8 Amazing Dispersed Camping Near Colorado Springs

Last Updated on September 19, 2023 by

The possibilities for camping in Colorado are nearly endless. Alpine Lakes, Jagged Summits, Deep Pine Forest, Red Rock Formations, and Wildflower-dotted meadows can be found right in front of the tent, from the valleys of the state’s highest mountains to the Garden of the Gods and beyond.

While Colorado is home to many iconic attractions, the Garden of the Gods is close to the top of many visitors’ to-do lists.

Colorado’s red rock formations, framed by high mountain ridgelines, provide a breathtaking setting for hiking and camping.

Place your tent at the Garden of the Gods RV Resort for convenient access to the excitement, or choose a cottage for a bit of luxury on the outskirts of Colorado’s most picturesque settings.

Easy day hikes can be found in the park’s name, or you can explore the trails that pass through Red Rock Canyon Open Space.

Now get out there and enjoy our list of some of our most loved dispersed camping near Colorado Springs, many of which are only a two-hour drive from Denver!

What are the Best Dispersed Camping Near Colorado Springs?

1. Red Feather Lakes

An approximately a 50-minute drive from Fort Collins, Red Feather Lakes location is a maze of forest service roads with unlimited camping possibilities.

This area has a lot of dispersed sites.

The intersection of Deadman Road with the Forest Service Road 502 is one of our favorite sites.

The Best Way to Reach There: The region is situated to the northwest of Red Feather Lakes, as you go up the Deadman Road.

Take US Highway 287 towards the north to Livermore, and take a right turn onto County Road 74E to Red Feather Lakes.

Take County Road 86 to the left (Deadman Road).

There are places along the entire length of Deadman Road, which is around 15 miles long.

2. Divide Road (Grand Junction & Montrose)

Divide Road is a fantastic Colorado dispersed camping place for fall aspen sightseeing that is located high on Colorado’s Uncompahgre Plateau.

You will get to see for a long distance over the Colorado Plateau towards the west at times.

Popular landforms like Lone Cone and the Sleeping Ute Mountain can also be seen.

The Best Way to Reach There: Travel 15 miles west on Colorado 141 (Unaweep Canyon) on US 50 southeast of Grand Junction.

Take a left turn towards Divide Road (FR 402), then switch back up the plateau. After that, you will need to head south.

For the majority of its 40+ miles, Divide Road stays over the top of the plateau. You can also drive straight up Divide Road from Montrose.

3. Guenella Pass (Grant & Georgetown)

Guenella Pass Road has been a popular trailhead regarding ascending Mount Bierstadt.

It also has to offer plenty of dispersed campsites. Even if you don’t feel like hiking Bierstadt, countless more routes start right off the road.

This is a beautiful place that is located about one hour from Denver.

The Best Way to Get There: You have two ways to get into the Guenella Pass.

The first is from the Georgetown Municipality. Take I-70 west to Georgetown and exit at Georgetown. Ascend Guenella Pass by following the signs. Grant is the second way to get in.

Take US Highway 285 to the tiny town of Grant (situated towards the east of Kenosha Pass). Turn right onto Guenella Pass Road and drive up.

3. Jones Pass (Empire)

This location has some fantastic off-roading and camping opportunities.

It’s within an hour’s drive from Denver and offers easy access to the Continental Divide.

Some of the campsites have spectacular views, which are ideal for gazing down the hillside while roasting marshmallows over an open fire. (In arid Colorado, be careful to check about fire regulations.)

The Best Way to Reach There: From Denver, take I-70 west. Take I-70 exit 232 to US Highway 40 in the direction of Empire/Winter Park. Past Empire, continue west on US-40. To get to Jones Pass Road, turn left on Henderson Mine Road.

4. Montezuma Road (Keystone)

Montezuma Road camping enters our list because of its vicinity to Denver, and it’s easy to access with a low-clearance car.

You will be only a few miles away from Keystone. There is enough climbing and adventure in the small town of Montezuma.

The Best Way to Reach There: From Denver, take I-70 west.

Before you reach the Eisenhower Tunnel, take the Loveland Pass (US-6) exit. Turn left on Keystone Road after crossing Loveland Pass. Take a left on Gondola Road right away. After there, turn right into Montezuma Road.

After around two miles on Montezuma Road, there are campsites along both sides of the road.

5. Caribou Townsite (Nederland)

The 11 approved camping places in the Caribou Townsite can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

Camping adjacent to Colorado’s famous Indian Peaks Wilderness Area is an incredible experience. It’s only a few kilometers from Nederland, a quirky mountain village.

The Best Way to Get There: From the traffic circle in Nederland, take CO Highway 72 westward for 1/2 mile.

Continue driving on County Road 128 west for six miles to Five Points. Around 1.5 miles of Five Points, numbered campsites are spread along with both parts of FR 505 and its offshoots.

6. Barr Camp

Barr Camp is situated along the Barr Trail, which is the most popular route to the summit of Pikes Peak. This one-of-a-kind camp has a variety of housing alternatives to suit any hiking group.

The Upper Cabin can be rented as a unit and can accommodate up to 12 people, making it an excellent choice for any group excursion. The cabin is only open from March to October, but the camp is open all year.

Hikers may put their talents to the test at Barr Camp throughout the winter months. I know I’d only want to trek Barr Trail in December if I knew I’d be getting hot meals and a place to sleep!

The food is one of the nicest aspects of staying at Barr Camp. When you make a reservation for dinner, you’ll get a delicious spaghetti meal with their famous garlic bread.

Barr Camp prepares spaghetti dinners from Wednesday to Sunday. You can get a dried meal from their store if you arrive at camp on Monday or Tuesday.

7. Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Cheyenne Mountain State Park provides plenty of outdoor recreation just outside of town for campers. It’s only a ten-minute drive from downtown Colorado Springs, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers on vacation.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently got a lottery grant from the state to expand their facilities and trails. They’ve even created new paths, such as the Dixon Trail, which leads to Cheyenne Mountain’s summit.

Remember to bring your mountain bike! The rolling trails around Cheyenne Mountain are particularly popular with the local mountain bike community, complementing hiking and trail running.

8. Clyde Campground

This distinctive primitive campground, situated close to Mueller State Park, has a variety of group sites available, making it ideal for a family vacation to Colorado Springs. With Cripple Creek so close by, a group excursion could be in order!

Traveling to this campground is, in fact, pure joy in itself. Gold Camp Road, an old railway line turned into a dirt road in the 1920s, runs straight past the site.

Expect to share the road with other travelers and locals, given that it’s a popular picturesque route to Cripple Creek.

Surprisingly, the neighborhood is said to be haunted. The historic railway has a long history and has changed hands several times, resulting in several tunnels’ closure and barring for unclear reasons.

Along popular walks in Cheyenne Canyon and the nearby areas, you’ll come upon these weird, barred tunnels.

Check out these Best Dispersed Camping areas near Silverton, Colorado

Conclusion

Dispersed camping near Colorado Springs is popular among adventurous people.

This article has tried to share information regarding the most favored sites for camping in the vicinity of Colorado Springs, along with the best routes to get there.

We hope that this article will be of great help when you leave to explore Colorado.

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