Dispersed camping areas near Chromo, Colorado sit at elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet within the San Juan National Forest. Most primitive tent campsites near Chromo remain accessible from late May through October, with seasonal road closures limiting winter access. Several sites feature uneven terrain requiring careful tent placement or hammock setups as alternatives.
What to do
Hike local trails: At Elk Creek Trail, visitors find multiple hiking options with creek access. "Parked on edge of flat in trees close to creek. Nice ambient noise... Lots of trails, bridge over creek, lakes are near by foot," notes Jason R.
Visit Pagosa Springs: The hot springs in Pagosa make an excellent day trip from Forest Road 37 dispersed sites. "It's about 15 min to Pagosa," confirms Cheyanne G., while Ryan T. shares their routine: "Pitched the tent in the afternoon and headed to town for a soak."
Stargazing: Dark skies above Pass Creek Road Dispersed Camping offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. Donald B. describes the location as "Sufficiently distant from neighboring sites," which helps minimize light pollution for better night sky viewing.
What campers like
Cattle sightings: Free-range cattle frequently appear at Turkey Creek Road campsites. Cait F. reports, "Lots of cows who made a good amount of noise but we didn't mind." Similarly, at Forest Road 37, Karla R. notes, "The cows come by once in awhile to say hi."
Fall colors: Autumn brings spectacular foliage to the mountain landscape. Ryan T. shares their experience: "View is killer - we hit it at about peak color." Sites along higher elevations typically display peak colors from late September through early October.
River proximity: Several dispersed camping areas offer streamside options. At Lower Piedra River Camp, Ben H. found "plenty of camping areas along the river. About 8 spots. Some were large enough to handle RVs. Others you might require four-wheel drive."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Cell coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. Near Pass Creek Road, Izzy T. reports, "Excellent T-mobile service. 5G closer to 160, very strong LTE throughout," while at Forest Road 37, Ben H. notes, "There is no Verizon phone signal."
Weekend traffic: Some areas experience increased activity on weekends. Izzy T. mentions, "Heavy ATV use on weekends, but we left on Saturday morning," when describing their stay at Pass Creek Road.
Fire restrictions: Check current fire regulations before your trip. Teresa T. at Turkey Creek Road shares, "We grabbed a spot with a fire pit even though no fires are allowed right now," highlighting seasonal restrictions that often occur during summer months.
Site availability: Arrive early during peak seasons to secure preferred spots. Aliza N. describes Turkey Creek Road as having "prob 4-6 great sites and a few more 'turn out' type sites that could work in a pinch."
Tips for camping with families
Consider site terrain: Many tent campsites require careful placement due to uneven ground. Ryan T. notes that sites are "Not PERFECTLY flat for the tent-folk," which may require extra preparation when camping with children.
Bathroom access: Most dispersed areas lack toilet facilities. For families, Stunner Campground offers basic amenities. BJ B. reports, "the bathroom was nice and clean especially for a CG without a host."
Plan for insects: Some forested sites experience significant insect activity. Chelsea N. warns, "There were tons of bugs that did not give a darn about our multiple citronella candles or campfire smoke," suggesting families bring appropriate repellent.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months. Pack extra layers and rain gear for children, as temperatures can drop quickly after sunset.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality throughout the area. At Kenny Flats Dispersed Camping, Heather H. shares, "the road has deep ruts but was manageable in my little van, just had to take it slow."
Site selection: Some dispersed areas accommodate larger vehicles better than others. Tara I. describes Turkey Creek Road: "Nice free spot to pull off of the road. Climb a gravel hill (doable in my 23ft class b) to get to a 5 or so dispersed spots."
Leveling challenges: RVers should bring leveling blocks, as most sites feature natural, ungraded surfaces. Look for pull-through sites where available, as Ashley M. notes, "This spot had plenty of space to park our car (a small RV would fit too)."
