Dispersed Camping in Colorado

Colorado has millions of acres of national forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land where you can camp for free outside developed campgrounds. This guide groups the Colorado dispersed spots listed on Camping In The USA by region and sums up the official rules. Always check the managing office for current road, fire and closure orders before you go.

The rules in one minute

• BLM land: Dispersed camping is generally allowed unless an area is posted closed. You can stay up to 14 days in any 30-day period, then must move at least 30 miles away. Don't leave property unattended for more than 48 hours. (BLM Colorado camping and occupancy fact sheet)
• National forests: Dispersed camping means no toilets, water or trash service. Use existing sites, stay back from lakes and streams, and pack out everything. Each forest sets its own stay limits and designated-site areas.
• Designated-site-only areas: Some busy corridors allow camping only at signed sites. On Guanella Pass, the Pike-San Isabel side allows dispersed camping only at designated sites marked with "Parking" and "Tent" signs along NFSR 118E and 119. The Arapaho-Roosevelt (north) side limits camping to developed campgrounds. (USFS Guanella Pass, South Platte designated sites list)
• Wilderness near Aspen: In the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness you must self-register at the trailhead, carry a bear-resistant food container, and camp at least 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails. Overnight camping in nine zones needs a separate permit. (USFS Maroon Bells-Snowmass rules)
• Bring water. Almost none of these spots has potable water.

Western Slope & BLM country

• Big Dominguez: BLM, about 7,120 ft, south of Whitewater.
• Miracle Rock: BLM, about 4 sites at roughly 6,550 ft, west of Glade Park.
• Rabbit Valley Recreation Area: BLM desert benches with OHV access near the Utah line.
• Irish Canyon: BLM, about 6,600 ft, roughly 40 miles NW of Maybell.
• Uncompahgre Plateau – Divide Road (FR 402), about 8,800 ft, and Divide Road – Uncompahgre Plateau.
• Priest Lake Designated Camping Area – Norwood RD: designated free sites in the GMUG National Forests.
• Dolores – House Creek / FR 528.

Central Rockies: Gunnison, Crested Butte & Taylor Park

• Kebler Pass Pullouts and North Fork Gunnison – Kebler Side Roads.
• Gunnison NF – Lost Creek & Ohio Pass, about 9,800 ft.
• West Elk Loop Backroads.
• Taylor Park – County 742 Spurs and Cottonwood Pass East Dispersed.
• Needle Creek Reservoir Camping Area and Cochetopa Hills – FR 891 Network.
• Lake City – Alpine Loop Access.

Arkansas Valley & Leadville

• Leadville – Halfmoon / FS 110, in a glacial valley below the 14ers.
• Weston Pass (CR 22) Pullouts.
• Salida – Shirley Site / Spurs.

Front Range & South Park

• Rampart Range Road Pullouts.
• Guanella Pass Corridors: designated sites only (see rules above).
• Mount Evans / Barbour Fork.
• South Park – Jefferson Lake Road Spurs and Tarryall Reservoir Vicinity.
• Red Feather Lakes Backroads and North Park – Deadman Road.

Northwest: Routt, Flat Tops & Kremmling

• Red Dirt Reservoir and Rock Creek Recreation Area, free sites in the Medicine Bow-Routt near Kremmling.
• Trout Creek Recreation Area, about 20 miles from Hayden, and Crosho Lake, about 25 miles from Steamboat Springs.
• Trappers Lake Road Dispersed and Flat Tops – Buford/New Castle Road.
• Williams Fork Backroads and State Bridge – Trough Road Pullouts.

Roaring Fork, Glenwood & Eagle County

• Glenwood – Transfer Trail Spurs and Gypsum – Hardscrabble/Brush Creek.
• Sopris / Crystal River Spurs.
• Maroon Creek Corridor (outside permit zones): check the wilderness rules above and current Maroon Creek Road status.

San Juans & Southwest

• San Juan NF – Molas Pass area, about 10,800 ft, and San Juan – Lime Creek Road.
• Silverton – South Mineral Vicinity (outside the campground).
• Durango – Junction Creek FS 171 Spurs and San Juan – Missionary Ridge Roads.
• Pagosa – East Fork / Blanco Basin.

San Luis Valley & Rio Grande NF

• Penitente Canyon: BLM, about 7,940 ft, near La Garita.
• Hansen Mill Dispersed Camping, about 11 miles from Creede, and Crooked Creek Dispersed Area, about 14 miles from Creede.
• Creede – Bachelor Loop Corridors.
• Stunner / Platoro Roads, by the Conejos River.

Before you go

Get the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the national forest you're visiting, since it shows which roads are open and where roadside camping is allowed. Check fire restrictions, which change often in summer.

See all Colorado campsites.