Rocky and narrow, the access road into McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping sets the tone immediately. The entrance follows a groomed gravel road toward the McCullough Gulch Trailhead, but individual site roads branch off from there and range from manageable to genuinely rough. Sites are numbered and signed, with at least ten confirmed by recent visitors. The campground sits within White River National Forest, free to use, with fire rings at most sites and no fee required.
Vehicle type matters here more than at most dispersed areas. Sites 1 through 3 can work for AWD cars or small trailers, though turning around is tight and some parking areas slope enough to make leveling a trailer difficult. Sites 4 and beyond get progressively rougher, with one reviewer noting a road too steep to attempt in an AWD SUV. The heavily wooded terrain also blocks satellite internet signals, so Starlink users should plan accordingly. Temperatures swing sharply, with mid-summer nights dropping into the low 40s even when daytime highs are comfortable.
The location doubles as a base for hiking. The McCullough Gulch Trail, accessed by walking toward the trailhead from camp, leads to a waterfall and mountain lake, and a shuttle bus runs along the road to bring hikers back. Quandary Peak is also within reach for those planning a summit attempt. Magambi .. notes that "parking is not allowed at trailhead," making a campsite here a practical staging point. Campers wanting developed facilities or more campgrounds around Blue River can find additional options in the surrounding area, while Hoosier Pass Dispersed Camping provides a comparable free alternative a couple of miles to the south.
Description
Ten sites in this area have been designated. Summit County does not allow parking along McCullough Gulch Road (County Road 851). Visitors must drive off of the county road and toward the campsites before parking. Sites 2 and 8 are suitable for some trailers. Sites 7-10 are high clearance vehicle recommended. AT&T cell service is intermittent at sites 1-6.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMcCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping is located in Colorado near Blue River
Coordinates
39.39472485417306 N
106.05910937078943 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 7/28/26
Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/28/26- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 40 usersLast on 7/28/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 7/28/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/28/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 40 usersLast on 7/28/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
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 McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 38 min from Denver, CO
- 1 hr 48 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 59 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 23 min from Fort Collins, CO
