Dispersed Camping
Bear River Designated Dispersed
About
USDA Forest Service
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.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
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Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
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!
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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)
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Location
Bear River Designated Dispersed is located in Colorado
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