Roosevelt National Forest manages Forest Road 119 as a dispersed camping area outside Estes Park, where campers pull off into informal sites scattered along a rough dirt road. No designated sites, no hookups. Just a series of pullouts with enough space for tents and most mid-sized rigs, set within a national forest corridor that draws a fair amount of weekend traffic.
Road conditions are the defining factor here. Multiple reviewers flag the route as rough and recommend high-clearance vehicles. One camper noted that a Subaru needed assistance making it through. A campervan driver described the climb as nerve-wracking but manageable, while a 2025 review warns that trailers are a poor match for this road, particularly if the gate is closed and there is no room to turn around. Seasonal closures are also a real concern. At least one reviewer found the gate locked well into early summer, and another reported the road was undrivable even in a capable SUV during that period.
Once past the access challenges, campers report open views from the upper sections of the road. Sites fill up on weekends, so arriving early gives the best shot at a quieter pullout. Cell service is listed as available. Hermit Park Open Space, about 1.7 miles northeast, provides a more structured alternative with designated sites if the dispersed setup does not fit your plans.
Campers with high-clearance vehicles who do not mind roughing the road will find a no-cost, no-frills overnight stop worth checking out.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsForest Road 119 is located in Colorado near Estes Park
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
40.31834398 N
105.4885231 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 6/28/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/21/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/30/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 6/28/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/21/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/30/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- 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 Forest Road 119 needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 1 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 9 min from Fort Collins, CO
- 1 hr 13 min from Greeley, CO
- 1 hr 28 min from Denver, CO
