 14 day limit it is clear that some stay beyond that. If all else fails, walk or bike the road to see if someone is leaving soon.
There are numerous hiking/biking trails leading in all directions from the campground. All are worth hiking, some more than others, but all are worthy.
The town of Nederland is very cool. With restaurants and shopping just like you might find in Boulder it makes for a great date-night. There is even a buss that runs between Nederland and Boulder for longer adventures into the city.
Van-Tramp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Short Stories on Nederland, Colorado
In the dissipation of the last night’s fog over Boulder Creek a man sits on, not at, a picnic table, looking down over the small gully that divides his current home–the...
West Magnolia Campground | Van-Tramp.com
Just outside of Nederland, Colorado is West Magnolia Campground in the National Forest. I had never been here before, only just spotting it on the map the week before, so it became the target...
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- OHV
- recreation trail
Pets
- pets
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