Big Meadows (FR 253) in CO -- Camping Rules & Access
Big Meadows (FR 253) in CO
Road corridorArapaho and Roosevelt NFs, Sulphur Ranger District
10 mi from Granby
Maps 8,229 ft
Dispersed camping generally allowed
U.S. Forest Service default; a local order can restrict it.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests ↗
Motor-vehicle season 6/15–11/15Stay limit: 14 days · within 30 days · no more than 30 days in any 365-day period
VerizonMARGINAL
AT&TWEAK
T-MobileNONE
StarlinkEXCELLENT
Road Access
Difficult
- All 9.2 miles of this road are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, 6.7 miles of it dirt.
- Estimated climb: 2,000 ft over 9.2 miles through 5 switchbacks, with sustained grades near 18% and pitches to 27%.
- Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~140 ft on the downhill side.
- Dead-end road; turnaround space is not mapped.
Known camping along this road between mile 5 and mile 9.2: 4 mapped spots.
Setting
Fairly secluded
- Well separated here, with the nearest through road 0.9 miles off.
- Spring Creek runs 0.7 mi off.
- Elk Mountain stands 3,178 ft above the map pin, 8.8 miles north.
Climate averages
October normals 22–55°F, 1.2″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.