Best Dispersed Camping near Buena Vista, CO

Dispersed camping dominates the landscape surrounding Buena Vista, Colorado, with numerous free sites scattered throughout nearby national forests and BLM lands. Popular areas include North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping, which serves as a gateway to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, and Cottonwood Lake Dispersed Camping, offering scenic mountain views. Raspberry Gulch and Browns Creek South provide spacious sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping. Elephant Rock Campground, situated along the Arkansas River just a few miles north of town, features approximately a dozen sites with access to whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and hiking trails. Most dispersed sites maintain primitive conditions with established fire rings but no amenities, making them ideal for self-sufficient campers seeking solitude.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many sites requiring high-clearance vehicles for safe access. As one camper noted, "The road in is a bit bumpy. Four-wheel-drive is needed if it should get wet or slippery." County roads leading to trailheads often start paved but transition to rough gravel routes that can become challenging after rain or snow. Elevations typically range from 8,000-10,000 feet, resulting in cool nights even during summer months, with temperatures commonly dropping into the 40s overnight. Cell service remains limited or nonexistent at most sites. The standard 14-day stay limit applies to public lands, and rangers do monitor compliance. Fire restrictions frequently occur during dry periods, making it essential to check current regulations before planning campfires.

Mountain views and proximity to outdoor recreation consistently receive praise in visitor reviews. Sites near water sources, particularly along the Arkansas River and various creeks, tend to fill quickly during peak season. A visitor to Stone Cabin reported, "Great location, 10 minutes from Buena Vista and 30 minutes from Mt. Yale. We chose a site right next to the river and had great views with tons of space." Wildlife sightings, including mule deer, birds, and occasionally bears, enhance the camping experience. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, including afternoon thunderstorms and significant temperature fluctuations. Most dispersed sites lack water sources, requiring visitors to bring adequate supplies or filtration systems for nearby streams. The region's combination of accessibility and wilderness appeal makes it particularly popular for basecamp-style trips to summit nearby 14,000-foot peaks.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Buena Vista, Colorado (152)

    1. Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site

    18 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Found an area right off the Colorado Trail trailhead. You don’t really need 4wd, but it is a dirt road and some parts are less smooth than others. Very close drive to the Mt Princeton Hot Springs"

    "Located at the bottom of Mount Princeton (14,199 ft) and Mount Antero (14,275 ft). 270-272 is one of the most unpleasant roads I’ve driven, but worth the traverse. Sites are heavily shaded."

    2. North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    7 miles

    "Bare bones but beautiful camping opportunity conveniently located near the trailhead to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area in Colorado

    Campground Review:

    Needing a spot to serve as a staging area"

    "Tons of sites along the road leading up to the trailhead. They vary in size and flatness. Managed to find a spot less than a quarter mile from the trailhead coming in late on a Thursday."

    3. Cottonwood Lake Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    "This dispersed camping area is just down the road from Cottonwood Lake and its main campground."

    "Beautiful area, great location with plenty to do, but docked a star because it was packed! We arrived before noon on a Friday morning."

    4. Buena Vista Overlook

    5 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 269-8500

    "This was my first go at dispersed camping in my new travel trailer.  Google Maps took me to the right location off of 285 and the dirt roads were manageable."

    "Google Maps led me in on a road with a locked gate from the south, and a really rough road in from BV, so I wouldn't trust it."

    5. Elephant Rock Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    3 miles

    "Beautiful river thats an easy walk, great neighbors, cool breeze otherwise!!!"

    6. Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Big wide dispersed camping spaces. Plenty of nice hiking - especially Brown's Creek area. Great location with easy drive to Buena Vista & Salida & Mt. Princeton."

    "Awesome location between Salida and Buena Vista. Keep driving thru the gate and find your own piece of paradise. We have a 24’ RV and out spot, buried in the tall pines, was an easy in and out."

    7. Midland Bike Trail Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 269-8500

    "campsite is dry, with flat spots and the view is stunning."

    "Half a dozen spots along the road, camping in designated sites only gorgeous views, bike trails are awesome"

    8. Twin Lakes Dispersed

    18 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "I live around the corner from Twin Lakes so it's literally my backyard getaway.. Most recently spent the 4th of July out here. It's all BLM camping equiped with fire pits."

    "came friday evening and it was very hard ti find a spot. so many people. eventually found one and it’s beautiful. the lakes are gorgeous. if you don’t have an RV using the bathroom is tough since you are"

    9. Chaffee County Road 390 Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    16 miles
    Website

    "Located near the town of Granite, this forest service road is host to trailheads and lots of dispersed camping."

    "Pros

    • Easy access. "

    10. CR 306 -Dispersed Site

    4 Reviews
    Buena Vista, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 539-3591

    "Quite a few driveways that look like they’re leading to a residential area but there are very few homes especially a half mile from the Denny Creek trailhead."

    "We were trying to stay at Collegiate Peaks Campground but it filled up on a Friday afternoon so we back tracked to Avalanche TH and found some dispersed spots actoss the street."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Buena Vista, CO

608 Reviews of 152 Buena Vista Campgrounds


  • Lise F.
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping

    Space and Views!!

    We camped here for 4 nights in August 2020. It was so peaceful. Big wide dispersed camping spaces. Plenty of nice hiking - especially Brown's Creek area. Great location with easy drive to Buena Vista & Salida & Mt. Princeton. The only drawback was, well, August dryness & no water nearby. This was our first dispersed camping experience and we realize no facilities. There is one bathroom near the Brown's Creek trailhead about 2 miles away from where we camped, but we had a camper. Also, no picnic tables at all. AND cows roam freely throughout the area - drive slowly & respect them - listen for moos & coyote howls. Great bird-watching too. We enjoyed it so much!!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2023

    Forest Road 130

    Absolutely awesome

    Stunningly 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.

  • Tommie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2018

    North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    Ranger Review: Wild Zora Foods at North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camp

    Bare bones but beautiful camping opportunity conveniently located near the trailhead to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area in Colorado

    Campground Review:

    Needing a spot to serve as a staging area for a planned backpacking trip into the Collegiate Peak Wilderness Area of Colorado, my group discovered this gem. County roads (CR) that access national forests in Colorado often have primitive but established camping spots. Since we were going to start our backpacking trip from the North Cottonwood Trailhead, we searched online to make sure that the access road, CR 365 offered dispersed camping.

    After a nice meal in nearby Buena Vista, Co, we headed out on the 7-8 mile drive to the trailhead. Now 7-8 miles on a CR isn’t always the same as a similar distance on a paved road. The first 3 miles on the drive from town center were paved and were navigated quickly and easily. The next few miles were not and driving became more of an adventure and slowed dramatically. While in the end we saw 2 WD vehicles at the trailhead, I would suggest that at a minimum you should have a high clearance FWD vehicle. Our Subaru Outback AWD served us well. The drive took us around 30 minutes.

    2 miles away from the trailhead, you pass a Colorado Trail access point with parking and vault toilets. IMPORTANT: there are no toilets past this point on CR 365 and no facilities at the North Cottonwood Trailhead.

    We ended up driving all the way up to the trailhead to know what to expect for the next morning when we would start the hike. We then headed back down CR 365 about a mile to some of the more attractive looking camping sites along the road. In all, I would suspect you pass 15-20 opportunities along the road. Some of them are small, single vehicle, single tent areas and others could handle multiple groups.

    We ended up finding a pull off point that had a gravel road that accessed several campsites. You are encouraged to find sites that have been used in the past and most will have a fire pit. Always check with the ranger stations to see if fires are allowed in the area at the time.

    Since this site had a gravel road that took you 50-100 yards off the CR, you really felt the seclusion. The CR is not heavily traveled (maybe 6 cars used it from 7pm to 6am the next morning while we were there), being off the road really made this a nice site. The sites that are accessed via side gravel roads do have road designations. The one we chose was 365B and was clearly marked with a reflective post sign.

    The sites are adorned with pines and aspens. We were also near a stream that provided us beautiful sounds to fall asleep to. Spacing between sites is significant so you do feel remote and won’t hear much if anything from other campers. Our site had a rock fire ring but firewood is scarce so if you want a campfire, you will need to bring some with you. There is no running water at these sites but the stream is flowing and with a filtration system, you can easily fill up. No tables or benches are in the area.

    Does a bear … in the woods? Well yes and you will need to as well. This area’s minimum suggested practice was to dig your “cat hole” at least 6 inches deep, 100 feet or more away from water, camping and trail locations. Degradable toilet paper, no wipes, was suggested.

    The site was beautiful, primitive, remote, and convenient. Everything we were looking for. We experienced temperatures of 70’s during the day and mid 40’s at night. We did have the typical misty rain in the evening but it didn’t last long and the ground absorbed it well. You are at around 9500 feet above sea level so you may feel the effects of the altitude. It served as a great place for this “flatlander” to get acclimated.

    Not a site for someone that needs amenities. But if you love the thought of a controlled, primitive site, this will be right up your alley!

    Gear Review: Wild Zora Foods

    See a quick video summary of the product HERE.

    As a Dyrt Ranger gear tester, I often get opportunities to evaluate camping related products during my outdoor adventures. On this outing, I was able to pack a variety of Wild Zora snacks and meals to help fuel this physically demanding trip.

    The genesis for Wild Zora began in 2011 with a family that discovered the benefits of Gluten-Free, Paleo, and Primal foods. After developing their own, sharing with friends and family, the founders decided to package and offer their creations to the public. They offer meat and veggie bars, paleo meals to go, soups and teas. All are claimed to be prepared with minimally processed, high quality ingredients. The company states that it is mindful of diet restrictions and allergies.

    Testing conditions:

    I tested the product over several weeks under somewhat adverse but consistent conditions. The food was used to fuel a physically demanding trip where calorie dense foods were needed. I needed to be able to consume around 4000 calories a day to be able to backpack for miles and to climb 14,000 foot Colorado peaks. Space and weight were taken into consideration as well. We would be preparing the meals at high elevation which would affect how long and effective reconstitution of the dehydrated food would take. During most of the cooking times, temperatures were between 40-60 degrees.

    Things that stood out:

    · Conveniently packaged. Durable with no excessive packaging.

    · Shelf life was way longer than what I needed for this trip so if any was left over, it would keep for my next trip.

    · The meals and flavors offered are not limited to your common camping meals offered by others. CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE FLAVORS!

    · There is no shortage of flavor in the meals. Nothing bland about them.

    · Ingredients are top shelf and the meals and snacks have such a short but impressive ingredient list, you know you are doing your body good.

    My preferences for improvement:

    · Adjustment needed in how I ate it because of the dimensions of the meal packages. Narrow and tall vs short and wide made me adjust how I consumed the meal.

    Summary of experience with Wild Zora:

    These meals are POPPING with flavor! Since what we like in our meals is a personal preference, some may not like the strong flavors but I loved them. I am a little adventurous with my food and the flavors in all the meals I tried were distinct and pleasing – think gourmet vs fast food.

    The food is packaged with the outdoor enthusiast in mind. Easy to tuck away in my backpack without being a space or weight hog and the snacks were perfect when I went “peakbagging” with a smaller daypack. Calorie dense. I was able to easily take 4 meat/veggie bars with my on mountain climbs and averaged 120 calories a bar. The bars provided satisfying protein and fat calories that complimented my quick carb foods I packed.

    Will absolutely be a part of my meals on future adventures. See a quick summary of the product HERE.

  • Sydney R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Stone Cabin

    Overall Great Site

    Great location, 10 minutes from Buena Vista and 30 minutes from Mt. Yale. Site was easy to access, and the roads are fine for 2WD. We visited fourth of July weekend and still had multiple spots to choose from. We chose a site right next to the river and head great views with tons of space.

  • Morgan Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2020

    Brush Creek Dispersed - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Beautiful Dispersed Camping Near MTB Trails

    Travel a few miles down Brush Creek Trail. After passing Strand Hill MTB trail you will get to a split in the road. The left turn will take you up a deeply rutted 4WD road towards Teocalli Ridge MTB trail. Lots of beautiful camping on this road. But it can be tough sledding when it is wet. If you stay to the right you will get to a flat where many people will camp. You can get a smaller RV/Trailer/Sprinter here very easily. If you are intrepid - and have a good 4WD with some clearance - you can continue through the creek and up the hill where superb, quiet dispersed camping exists. 

    Leave no trace.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping

    Good but not great

    Tarryall creek dispersed camping. The road in is a bit bumpy. I would not trade in a low clearance vehicle. Four-wheel-drive is needed if it should get wet or slippery. Once you get onto the road, the sites are big and spacious. This is dispersed camping, so there is no water no electric and very little cell service. We have periodic two bars of Verizon. The sites are definitely big enough to accommodate big rigs. You just have to take the road really slowly on the way up. If you carry on all the way up to 10, you get to fenced areas where there is no camping so we took 293 off to the left and immediately after the Turner a couple of sites. We followed it all the way down for a long way. The road is incredibly bumpy and four-wheel-drive is absolutely necessary. Along with high clearance. I would not advise it for big rigs. The Site that we got just on the left after the turn walls reasonably wide. Big enough to get a big rig into. It’s pretty flat too but it’s also very exposed. There’s not a lot of shelter for our tent or our gazebo. The views are OK but nothing spectacular.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Fraile’s Campground - Dispersed

    Huge sites on gnarly road

    CR 290 off Tarryall Rd. Campsites are all designated on 290 but there are numerous firepits on the side roads. The road to get up is very rutted. I recommend a high clearance vehicle. Definitely four wheel drive is required. I did see a Subaru forester up near the top. The sites are wide open once you get onto the plateau at the top. Easily could accommodate a big rig, but the issue would be getting it up the road. The views from the top are really nice. It opens out and you get some spectacular views of Pike National Forest. The sites are spacious with some pine tree coverage for tent campers. This would definitely be a possible back up spot if nothing on Matukat rd was available. Because they are dispersed there is no electrical hook ups or water. There’s no Creek running through the area. I imagine it would be really quiet and remote up here because the road to get in is going to deter a lot of people. We did find some spots with fire pits, but not sure you can camp there given there is no sign post reading designated campsite but they are off the main road so give it a try.

  • Alex V.
    Oct. 19, 2020

    Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground

    Capable rig

    The 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.

  • Silouan A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Marshall Pass Dispersed

    Dispersed camping spots with amazing views

    Turn off Hwy 285 at “Mears Junction” and head up Marshall Pass Rd. The first few miles are through private property, but then it opens up into the National Forest, with dispersed campsites interspersed regularly along the roads. There are easy camper friendly spots, and tent spots, as well as some areas where a group could be easily accommodated. The views are fantastic, there are numerous trailheads, and Poncha Creek and other seasonal creeks are running beautifully.


Guide to Buena Vista

Experience the beauty of the Colorado wilderness with dispersed camping near Buena Vista. This area offers stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a chance to connect with nature away from the crowds.

Dispersed campers should check out Twin Lakes View Dispersed

  • Located in Twin Lakes, this area provides ample space for both tents and RVs, making it a versatile option for all campers.
  • Enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lakes, perfect for photography and relaxation.
  • The site allows for campfires, so you can gather around the fire after a day of hiking or fishing.

Top activities while free camping near Buena Vista

  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby Twin Lakes Dispersed, where you can catch small trout in the pristine waters.
  • Hiking is easily accessible, with trails leading to the majestic Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, just a short distance from your campsite.
  • For those looking for a bit of adventure, the area around Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area offers rugged terrain perfect for mountain biking and exploring.

Scenic views for dispersed campers at Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site

  • Nestled in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site boasts stunning views and plenty of space for privacy.
  • The site is known for its beautiful landscapes, making it an ideal spot for photography and enjoying the natural beauty of Colorado.
  • With easy access to hiking trails, you can explore the surrounding wilderness and discover hidden gems in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for dispersed camping in Buena Vista, Colorado?

No permit is typically required for dispersed camping on National Forest land around Buena Vista, but you must follow Forest Service regulations. Areas like Forest Road 130 offer permit-free camping with stunning scenery. At North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping, you can camp without permits while accessing the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. Though permits aren't needed, all dispersed camping requires adherence to regulations: camp in established sites, stay at least 100 feet from water sources, pack out all trash, and observe fire restrictions. Most areas have a 14-day stay limit within a 30-day period. Always check for seasonal closures or temporary restrictions before your trip.

Where are the best dispersed camping areas near Buena Vista, Colorado?

The Buena Vista area offers excellent dispersed camping options with stunning mountain views. Stone Cabin is a prime location just 10 minutes from town with river access, spacious sites, and 2WD-accessible roads. For those seeking a peaceful setting with hiking opportunities, Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping provides wide camping spaces and easy access to Brown's Creek trails, plus convenient proximity to both Buena Vista and Salida. Other notable options include Cottonwood Lake Dispersed Camping, North Cottonwood Trailhead for wilderness access, and Marshall Pass Dispersed for regular sites along forest roads. Most areas require adherence to leave-no-trace principles, with no amenities available.

Is there free BLM camping available near Buena Vista?

Yes, free BLM and National Forest dispersed camping is abundant near Buena Vista. Marshall Pass Dispersed offers excellent free camping along forest roads with options for both campers and tents. Turn off Highway 285 at Mears Junction and head up Marshall Pass Road to find these sites. Tarryall Creek Dispersed Camping provides free sites along the creek, though the access road requires higher clearance vehicles. Other free options include Raspberry Gulch on BLM land and various spots along CR 306. Most free sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis and lack amenities, so bring all necessary supplies including water. The standard stay limit is 14 days within a 30-day period.