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Dispersed Camping

Bear River Designated Dispersed

Bear River Designated Dispersed camping area near Yampa, CO, is surrounded by forested terrain and rolling hills. Summer temperatures range from 50°F to 80°F, while winter temperatures can drop to 10°F to 30°F. Nearby attractions include the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and Stagecoach State Park, offering opportunities for hiking and fishing.

Description

US Forest Service

Routt National Forest

ABOUT: Located in the heart of the Flat Tops just outside Yampa on Forest Service Road 900. This area has 26 designated dispersed camping sites. (Dispersed camping is defined as camping sites that are outside of the campgrounds andd o not have services such as toilets, electric, water or trash.) Though these sites offer less tree shade coverage than Bear Lake Campground, the views are wide open and spectacular of the reservoir and the Flat Tops at these designated sites. Potable water and vault toilets are available a few miles away at Bear Lake, Horseshoe and Coldsprings campgrounds. AMENITIES: Each designated dispersed site has 1 picnic table and 1 fire grate. BOAT REGULATIONS : Electric trolling motors and internal combustion engines _ are allowed. (This is the only reservoir combustion engines are allowed)_ HIKING NEARBY: There are 3 Trailheads located off Forest Service Road 900. Mandall Lakes Trailhead, Smith Lake Trailhead, and Stillwater Trailhead, all within a short driving distance. Stop into the Yampa Ranger Station for free trail guides. FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Please check with the Yampa Ranger Station to find out if there are any current fire restrictions. 970-638-4516 DIRECTIONS: From Downtown Yampa, Take Cty Rd 7 just behind the local General Store, (Montgomery’s) for 7 miles, it will then turn into gravel and this is when the road becomes Forest Service Road 900, stay on FS RD 900 for approximately 4 more miles until you see Yamcolo on the left side. It is the first of the three reservoirs located on Forest Service Rd 900. These sites can accomodate most trailers up to 35 feet depending on the site.

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Location

Bear River Designated Dispersed is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

Directions from Yampa: Travel S/SW on County Rd 7 for approximately 7 miles to FDR 900. Follow FDR 900 for approximately another 3 miles to 13 miles. Sites are located along this 10 mile stretch of FDR 900.

Coordinates

40.0582722 N
107.0242504 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
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites

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 Bear River Designated Dispersed needs a permit.

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Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2025

Not dispersed, not free, no reservations allowed

Not free, not dispersed. All sites are first come, first served and have nightly rates from$10-$20 per night. No reservations allowed. Plan to arrive early afternoon during the week as it typically fills up by Thursday. Bring lots of layers and warm clothes as summer temps at night and in the mornings at this elevation throughout the summer are very chilly around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring a canopy as the sites do not have shade, and the mosquitos only respond to high percentage DEET. Over the past several years, the boat launch has not been usable due to extreme low reservoir water levels. So bring a canoe instead maybe!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Bear River Designated Dispersed by Blue B., July 22, 2025
  • Review photo of Bear River Designated Dispersed by Blue B., July 22, 2025
Reviewed Jul. 22, 2025

False information. No dispersed camping allowed. No reservations permitted.

Not free, not dispersed. All sites are first come, first served and have nightly rates from $10-$20 per night. No reservations allowed. Plan to arrive early afternoon during the week as it typically fills up by Thursday. Bring lots of layers and warm clothes as summer temps at night and in the mornings at this elevation throughout the summer are very chilly around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring a canopy as the sites do not have shade, and the mosquitos only respond to high percentage DEET. Over the past several years, the boat launch has not been usable due to extreme low reservoir water levels. So bring a canoe instead maybe! Bathrooms are a short drive away but are very clean!

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2024

beautiful area

However what I found was designated site only camping mostly on the side of the road and they were not free. $10/night

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2019

Leave no trace!

Beautiful!! Please make sure you are leaving no trace! There are a lot of people around this area, please do your part to keep the land as natural as possible. The poop fairy does NOT live here- pack it out!

  • Review photo of Bear River Designated Dispersed by Bailey B., August 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Bear River Designated Dispersed by Bailey B., August 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Bear River Designated Dispersed by Bailey B., August 4, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 13, 2018

OK Spots...better camping further up

We stayed in these spots entirely due to the fact that bear lake was still frozen and the road up there was impassable. They were not the worst spots but they are nothing special. There is a vault toilet further down the road but we were nowhere near that. Our spot was off the road, away from anyone else and backed right up to the forest. Some of the other spots available are much more exposed and you will be on top of your neighbors. To reserve on of these spots you must stop at the Forest Service sign towards the beginning of the road to grab a reservation slip, then find a spot and drive back to drop it off.

If you head to this area on a crowded weekend, these are OK, if you have the choice, camp further up past the reservoir, there are a few other campgrounds: Bear Lake & Cold Springs.

This area offers multiple lakes and creeks for great fishing as well as some amazing hikes like The Devils Causeway (not for people afraid of heights)

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Bear River Designated Dispersed by Anthony P., September 13, 2018
  • Review photo of Bear River Designated Dispersed by Anthony P., September 13, 2018
  • Review photo of Bear River Designated Dispersed by Anthony P., September 13, 2018
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed at Bear River Designated Dispersed?

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

Does Bear River Designated Dispersed have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Bear River Designated Dispersed does not have wifi.