Phantom Canyon Road offers primitive camping options for RVs and tent campers across 10 miles of unpaved road. The elevation ranges from 5,500 to 7,000 feet, creating temperature variations with cool nights even during summer months. The area contains multiple pull-offs with established sites along Eight Mile Creek, with most concentrated between mile markers 8-18 on the dirt portion.
What to do
Creek access for pets: At Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites, many sites offer water access for pets. "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope... There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water," notes Madi G., though warning about "the insane amount of biting flies" that can stress dogs.
Rock climbing: The Bank Campground provides direct access to popular climbing routes. "The site is about 100 yards from one of Colorado's most sought after climbing destinations," explains Graham K. Climbing areas are accessible through clearly marked trailheads located between established campsites.
Hiking with dogs: Multiple trail networks provide pet-friendly hiking opportunities. "We took the Canyon Rim trail to the Overlook trail and got some gorgeous views of the gorge (out and back hike, a little over 4 miles)," shares Shannon C., who visited with her dog. The Smores trail offers a simpler 1-mile loop directly from the campground.
What campers like
Stargazing conditions: The remote setting provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities. "Absolutely beautiful star gazing with very little light pollution," reports Kim G. from Sand Gulch Campground. The canyon walls block ambient light from nearby communities.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campers report regular wildlife sightings. "Lots of mule deer. Very clean sites with views to the east," notes Debra W., who observed deer moving through the campground daily at dawn and dusk. Turkey sightings are also common in spring months.
Solitude and spacing: Red Canyon Park offers well-separated campsites. "Red Canyon Park was absolutely beautiful! Campsites were very spread out, and I barely saw anyone drive by the whole time," states emily, highlighting the privacy many campsites provide compared to more developed campgrounds.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access requires navigating unpaved roads of varying quality. "The road is dirt and goes for 7+ miles if you keep going to exit the park a different way. Be warned that after 2/3 miles the road gets extremely rough for several miles to a point that we considered turning our 4Runner around," advises Kallie B.
Limited amenities: Most dispersed sites lack basic facilities. "The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times and our dogs were very stressed from them all over them," reports Madi G., suggesting bringing "those fly bags that attract them away from you."
Cell service limitations: Phantom Canyon has virtually no cellular coverage. "It is in a canyon so you won't have any cell phone signal, though I had my Starlink set up and it worked flawlessly," explains Colby R., indicating satellite-based alternatives work well due to open sky visibility.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly areas: Some campgrounds offer specific amenities for children. "Fantastic site. Newer fire rings/rock work, vault toilet, smooth roads," reports Lawrence B., noting the well-maintained facilities at East Ridge Campground make it more comfortable for families with young children.
Bathroom access: Consider proximity to facilities when camping with children. "The bathrooms were a bit of a drive from our site. They are nothing lavish (bring sanitizing wipes) but they were nice for the kids who weren't comfortable going outside," suggests Madi G.
Safety considerations: Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins provides more controlled environments for families with young children. "The playground was very kid friendly and the giant jumping pillow was super fun!" mentions mich, highlighting structured recreation options available at developed campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
RV size limitations: Many dispersed sites cannot accommodate larger rigs. "Not really for RV's. Even small ones like mine. Very narrow roads in with no real place to turn around," cautions Lynne W. about accessing certain campground loops with RVs larger than 24 feet.
Hookup availability: Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA offers full service options for RVers seeking amenities. "This KOA journey has a friendly and helpful staff, and offers all of the bare essentials so you can get ready for your next stop," notes Jason F., mentioning the "full hookups are conveniently located and offer water/sewer and 30/50amp service."
Level site considerations: Finding level spots for RVs can be challenging in dispersed areas. "We needed leveling blocks but saw several occupied sites more level," explains Sue B., suggesting bringing adequate leveling equipment for pet friendly camping near Cañon City, Colorado when not staying at developed campgrounds.
