Nightly rates are $20-$23. ... Colorado, Wyoming, Montana (time permitting), Utah and Nevada. Colorado has so many camping hotspots that most people flock to throughout the year, it can get a little crowded out in those wide open spaces. Many of these sites offer great outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing, hunting, boating, horseback riding, hiking, and swimming. Stop being an elitist, entitled brat. Fortunately, there is plenty of opportunity for dispersed camping in Colorado! Most of these sites are not accessible to civilians, so they are some of the best-kept camping secrets around. Boondocking: The Complete Guide to Free Camping (Almost) Anywhere. There are water sports galore and even more to explore in the surrounding wilderness. thanks for this! Today we’re talking about free camping! It’s definitely a popular area and, once you’re up there, it’s easy to understand why! I don’t know how I found this post, but you’ve inspired me to scope out dispersed camping. We like privacy when we camp. Boondocking locations can be found on the Internet on RV forums and newsgroups. …I’m new to dispersed camping & trying to find sites as close to denver as possible (as it’ll be my home for about a month + I’m currently driving a camry -2wd). I’ve spent years camping in dispersed sites in Colorado, and I’ve racked up a few favorite locations. Required fields are marked *, BUNK MODELS POP UP CAMPERS HYBRIDS TOY HAULERS TRAVEL TRAILERS FIFTH WHEELS, ROCKWOOD CEDAR CREEK VENGEANCE WILDWOOD SANDPIPER RIVERSTONE CROSSTREK PRISM WORK AND PLAY SPIRIT, The Great Outdoors RV 11521 21st St. Greeley, Colorado 80634. Once in CB, take a left on Whiterock Avenue which turns into Kebler Pass Road. Literally, you will see dozens of offshoots from the main road, and every single one of them leads to bomb dispersed camping. Campsites are fine, but if you’re going to get to truly know Colorado while saving money, you should look into dispersed camping. However, they get higher in elevation and are heavily shaded, so we only camp there in the heat of the summer. As a newbie to Colorado (recently retired) I’m wondering if you’ve ever had issues with wild animals camping in isolated spots. Talking to other RVers is one of the best ways to find new places, but be aware that many people don’t want to share their favorite RV camping and boondocking … you sound like someone who knows the area and would be a good source of information. Way out in the country and very quiet, you’ll find heavily treed, spacious, well-packed and perfectly level gravel sites. There are also 15 cabins available for rent, so you could park your RV elsewhere and drive up to stay in one of the cabins or pitch a tent for the night. Great post! Boondocking in Colorado to escape the grid and your daily routine? If I have to use one of my iPhone photos these days, I”m beyond sad 🙂 Although, I’m actually debating getting a camera and having him teach me! Heather Balogh Rochfort is a freelance writer and author with a focus on outdoor adventure, travel, and fitness. It takes a little know-how and practice before you really get the most of our boondocking. […] a blog about Colorado with information about “Dispersed Camping”. Basically, they are just primitive locations for people to pitch a tent. The problem is that everyone tends to go to the busy, so it’s a vicious cycle 🙂 Do you backpack too? The largest natural lake in Colorado, and five other great ones. Any recommendations would be great, as we don’t know that part of the state as well as other parts. Hey Heather, Although not the absolute most peaceful camping site, the Jones Pass sites are close to Denver and really easy to access. Local chamber of commerce offices and visitor centers are good places to inquire at too. You get the serenity and quiet feel of backpacking with the ease of […], […] Best Dispersed Camping In Colorado […]. Some are easy to go to via car while others require 4wd or AWD. We loved each and every one of these sites and want to share them with you. Heather. But once the girls are bigger I will take them backpacking too. Fines for a luxury mountain vacation is in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of America, the boondocking in colorado a fishing license. We’ll occasionally see deer or elk or something but they leave us alone, and we’ve never run into black bears or big cats. Many argue that CB is the birthplace of mountain biking, so it’s definitely a great place to give the sport a try. If you go, check out Eddyline Brewing. {And also– we have plans to explore northern NM next year– I will keep you posted! Here are some of my favorites.} One of our favorite spots is located at … You can’t just park anywhere and call it boondocking, though. Hi there! To the east, hiking trails wind through the Rockies and up the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak. If you’re looking for a stunning place to camp in search of fall color, look no further because nothing can top Kebler! Learn the basics of RV Boondocking off-grid travel. Dispersed camping means taking on extra responsibility, but the rewards can be great. It would be more helpful to let people know that dispersed camping is allowed in any national forest. They have amazing camping and climbing around there! Know and good pull off either down in San Isabel near Cuchara or possibly the Wet Mtns? One area in which you can find dispersed camping is along Rabbit Ears Pass. in Evans, Colorado to find the best campers, hybrids, and fifth wheels to get out there and see these secret camping sites. These places look great! It has majestic mountain peaks that stretch up in to the sky, with beautiful valleys and wildlife all around. 2014: Gear of the Year - Just a Colorado GalJust a Colorado Gal, Day 02 Friday (2): Evening at the Hostel – In the Land of Legal Marijuana, Car Camping in Colorado -Just a Colorado Gal, Best Dispersed Camping In Colorado - Crested Butte Real Estate Collection. We were hiking Mt. I am also a fan of Lost Creek Wilderness for proximity to Denver but away from crowds. Thank you. Also, Taos Ski Valley just added a lift to Kachina Peak…. Colorado born and bred, she loves backpacking, trail running, backcountry skiing, and packrafting, especially with her husband, one-year-old daughter, and lovable rescue mutt Tally. Regardless, dispersed camping has one major theme: you can arrive at the site with your car! Many military facilities offer special rates to military members and their families who want to camp out on a variety of bases, posts, and government lands. While you can park in these specified areas, they are primitive and secluded. Anything helps. Hiking, hot springs, mountain biking, a ski resort: you'll be sure to find fun in this mountain town. Outdoor activities are plentiful and stays are unlimited during the winter months. From the national forest access signs, it’s usually a few miles back to the forest, where free camping could be allowed. We will try Kebler Pass and Twin Lakes and if you have have other suggestions, I’d love to hear about them! There aren’t hookups or anything but there are a few spots that are big and wide enough that it could work. We are looking for a rustic or dispersed camping spot in the area, we will be in pickups and tents, any suggestions? The site is mainly set up for tent camping, but there are half a dozen sites that are available for smaller RV parking with no hookups. It is also the gateway to the Ice Lakes and the Ice Lakes Basin Trail , a seven-mile picturesque hike through two basins in the San Juan National Forest. My family and I are going to Kebler Pass this coming weekend. It’s divided into two wooded loops. Some of these sites are great for boondocking, or RV camping without hookups to electricity, water or sewer, while others are best for only tent camping. Good luck! While you may not realize it, RV camping is allowed outside of the designated campgrounds on these public lands. We will be coming in on Saturday Afternoon, given it is late in the camping season, are there enough dispersed camping sites that we will be okay coming in Saturday afternoon to find a site? Growing up we only did dispersed camping in Wyoming and Montana. A couple places close to Denver to try are Peru Creek above Keystone and along Boreas Pass especially to backside if going up frame Georgetown. Lake Granby. Otherwise, it was a pretty neat boondocking spot, very open with ample solar power and lots of little trails around to explore. If you’re unaware, dispersed camping is completely free and sites are spread throughout Colorado. Your description of Jones Pass was so enticing that I convinced my husband to take our 28′ trailer up there! We have never camped in Colorado ever, we’re from Kansas. Thank you! Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the great outdoors! To get there: Take I-70 west to the US-40 exit towards Winter Park. Otherwise, sites are littered throughout Kebler Pass Road {Gunnison County Road 12}. Heather, this is AWESOME, and it looks like Kebler Pass is super close to where you suggested I look for backpacking in August. Lots of listings, and nice to be able to roll into a new area and find free dispersed camping. No matter where you take your RV, make sure to keep your options open and visit the locations that many people would drive right by. We camped in Red River NM last year after a week in Colorado. You could also find a spot at Twin Lakes. I will be coming from Az and have a tentative plan of camping and photographing around Telluride, last dollar road to Ouray, gunnison/Lake City, 2 days around Maroon Bells, Grand Mesa, Silverton/Durango I didn’t know y’all hadn’t been out! Thanks for putting together your recommendations, Heather! Awesome resource, and gorgeous photos. It’s just not an ideal spot for a larger trailer! List of the Best Colorado Dispersed Camping Areas 1. July 23, 2017 On a Colorado RV trip we joined friends on a Porsche 356 club rally, driving over mountain passes & seeing exquisite alpine scenery. Colorado Free Camping: Campendium has 1488 reviews of 322 places to camp for free in Colorado No matter where you take your RV, make sure to keep your options open and visit the locations that many people would drive right by. We’re partnering up with CB tourism and headed there in a few weekends; I’ll get some info for you! Joint services campgrounds and facilities offer active and retired military members access to these RV parks and camping sites at affordable rates. These are taxpayer lands and everyone should be free to enjoy them. Or, if hiking isn’t your thing and you have a sturdy car, drive the road a bit and catch the views above treeline. Freaking spectacular! Guessing whic… I haven’t spent a ton of time there, but we do go to the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness a lot for the same reason: no crowds! come check it out! Just follow the road nearest the dunes and just outside the boundary of the dunes park there are tons of great sites. There are boondocking spots that put you right near the ocean, which is amazing if you love the sound of crashing waves and dramatic scenery. Heather, this is awesome! To receive or verify current RV and other product information, please contact the dealership. We had no idea you could do this ! There are 11 National Forests and multiple State Parks in Colorado that offer spectacular views and secluded RV camping with plenty of free wilderness and outdoor activities to enjoy. Your email address will not be published. The open space this state boasts is practically screaming to be explored and camped on. RV, Product information, technical data, program information, service offerings, photographs and illustrations are intended to be representative examples based on information available at time of posting and are subject to change without notice. I don’t know then areas South of the Springs well. }, Hi Barb! We’re planning on going down to the Great Sand Dunes and I was curious if you knew of any fun primitive places in the vicinity? They dont belong to JUST you or colorado residents. Yea for us! It’s been so long since I’ve been real,camping, I need to go again soon! We have a generator if needed. Campsites are fine, but if you’re going to get to truly know Colorado while saving money, you should look into dispersed camping. Dan was hoping to do some mountain biking too, if that makes sense. YES! . It is a little rough around the edges, with some gravel roads. Located in the beautiful Pike’s Peak region of Colorado Springs, this is definitely not your typical RV park. It would be this coming weekend. Red Feather Lakes – Deadman Road (Fort Collins) Located just an hour from Fort Collins, this area is a labyrinth of forest service roads that offer endless camping opportunities. Colorado is home to some of the best, free, dispersed camping if you know where to look. Again, the area has some beautiful hiking so there is plenty to do, and the Creek provides ample access to water. I’ve done a lot of dispersed camping and backpacking (before my spine surgery). Thanks, and I can’t wait to try some of these spots. What?! Thanks! Awesome suggestions!! 😉. © 2020 THE GREAT OUTDOORS RV | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Website built by Own the Open Road Marketing, The Best Kept Secret RV Camping Sites in Colorado. You see, most of the 14ers in Colorado have long dirt roads that act as approaches to the trailheads. {Save yourself some face: locals pronounce it like “Byoo-nuh Vis-tuh” and NOT the correct Spanish pronunciation!} This is so helpful for me! For the uninformed, it is similar to wild […], Stop blogging thus stuff, all these damn hipsters from out of state need to go back where they came from and stop crowding out these once great hidden spots…. Most National Forests charge you to camp in designated sites, but you can drive a short distance away and camp for free. Camping and Boondocking near Salida - Salida, Colorado Salida, Colorado is a recreation destination. . Local RV parks and campgrounds are scattered throughout the peaks, putting you close to mountain adventures. You see, dispersed camping gets a bad rap. Other than the military we have not done any dispersed camping and have been talking about it, off of school for the summer and ready to camp and hike. Hi Kelly, you could definitely take a camper to select spots on Kebler Pass. I was thinking late May, too cold? The pass is covered in aspen groves, and I’ve heard rumors that they are some of the largest in the country. Your email address will not be published. All RV and other units are subject to prior sale. It’s her happy place! Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado, just west of Fort Collins and northwest of Denver. Yale and continued driving on County Road 306, past the trailhead until the road turned to dirt. Campers can hike Vasquez Peak or explore the Continental Divide Trail. We've aggregated a collection of the most common destinations our customers head to in their RV or Travel Trailer. Do I need to remind you of the photos of this place?! To get there from Fort Collins, take US Hwy 287 north to Livermore, turn west o… Thank you. So, rather than fighting for a spot at the most popular areas of these parks, try the road less traveled. Cherry Creek Gravel Pit It is easy to access and just 100 yards from a … It really depends on how much you enjoy cold overnights 🙂. Stop for lunch if you can; the downtown is chock full of restored mining buildings and houses, and I absolutely love a small coffee shop called First Ascent. The size is dependent on the needs of the boondocker, but should be large enough to power … To be fair, this area was an accidental discovery but it was such a happy accident! It would be nice if you also reminded people not to camp on private land without permission. Biking too, if that makes sense them leads to bomb dispersed means. America, the area using the Benchmark Maps: Colorado Road & Recreation Atlas to this... 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