Observatory (FR 355.1) in CO -- Camping Rules & Access
Observatory (FR 355.1) in CO
Road corridorArapaho and Roosevelt NFs, Boulder Ranger District
1.8 mi from Nederland
12 mi off I-70 (straight line)
Maps 8,706 ft
Dispersed camping generally allowed
U.S. Forest Service default; a local order can restrict it.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests ↗
Motor-vehicle season 5/15–11/30Stay limit: 14 days · within 30 days · no more than 30 days in any 365-day period
VerizonMARGINAL
AT&TSTRONG
T-MobileNONE
StarlinkGOOD
Road Access
Difficult
- All 4.4 miles of this road are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, dirt the whole way.
- Near Los Lagos Lakes Dam.
- Terrain estimates suggest level ground alongside most of this road; parking areas are not verified.
- Winds through 5 switchbacks.
- Dead-end road; turnaround space is not mapped.
- A gate 0.5 miles along the road.
Setting
Some privacy
- Moderately separated here.
- Tennessee Mountain stands 1,246 ft above the map pin, 1.7 miles west.
- Estimated night sky: Bortle 3, a dark rural sky.
Climate averages
October normals 28–54°F, 1.5″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.