Little Cottonwood Creek (FR 185) in CO -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Colorado
Little Cottonwood Creek (FR 185) in CO
A 5.8-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Chaffee County, CO. The road is open seasonally, May 1 to November 30.
Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Salida Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 30 days. Camp at least 100 ft from water.
5.2 of the 5.8 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Dirt the whole way in (5.8 miles). Climbs 690 ft over 5.8 miles -- sustained grades near 20%, with pitches to 26%. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch.
A body of water lies 0.3 mi off. Private here -- the nearest through road is 0.9 miles off. Bassam Ridge stands 526 ft above the site, 1.2 miles east. The nearest town, Buena Vista, is 10 mi off.
September normals 38–64°F, 1.3″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.
Set by Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Salida Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.
fs.usda.gov