Midnight arrivals work fine here. One camper navigated into this free dispersed site near Monarch Pass well after dark, set up three tents, and settled in without issue, which speaks to how straightforward the access road is under normal conditions. Situated within San Isabel National Forest, the site sits roughly halfway up Monarch Pass along Highway 50, putting the town of Salida about 20 minutes down the road for resupply or breakfast.
The Colorado Trail runs through or very close to the site, making it a natural staging point for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers heading out on multi-day routes. Morning walks up the nearby county road open up sightlines toward the Collegiate Peaks. Bear activity has been noted by at least one visitor, so standard food storage precautions apply. As Geoff P. puts it, the area has "not a lot of shade but a beautiful area," which is worth factoring in on warm afternoons.
The default coordinates land you close to the road, but heading a short distance further and turning right reveals additional dispersed sites with more room, including space for small RVs or vans. Nearby options like Colorado Trail Dispersed and Lost Mountain Site-3 provide alternatives if this spot is taken on a busy weekend. Weeknights, especially in shoulder season, tend to stay uncrowded. Dogs are welcome, and campfires are permitted.
Description
Remember: when dispersed camping, no toilets, trash service, or potable water, are available. Store all food and trash securely, and pack out what you pack in. Practice Leave No Trace.
Dispersed camping and parking here is allowed in designated sites only. Do not create resource damage by driving off-road, beyond designated parking locations, or behind barriers. Parking should be within 30' of site markers where posted.
Fee Info
Free
Reservation Info
Please be aware that; where not otherwise restricted, camping or leaving camping equipment at any location more than 14 days within a continuous 30 day period, and/or occupying any campsite within three miles of any prior camping or equipment location for a combined total of more than 28 days within any continuous 60 day period, is prohibited. Also, leaving camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours is not allowed.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & Directions228A Dispersed Campsite is located in Colorado near Monarch
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
38.557453000002624 N
106.22736899999632 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/12/26- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/12/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/12/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/12/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/12/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/12/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
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.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if 228A Dispersed Campsite needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 53 min from Pueblo, CO
- 2 hrs 14 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 38 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 48 min from Boulder, CO
