Dispersed tent camping sites around Blue River, Colorado range between 9,000-11,000 feet elevation throughout White River and Pike National Forests. Summer nighttime temperatures frequently drop into the 40s even during July and August, requiring appropriate gear for temperature fluctuations. Most access roads require 1-2 miles of travel on unpaved forest service routes that can become challenging after rainfall.
What to do
Hike to alpine lakes: McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping provides easy access to the popular McCullough Gulch Waterfall trail. A camper noted, "My partner and I hiked the McCullough Gulch Waterfall trail and camped at this campground. Couldn't have been a better location for the hike!"
Off-road exploration: Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping connects to several 4WD trails for day adventures. According to a recent visitor, "Beautiful area with 30 campsites, in a cool old mining area... Overall great stay, some fun off roading trails near by and beautiful views."
Wildlife observation: Sites at Spruce Creek/Crystal Creek feature multiple established camping clearings suitable for tent camping in forest settings. A reviewer mentioned, "Site 4 featured 3 well established campfire rings, one with a lean-to. The three spots are separated enough to enjoy with seclusion, also had plenty of parking."
What campers like
Seclusion without isolation: Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping offers sites with varying privacy levels. One camper shared, "One of the best parts was the privacy. Our site was far enough from the neighboring spots that we couldn't see or hear other campers, making it feel peaceful and secluded."
Creek access: Multiple sites along Peru Creek Road provide water proximity for filtering and cooling supplies. A visitor explained, "We stayed at site 14 with fantastic access to Peru Creek; our doggos loved it, and the Lewanee trail was right down the road."
Stargazing opportunities: The higher elevation tent sites provide exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Spruce Creek noted, "This site required AWD and good clearance to get to, but well worth it and offered a good out of the way camping experience and great star gazing opportunity as there was a new moon when we went, so saw plenty of shooting stars and the milky way!"
What you should know
Road conditions vary seasonally: McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping access requires vehicle consideration. A visitor cautioned, "Road was rocky but not that rough, easy to handle in a Crosstrek so 4x4 and high clearance vehicles should be fine. Very narrow with branches on both sides so beware of that if you have a wide vehicle."
Fire regulations: Always check current fire restrictions before your trip to tent camping areas near Blue River. Seasonal bans are common, particularly July through September.
Site selection timing: Most dispersed tent sites fill quickly on summer weekends. A camper at Peru Creek Road shared, "We arrived in a Thursday afternoon in late August and were pleasantly surprised to find several spots still available, even later in the day."
Weather preparation: Temperature extremes are common even in summer. A visitor warned, "Temps were high 70s in the evenings and low 40s at night in mid July so prepare with layers."
Tips for camping with families
Choose established sites: Kite Lake campground offers designated camping with basic facilities. A visitor noted, "The campsite itself is pretty modest, there are only a few designated spots but plenty of area for extra tents. Each spot had a metal fire ring and a picnic table."
Pack for temperature changes: Alpine tent camping requires comprehensive gear regardless of season. Multiple reviewers mentioned unexpected temperature drops, even in summer months.
Water filtration: Bring adequate filtration equipment if planning to use stream water at Blue River tent camping areas. No potable water is available at dispersed sites.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for potential wildlife encounters. A Boreas Pass camper mentioned, "Wildlife was another highlight—there were clear signs of moose activity nearby, and fellow campers just up the road mentioned seeing a moose wander around their site."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed tent camping areas near Blue River have limited turning radius for larger vehicles. A visitor to McCullough Gulch noted, "If you are in a tent, these may provide some great options. We went by the first 6 sites. Even with our lifted AWD van, there were sites we didn't want to drive up to."
Scout before committing: Forest roads can become impassable quickly. "Very easy flat dirt road I can see a sedan making it up there slowly. Potholes and few rocky bumps exist. Since it's flat some 4WD people tend to drive faster so please be cautious of others especially on the turns," advised one Boreas Pass Road camper.
Parking placement: Consider your position carefully when tent camping in these areas. A review at Peru Creek explained, "Most sites are only slightly off the road. Not ideal for me. I was lucky to get site 17. Best view in my opinion. Road is fine for high clearance."
