Santa Maria (FR 509) in CO -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Colorado

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Santa Maria (FR 509) in CO

Rio Grande NF, Divide Ranger District
10,057 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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A 15.2-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Hinsdale County, CO. The road serves North Clear Creek Falls. The road is open seasonally, May 16 to March 14.

Rio Grande National Forest, Divide Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 30 days. Camp at least 150 ft from water.

5.5 of the 15.2 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. 5.5 of the 15.2 miles in are dirt. Level ground alongside most of its length. Winds through 15 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. Cattle guards 0.5, 4.8 and 4.9 miles in. Water crossings 11.7, 11.7, 12.8, 13.4, 13.6, 13.8, 14, 14, 14.2, 14.4 and 14.5 miles in.

North Clear Creek Falls lies 0.2 mi off. Black Mountain stands 1,804 ft above the site, 4.1 miles west. Travellers have camped along here. The nearest town, Ouray, is 31 mi off.

September normals 35–63°F, 2.2″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Walmart Supercenter in COStore Lot Parking40.9miTurkey Springs (FR 629) in COForest Road Road41.0miChris MTN (FR 681) in COForest Road Road41.2miLower Piedra in COCampground43.1miFirst Fork (FR 622) in COForest Road Road43.6mi
Fire restrictions

Set by Rio Grande National Forest, Divide Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?