Avon is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Avon campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Avon, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"It is a hidden gem. You can drive or walk down a mile which leads to a trail to Lost Lake, which you can swim in."
"Plenty of dispersed camping up Red Sandstone Road. Go 2.5 miles up a smooth dirt road once you leave the paved road to reach the start of camping (head right at a junction after those 2.5 miles)."
"WARNING: The road to the camping locations is very bumpy, narrow, and has some large rocks. AWD with high clearance or 4x4 is recommended.
This location was great!"
"This spot was easily accessible with high clearance. I arrived at 11am on Wednesday July 3 and only two sites were occupied."
$8 / night
"No electric hook ups. We brought in our 27foot camper and had a spectacular visit. Quiet area. Creek at entrance."
"There was a park ranger on site at the time we were there so that provided a sense of security while being more in the back country."
"Bumpy and narrow road in but beautiful views once you get to the top."
"Nice dispersed camping spot. There are a few along the road, we went just passed the Tigawon community house and found a great spot with a view, and fire pit!"
"Level and had a turn around for a larger rig. Many tent sites around. Road is in good shape."
"Firewood is not for sale nearby and the forest doesn't have much, so you should bring your own."
"Road is fine for high clearance. But all of us with 4wD ask that you move over for us."
"I can see this area being busy all year around, definitely on 4th of july weekend. Wish I could’ve found an open site to spend a night!"
"Absolutely requires four-wheel drive for two and a half miles of extremely rough unpaved road that goes up a thousand feet."
"Bringing one up could lead to a serious situation , since there are no places to turn around whatsoever. That said, views were absolutely breathtaking."
"There are ~10 free dispersed camping sites along Piney River Road leading up to the resort on the lake. The sites are all drive in, but no amenities."
"Blue Lake is by far one of the most serene glacial lakes in the area and offers multiple primitive camp sites designated by fire rings."
"Great spot for car camping on a road trip like I was. Not far off the main interstate and little to no noise from the smaller highway that passes nearby."
"Great location. Kinda busy some nights. A lot of in and out vans/campers. Stay 1 night or two and on their way.
15 mins from town and everything you need."
RangerKirby Gulch is a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience near Grant, Colorado. Situated off Route 1038, this dispersed camping area offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and wildlife watching.
The campsites are well-spaced, providing plenty of privacy, and the area is generally clean, thanks to considerate campers. Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so make sure to come prepared. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for accessing some of the sites, especially after rain or snow.
What makes Kirby Gulch truly special is its tranquility. You can enjoy the sound of the wind through the trees, the crisp mountain air, and dazzling stargazing at night. It’s also a great starting point for exploring nearby trails or simply soaking in the serene environment.
If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and leave-no-trace principles, Kirby Gulch is a hidden gem worth checking out.
GuideHad a quick stop over here on the way to Dinosaur National Monument. No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs. There are no facilities ie: Toilets, power, water or fire pits. The road was easy no need for high clearance or 4wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee. Only 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs. Would stay again 9/10 would recommend.
Remember to pack in pack out.
LegendStevens Gulch Road (321) is a dirt road off of I-70 west of Denver in the Arapaho & Rosevelt National Forests and the Pawnee National Grasslands. It has amazing scenery and access to gorgeous hiking trails to summit Gray’s, Torrey’s and Kelso Peaks. It is a fairly mellow SUV road with plenty of space to pass other vehicles and you will occasionally see passenger cars as well. The road leads to a large parking lot that fills up fast with car overflow parking spilling down both sides of the road. There are pit toilets and bear proof trash cans at the parking lot. The road continues past the parking lot a very short ways to some dispersed campsites by a river that have stone campfire rings. Definitely filter this water as there are uphill toilet paper gardens along the climb to summit.
GuideWe drove our BRAND NEW 4x4 Revel and were nervous the entire trip up and back. We are a high profile vehicle, luckily we had plenty of clearance but it was very nerve wracking both up and back. It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving.
Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake. When you arrive, there are several dispersed campsites around the lake. All the spots have beautiful views and tons of space between other campers. There are firepits (even though CO is on a fire ban) that will be nice for future visits. We visited on Sept 17-19, 2020, so the evenings are cold and the days short. Additionally, the water level was very low.
The area is nice for hiking and exploring, and especially to get away from it all. No cell phone service.
As the weekend approached, there were several ATV's heading up for the day. While we were there, only 3 other groups camping on the weekend.
You will be at 11,000 feet looking at the Continental Divide! THIS is Colorado camping! Enjoy and please remember to leave no trace!
RangerStunningly beautiful dispersed camping at its best. To find the most precious spot you need to get to Forest service Road 130 S as in South. There is a forest service ranger station on the south side of Leadville where you can get a motor vehicle use map MVUM. But even without a map the roads are marked. 130 starts near Highway 24 on the west side across from massive lakes, near a large bank of mailboxes. You'll see a sign asking you to respect the private property owners rights. Just keep going up the hill and you will find the forest service signage indicating the public lands. Many people don't go much further. But the truly spectacular sites are a couple miles further. The roads are narrow and steep but manageable. Keep going down 130 until you reach an intersection with 130A and 130 B, A goes north and B goes south. But keep going till you reach a T intersection. 160 goes north and 130 S goes south. Go left, south till you reach a slightly challenging switch back. Just on the other side of the switchback is a wide open space with room for many rigs including good size trailers. Very quiet with very little traffic of any kind. The Leadville 100 foot race goes right by every August.
ScoutThere are many sites all over the place up there. Some are big enough for groups of RV's some are small, private tent spots. Some offer magicians views others are in dense vegetation along water. We found no cell reception for miles. There are easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails". No services, no running water, no electric, no cable TV, no bathrooms, no showers, no dump stations, no picnic tables, etc. It's the forest.
GuideThis is beautiful camping close to keystone and likewise gets crowded in the summer months. If you want a spot on a weekend, get there early. There are a few pull offs along the road suitable for most cars, but if you have a high clearance 4WD you can go on a few offshoot roads and find more spacious spots. No cell phone signal or water, and frequent fire bans in the summer.
GuideWent up Rollins pass road (you can access it from the Lakota Trail neighborhood or down the road a bit on 80). The first gate was open but not the second or third to get to the top where there are def more spots and fire rings. You can only camp places where there are dots on the side of the road on the official county map. Check the Rollins pass website it’s very informative and a sacred land so leave no trace. We got one of the like 3-4 spots we saw with a fire ring that wasn’t taken yet. (No fire ban 6/14/25 I check don’t worry :).. Some back trails are very hairy, pretty busy with motor vehicles but a lot of the new electric dirt bikes which don’t make much noise, probably 10-15 ppl the entire night riding by only once. Got great weather and the main trail is pretty easy up to the second gate which is supposed to be open June 15-Sept 15 I think.
TravelerThe sites are plentiful large, but you’ll require a decent 4x4 vehicle to get you there. The further along the path you travel, the more rugged it becomes; so most people seemingly settled for the first few spots. Personally, site 5, 8, and 11 are best. Almost every site has a bear-proof box you can store food (or hide?) within, which is nice. Sites are also far enough apart to mitigate any privacy concerns, and albeit the current fire ban - come equipped with existing fire pits.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Avon, Colorado, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these spots offer a perfect escape for adventurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at primitive camping sites near Avon?
Primitive camping sites near Avon are truly minimalist experiences with few or no amenities. At Forest Road 130, you'll find stunningly beautiful dispersed camping but no facilities - pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Similarly, Four Mile Road Dispersed offers no toilets, power, water, or fire pits. Most primitive sites feature existing fire rings only, though some areas like Lincoln Creek have bear-proof boxes at select sites. Cell service is typically unavailable or unreliable. For slightly more amenities, check designated areas like Tigiwon Road, which may offer vault toilets. Always bring your own water, toilet supplies, and food storage containers when primitive camping.
What vehicles are suitable for car camping near Avon?
Vehicle requirements vary significantly depending on which dispersed camping area you choose near Avon. For easier access sites, standard passenger vehicles can reach places like Bellyache Road and some areas along Homestake Reservoir Rd. However, many prime spots require high-clearance vehicles or 4WD. Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping has challenging access requiring 4x4 with good clearance. Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground similarly demands decent 4x4 vehicles, with road conditions becoming more rugged the further you go. For most dispersed camping near Avon, an SUV with moderate clearance is the minimum recommended, while a proper 4WD vehicle will provide access to the more remote and less crowded camping locations.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Avon?
Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Avon. Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed offers free camping with drive-in access, making it a convenient option for those looking to explore the Avon area. Another great option is Piney River Road Dispersed Camping, which provides beautiful mountain views and accessible camping spots. When dispersed camping, remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, camp at least 100 feet from water sources, and use existing fire rings where available. Most dispersed sites in national forests around Avon are free but typically lack facilities, so come prepared with everything you need, including water and waste disposal plans.
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