Lake Fork (FR 430) in CO -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Colorado
Lake Fork (FR 430) in CO
Rio Grande National Forest, Divide Ranger District allows overnight stays only at the designated sites here (Big Meadows Recreation Area).
A 26.1-mile stretch of gravel National Forest road in Mineral County, CO. The road serves Leopard Creek Pass. The road is open seasonally, May 16 to March 14.
9.9 of the 26.1 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Mostly gravel, with 5.4 miles of dirt. Climbs 4,100 ft over 26.1 miles -- sustained grades near 14%, with pitches to 25%. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~180 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 21 switchbacks. Dead-ends 0.3 miles in -- mapped turnaround at the end. A gate 23.2 miles in.
A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.1 miles off. Table Mountain stands 1,255 ft above the site, 2.2 miles south. Hunter Reservoir lies 0.4 mi off. The nearest town, Pagosa Springs, is 26 mi off.
September normals 32–56°F, 3.1″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.
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