Pike National Forest's Guanella Pass corridor has seen a surge in dispersed camping demand since dispersed camping was closed on the pass itself, and Kirby Gulch has absorbed much of that overflow. The campground sits off Route 1038 roughly a mile past Geneva Park Campground, with the first mile of road holding no sites at all. The road is bumpy and rutted throughout, and low-clearance vehicles should stay away. Reviewers have seen Subarus and RAV4s navigate it at slow speeds, but high-clearance 4WD is the consistent recommendation, especially for sites beyond number 34 where the road narrows and roughens considerably.
The campground has around 41 to 48 designated sites total, spread along an ascending road that gets progressively more dispersed the farther in you go. Early sites are closer together and closer to road traffic, which can mean dust and passing vehicles. Sites past number 30 offer more spacing and less foot traffic. A creek runs through the area near the entrance, and as Chris P. notes, "the creek is a great place for kids to splash and play." Moose have been spotted by multiple campers moving through the area near sites, so keeping distance from wildlife is worth keeping in mind. Night temperatures drop noticeably even in July, so warm layers and rain gear are practical necessities.
Nearby trailheads give access to hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian routes throughout the Guanella Pass area. The Shelf Lake trail is a short drive away. A 4WD track continues past the upper sites toward a historic salt mine. Campers looking at places to camp around Pike National Forest will find several alternatives along this corridor, including Bruno Gulch Dispersed nearby, which reviewers note is better suited to horse camping.
Crowds are a real factor here. Weekends fill fast, and holiday weekends fill faster. Midweek arrivals have a much better chance of finding open sites. "We will return in the fall when hopefully it will be quiet," writes Chris P., reflecting a sentiment shared by several reviewers. No water, toilets, or hookups are available, so everything comes in with you and leaves the same way. Campers who arrive prepared for a primitive stay and plan their timing around the crowds will get the most out of what Kirby Gulch has to offer.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsKirby Gulch is located in Colorado near Montezuma
Coordinates
39.54263541 N
105.7449836 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
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
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 Kirby Gulch needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 37 min from Denver, CO
- 1 hr 47 min from Boulder, CO
- 2 hrs 14 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 23 min from Fort Collins, CO
