Dispersed camping near Steamboat Springs, Colorado offers both convenience and wilderness challenges. The Routt National Forest surrounding the city contains numerous camping options at elevations ranging from 6,900 to 10,500 feet. Weather patterns can shift rapidly at these elevations, with late afternoon thunderstorms common in summer and nighttime temperatures dropping below 40°F even in July.
What to do
Mountain biking from camp: The Buffalo Pass area provides excellent access to mountain biking trails directly from dispersed campsites. "Great free spot if you're looking for somewhere not too far from the town. Awesome bike trails not very far. No bathroom or water it is dispersed. Not too hard of a road to get up either got up in a RWD Tacoma no problem," notes a visitor to Buffalo Pass Dispersed.
Hot springs access: Strawberry Park Hot Springs offers camping combined with natural hot springs. "We absolutely love staying here! Many options to stay including walk in camping and covered wagon cabins. There is a long steepish trail that leads to many camp sites along the river. You are not allowed to drive to camp, you must walk your gear in," explains a camper at Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
Fishing opportunities: Stagecoach State Park provides excellent fishing options. "From our site we walked up this hill there is a bench up there that is a good place to see sunset. There are some deer that live on this hill we see them everyday. Over near the Dam there was good fishing & lots of crawlfish. We found Lures in the dead trees in the lake. My husband caught some trout & Northern Pike."
What campers like
Secluded sites with natural features: Campers often prefer more remote sites with natural amenities. At Dumont Campground, one visitor reported, "We did a Colorado road trip in late July, 2018... Dumont was the best - with a lake, close hiking paths, and a beautiful meadow with lots of wildflowers. The dumpster was locked so no need to worry about wild animals, the vault toilets were the cleanest I've ever used."
Accessibility combined with wilderness: The dispersed sites on Rabbit Ears Pass offer both accessibility and remoteness. "Loved this area! Quite a few spots. We went 2.7 miles up from the turn off of 40 and found a great spot on the left. There is a spot right there off the road but if you go in another 100 yards or so it's a great spot. The driveway is a touch rough but we got there in our camper van no problem."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites near Steamboat Springs offer wildlife sightings. "We found a nice site and stayed for 5 days(late June). It took a bit of jockeying to get our motorhome into the site, but with a little perseverance, we prevailed. This site was surprisingly level too, almost didn't need to level at all. There was one beautiful site in a meadow about 1/4 past the one we chose."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many dispersed sites requires appropriate vehicles. "Very busy on a weekend and hard road. Some nice spots but many are blocked from a view so get there early. Found a dirt road that took off from the main road but my car couldn't handle it (AWD)," warns a visitor to Buffalo Pass.
Seasonal mosquito challenges: Bug activity can be intense in summer months. A camper at FR-302 Dispersed Camping observed, "This place is beautiful, found multiple spots on Monday June 30th that were beautiful and had fire pits. HOWEVER, When you see other reviews that say there are lots of bugs… they were not exaggerating, there are massive swarms of mosquitoes everywhere. Not sure if more bug repellent would even help at this point."
Campground availability fluctuates: During peak season, early arrival is recommended. "Visiting steamboat springs all the nearby state parks and private campgrounds were full but there was plenty of sites open here. Many of the campsites have a slight slope/grade and require a little imagination to find a level spot to put up a tent but overall not bad. Plenty of trees for tarps."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with amenities: For family camping, developed sites offer important conveniences. "The tent sites are tiny you are packed together with no space, fire pits less than 3 feet from where you are required to set up your tent so expect to get burn holes," cautions a visitor to Steamboat Springs KOA, highlighting the importance of checking site dimensions when bringing children.
Plan for temperature swings: Prepare for significant day-to-night temperature changes with proper clothing and gear. "Tents and RVs were mixed together, and the crowd is mostly fishing related. The campsites themselves are nice and big, and you can't beat the view on the south side of the circle, but the campsites are a little closer together than I usually like. It is also very open with little to break the wind, so if it's a chilly night you will definitely need layers."
Look for recreation options: Campgrounds with built-in activities work well for families. "It has a small pool, updated miniature golf course, trike rentals and the Yampa running through the campground. I love the ability to ride into town to the mountain bike trails on Emerald Mountain."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers report varied experiences with site leveling at dispersed locations. At Meadows Campground, a camper noted, "Visiting steamboat springs all the nearby state parks and private campgrounds were full but there was plenty of sites open here. Many of the campsites have a slight slope/grade and require a little imagination to find a level spot to put up a tent but overall not bad."
Dump station availability: Plan ahead for sanitation needs as options are limited. "Good pull through sites. Good showers and laundry. Nice check in staff," reports a visitor to Eagle Soaring RV Park, one of the few locations offering full hookups.
Limited cell service: Cell reception varies greatly across camping areas. "We had 2 bar LTE with Verizon. Our hotspot was usable and performed very well. The campground wifi was average at best. We enjoyed the peace and quiet of this campground. The trees and meadow helped create a relaxing place to stay."
