Camper submitted image from Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed - 3
Water
Camper submitted image from Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed - 4
People
Camper submitted image from Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed - 5
Roads

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed

Hermosa Park Road 578 offers dispersed camping in the San Juan National Forest, surrounded by forested terrain and mountain views. Temperatures can range from 30°F in the colder months to 80°F during the warmer season. Nearby attractions include the scenic Hermosa Creek Trail and the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Description

USDA Forest Service

San Juan National Forest

Hermosa Park Road 578 corridor: Parking a motorized or mechanized vehicle is restricted to one vehicle length off of designated routes and spurs only (not 300 feet off the 578). Sig Creek Campground has been decommissioned, but the road, campsites and toilet are open for dispersed camping until new campground is built near Upper Hermosa Trailhead.

The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection legislation, passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in December, 2014, created the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area (SMA) and the adjacent 37,236-acre Hermosa Creek Wilderness. The Hermosa Creek SMA is located within Hermosa Creek watershed between Highway 550 and the Hermosa Creek Wilderness. Check out the Hermosa Watershed Protected Area Map for SMA boundaries.

Due to the SMA designation, special travel management rules and seasonal closures apply to the area. All users are required to stay on designated trails in the Hermosa Creek SMA; new routes must not be created when trails are impassable.

Please note, in 2018, the Hermosa Creek Watershed experienced the 54,000-acre "416 Fire". As a result, there are burned area hazards in the Hermosa Creek Watershed. Entry into burned areas is at your own risk. Some trails will be impassable, and hazards such as falling trees, unstable soils, and debris flows will exist.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Durango, CO: There are two main access points to the Hermosa Creek SMA. Lower Hermosa Creek Road #576: Head north approximately 10 miles on U.S. 550. Turn left (west) onto Co Rd 201. After 240 yards, turn right to stay on Co Rd 201. Continue straight onto FR 576 for 3.5 miles. Hermosa Park Road, #578: Head north approximately 26 miles on U.S. 550. Turn left (west) into Purgatory Ski Resort. Continue onto Hermosa Park Road, FR #578.

Coordinates

37.63161512 N
107.86548075 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • 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 Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed needs a permit.

Drive Time


Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

50%
0%
0%
50%
0%

3.5

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2022

Close to road

Road to get there zigzagging up above ski resort. Camping spots off road. Gets quite a bit of cars, atv’s, quads, and cars passing by. Not really worth the drive to get there. Sig campground wanted $17 a night, and this place should of been free. Just not well maintained at all. Maybe 7 spots, with a pit toilet. If you made it to sig, look for 578 letter signs. These spots good for 1-2 nights, might be better spots down the road? AT&T no bars. Got pretty chilly at night so bring warm coverings.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed by Christopher E., June 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed by Christopher E., June 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed by Christopher E., June 22, 2022
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2022

Beautiful sights with the sound of water

All the way down Hermosa Park Road (578) it's beautiful. We probably saw upwards of 15 (Probably more) dispersed camping spots until you hit hermosa camping loup where a lot of people bike. We found a gem of a spot across from Sigs Creek (paid) camping area that has the sig creek running north to south and the Hermosa Creek running east to west. There was also an awesome small water fall next to camp you could get in. Litterally, we were surrounded by water on 3 sides. The water was about 6" to 1' deep with the occasional Colorado Brook trout showing up. With a license and barbless hooks you can catch and release.

Some spots can be close to others. But overall they are spaces far enough that nobody can be heard. Only can see them from a distance.

We had no cell service and we use t-mobile. The closest gas station is about 8-10 miles away incase you forget something, which we did. We stayed 3 days and 3 nights and had an amazing time.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed by Jared T., June 16, 2022
  • Review photo of Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed by Jared T., June 16, 2022
  • Review photo of Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed by Jared T., June 16, 2022
  • (13) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed?

    Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed is located at 9322 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Hermosa Park Road 578 - Dispersed?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is unknown.