Dispersed camping options near Climax, Colorado range in elevation from 9,600 to over 11,000 feet, with most sites located along forest service roads in the White River and Pike National Forests. Several camping areas remain accessible from June through early October, depending on snowfall patterns. Temperatures can drop below freezing even during summer months, with nighttime lows frequently in the 30s.
What to do
Hike to alpine lakes: At McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping, campers can access the McCullough Gulch Trail directly. As Justin J. notes, "Stayed in spot 5 down a narrow one way forest road... Very peaceful and plenty of spots to choose from." The trail leads to "Beautiful waterfall and mountain lake are worth it," according to Magambi, who recommends leaving your car at your campsite since "parking is not allowed at trailhead."
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide access to fishing. At Homestake Road Dispersed, Elena R. mentions "It is a great fly fishing hole for little brookies" near their riverside campsite. Fish for trout at nearby Turquoise Lake, where Mark R. notes the "clear Alpine lake full of trout" and mentions he "caught 2 salmon in the runoffs" while staying at Baby Doe Campground.
Mountain biking: The area offers extensive trail networks for mountain biking. From Peak One Campground, Jason F. notes there are "Plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby, as well as some great Disc Golf courses within a 15 minute drive." The paved bike path connecting to Frisco has "rolling hills" according to pamela R., making it accessible for various skill levels.
What campers like
High elevation views: Camping at Hoosier Pass Dispersed Camping offers exceptional mountain vistas. Ryan L. describes it as a "Very nice, quiet space" with sites "spread throughout this little area." The area sits above 11,000 feet, providing expansive views but requiring acclimation. As Robert D. notes, it's "really convenient from highway and pretty well located to get to DeCaLiBron, Quandry, Breckenridge etc."
Wildlife watching: The surrounding forests host diverse wildlife. At Homestake Road Dispersed, one camper reported being "woken up early in the morning by a mountain lion," and saw "3 moose cross the river about 100 yards from the camper, and saw a huge mule deer buck hanging out in the bushes near the river several nights in a row." Similarly, Jenny B. mentioned at Boreas Pass that "fellow campers just up the road mentioned seeing a moose wander around their site."
Clean facilities: For those seeking more amenities, established campgrounds maintain good facilities. At Baby Doe Campground, Caitlin R. found "The bathrooms there were kept up very nicely even though they were vault toilets" and noted "The hosts were SO gracious. They came up and talked to us about things to do and see and gave us a map of Leadville."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires careful driving. At Hoosier Pass, april notes that "as of 6/9/24 there are 3 spots accessible with 2wd. Up the road high clearance 4x4 is needed due to snow and washout." For McCullough Gulch, Magambi describes "Campsite road is a rough rock road about 100m long. A 2WD car might manage it, but 4WD is better."
Weather extremes: High-altitude camping means unpredictable conditions. Nora S. experienced "a massive rain/hail storm overnight" at McCullough Gulch. Even in summer, Justin J. reports "Temps were high 70s in the evenings and low 40s at night in mid July so prepare with layers." At Sugar Loafin', Reames C. "Woke up to 4" of snow overnight (it was 50 the night prior)" during early season camping.
Campsite availability: Popular areas fill quickly during peak seasons. Rebecca B. noted at Boreas Pass: "We arrived late afternoon on a Sunday in July. All 23 spots were taken." For better chances, Joe M. suggests "I can see this area being busy all year around, definitely on 4th of july weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Dog friendly campgrounds near Climax: Most dispersed camping areas welcome pets without restrictions. At Sugar Loafin' RV/Campground & Cabins, Katie H. mentions "They have shower house and bathroom and a huge field next door for the dogs to run." This makes it an ideal base for exploring multiple pet-friendly sites in the area.
Swimming options: Turquoise Lake provides swimming opportunities during summer months. One camper noted that "There's enough beach that you're not crowded together with other groups. Our daughters loved paddle boarding here" at Baby Doe Campground. Similarly, at Heaton Bay, Meleia O. found "Easy access to lake from camp spot, walked our paddle boards to beach 20 yards from camp site."
Kid-friendly spaces: Some campgrounds offer designated play areas. Sugar Loafin' has a playground (though it was noted as "needing attention" by Sarah J.) and hosts special activities like an "all you can eat ice cream buffet every evening" according to Matthew G. Hillary M. notes Baby Doe is "family friendly" despite "a few extra mosquitos" near the water.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. At Prospector Campground, Jason F. found "site 105 is a pull-through site that comfortably fit our 29' Class C, Tow Dolly, and Towed Vehicle with room to spare." However, at McCullough Gulch, Rebecca B. warns it's "Not Van-Friendly" noting "Even with our lifted AWD van, there were sites we didn't want to drive up to."
Hookup options: For those requiring amenities, Sugar Loafin' provides "water and electric" according to Matthew G., though he notes "Sites are tight to each other." Alternatively, Heaton Bay has some electric sites, though john H. points out limitations: "There is no water to fill your tank unless you're a lucky one who got loop C. There also isn't a dump anywhere."
Turnaround space: Many dispersed sites present challenges for maneuvering. Jeff A. notes about McCullough Gulch: "Most sites would be tricky with a trailer because of the lack of turn around space (sites 6 & 7 would work for this)." Similarly, Anthony P. doesn't recommend Homestake Road for RVs "based on road width and lack of turn arounds."
