Dispersed Camping in Chaffee County, Colorado
Showing 234 locations in Chaffee County.
115 Powerline Spur
This dispersed camping corridor along the 115 Powerline Spur offers rustic dirt road pull-offs in a quiet forest setting near Salida. It is accessible to most standard vehicles and provides a peaceful, primitive boondocking experience.
Agate Access Dispersed Road
A scenic forest road corridor offering multiple pullouts suitable for dispersed camping just off Highway 50. High-clearance vehicles are recommended due to ruts, but the area offers a quick overnighter option under the pine trees.
Agate Trailhead Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping pullouts located along the access road to the Agate Trailhead. This road can be heavily blocked by winter snow, making early-season entry challenging.
Angel of Shavano Campground
A peaceful Forest Service campground nestled along the North Fork South Arkansas River. Shaded by mature aspen and spruce trees, this spot offers excellent access to the Colorado Trail and local trout fishing. The site operates on a first-come, first-served basis with standard vault toilets and trash collection available.
Applejack RV Park
Applejack RV Park offers full-hookup sites with 30/50 amp service and pull-through options in a scenic meadow setting, open year-round.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area - Rincon
Developed recreation site offering riverfront camping inside the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Features basic campground amenities along with direct access to rafting, kayaking, and fishing.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area - Stone Cabin Corridor
A scenic recreation corridor along the Arkansas River near Buena Vista. This protected area features designated, shaded sites and direct access to the water. Managed as part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA), it offers beautiful mountain vistas but requires a valid Colorado State Parks pass or daily permit.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area - Vallie Bridge
Vallie Bridge is a scenic recreation site and campground along the Arkansas River, offering camping spots right next to the water. Ideal for rafters, anglers, and those wanting easy river access.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area State Park - Hecla Junction
A developed riverside campground located at the popular Hecla Junction recreation site along the Arkansas River, offering structured sites with outstanding access to water activities and hiking.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area State Park - Railroad Bridge
An official developed campground situated directly along the Arkansas River. It offers 14 designated sites, including fire grates, picnic tables, and vault toilets, providing a convenient base for river-based recreation.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area State Park - Ruby Mountain
This official state park campground is situated directly along the Arkansas River, offering stunning canyon views and immediate access to the Ruby Mountain Trailhead. It features 22 spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings, though no hookups or drinking water are provided on-site. Access is straightforward via graded dirt roads suitable for large rigs, though high-clearance is helpful if exploring nearby BLM spurs. Note that Colorado State Parks camping fees and daily vehicle passes apply.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area State Park
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Arkansas River - Railroad Bridge Dispersed Area
A scenic corridor of dispersed camping sites and pull-offs along the Arkansas River, combining sections of public lands and designated access points. This area is highly popular with river runners and gold prospectors.
Arkansas River BLM Dispersed
A scenic corridor of numbered, designated BLM dispersed campsites situated along the Arkansas River. The access road is a narrow, bumpy, single-lane dirt track that requires caution and decent clearance, offering direct river access and beautiful mountain views.
Bald Mountain Forest Road
Located near Buena Vista within the Pike and San Isabel National Forest, this dirt road offers dispersed camping along its corridor. The native material road is seasonally accessible to motor vehicles from late spring through late winter.
Baldwin Creek 4WD Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping along a dirt road corridor within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, located near Cascade Falls and Buena Vista. The area provides roadside pull-offs with easy access to forest settings and nearby hiking.
Bassam Guard Station
This historic 1911 U.S. Forest Service cabin offers a quiet, rustic retreat in the Salida Ranger District. Guests can enjoy a private setting with basic indoor amenities and outdoor picnic facilities.
Bassam Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Bassam Road within the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The road features a native dirt surface and offers several pullouts suitable for dry-weather camping.
Bear Creek Ridge
Dispersed forest service camping located along Bear Creek Ridge in the scenic Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida. This location provides access to primitive camping corridors with beautiful forested backdrops.
Big Bend BLM Road
Dispersed camping sites situated along the unpaved Big Bend BLM corridor, offering scenic views and access to the surrounding Salida area.
Big Cottonwood Road Dispersed
This scenic Forest Service road corridor in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests offers native dirt pullouts for dispersed camping near Salida.
Black Bear RV Park and Motel
A commercial RV park and motel offering full hookups and convenient lodging amenities along County Road 45 near the Arkansas River corridor.
Black Sage Pass Spur E Dispersed
Dispersed camping opportunities along Black Sage Pass Spur E, located in the Gunnison National Forest. The area features scenic wooded landscapes and quiet surroundings suitable for standard vehicles. Access is via a dirt road with native material surface.
BLM 53331 - Swidiski Creek Road Dispersed
This rough dirt corridor offers dispersed camping options on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Access requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle due to uneven terrain.
BLM Land near Buena Vista, CO
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BLM Land near Salida, CO
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BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping sites are scattered along a rugged BLM road network near Salida. The entry is rocky and somewhat uneven, requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate safely. Campers will find flat pull-offs with established stone fire rings and scenic views of the surrounding hillsides.
BLM Road (Chaffee County - Salida)
An easily accessible unpaved BLM road providing dispersed camping opportunities near Salida. Standard 2WD vehicles can comfortably traverse this route under dry conditions.
BLM Road 300C Dispersed
A rugged BLM road corridor located near Ruby Mountain and the Arkansas River. This route offers primitive dispersed camping opportunities suitable only for high-clearance 4WD vehicles.
BLM Road 302 Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 302, offering easy 2WD access to scenic high-country pull-outs. Ideal for standard rigs seeking quiet natural surroundings close to Buena Vista.
BLM Road 376A Dispersed
Rough dirt road corridor on BLM land near Buena Vista, offering rugged dispersed camping options with scenic views of Midland Hill. Access is highly difficult, requiring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle due to rough and rutted terrain.
BLM Road 5316 (North Turquoise)
A rugged dispersed camping corridor situated along BLM Road 5316, also known as North Turquoise, in the dry hills near Salida. The route runs through public lands, providing quiet, primitive camping pullouts surrounded by dry pinon-juniper woodlands. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is highly recommended to safely navigate the rough dirt track.
BLM Road 5318 (Alder Creek)
A dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 5318 near Salida, Colorado, offering public land access in a typical semi-arid shrubland setting. Standard dirt road conditions lead to basic, undeveloped spots.
BLM Road 5320 (North Rock Creek)
This rugged Bureau of Land Management corridor offers isolated dispersed camping along North Rock Creek. Located north of Salida, it provides a quiet natural escape for high-clearance vehicles.
BLM Road 5321 (Lower Spring Creek)
This dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 5321 provides rustic, free camping opportunities in the Salida area. Access requires a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle due to the rough, unpaved nature of the road.
BLM Road 5335: Rock Gulch Dispersed
A rugged dispersed camping corridor situated on BLM land along Rock Gulch, offering isolated camping opportunities near Salida. The route is highly rocky and ruts easily, making it best suited for high-clearance or 4WD vehicles.
BLM Road 5339 Dispersed Camping Corridor
Rugged primitive dispersed camping along BLM Road 5339, offering panoramic mountain scenery and remote campsites in the public lands surrounding Salida. Ideal for well-prepared campers seeking wilderness seclusion.
BLM Road 5340 (Raspberry Creek)
A rugged dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 5340 (Raspberry Creek) near Salida, Colorado. The route offers secluded, natural campsites in a forested canyon setting.
BLM Road 5342 (Glider)
A rugged dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 5342. This area offers primitive, remote sites with stunning mountain vistas near Galena Peak.
BLM Road 5612A Dispersed
A rugged dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 5612A near Salida, Colorado. This area offers quiet surroundings near the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.
BLM Road 5613A Dispersed Corridor
This rugged BLM spur road offers primitive dispersed camping sites perched just above the Arkansas River corridor near Hecla Junction. While the initial pull-offs are easily reached, the road quickly degenerates into a steep, highly rutted track requiring high clearance, offering isolated campsites for capable vehicles within walking distance of the river.
BLM Road 5668B Dispersed Camping
Rugged dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 5668B near Salida. The route leads into hilly pinon-juniper terrain near Poncha Mountain, suitable only for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Standard BLM public land regulations apply here.
BLM Road 5670A (Methodist Mountain)
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 5670A, located just south of Salida. This area features designated, unlevel sites situated near popular mountain biking trailheads, complete with fire rings and a seasonal portable toilet near the entrance.
BLM Road 5670E Dispersed Area
A network of BLM dirt roads located just east of Salida, offering primitive dispersed camping opportunities. The main corridor is accessible to most standard vehicles, while spurs climb into rougher terrain requiring high clearance.
BLM Road 5672 Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping corridor located along BLM Road 5672 near the Race Track Trailhead outside of Salida, Colorado. The area offers panoramic views of a scenic valley filled with unique geological hoodoo spires.
BLM Road 5677A Dispersed
A short BLM access road offering quiet dispersed camping opportunities north of Salida, with views of the surrounding foothills and close proximity to local hiking areas.
BLM Road 5678 Dispersed Camping
Scenic dispersed camping corridor located on BLM land just north of Salida, offering quick access to local trails and town services.
BLM Road 5679 Dispersed
A scenic dirt road corridor on Bureau of Land Management territory northeast of Salida. It provides peaceful dispersed camping options with convenient access to regional trailheads.
BLM Road 5966 Dispersed
This rugged dirt road corridor near Salida offers primitive dispersed camping opportunities in a scenic mountain setting. High-clearance vehicles are required to navigate the rough, unpaved terrain safely.
BLM Road 5971C Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping along BLM Road 5971C offers a rugged and quiet setting near Salida. The unpaved routes require high-clearance 4WD vehicles to navigate safely.
BLM Road 5974 Dispersed
This rugged BLM road near Salida offers quiet, dispersed camping opportunities along its corridor, suitable primarily for high-clearance vehicles.
BLM Road 5996A Dispersed
A rugged BLM road corridor offering isolated dispersed camping with beautiful mountain views near Salida, suitable only for high-clearance 4WD vehicles.
BLM Road 6040A Dispersed Camping
This rugged dispersed camping corridor is located along BLM Road 6040A near Salida, culminating in a secluded ridge-top clearing. The route is highly challenging, requiring high-clearance 4WD and low-range gearing to navigate the steep, rocky ascent. Those who make the climb are rewarded with a secluded, scenic spot with excellent views, though the area is highly exposed to strong winds.
BLM Road 6045B Dispersed
Rugged dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 6045B near Salida. The route winds through pinon-juniper woodlands with mountain views.
BLM Road 6117A Dispersed
This rugged dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 6117A offers remote sites near Short Creek Baldy. High-clearance 4WD vehicles are required to navigate the rough, unmaintained track.
BLM Road 6126A Dispersed Camping
Primitive dispersed camping located along BLM Road 6126A in the rugged terrain near Salida. This area offers highly secluded, primitive campsites with views of the surrounding hillsides, but requires a capable high-clearance 4WD vehicle to navigate safely.
BLM Road 6195A Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 6195A near Salida, offering quiet wilderness camping in the Colorado backcountry. Access requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles due to rough dirt surfaces.
BLM Road Dispersed - Buena Vista
A rugged BLM road corridor located near Buena Vista, providing convenient dispersed camping options with views of the surrounding mountains and quick access to local hiking trails.
BLM Route 5331 (Dorsey Creek)
A scenic and rugged dispersed camping corridor along BLM Route 5331 near Dorsey Creek. The route winds through high-altitude sagebrush terrain with panoramic 360-degree vistas, offering several flat pullouts suitable for self-contained high-clearance rigs.
Bonanza Road Dispersed Camping
This forest road corridor offers dispersed camping options along a native dirt road in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
Bootleg Campground
A small, peaceful Forest Service campground nestled in Chalk Creek Canyon, offering immediate access to nearby hiking and scenic views of the Chalk Cliffs.
Boss Lake 4WD
A rugged dirt corridor within the San Isabel National Forest offering dispersed camping opportunities along the route to Boss Lake.
Browns Grotto Designated Dispersed Area (BLM 5611)
A scenic, designated dispersed camping area on Bureau of Land Management land just north of Salida, accessed via BLM Road 5611. Known locally as Browns Grotto or Hendricks Flat, the area features around 15 designated sites complete with metal fire rings and picnic tables. Two portable toilets are located near the entrance during peak season. The access road has deep ruts and potholes, making it best suited for high-clearance vehicles, though passenger vehicles can reach the first few sites with careful driving.
Buffalo Fork Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Buffalo Fork Road in the Gunnison National Forest, offering quiet forested pull-offs with easy access for most vehicles.
Bull Gulch Cutoff Dispersed Area
Located in the Salida Ranger District, Bull Gulch Cutoff offers dispersed camping along a native dirt road in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The corridor is open year-round to passenger cars and motorhomes, providing easy forest access near Salida.
Bull Gulch Dispersed Camping
A rugged dispersed camping corridor along Bull Gulch in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Buena Vista.
Bull Gulch
Dispersed camping corridor along Bull Gulch road in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida. This route is accessible by standard passenger vehicles and offers natural campsites in a forested environment.
Bulls Creek Road Dispersed Camping
A scenic forest corridor along Bulls Creek offering quiet dispersed camping within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
Butterfly Creek Dispersed Camping
Scenic dispersed camping along a native dirt road in the national forest near Salida, suitable for various rig types.
BV Overlook Camp & Lodging
A fully developed commercial campground located near Buena Vista, offering full RV hookups, cabins, and tiny homes. Amenities include restrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities, a recreational room, and an on-site dog park. Day-use services like a dump station and water fill are available to non-guests for a fee during business hours.
Camp Middle Quartz 5
Dispersed camping along Middle Quartz Creek Road in the Gunnison National Forest, offering quiet, scenic wooded sites along a dirt corridor.
Carnage Canyon
Primitive dispersed camping sites nested along the extremely rugged Carnage Canyon 4WD trail on BLM land near Buena Vista. This canyon offers highly secluded camping for prepared high-clearance off-road vehicles.
Cascade Campground
Cascade Campground is a popular developed facility located near Cascade Falls in Chaffee County. It offers 21 single-family sites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, surrounded by beautiful forest scenery with access to stream fishing.
Castle Rock Gulch
A scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Castle Rock Gulch within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The road offers access to multiple pullouts suitable for various rig sizes in a tranquil forested setting.
Chalk Lake Campground
A popular developed Forest Service campground nestled in a scenic canyon in Chaffee County. Located right next to Chalk Lake and within walking distance of Cascade Falls, this facility offers excellent fishing opportunities on the lake and Chalk Creek, as well as access to local off-road vehicle trails and the Colorado Trail.
Charlotte Hot Springs and Botanical Garden
A private botanical garden and hot springs facility offering flat, gravel overnight parking for self-contained RVs and camper vans. Guests can enjoy access to the scenic soaking pools and clean shower facilities with a paid pass.
Chubb Park STL State Park
A Colorado State Trust Land area off West Trout Creek Road near Buena Vista, providing seasonal access for wildlife recreation. Visitors must possess a valid Colorado Parks and Wildlife permit or hunting license, and overnight stays are highly restricted.
Chubb Park STL State Park
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Clear Creek Reservoir SWA Campground
Developed camping area situated within the Clear Creek Reservoir State Wildlife Area, featuring campsites nestled between the creek and reservoir. Amenities are limited to vault toilets, with no trash service or potable water on-site. Visitors must possess a valid state license or SWA pass to access the property.
Clear Creek Reservoir SWA State Park
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Clover Creek Jeep Road Dispersed
A rugged dispersed camping corridor along Clover Creek Jeep Road (BLM Road 53180) near Salida. The route is highly technical, requiring high-clearance 4WD vehicles or OHVs, but offers secluded streamside sites in a forested canyon.
Clover Creek Road (BLM 5330)
Rugged dispersed camping corridor situated along BLM Road 5330, also known as Clover Creek, in Chaffee County near Salida. The route offers secluded, primitive campsites on public land surrounded by scenic mountain terrain.
Clover Creek Road Dispersed
Clover Creek Road offers national forest dispersed camping along a native-surface dirt road. The route is accessible to most standard vehicles and provides quiet camping spots near the national forest boundary.
Coaldale Campground
A small, quiet Forest Service campground situated along Hayden Creek, surrounded by gamble oak, juniper, and cottonwood trees. It features 10 sites, several of which are walk-in only, making it best suited for tents and small campervans.
Coil Road Dispersed Area
Coil Road offers quiet dispersed camping opportunities along a dirt forest road near Salida, Colorado.
Collegiate Peaks Campground
Nestled in a dense pine forest along Middle Cottonwood Creek, this developed campground offers spacious, well-separated sites and beautiful alpine mountain views. It serves as an ideal basecamp for hikers tackling Mount Yale via the nearby Denny Creek Trailhead.
Collegiate Peaks Overlook
A scenic overlook on BLM land offering panoramic views of the Collegiate Peaks. Highly accessible via a short gravel road directly off the highway, making it convenient but subject to some traffic noise. Camping is permitted in designated spots with a standard stay limit.
Cottonwood Creek Dispersed Camping
A scenic corridor of dispersed camping pull-offs located along Middle Cottonwood Creek, just off County Road 306 and near popular hiking trailheads.
Cottonwood Hot Springs
A historic creekside hot springs lodge offering day-use soaking and basic overnight campsites. Guests can sleep to the sound of the nearby rushing creek while utilizing the lodge's mineral pools and facilities.
Cottonwood Lake Campground
A developed U.S. Forest Service campground set on a gently sloping hillside of aspens within walking distance of Cottonwood Lake. It offers 25 first-come, first-served sites, each equipped with a level tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring, alongside vault toilets.
Cottonwood Pass Overlook
A paved scenic overlook at the summit of Cottonwood Pass, offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Overnight camping and parking are prohibited at this day-use location.
Cow Creek Connector Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along the Cow Creek Connector and adjacent forest roads, located west of Cottonwood Pass near Taylor River Reservoir. The area features a mix of wooded pockets and larger open meadows suitable for different rig types.
Cumberland Pass Spur F Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor situated along Cumberland Pass Spur F, offering scenic views of the surrounding Gunnison National Forest peaks.
Cutty's Resort
A spacious private resort along Hayden Creek featuring RV sites with water and power hookups, cabins, and resort amenities like bathrooms, showers, and recreational facilities.
Daley Gulch State Trust Land
A scenic riverside access site along the Arkansas River, popular for boating, fishing, and dispersed camping. Accessing Colorado State Trust Lands requires a CPW hunting or fishing license, or a state land public access permit.
Daley Gulch STL State Park
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Dead Horse Gulch Dispersed Camping
Scenic dispersed camping along a dirt forest road in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida, Colorado. The road is accessible to most standard vehicles in dry weather, providing quiet sites nested in a wooded mountain setting, subject to seasonal winter closures.
Dorsey Creek Road Dispersed
A scenic dirt corridor along Dorsey Creek Road offering dispersed camping opportunities in the national forest near Salida.
Dry Lake Spur Dispersed Camping
A quiet National Forest spur road offering dispersed camping opportunities within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, located near Salida.
Eaglebrook Road Dispersed
This National Forest road near Salida offers dispersed camping options along the Rio Grande National Forest boundary. The route consists of native dirt and is suitable for most vehicles under dry conditions.
East Fourmile Dispersed
East Fourmile is a dirt road corridor within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida. It provides straightforward access to dispersed camping sites with scenic forested surroundings.
East Johnson Village Overnight Lot
A basic gravel lot located off Highway 24 near Johnson Village. It provides a convenient single-night stopover with scenic views of the Collegiate Peaks. A nearby creek helps mask the ambient highway traffic noise.
Elephant Rock Campground
A designated free BLM campground located past three scenic rock tunnels, offering easy walking distance to the Arkansas River with clear mountain views. Quiet and spread out, it serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the river canyon.
Elk Mountain Ranch Road
A scenic dirt road corridor in the Pike and San Isabel National Forest offering easily accessible dispersed camping.
Euclid Gulch Dispersed Camping
Euclid Gulch is an unpaved forest corridor offering primitive, dispersed camping opportunities within the national forest. Located near Salida, it provides a rustic retreat with direct road access.
Federal Quarry Road Dispersed
Federal Quarry Road offers dispersed camping within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida, Colorado. The native dirt road is accessible to most standard vehicles and provides a quiet forest setting from mid-spring to late autumn.
Fooses Creek Powerline Dispersed
This dirt corridor provides dispersed camping opportunities along Fooses Creek Powerline in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida.
Fooses Creek Spur D Dispersed Camping
Fooses Creek Spur D is a quiet forest service road located within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, offering dispersed camping options. Situated about three kilometers off the highway near Salida, Colorado, this dirt spur road is accessible to a wide range of vehicles. The area is surrounded by beautiful pine forest and provides convenient access to nearby outdoor activities like hiking and visiting Fooses Dam.
Fooses Creek Spur E Dispersed
A scenic dirt road spur in Pike-San Isabel National Forest near Monarch Pass offering dispersed camping options.
Forest Road 102 Dispersed Corridor
A quiet dirt road corridor offering dispersed camping options within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Accessible by most vehicles, this forested area sits close to several mountain peaks and hiking trailheads.
Forest Road 184 Turret Dispersed
Dispersed camping is available along Forest Road 184 (Turret Road) in the scenic San Isabel National Forest near Salida.
Forest Road 226.A Dispersed
This dispersed camping corridor along Forest Road 226.A offers quick access to the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The native-surface road is accessible to most rigs, though highway noise from nearby US-50 may be audible.
Forest Road 272.F Dispersed
A quiet forest service spur road offering dispersed camping in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near the Browns Creek Trailhead.
Forest Road 307 Dispersed Camping (Mushroom Gulch)
A scenic and popular dispersed camping corridor located along Forest Road 307 near Buena Vista, offering convenient access to Trout Creek. The campsites sit nestled among rolling hills and light pine forest, providing shaded pull-offs and convenient access for standard vehicles and smaller rigs.
Forest Road 311.E Dispersed
Dispersed camping sites nested along National Forest System Road 311.E (Sevenmile Creek area), offering stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks. The terrain is highly uneven and rocky, requiring high-clearance 4WD vehicles. This area is ideal for self-contained, capable rigs looking for a quiet, secluded forest setting.
Forest Spur Dispersed Camping
This National Forest Service road spur offers dispersed camping corridors within the GMUG National Forests, surrounded by scenic wooded ridges near Napoleon Mountain.
Grassy Gulch Dispersed Camping
A remote dispersed camping corridor situated along Grassy Gulch Road within the Pike and San Isabel National Forest.
Graveyard Road Dispersed
A scenic forest dispersed camping corridor located along Graveyard Road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.
Grizzly Road Dispersed Camping
Grizzly Road offers straightforward dispersed camping on a native dirt surface within Pike and San Isabel National Forests. This quiet corridor provides easy access to forested sites near Black Mountain.
Hayden Creek Campground
A beautiful and secluded Forest Service campground set along the banks of Hayden Creek at the base of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Surrounded by deep forest, it features 11 sites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables, as well as vault toilets and trash disposal. It operates on a strict first-come, first-served basis.
Homestake Pipeline Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Homestake Pipeline Road in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Buena Vista, Colorado.
Iron City Campground
A charming and historic developed campground situated in Chalk Creek Canyon, just a short distance from the historic St. Elmo townsite. Offering 15 rustic, first-come, first-served campsites adjacent to a cascading mountain creek, the campground includes vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, with easy access to regional multi-use trailheads.
Jack Rabbit Hill Dispersed
Quiet dispersed camping corridor along Jack Rabbit Hill in Chaffee County, offering access to the Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
Kentucky Gulch Dispersed Camping
Quiet dispersed camping options nested along Kentucky Gulch road in the Gunnison National Forest.
Kerr Gulch BLM Road
Kerr Gulch provides scenic dispersed camping opportunities along a dirt corridor on BLM land near Salida, Colorado. The lower section of the road is accessible to most standard vehicles, while upper reaches become increasingly rugged and require high clearance.
KOA Salida / Mt Shavano
Established KOA campground offering mountain views, hot showers, laundry facilities, and a community room. Located near highway access.
Last Chance Prospect Dispersed Area
A scenic dispersed camping area located on National Forest land near the historic Last Chance Prospect mine, offering panoramic views of the Collegiate Peaks. The area features a handful of roadside pull-offs ideal for self-contained rigs seeking a quiet mountain setting.
Lenhardy Cutoff - Midland Trail Dispersed Corridor
A scenic dirt corridor along the Arkansas River, offering several dispersed camping areas and flat gravel pull-offs surrounded by pinyon pines and rocky canyon walls. It provides excellent riverside access and proximity to local recreation areas.
Lenhardy Cutoff & FSR 376 Dispersed
An expansive dispersed camping area located along Lenhardy Cutoff and Forest Service Road 376. This area features multiple flat dirt pull-offs in a pinon-juniper forest, offering excellent panoramic views of the Collegiate Peaks.
Lenhardy Cutoff Road Corridor
A scenic pine-forested road corridor providing spacious, dispersed campsites with stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks and valley. The lower section offers shaded sites tucked into the pines, while the upper ridge features panoramic sunset vistas with large rock formations providing natural windbreaks.
Little Cochetopa Creek State Trust Land
Located along Spruce Creek Spur Road within the Little Cochetopa Creek State Trust Land, this primitive area offers dispersed camping in a typical wooded Colorado environment. Access requires a valid Colorado Parks and Wildlife license or permit, and the access road can be rough and rutted.
Little Cochetopa Creek STL State Park
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Little Cochetopa Dispersed Camping
A scenic dirt corridor winding through the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, offering peaceful dispersed camping options along the creek basin near Salida.
Little Cottonwood Creek
Little Cottonwood Creek offers peaceful dispersed camping along a dirt forest road in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. The road is accessible to most standard vehicles and provides a quiet rustic escape near Buena Vista.
Long's Gulch Dispersed Camping
A native-dirt forest corridor winding through the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, offering scenic dispersed camping options near Salida. The road is accessible to most standard vehicles and remains open year-round.
Love's Gas Station
A paved overnight parking option located behind a commercial fuel station. This location offers quick access to services and is suitable for self-contained rigs looking for a convenient one-night stay.
Lucky Mine Road Dispersed
This scenic forest corridor offers dispersed camping in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Buena Vista, providing roadside pull-offs in a tranquil pine forest setting.
Marshall Pass Road & Poncha Creek Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Marshall Pass Road and Poncha Creek Road (Forest Road 203) within San Isabel National Forest. Features numerous shaded creekside pull-offs and quiet forest settings.
Methodist Mountain
A scenic dispersed camping corridor winding up the foothills of Methodist Mountain within the San Isabel National Forest, offering convenient access to local multi-use trailheads.
Midland Trailhead Dispersed Area
Dispersed camping sites nestled near the Midland Bicycle Trailhead along Forest Road 376a. The area offers panoramic views of the Collegiate Peaks and excellent access to local non-motorized trail networks.
Mill Gulch Spur
Dispersed camping corridor along Mill Gulch Spur within Pike and San Isabel National Forest, offering direct access to the surrounding woodlands near Salida.
Mine Access Road
A scenic forest corridor offering dispersed camping opportunities within the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. The route features a native-surface dirt road accessible to most vehicles.
Missouri Gulch Hike-In Site 1
Secluded backcountry clearing situated along the Missouri Gulch Trail, offering a convenient stopover for backpackers looking to summit the nearby fourteeners.
Missouri Gulch Hike-In Site 2
A scenic, small clearing situated higher up the drainage along Missouri Gulch, perfect for a single backpacker tent close to the ascent route.
Missouri Gulch Wilderness Camping
A collection of remote hike-in backcountry camping sites situated along the Missouri Gulch Trail. Located deep within the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest, these sites provide an ideal basecamp for hiking Mount Belford, Mount Oxford, and Missouri Mountain.
Monarch Park Campground
A developed U.S. Forest Service campground situated near Monarch Pass, offering well-spaced sites alongside a creek and beaver ponds. The facility is closed for renovations during the 2024 season, with a planned reopening in 2025.
Monarch Park Powerline Dispersed
A scenic forest road corridor within the San Isabel National Forest offering roadside dispersed camping with convenient access to nearby mountain passes.
Monarch Pass Pull Out
A wide, graded gravel pull-out area located off the highway near the mountain pass summit, popular for overnight parking, quick stopovers, and scenic rest.
Monarch Spur Campground
Charming year-round campground tucked away in the mountains near the Colorado Trail and a scenic river. Offers full-hookup RV sites as well as walk-in tent sites nestled among aspen trees.
Morris Creek Road Dispersed
Morris Creek provides dispersed camping opportunities along a dirt forest road in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Buena Vista. The native material road surface is accessible to most standard vehicles during dry conditions, though high-clearance is recommended for deeper spots. Dispersed camping is seasonally restricted here, opening in mid-summer and closing by late autumn.
Mount Columbia Backcountry Site East
A primitive, hike-in backcountry campsite located along the approach trail to Mount Columbia in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.
Mount Columbia Backcountry Site West
A primitive hike-in campsite situated in a secluded forest clearing near the Mount Columbia ascent route.
Mount Princeton Campground
Mount Princeton Campground is a scenic forest campground nestled in Chalk Creek Canyon. It offers paved access to standard developed sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets adjacent to a beautiful flowing creek. Reservations are highly recommended during peak season, though several walk-up sites are available.
Mount Princeton Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Mount Princeton Road within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, offering peaceful wooded sites near major trailheads.
Mount Shavano Backcountry Site A
A secluded backcountry hike-in site situated along the approach to Mount Shavano in the San Isabel National Forest.
Mount Shavano Backcountry Site B
A scenic hike-in campsite nestled in the high alpine meadows near Mount Shavano.
Mushroom Gulch Site 2
An official dispersed campsite located along Trout Creek and Forest Road 307, featuring shaded creek access and a stone fire ring.
Mushroom Gulch Site 3
A pleasant, quiet dispersed site nestled further up the canyon offering peace and quiet away from the main highway.
No Name-galena Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along a native-surface forest road in Chaffee County, offering a rustic experience close to Salida.
North Bald Mountain Road
A rugged dirt corridor offering dispersed camping in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests near Waunita Pass. Suitable for self-contained rigs seeking a quiet mountain setting.
North Cottonwood Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor winding through the national forest near Buena Vista. The native dirt road provides straightforward access to numerous wooded pull-outs suitable for various rig setups.
North Decker Road Dispersed (BLM 5334)
Dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 5334 north of Salida. The route requires high-clearance vehicles due to rough, unmaintained dirt surfaces.
North Eddy Creek Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor located along North Eddy Creek Road within Pike and San Isabel National Forests, featuring mountain views and several pullouts with stone fire rings.
North Fork Campground
This Forest Service campground is situated directly on the north shore of the North Fork Reservoir, offering a rustic mountain camping experience. Access requires navigating a very rough, 5-mile dirt road that demands high-clearance vehicles and is highly discouraged for trailers. Campsites are available strictly on a first-come, first-served basis with self-pay options on-site. Visitors must pack out all trash, as no waste collection services are provided.
North Fork South Arkansas Road Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping corridor situated along the North Fork South Arkansas road within the Pike and San Isabel National Forest.
North Spring Dispersed
This dirt-road corridor in the Pike and San Isabel National Forest offers simple roadside dispersed camping. It features a native dirt surface accessible by most vehicles during its open season.
North Threemile Spur
This native dirt spur road provides access to quiet dispersed camping areas within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Conveniently located near the Browns Creek Trailhead, it serves as an excellent base for hiking and outdoor recreation.
O'Haver Lake Campground
An exceptionally popular Forest Service developed campground nestled along the shores of O'Haver Lake. Shaded by ponderosa pines and aspens, this well-maintained facility features an accessible fishing pier, vault toilets, trash collection, and a campground host.
Old Midland Cutoff
A quiet National Forest road corridor located near Buena Vista, offering roadside dispersed camping opportunities on a native material surface.
Old Monarch Pass Dispersed Camping
Rugged dispersed camping corridor winding along Old Monarch Pass through the Gunnison National Forest. This dirt road offers numerous scenic pullouts surrounded by deep pine forests and dramatic mountain vistas.
Old Monarch Pass Road Dispersed
A scenic mountain pass corridor offering numerous dispersed camping pull-offs along a graded forest road. The surrounding landscape features dense pine forests, spectacular alpine views, and multiple established fire rings. While accessible to most vehicle types, the initial entrance has steep erosion ruts requiring care, and off-highway vehicles generate some daytime noise on weekends.
Ouellette Road Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along Ouellette Road nestled in the scenic Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Buena Vista.
Pease Springs Road Dispersed Camping
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along a native-surface Forest Service road winding through the Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
Pease Springs Road Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along Pease Springs road in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. The native material dirt road offers pull-offs suitable for self-contained camping amidst pine trees.
Placer Creek Dispersed Camping
A dispersed camping corridor along Placer Creek within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida, Colorado.
Point Barr Campground
A scenic developed campground within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, featuring campsites positioned steps from the Arkansas River. The site provides picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets in a beautiful canyon setting.
Poncha Pass Dispersed Camping Area
A sprawling network of scenic dispersed camping corridors located off Poncha Pass. Features multiple dirt forest roads winding through pine groves and open range land with direct access to local trails.
Poplar Gulch Trailhead Road
Gravel road access leading to the Poplar Gulch Trailhead in Pike and San Isabel National Forest. Suitable for standard passenger vehicles to reach the trailhead area.
Porphry Park Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping corridor along Porphry Park road in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. This native-dirt route provides access to quiet forest camping opportunities near Monarch Pass.
Ptarmigan Creek Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping opportunities along Ptarmigan Creek Road, situated in the scenic Pike and San Isabel National Forests near several popular trailheads.
Pvt Access No. 2 Dispersed
A quiet dirt access road located within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Buena Vista. This corridor offers dispersed camping opportunities along a native material surface suitable for most vehicle types during the open season.
Quartz Campground
A small, quiet National Forest campground situated along the scenic Cumberland Pass Road. This campground features basic amenities like clean pit toilets and is located adjacent to a creek, serving as a peaceful retreat. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis, requiring physical arrival to secure a site. While popular with OHV users during the day, it becomes very quiet at night.
Rawley Mountain Forest Road Dispersed
Located in the Rio Grande National Forest near Salida, Rawley Mountain Road offers scenic dispersed camping along a native dirt road. This quiet corridor features rustic roadside pullouts suitable for high-clearance vehicles and small-to-medium rigs looking for a wilderness getaway.
Red Buck Road Dispersed Camping
A scenic dirt forest road offering dispersed camping access in the National Forest near Taylor Reservoir.
Red Deer Forest Road Dispersed
A quiet forested corridor along Red Deer road, providing straightforward access to dispersed camping within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The native dirt road is accessible to standard passenger vehicles and larger motorhomes.
Rock Gulch Dispersed Camping Corridor
A scenic dirt road corridor offering dispersed camping opportunities within the San Isabel National Forest. This area provides a quiet forest retreat easily accessible from nearby Salida.
Round Mountain
A native material dirt road providing dispersed camping options near Salida. The route offers pleasant forested settings suitable for most vehicles.
RV Road Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along RV Road in the San Isabel National Forest.
S. Prong Hayden CR Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along South Prong Hayden Creek Road. The area features a handful of rustic roadside pull-offs with established stone fire rings nestled in a quiet forest setting. Standard USFS dispersed rules apply, providing a peaceful wilderness retreat.
Salida Area Backcountry Site
A quiet hike-in backcountry spot nestled in the mountains near Salida.
Salida District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Spot
Salida East Recreation Area
A developed state recreation area along the Arkansas River, offering structured campsites with modern vault toilets. It requires a Colorado State Parks vehicle pass and prior reservation.
Salida RV Resort
A premium RV resort backing onto the Arkansas River, offering full services including hookups, a clubhouse, laundry facilities, and sports courts. Conveniently located near local mountain biking trails.
Salt Creek Dispersed
A quiet dirt road corridor offering seasonal dispersed camping opportunities in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Buena Vista. The native-surface route winding through the forest is generally suitable for standard passenger vehicles during dry periods.
San Isabel Backcountry Site
A remote backcountry hike-in campsite situated in the rugged high-country of the San Isabel National Forest near Buena Vista.
Sand Gulch Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along the Sand Gulch native-material road in Pike and San Isabel National Forests, offering peaceful wooded spots near Salida, Colorado.
Sawmill Creek Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping along Sawmill Creek Road on BLM land near Salida. A rugged, high-clearance 4WD vehicle is required to navigate the rough dirt road.
Sawmill Gulch Dispersed Camping
A scenic dirt corridor along Sawmill Gulch in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, offering dispersed camping opportunities close to Buena Vista.
Sevenmile Creek Dispersed Camping
Sevenmile Creek is an accessible Forest Service corridor offering dispersed camping along a native dirt road in Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The route is open to most vehicles, providing a wooded setting near Buena Vista.
Shields Gulch Road Dispersed Corridor
Primitive high-clearance dispersed camping area offering stunning 180-degree panoramic views of the Collegiate Peaks and Rocky Mountains. The initial stretch features a challenging, rocky section that requires slow driving and caution.
Shirley Road Dispersed Camping
Shirley Road offers quiet dispersed camping sites nestled in the San Isabel National Forest near Salida, accessible via a dirt road with scenic mountain views.
Silver Creek Dispersed Campground
This dispersed camping area lies along Silver Creek Cutoff Road and Christmas Tree Spur Road, offering peaceful forest settings right next to a running stream. The sites are generally flat, nestled among pines, and provide quick access to local OHV trails.
Slaughterhouse Gulch Dispersed Camping
This native dirt corridor provides standard dispersed camping opportunities on National Forest land near Buena Vista.
Snowblind Campground
A developed U.S. Forest Service campground operating on a first-come, first-served basis. The area features native dirt access loops set within a quiet forested setting. Visitors physically arrive to secure a site and can complete registration via a digital mobile application on-site.
Snowy Peak RV and Rentals
A developed commercial RV park situated on the edge of town, providing fully paved access and a wide range of utility services including a dump station, laundry facilities, showers, and propane refills.
South Cottonwood Road Dispersed
A scenic corridor of dispersed campsites located along South Cottonwood Road and Creek, just west of Cottonwood Lake. The area offers numerous pull-offs nestled among aspen and pine trees with easy access to the creek. The road is well-maintained gravel but can become narrow and rougher as you proceed further west, making it best suited for passenger vehicles, campervans, and small trailers.
South Kaufman Ridge Spur Dispersed Camping
Quiet dispersed camping corridor located along South Kaufman Ridge Spur Road within Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Buena Vista. It features several secluded pullouts with scenic pine forest backdrops.
South Salt Creek Dispersed Camping
This dirt road corridor offers dispersed camping options within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Located near Buena Vista, the area features native dirt surface access suitable for dry conditions.
Starvation Creek Road Dispersed
A scenic forest dispersed camping corridor along Starvation Creek Road and Marshall Pass. Nestled near the Continental Divide Trail, the area provides secluded campsites under dense tree cover with beautiful mountain vistas. Access involves gravel roads with some steep spur roads best suited for smaller rigs.
Stone Cabin Site 1
Designated campsite number 1, nestled under mature trees near the Arkansas River. Includes a flat parking area and a metal fire ring.
Stone Cabin Site 2
A scenic, designated riverfront campsite with mature cottonwood shade, a flat dirt pad, and close access to paths down to the water.
Stone Cabin Site 3
Designated campsite number 3, offering shade and quiet isolation near the river. Features a flat area suitable for a single rig.
Sugarbush Campground
A private, commercial campground located in the Arkansas River Valley near Salida, offering tent sites, electric RV hookups, clean hot showers, and full amenities.
Taylor Mountain Forest Road
Taylor Mountain offers dispersed camping along a scenic dirt forest road in the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The route is situated on a native material dirt surface that provides peaceful camping options close to several hiking trails.
Texas Cottonwood Camp 1A2
This Forest Service road corridor offers dispersed camping along a native dirt surface near Cottonwood Creek. It is easily accessible for most vehicles and provides a scenic, wooded retreat close to Buena Vista.
Texas Creek Camp Loop 2C1
A scenic camping loop along Texas Creek in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, offering dispersed sites suitable for various rig types.
Three Elk Road Dispersed Camping
This scenic forest road offers primitive dispersed camping opportunities in the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The native dirt route winds through scenic wooded valleys near 3 Elk Dam and accommodates most rig types.
Tincup Cemetery Road Dispersed
A scenic dirt road corridor within the Gunnison National Forest offering dispersed camping opportunities near the historic town of Tincup. The route features a native dirt and gravel surface accessible by standard passenger vehicles under dry conditions.
Tincup Dump Road Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor located along a dirt forest road within the Gunnison National Forest. This area offers primitive camping options surrounded by peaceful wooded scenery and is suitable for most vehicle types in dry conditions.
Tincup Pass Road
Primitive dispersed camping along the historical Tincup Pass corridor within the San Isabel National Forest. The route offers several roadside pullouts on native dirt surfaces suitable for self-contained rigs.
Tomichi Creek Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Tomichi Creek within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. Standard dirt road pull-offs provide easy access to the creek and surrounding trailheads.
Trout Creek Backcountry Site
A quiet backcountry hike-in campsite located east of Buena Vista, perfect for backpackers seeking deep wilderness seclusion.
Turret Road Dispersed
This scenic dispersed camping corridor runs along the dirt Turret Road within Pike and San Isabel National Forest. It provides native-material pullouts suitable for self-contained rigs looking for a quiet, natural forest setting near Salida.
Turtle Rock Campground
A designated BLM campground perched in the foothills with spectacular views of the Collegiate Peaks, offering picnic tables, fire rings, and clean vault toilets. This site transitions to a paid online reservation system starting in Spring 2025.
Upper Browns Canyon Road Dispersed
This rugged dirt corridor winds through the Pike and San Isabel National Forest near Buena Vista, offering primitive dispersed camping options. Visitors can find spots set against a backdrop of forested hillsides and nearby alpine peaks.
Upper Pole Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor winding through Pike and San Isabel National Forest near Buena Vista. This native-material dirt road offers quiet forested spots with scenic natural surroundings.
Upper Poncha Powerline Dispersed Camping Corridor
Dispersed camping corridor running along a native-surface forest road under a powerline easement in Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
Upper Weldon Gulch
Upper Weldon Gulch offers dispersed camping along a dirt forest road within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The road is open to all vehicles and provides access to quiet sites in a scenic pine forest setting.
W. Columbine Gulch Dispersed
Dispersed camping options situated along the dirt corridor of West Columbine Gulch within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The route features a native dirt surface accessible to a variety of rigs during dry periods.
Walmart Salida
A paved retail parking lot offering designated areas for short-term overnight stays. Conveniently located near local services with relatively level spots near the garden center and quieter parking spaces situated behind the adjacent auto parts store.
Willow Creek Branch
A quiet forest road corridor winding through the scenic Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida, offering opportunities for dispersed camping.
Willow Creek Camp 4D1
Willow Creek Camp 4D1 offers peaceful dispersed camping along a designated forest corridor in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The sites are nestled in a scenic pine forest with easy access for most vehicle types.
Willow Creek Dispersed Camping
A dispersed camping corridor along Willow Creek within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The area offers roadside camping options on native dirt surfaces suitable for most vehicles.
Willow Creek Road Dispersed
A scenic forest road corridor within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests near Salida, Colorado, offering opportunities for dispersed camping.