Looking for dispersed camping near Ault? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
Dispersed camping is also allowed on the Pawnee National Grassland, year-round. This provides an alternative to campground camping for those who want to experience the grassland the way people did in the past. No fee required. A Motor Vehicle Use Map will help you determine if you are on private or public land.
Free camping (dispersed) is allowed on most national forest lands except in highly developed areas - such as trailheads, campgrounds and picnic sites - and in some of our most visited places. Be sure to check for regulations in advance and look for signs in the area to indicate if camping is allowed.
Some areas allow camping in designated sites only.
Know Before You Go
Check the weather and road closures before heading up. Follow Leave No Trace principles. There are no facilities or trash receptacles. Pack out what you pack in. Make sure camping is allowed. Many lands within the national forest boundary are private or otherwise owned. Check that you’re on National Forest lands: maps. Don't stay too long. Camping is limited to 14 days within any continuous 30-day period at any location within the same 20-mile radius. See Order Plan on building a campfire? Campfire restrictions can occur any time of year. Check for fire restrictions and if you build a campfire, know how to extinguish it.
With a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on National Forest System lands. Restrictions protect resources, minimize road damage, and reduce conflicts between landowners and visitors. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in one location. After 14 days, the campsite must be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for another 14 days. Camping is restricted to 28 days in any 60-day period. Some areas may require the use of designated campsites, and some areas, such as Indian Peaks Wilderness, require camping permits. More than 40% of lands within Boulder Ranger District's boundaries are private property. It is your responsibility to know if you are on private or public land.
Free camping (dispersed) is allowed on most national forest lands except in highly developed areas - such as trailheads, campgrounds and picnic sites - and in some of our most visited places. Be sure to check for regulations in advance and look for signs in the area to indicate if camping is allowed.
Some areas allow camping in designated sites only.
Know Before You Go
Check the weather and road closures before heading up. Follow Leave No Trace principles. There are no facilities or trash receptacles. Pack out what you pack in. Make sure camping is allowed. Many lands within the national forest boundary are private or otherwise owned. Check that you’re on National Forest lands: maps. Don't stay too long. Camping is limited to 14 days.within any continuous 30-day period. at any location within the same 20-mile radius. see Order Plan on building a campfire? Campfire restrictions can occur any time of year. Check for fire restrictions and if you build a campfire, know how to extinguish it.
Free camping (dispersed) is allowed on most national forest lands except in highly developed areas - such as trailheads, campgrounds and picnic sites - and in some of our most visited places. Be sure to check for regulations in advance and look for signs in the area to indicate if camping is allowed.
Some areas allow camping in designated sites only.
Know Before You Go
Check the weather and road closures before heading up. Follow Leave No Trace principles. There are no facilities or trash receptacles. Pack out what you pack in. Make sure camping is allowed. Many lands within the national forest boundary are private or otherwise owned. Check that you’re on National Forest lands: maps. Don't stay too long. Camping is limited to 14 days within any continuous 30-day period at any location within the same 20-mile radius. See Order Plan on building a campfire? Campfire restrictions can occur any time of year. Check for fire restrictions and if you build a campfire, know how to extinguish it.
Dispersed camping is prohibited within ¼ mile of either side of South St. Vrain Creek beginning at the Ceran St. Vrain trailhead and ending ¼ mile from the intersection of South St. Vrain Creek and National Forest System Road 252.1. MAP: https://trails.colorado.gov/trailheads/ceran-2341
The easy Ceran Saint Vrain Trail follows the South Saint Vrain Creek downstream for 1.9 miles. The trail ends at National Forest System Road 252, a rough four-wheel drive road. This road climbs 0.5 miles northwest to a four-way intersection from which it is a steep half-mile to the left up to Miller Rock. Miller Rock is a scenic high-point that offers 360-degree views.
Motorized vehicles prohibited. Dispersed camping is allowed at sites that are least 200 feet away from the trailhead, trail and creek. Campfires are permissible unless seasonal restrictions are in effect (contact district office). Fishing and hunting are allowed in accordance with regulations established by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
$1 / night
Guide
Very windy area but nice enough for a quick stop driving though.
Traveler
-Moderate to heavy foot traffic -Busy, mostly big groups staying at sites having their own fun but plan ahead for finding a site -Friendly and respectful people -Very well maintained sites, trails, signage, and other infrastructure -I’d recommend at least AWD but 2wd should absolutely be able to go on the main road and access most sites (2-4) wil require awd/4wd
ScoutI went up Pole Hill road in a 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD off-road and it took everything in me to not scrape or bottom out. Lifted 4x4 is highly recommended.
Once you get past the off-road portion, the camping is amazing.
Scout
We parked in the parking lot and walked into the valley. After a while we found quite a lot of options with fireplaces already there. So you should mostly find something.
It is quiet, but also a popular spot for hikers so early in the morning, some people arrived. But you can camp far enough in the valley and away from the trail. Water is available if you have a purifier or filter system.
Scout
The road is still closed
Guide
You really want a 4x4 in this area to get to good spots. It’s crowded and can be sketchy in my experience as a fire fighter up there. Bike riders take offense to people shooting and vice versa. Can be loud at night and day with motorized vehicles.
Guide
Stayed here over a weekend and wanted to stay longer. Pulled our 33’ travel trailer and there were good spots off the road.
Scout
Great Verizon signal.
Windy but we more could hear the winds than feel them.
Bugs weren’t too bad. No animal (bear/moose) encounters or sightings, just lots of squirrels.
You can hear road noise from 36.
Driving down to town during the day, there were some people (probably from the adjacent campground) hiking the road.
Overall quiet at night (other than some road noise from 36). Not a bad spot!
TravelerCame up just before the sunset to the campsite and there were 3 other cars near to us. For a Saturday night it was no problem for us to find a site.
TravelerDrove out to this spot off Ski Road in Allenspark. Most spots sit on a creek that gives a good ambiance. Few spots need 4x4 or really good tires, but there’s a spot for everyone. Clear skies at night, but tree cover if you prefer. Quick drive to Estes Park. No Verizon cell service.
Traveler
Nice spots along the creek that runs along ski road.
TravelerAllenspark Dispersed Camping provides an exceptional spot to stay. Our spot was near the creek, the sound was beautiful. The only downside was absolutely no cell service. The directions landed us near someone’s home, however dispersed camping is about 1.5 miles further down Ski Rd. No fire due to the current fire ban.
Guide
had to drive pretty far on some dirt roads to get to the location maps took us too. also checked to see if there was service before going and said we would on verizon but not exactly true. there was some service at the sight we stayed at, 1 bar, but most of the road/sights there was nothing. not that odd for dispersed camping but just something to note.
we only saw one car drive in while we were there and saw a set up not too far from where we stayed but besides that didn’t hear or see anyone. very beautiful area and saw lots of deer on the drive in and drive out.
very good experience if you’re used to dispersed camping or being far from anyone else.
Guide4x4 drive is a requirement. Good Verizon signal. Narrow road, however not busy at all. Stayed here for 4 days, no issue. The Google Maps directions is slightly wrong. There is a paid camping ground at the entrance that Google Maps attempts to make you drive through. Do not follow this direction. Instead take the road directly next to the campground. Google Maps incorrectly mistakes a hiking path that connects with this dirt road.
GuideWe had the spot that was right on the creak. The sound of it made you fall right asleep! It was so so pretty! Only 30 minutes away from Estes Park. The only downside to it was that there was absolutely no service whatever.
TravelerAmazing spot to camp, prob top 5 dispersed spots in Colorado that ive been to so far. But unfortunately, the bears know about it and tear into cars. Bear opened our door (key fob was too close and unlocked) and ripped up food bags (Yes I know how to store food now, I've been lectured by a million people already), and we were not the only ones. Happend at 4am so we packed up and bounced, saw two other cars broken into by bears. We were actually woken up by the bear and scared it off but it really didn't feel like it needed to leave, just trotted away.
Traveler
We did not find a campsite right on the pin we drove up a little ways and came to a couple different dispersed spots. When you hit a Y in the road head left you will come across a couple fire pits. Great camping for dirt bikes, four wheelers and toys. We were right next to private property but the only ones out here.
GuideGreat area all up Pingree Park Rd. The spots you can stay in without being bothered are all in the first mile or two. Good road, rather washboarded, but go slow and you'll be fine.
The first main area, and the top of the first hill is the best. Two areas of sites, and the one on the left as you go up has access to the rocks on the hill, which are from another world. Best sunset spot by far.
Farther up, there's a road, 127, off to the left with even more spots. The ones at the top of here have a veiw of the mountains on the north side of Estes park: Stormy, Evaline, the Mummy Range, etc.
ScoutDon’t believe the navigation apps and go through lyons, it’s private property ; furthermore if you like I did make the drive though Estes park, have 4WD high clearance and a small vehicle… maybe you’ll make it to this brutally elusive last free camping spot off the main mountain roads
Traveler
There seems to be a number of sites up in this area. Maybe 5 or so as far as I can tell so far. I think it’s great and it was just what we were looking for. No water source that I know of.
GuideVisited the national park nearby and needed a place to camp. Kind of confusing at first because you go through a neighborhood first & then hit the camping spots. A bit rocky but was able to get where we needed to go in a rav4. Right next to a creek, nice to have a water feature.
GuideMy 2wd van made it up a little but I couldn’t get passed one of the big hills. Not very many sites.
GuideSeems like some long term campers take up the couple of open spots that exist here. Good if you can snag the spot. Signs were posted about no fires
Scout
We liked the spot and the view was pretty but it was too close to the road AND twice our dog had some kind of reaction. Honestly, it looked like he was high. He started out looking sleepy and swaying as his eyes became heavy. He was very lethargic with dilated pupils. The first time we thought it was heat stroke so we took extra precautions but our third night there both of our dogs exhibited the same symptoms. Our smaller dog was barely responsive and we thought he was going to die. We never found out what it was...no ticks either.
ScoutWe came up on a Friday afternoon and found a really nice spot right away. Camp sites have a good amount of room, spaced to allow privacy, and easy to get in and out of. Peaceful and quiet, surrounded by mountain views. loved it all the way around.
GuideThe road is steep, but nothing crazy. Our RAV4 has no issues at all. After the yogi bear campground the turn is on the right, kind of hidden. Head up until you see some campfire rings on the left. If you go a little off to the left on the first big turnoff, there are several good spots further from the road.
We got up on a Friday night and we're next to only one other couple. By Sunday all the spots were taken at some point. Dogs had plenty of space to roam. Not too crowded, and also not far from lake Estes.
ScoutDecent drive and not hard to find. This is not meant for travel trailers, pop ups, or anything except texts. Even then, while the 1 area was tiny, the second was large and open for the ground was all dust- ash. Super filthy and made a mess of everything. Also, that road is wicked and jagged. 4x4 and smaller trucks only. Not a great place in my opinion.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ault, Colorado, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers a range of options for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ault, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ault, CO is Pawnee Buttes - Dispersed Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 18 reviews.
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