Observatory (FR 355.1) in CO -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Colorado
Observatory (FR 355.1) in CO
A 4.4-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Boulder County, CO. The road serves Los Lagos Lakes Dam. The road is open seasonally, May 15 to November 30.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Boulder Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 30 days.
All 4.4 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Dirt the whole way in (4.4 miles). Level ground alongside most of its length. Winds through 5 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. A gate 0.5 miles in.
A body of water lies 0.3 mi off. Tennessee Mountain stands 1,246 ft above the site, 1.7 miles west. A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Night skies measure Bortle 3 -- a dark rural sky. The nearest town, Nederland, is 1.8 mi off.
September normals 37–66°F, 1.8″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.
Set by Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Boulder Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.
fs.usda.gov