Pike National Forest offers numerous free dispersed camping options within 20-60 minutes of Castle Rock, Colorado. The area sits at elevations between 6,000-9,000 feet, with dramatic temperature drops after sunset. Most sites require navigation of dirt forest roads that deteriorate significantly after rain or snow events.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: At Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, visitors can access numerous trails. "Great place to spend a day to a few weeks depending on lifestyle. Í live out of my van and met a friend here few sites right off the highway with service. Fire pits and hiking near," reports atea J.
Mountain biking: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers exceptional biking terrain. "Great camping spot, esp, if you like mountain biking. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels," shares andrew B. The area features trails for different skill levels with convenient camping access.
Wildlife viewing: Rampart Range Area provides opportunities to spot local animals. While many sites lack tree cover, the open spaces allow for better wildlife spotting. At sites off Divide, campers report larger wildlife encounters: "We had a moose and deer at our campsite during the mornings so I suggest being weary of wildlife," notes Brianna K.
What campers like
Accessibility from Denver: Redskin Creek Rd dispersed sites are particularly accessible. "This is now my favorite campsite in Colorado. Just an hour from Denver… nice road… large campsites with fire pits, hiking trails. Minutes from fishing. Perfect!!" writes Rick R. The relatively smooth road allows for easier access than many other dispersed sites.
Numbered sites: Redskin Creek Road features a well-organized system. "About 32 or more spots along redskin creek road that goes back a few miles with spots with fire rings along the dirt road," describes Frank B. This organization helps first-time visitors locate appropriate camping areas.
Cell service: Rainbow Falls and several other areas maintain adequate connectivity for those needing to stay connected. "We had great phone service. There are three campsites running along three different fingers. The second one has a portable bathroom," mentions Bryce B. at Rampart Range Road dispersed camping.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common throughout summer months across all camping areas. "There is an active fire ban in the area and the neighbors were lighting 5ft tall fires with gasoline which put us at risk. If you are going to be camping in BLM or Wildlife Areas please follow the restrictions," warns Hayley K.
Road conditions: Many areas require high-clearance vehicles, especially after precipitation. "This area is beautiful with lots of great sites available along mt. Herman rd. Looked at 3-4 different sites all had a decent amount of broken glass so be careful with pets/little ones. Certain areas of this road are heavily graded so take it slow if need be," advises Evan E.
Weekend crowding: Free camping near Castle Rock fills quickly Thursday through Sunday. "Beautiful spot with easy access to lots of trails and Wellington lake. Only downside is that it is very difficult to find a spot on a weekend. We got up there around 6:30pm on Friday night and after driving around for a couple hours ended up bailing and going home," reports Keiko F.
Tips for camping with families
Glass hazards: Multiple sites report broken glass issues. "We arrived on Thursday 8/7/2025 at 7am looking for a spot, it was pretty well filled up but we found site #13 open so we jumped on it. After setting up we walked the grounds as site #13 goes pretty far back and down the mountian and is beautiful, here's why I gave it two stars. 30-40 yards behind our fire ring there were 5 piles of human crap with TP smushed on them," warns Eric J. at Redskin Creek.
Noise considerations: Mount Herman Road can experience significant noise from recreational vehicles. "Seems like a lot of options. Surprised there was so much traffic early morning—tricks, bike, dirt bikes. Would happily stay here again," reports BigRed Overlander O.
Weekday visits: For families seeking quieter experiences, Monday through Thursday offers dramatically reduced crowds. "This area is beautiful with open space outside of the main area. The area was well kept and obviously beautiful, it's Colorado after all. There was no running water, however the camo host drives an ATV around offering water from giant containers," notes Sara K.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Larger rigs should research specific sites beforehand. "Finally, a nice campsite on a road that isn't horrible. There are 30+ designated, numbered, dispersed campsites on this road. Each of them have a parking area right along the road with a fire ring a short distance away surrounded by awesome rock outcroppings. The parking areas tend to be very unlevel and there are only a few that you can pull right up to your campsite," explains Rebecca L.
Turning challenges: Many forest roads lack adequate turnaround space for larger vehicles. "Sorry, No photos. It is very beautiful up there. I have only been here once, and I did not do enough research. I recently purchased a 26ft sustainable travel trailer and decided to take it out for the first time. Well the road up is very tight. Very skinny switchbacks. About half way up looking for a way to turn around," cautions Jaymin B.
Leveling requirements: Most dispersed sites lack level parking. "This was a great site! Trails everywhere, lots of beautiful sites. Some have mountain views, others are more covered by trees. I stayed in a loop site that was super cozy. All sites have fire rings and plenty of dead trees/branches in the area to gather for firewood," shares Seanna M.
