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Dispersed Camping

Mount Shavano Dispersed Camping

8 Reviews

About

National Forest

Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

Dispersed camping at the base of Mount Shavano outside Salida, CO.

WARNING! Hikers descending from Tabequache should not descend into McCoy Gulch! This is a dangerous route and a number of climbers have been injured or killed.

Reservation Info

There are many dispersed camp sites located along Forest Road 252 or past the trailhead parking area on the left. Camp away from the stream and pack all trash out. No reservation required.

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Location

Mount Shavano Dispersed Camping is located in Colorado

Directions

From Poncha Springs, travel west on Highway 50 for 2 miles to the junction of County Road 250 located on the right side of the highway. Turn right onto CR 250 and travel west for 4.5 miles to the boundary of Forest and BLM lands. At this point, the road forks. Take the left fork which continues at Forest Road 252. Stay on this road for approximately 3 miles to the trailhead. The Jenning Creek access located off of Forest Road 240 is permanently closed.

Coordinates

38.595571 N
106.199166 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Good

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Contact

General Info

Flannel Fabe ..

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 11, 2023

Ridge top

Cool chaparral area. Road kinda rocky, but manageable. Nice views of mountains all around. Heard elk bugling through the night.

Month of VisitNovember

John M.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2023

Amazing Views and Site Selection

Had a great night here. Stayed close to the mountain so I had great shade but if you're after views I think you should stay close to the highway. There are tons of spots and privacy. I saw several sedans but I'd be hesitant if it were me.

Month of VisitSeptember

N I.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2021

Totally Free

BLM

FREE

Limit: 14 days

The Wildlife Management Area is named after Mt Shavano. A mountain that is considered a must do for mountain climbers. The WMA lies at the base of the mountain. If you travel very slow and steady you can camp in the WMA by following the road in. The road is very rocky, bumpy, and just a little steep in a couple of places if you are pulling a trailer. If you take the plunge there are so many sites to be had to include a fire ring. The backdrop of the mountains is just amazing. There are several sites right at the entrance but the best a a little further back. There is room for 30- 40 or more. Just depends on how close you want to be to others. Salida is a nice town to head to if you need supplies. The road is so rocky and bumpy we tried to get out as little as possible. We have good service with Verizon but not much with ATT. Nearest dump station is about 2 miles way at the Crossroads Visitor Center in Poncha Springs.

LNT

BTWYFI

Month of VisitNovember

(17) View All

Butch K.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2021

Close to town

All the reviews so far seem to be quite correct. Except I did not see any creek. I did not see any lower levels. The area is very dry and rocky. The only way in is up the hill on 250. The pavement turns to gravel and becomes very steep and Rocky and rugged with some areas washed out. There were some big rigs up here but I don't think they'll make this trip very often before they break down. Once you get on top of the plateau there is plenty of room to spread out and the gravel roads are less challenging. Poncha Springs is only 10 minutes away in Salida another 10 minutes. There's a Walmart in Salida which has a very good beverage selection. A BLM ranger did show up to talk to us about the 14 day limit. My friends were over the limit and left a couple days later. The gentleman was very nice and accommodating, he did not want to give any appearance of harassment. But they do check. Even in mid-September it was Sherry warm, up to 90°. There was some smoke on some days from the Forrest tire's. I only got two mosquito bites in two weeks but I must've killed three dozen house flies.

SiteEastern edge of big loop on top of plateau

Month of VisitOctober

Marcus F.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 12, 2021

Large space, high desert to aspen forest

Wide variety of campsites here close to the Colorado trail and two 14ers. Where we camped was a cow field and they came and went so would be careful with dogs.

Month of VisitJuly

Kim M.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 27, 2021

Beats the Crowds

I’ve camped here a few times and have never been disappointed. I’ve camped next to the creek and further out away from the water. Honestly, it’s hard to find a bad campsite here!

If you want a site close to the creek, you have to get there early. I went on a Thursday in October and the sites were filled before noon.

No complaints though as this drove me to explore some sites I may never have seen otherwise. Further out, there’s less people. I had neighbors but everyone was friendly, quiet and kept to themselves aside from a friendly wave as they drove by.

Plenty of sites and great hiking. And you can’t beat the Mountain View’s after a snow storm!

(4) View All

Laura H.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 23, 2020

Pampered Boondocking with a View

There are several levels to this area. The lower ridge is easier to travel through, and you don’t have to go up a big hill to get there. The dirt and rock road winds it’s way up to the plateau. There are large dispersed areas for camping, and tons of land where you can see over the edge and into the valley. There is cactus here so be careful where you step. The area is dry. There is fresh water and a dump station at the visitors center in Salida.

BLM patrols the area daily and checks in on campers. While we were There, Weston Pass Fire was growing so we checked in with BLM offices and gave them our number just in case things started turning for the worst. It was very dry.

Mt Shavano area is located near Salida, the town has several restaurants and fun touristy activities. Also near the Arkansas Headwaters.

Cellular - AT&T was decent, we were able to stream with a jetpack. T-Mobile is ok in some areas. It was not as reliable.