The sound of Hayden Creek is hard to miss. Sites along this dispersed corridor in San Isabel National Forest sit close enough to the water that the creek runs as constant background noise, and in early summer, when snowmelt keeps flows high, that sound carries well into the night. The access road is dirt but manageable for most vehicles, including larger rigs that reviewers have brought in without issue.
Flat, shaded tent sites line the road at intervals, with boulders placed by the Forest Service to keep vehicles from driving too far into the riparian area. Fire pits are present at multiple spots. Crowd levels tend to stay low even on weekends, though this is first come, first served, so arriving early on a Friday gives a better shot at the sites closest to the water. A small gas station is nearby for fuel and ice; full resupply runs take roughly 45 minutes.
Cell coverage drops out along the road and does not return until about two miles toward the highway. Plan downloads, maps, and communications before leaving the main road. Kat B. sums up the draw simply: "Would come back for the quiet and the creek access alone." The nearby Hayden Creek Road campground and Coaldale Campground offer developed alternatives if dispersed camping does not fit your setup. Flies can be a nuisance in summer, so bug spray and a head net are worth packing.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsHayden Creek Roadside Camp is located in Colorado near Coaldale
Coordinates
38.33001195 N
105.8161372 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- 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 Hayden Creek Roadside Camp needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 30 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 51 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 43 min from Denver, CO
- 3 hrs 6 min from Boulder, CO
