Dispersed Camping
Penrose Common Rec Site
About
Bureau of Land Management
Penrose Commons Recreation Area offers a warm, arid climate among pinon and juniper woodlands. The best time to visit is September through May when temperatures are comfortable and the snowy peaks of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range are visible in the distance. With 30 miles of motorized trail, the area is popular for ATVs, motorcycles and four wheeling. Independence Trail system is known for its extreme 4x4 rock crawling opportunities with easy access for spectators to enjoy the trail activity. Penrose Commons is also popular for horseback riding, hunting and dispersed camping. The area has a restroom, trail map information and ample parking space for trailers. A wet weather gate closes the area to motorized use during wet conditions. For more information, please contact the Royal Gorge Field Office.
Fee Info
No Fee but OHV permit/ registration is required. Out of state residents are required to retain a Non-resident registration.
Location
Penrose Common Rec Site is located in Colorado
Directions
Located: 10 miles east of Cañon City, Colorado, off of CO Hwy 115. From US Hwy 50 turn north on CO Hwy 115 at Penrose, drive 2.3 miles; turn west (left if coming from the south) on 3rd Street (CR 123, look for Brush Hollow reservoir sign), and drive for 0.3 miles; turn north (right) on E Street (CR 127) and drive 3 miles to the parking area.
Coordinates
38.49102086 N
105.03179028 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiFair
- VerizonGood
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileGood
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
TravelerFairly busy area
Lots of ATV and people coming up to use the trail for those purposes. Large trucks and rigs can still make it fairly far up the road.
GuideNice Spot
Nice, free campsites. Some of the roads are pretty rough. You can camp in the parking area near the toilets. There is a lot of 4x4 jeep and OHV action here. It’s very loud during the day.
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RangerDelightful af
Road in is rough, but manageable with a high clearance vehicle. Plenty of space to spread out. Popular with those ATV things. Pit toilet, no trash. Not many trees, but a great view of the surrounding area. T-mobile service was good enough to get some work and school done. Close enough to groceries and other stores. Love this spot.
ScoutTotal boondocking.
Dispersed camping on BLM land. Looks like some "permanent" residents out here. Dirty firepit and one trash pile encountered- cleaned these w/o much work, overall not much litter. Hot, dusty, cacti, cedar trees- kind of a cool Great American Desert experience. Pit toilets are present at the entrance.
LegendGood for a few nights
Stayed here 2 nights and it was very quiet. There’s lots of trails in the area (OHV) but other than that, not much else to do. There is a clean vault toilet at the entrance, no trash services. Plenty of spots as you keep driving up the hill. It’s very Rocky but if you take it slow, shouldn’t have any issues. I didn’t in my van. Definitely some people living there full time but as a solo female, no concerns or issues during my stay! Definitely would stay again.
GuideNothing special but it works
This was a solid campsite but nothing special. Bugs were horrid... not sure if it was just my site or what but they were awful. Very spread out sites which is nice. Some definite long termers.
To get away from the traffic of the main road take your first left when you get inside the area at the first Y you come to. There are several great sites as you make your way back past your first big right and big left by a canyon. Its pretty cool back there. I camped with my 20ft pop-up and it was great.
Again nothing special but a good place to get you down rhe road and only 40ish mins from Colorado Springs.
- (10) View All
GuideNot Fancy but...
Easy access and not too far out of Pueblo or Cañon City. We didn't venture much further than the gate at the latrine, but we saw people coming out so I can assume there are spots further in. It's dispersed camping, so not fancy but a great place to park our teardrop for the night.
ScoutVery open and secluded. Only had a guy pass me on his dirt bike about 6 tim
The spot was down a dirt road for a while. When you get there you will see some bathrooms and open spaces. The first few spaces can easily fit a full sized camper trailer but after that I wouldn't suggest going too far. Mostly an open view of pikes peak and fields. Only animal I heard was some cows. It was a rather simple campground but quiet and far from people. The stars are beautiful at night.