Free dispersed camping in Pike National Forest comes with a trade-off: a rough washboard road that demands patience before the payoff. The first two miles into Bailey Area Dispersed can rattle vehicles hard enough to require a crawl, and a narrow section with blind turns and hills adds another layer of caution. Once past that stretch, eight designated sites spread along the road, with sites 1 through 3 sitting out in the open and sites 4 through 7 tucked past a trailhead sign where the road narrows further and an SUV or truck is the safer choice. Campers exploring campsites near Buffalo Creek will find this one of the more isolated options in the area.
Sites 1 through 3 have no tree cover. That matters on hot days. Each site includes a fire ring and BBQ grill. Reviewers have flagged broken glass and shotgun shells scattered around some sites, so dog owners should walk the ground before letting pets roam. Cell coverage is workable: Verizon users report 1 to 5G bars depending on placement, with one reviewer clocking download speeds of 180 Mbps from a rooftop tent. The area sits within a burn zone, which explains the open sightlines and exposed terrain.
Nearby, Redskin Creek Road Dispersed (Pike NF) and Buffalo Campground provide alternatives if the sites here are full. Ben B. sums up the general experience well: "Road was a little rough getting back here but it's a beautiful isolated area." Arriving early on weekdays gives the best shot at the wooded sites past the trailhead.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBailey Area Dispersed is located in Colorado near Buffalo Creek
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
39.37915280552346 N
105.3680914885444 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 9/12/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 9/12/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/12/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 9/12/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 9/12/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/12/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
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.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 20 min from Denver, CO
- 1 hr 29 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 57 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 2 min from Greeley, CO
