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Dispersed Camping

FourMile Dispersed Camping

FourMile Dispersed Camping is located in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, featuring forested areas and open spaces. Temperatures can range from lows of 20°F in winter to highs of 80°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Arkansas River for fishing and rafting, and the town of Buena Vista offers dining and shopping options.

Description

National Forest

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

The Fourmile Travel Management Area is located in northern Chaffee County and consists of 100,000 acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. The area offers an incredible variety of recreational activities from ATV and motorcycle riding to hiking, biking, rock climbing and horseback riding. For detailed maps of the Fourmile area visit: http://garna.org/friends-of-fourmile/

Reservation Info

Camping is not permitted at trailheads. Camp in an existing dispersed campsite, do not create new roads or campsites. Use one way in and out to reduce disturbance of soil and vegetation. DO NOT CAUSE RESOURCE DAMAGE

Limit parking to bare and compacted areas. Keep motorized vehicles within one vehicle length from a designated system road or trail. Make no new tracks in campsites.

Camp 150 feet away from lakes, streams and trails. Dispose of wash water 100 feet away from any water source. Bury human waste in a hole 6 inches deep and 200 feet away from any water source, trail, or campsite. A portable toilet system is highly recommended Pack out toilet paper, tampons, and leftover food. LEAVE NO TRACE.

If you choose to have a campfire, consider the following:

Keep it small in size and limit it to evening and early morning hours when the heat is most needed.

Build your fire in an existing fire ring that is at least 100 feet from water. Do not build new fire rings.

Avoid having fires above tree-line. Removing dead wood from Krummholz (dwarf trees near timberline) affects their survival.

Collection of dead and down wood for immediate campfire use is allowed except for posted sites.

Remember to put out your campfire DEAD-OUT!!

Pour water on the fire to drown ALL embers until hissing stops. Stir ashes with a shovel and scrape the sticks and logs to remove any embers. Continue adding water and stirring until all material is cold to the touch.

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Location

FourMile Dispersed Camping is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

The Fourmile Travel Management Area can be accessed from many locations. From Buena Vista, you can access the area via County Road 371/375 and from the River Park Bridge on Main Street. Other access points are off of Hwys 285/24 and include County roads 304, 305, 307, 308, 311 and 315. The southern portion of the Fourmile area can be accessed at County Road 301, 300 and 185 (Aspen Ridge north of Salida).

Coordinates

39.20859321 N
106.099761 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
    Fair
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • 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 FourMile Dispersed Camping needs a permit.

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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3 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2024

Tiny But Convenient

This dispersed camping area was extremely small but a convenient place to camp the night before summiting Sherman. It was a bit tricky to find/decipher what was dispersed and what was the intentional campground. Honestly not even sure if the place I found was the actual dispersed area. By other reviews left, it felt right to me. My friend and I car camped here, we had a quiet night. The neighbors were all very quiet and respectful of quiet hours and personal space. The vault toilet was extremely clean with no odor. I enjoyed the washboard road! During our time there were advisories for bear activity in the area.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2023

Not Worth The Drive

I wouldn't recommend this spot unless you are planning on staying at the campground. It's extremely beautiful but if you are looking for dispersed camping this is not the place. If you plan on staying at the campground and have a reservation it's a great place. However, there is no dispersed spaces until you get to the campground and the dispersed area has room for 2 campers at most and you will be very close with your neighbor. It's basically a small parking lot. We hauled our 26' travel trailer here and it took quite a while. Like the other reviews state, it was a rough road, washboard the entire way. We arrived only to see the tiny dispersed area had another family camping there. We could have fit but it would have been odd seen as the space is so small. Not worth the trip.

SiteDispersed
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 30, 2021

Convenient Dispersed Camping in the Shadow of Mount Sherman

Beautiful, easily accessible dispersed camping only a few minutes away from the Mount Sherman trailhead. If you're looking for a more modern camping experience, check out Four Mile Campground up the road. Large enough spot for several tents or a couple of vehicles if you're car camping or using a rooftop tent. 4 Mile creek is on the south side of the road and offers a nice soothing sound to fall asleep to. Most times I've been by here there have been campers here so it tends to be a treat if I find it unoccupied.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of FourMile Dispersed Camping by Charles G., May 30, 2021
  • Review photo of FourMile Dispersed Camping by Charles G., May 30, 2021
  • Review photo of FourMile Dispersed Camping by Charles G., May 30, 2021
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of FourMile Dispersed Camping?

    FourMile Dispersed Camping is located at 10716 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at FourMile Dispersed Camping?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at FourMile Dispersed Camping, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at FourMile Dispersed Camping?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is fair, and T-Mobile is unknown.