Clark, CO is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Clark is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Clark camping trip.
"I had just done Rock Creek's drive up to dispersed near Dillon and thought that was bad, but this was worse. "
"Good camping right close to the road. Secluded and private with beautiful views. Currently a stage 2 fire ban so no campfires allowed."
"DONT FORGET TO VISIT CLARK STORE, its very close
drove here in toyota prius. There is a parking lot at the entrance to the dispersed camping where it forks into two roads to access parking spots."
"Discovered an excellent dispersed site on 64 going east from Glen Eden. As soon as you reach BLM land there is a sign indicating Dispersed Camping on both sides of road."
"This spot was prime. about 125yds off seedhouse rad and 50 yds off of the access road. Plenty of room to spread out. Fire ring. Epic View of the mountains in Zirkel Wilderness."
"Great camping spot near Elk Run River and surrounded by the Rockies. It's a pretty big spot with two sides, so there could be two camping spots or one big one."
"Beautiful Aspen groves surround you as you roll on endlessly down well maintained dirt roads."
"Unfortunately the road is closed right now, I’m not even supposed to be here idt but I foraged through the woods from the campsites further back north on the dirt road."
"We went 2.7 miles up from the turn off of 40 and found a great spot on the left. There is a spot right there off the road but if you go in another 100 yards or so it's a great spot."
"Very nice spot close to Steamboat Springs. (Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest) We arrived a little before noon on a Saturday in July."
"I stayed at another pull off a little higher up on the hlll and with that pull off you can get a little more down the mountain and hence away from the noise."
"Quick stop overlooking Lake Catamount. This is actually a pull off from the highway but noticed people had camped here so we did too."
"As it says in the name is RIGHT off the highway so be ready for lots of car noise and close quarters with other campers."
"Summer is over, Labor Day evening, nobody except me here. 5-6 potential spots all in a row, lined up on dirt road that parallels 40 and far enough away to be quiet. Convenient to Steamboat 15 min."
TravelerRecommend 4x4 high clearance to get to the campsites. If you have low clearance, there are a couple right at the start but they don't have much tree clearance.
We drove about a quarter mile down the road and got a campsite that was lush with a ton of tree coverage. It felt like we were alone in the world, no other campsites in site. We even saw elk walking around the mossy ground. Bring bug spray!
Dog friendly, no amenities.
LegendWe stumbled upon this campground by chance, and what a wonderful chance it was! After deciding to take a weekend rafting trip along the Wyoming/Colorado section of the Platte River, we planned to just find dispersed camping options within the surrounding National Forest area. We initially put our boats in at the Routt Access Trailhead which is where we were able to find this amazing group of campsites (see directions below). There are plenty of campsites designated by fire rings along the road that are well spread out and offer plenty of seclusion. We were surprised to not encounter any other campers despite it being a beautiful summer weekend. The campsite we used offered much appreciated shade from the June sun with plenty of big trees. The ground is relatively flat on top of the hill so we had quite a few options to spread out with our group pf 3 tents. Another huge plus of this area is how pristine it is, not a piece of trash to be found. If camping here, please continue that by following Leave No Trace principles.
Camping in this area is complimented by tons of nearby activities including hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding trails, class I-IV white water rafting opportunities, rock climbing, fishing and wildlife viewing. On our weekend adventure we went on a 4-hour boat trip from the Routt Access boat put-in to the Six-Mile Gap take-out point, the river felt like a private get away and we didn’t see any other people except for a few fly fishermen at the access points. The wildlife we encountered was the highlight of our trip, we saw moose, a golden eagle, foxes, pronghorns, and marmots.
To get there: The GPS coordinates entered on this page are for the Routt Access Trailhead. Following these directions from there is the easiest way to find the campsites. I have also included a screenshot of google maps in this review. When approaching the trailhead from the main road, just a few hundred yards before the trailhead/river access parking area, the road forks. To the right is the trailhead, and to the left is FS 939.1 (Mahogany Road). With a normal clearance vehicle and 2wd, you should be able to easily reach the first campsite along this road, marked by a well-appointed fire ring. For those with slightly higher clearance cars (my friends had a Subaru Forester and did just fine) I would highly recommend continuing along the road a bit higher and up the hill. 4wd is probably not necessary unless the road is muddy, but some large holes and rocks will be problematic for very low clearance vehicles. From up here, you will have amazing views of the grasslands, mountains and river.
RangerBeautiful Aspen groves surround you as you roll on endlessly down well maintained dirt roads. I've put in specific coordinates, but you can follow any of these FS roads after you pass through the "town" of Columbine. I prefer to go up to the right along 550. But you can't go wrong.
Free range sheep are being guarded by Great Pyreneese dogs, Moose and Pronghorn are all abundant. Bears too, so lock it all up.
Great easy MTB on the roads and some smaller trails.
Leave no trace.
TravelerJust to update this since the last review had it closed. The road leading up to the summit is back open, but it is ROUGH. I had just done Rock Creek's drive up to dispersed near Dillon and thought that was bad, but this was worse.
You will not be able to get anything low clearance or anything you're towing that does not have independent suspension + high clearance (I dropped my 18' TT at Walmart and went to scout - glad I did) While I was 1/4 up into the climb, a Sprinter Van was stopped at what is probably the worst portion of the road. If you can make it past that first choke point, you'll pass a park then walk-in camp site on the left and then shortly after another camp spot on the right that is more van friendly. Both are not good for trailers. It is after those two sites the road goes from bad to worse.
If you have a Camper on a F350 or high clearance + tent, it has some of the best views I've seen at a park spot. It's worth the drive up there for pictures if you're curious, but I would unhook anything you're carrying before doing so.
GuideLoved this area! Quite a few spots. We went 2.7 miles up from the turn off of 40 and found a great spot on the left. There is a spot right there off the road but if you go in another 100 yards or so it's a great spot. The driveway is a touch rough but we got there in our camper van no problem. There's room for several vehicles and endless tent spots, some by the parking and fire pit or haul your tent out a little ways. Shady areas and huge meadows on either side that look like they could be marshy with some rain. Saw evidence of moose elk deer and bear (and horses) but no sightings. Some mosquitos but it was quite dry when we were there. I would imagine you'd need bug spray in|wetter/marshier conditions, but worth it for the chance to see a moose!
We enjoyed walking and exploring and could go quite a ways straight from the site without having to go out to the road.
GuideGood camping right close to the road. Secluded and private with beautiful views. Currently a stage 2 fire ban so no campfires allowed.
GuideDONT FORGET TO VISIT CLARK STORE, its very close
drove here in toyota prius. There is a parking lot at the entrance to the dispersed camping where it forks into two roads to access parking spots. The forest service road was in amazing condition to access it.
I decided to hike up ontop a large rock formation because i wanted the killer views. Just enough dirt up there to pitch a tent.
There is dispersed camping along the river where a lot of rv’s were pitched up. I didnt want to be near any of them cause im tent camping
TravelerCamp sites were plenty when I visited on a Thursday. Only people I saw were the forest service workers who were friendly and just out reminding people of the fire ban.
ScoutBuff pass gate is open and you can mob over it if you have high clearance, 4wd, and definitely winter tires. It gets sketchy at some points, but you have your pick of camp sites.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Clark, Colorado, where nature's tranquility meets the thrill of adventure. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping near Clark, Colorado?
The Clark area offers several excellent dispersed camping options within Routt National Forest. Elk River Dispersed provides accessible camping with a well-maintained forest service road that even smaller vehicles can navigate. It's conveniently located near the Clark Store, which is worth visiting for supplies. For those seeking seclusion among aspen groves, USFSR 550 - Dispersed Camping offers beautiful sites along well-maintained dirt roads past the town of Columbine. Most dispersed sites in the area are free, but be prepared with your own water and supplies, and always follow Leave No Trace principles. High clearance vehicles will access more remote spots, but several areas have sites accessible to standard vehicles.
Is Seedhouse Road a good option for dispersed camping near Clark?
While Seedhouse Road itself isn't specifically mentioned in reviews, the surrounding area offers excellent dispersed camping options near Clark. Rabbit's Ear Pass East Summit FR 251 provides numerous dispersed sites, though 4x4 high-clearance vehicles are recommended to access the best spots with tree coverage. There are a few sites near the entrance for vehicles with lower clearance. Another excellent option is FR-302 Dispersed Camping - Rabbit Ears Pass, which offers multiple sites about 2.7 miles from Highway 40. The road can be slightly rough in places, but most vehicles can manage it. Check for seasonal fire restrictions before planning your trip.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Clark, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Clark, CO is Buffalo Pass Dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Clark, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 49 dispersed camping locations near Clark, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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