Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland manages this free dispersed camping area outside Empire, Colorado, where sites are scattered along Steuart Road and around Loch Lomond Lake itself. The road in is the first thing to understand. It is rough and rocky throughout, requiring higher ground clearance than a standard sedan. Most SUVs and pickups handle it without issue, but the drive from the coordinates to a campsite can take 25 minutes or more. Campers who make it up find campgrounds around Empire are generally less remote than what this area provides.
Sites are not formally marked, so campers choose their own spots. Those who push further toward the lake tend to find positions with open sightlines toward the surrounding mountains and water. Wildlife encounters are reported regularly. Cell coverage is intermittent, with some Verizon users picking up 5G signal at the lake and on the trail toward Ice Lake.
The trail network is a main draw. A loop around the lake is accessible without technical difficulty, and a direct route to James Peak, which sits just above 13,200 feet, runs roughly 3.5 miles straight uphill. From the summit, views extend over Winter Park and the surrounding ranges. "Lake is beautiful but you can hike up to three more lakes," notes Cameron B. Afternoon weather changes fast at this elevation. Layers and rain gear are worth packing regardless of the forecast.
Nearby alternatives include Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail to the west and Fall River road to the southeast, both worth considering for those exploring the broader area. Campers comfortable with rough access roads and self-sufficient camping will find Loch Lomond worth the drive.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLoch Lomond Dispersed is located in Colorado near Empire
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
39.81327 N
105.65602 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 8/28/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 8/28/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 8/28/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 8/28/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 8/28/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 8/28/26
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
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
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 Loch Lomond Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 3 min from Denver, CO
- 1 hr 13 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 45 min from Greeley, CO
- 1 hr 49 min from Fort Collins, CO
