Yankee Boy Basin (FR 853.1) in CO -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Colorado

A 9.8-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Ouray County, CO. The road serves Imogene Pass Road Trailhead (Northernmost).

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Ouray Ranger District records no overnight restriction here.

All 9.8 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Dirt the whole way in (9.8 miles). Climbs 4,600 ft over 9.8 miles -- sustained grades near 20%, with pitches to 29%. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~180 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 20 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. Water crossings 0.8, 0.9, 1.5, 3.8, 5.5, 5.9, 8 and 8.3 miles in. A gate 1.5 miles in.

Potosi Peak stands 3,046 ft above the site, 0.9 miles northeast. Sneffels Creek runs 0.1 mi off. A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Night skies measure Bortle 3 -- a dark rural sky. The nearest town, Telluride, is 4.7 mi off.