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Roadside camping is permitted at 21 campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve beginning 5.2 miles from where the road begins near Pi__on Flats Campground. These designated sites are free of charge and first-come, first-served. All 21 sites fill on summer weekends. Passable only in the warmer months and only with high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles. This road crosses areas of deep sand, traverses Medano Creek nine times, and passes through excellent habitat for bighorn sheep.
Penrose Commons Recreation Area offers a warm, arid climate among pinon and juniper woodlands. The best time to visit is September through May when temperatures are comfortable and the snowy peaks of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range are visible in the distance. With 30 miles of motorized trail, the area is popular for ATVs, motorcycles and four wheeling. Independence Trail system is known for its extreme 4x4 rock crawling opportunities with easy access for spectators to enjoy the trail activity. Penrose Commons is also popular for horseback riding, hunting and dispersed camping. The area has a restroom, trail map information and ample parking space for trailers. A wet weather gate closes the area to motorized use during wet conditions. For more information, please contact the Royal Gorge Field Office.
Explore any part of the 30 square mile dunefield you wish; there are no designated trails in the sand. A dunes-accessible wheelchair is available for free loan at the Visitor Center. Summer air temperatures are pleasant at this high elevation, but during afternoon hours the sand surface can reach 150F degrees, and dangerous thunderstorms can develop. Plan to hike the dunes in early morning or evening to avoid heat exhaustion, burned feet, or fatal lightning strikes.
South Colony Basin and the surrounding 14,000-foot peaks offer a broad range of recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, fishing and hunting. This diversity of activities, combined with the natural beauty of the basin and the rough but passable access provided by the road, has made South Colony Basin the most popular destination in the Sangre de Cristo Range. Trailhead register data indicate 3,500 to 4,500 persons (7,000 to 9,000 visitor days) visit the small (1500 acre) upper basin at the head of the South Colony drainage during the summer season. Since 1996, the Forest Service has worked in partnership with Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Colorado Outward Bound, and other educational and environmental service organizations to reconstruct trails and climbing routes within the basin, stabilize eroding alpine slopes (caused by user-created trails), inventory and restore undesirable campsites and social trails. To date, nearly $1,000,000 (of mostly non-federal funds) and 40,000 volunteer hours have been spent restoring long-term recreational impacts, rebuilding the lower road, constructing trailhead facilities and creating sustainable summit trails in South Colony Basin.
Traveler
Was able to find a really nice open spot with amazing views of the mountains. Was big and spacious enough for me and my friend to camp in our vans. No one around for miles!
Scout
Gated off. Not accessible
ScoutLocked gate at indicated entry point.
Guide
The directions from this app didn’t exactly take me to the campsites. The campsites are along Lake Deweese Rd at the NE end of the reservoir. There are several sites all in very close proximity. There is virtually no privacy from neighbors but it worked from me for a night. It looked like some campers may be permanently occupying the sites.
Traveler
There’s plenty of spots off the main road, but seems like you need to get there early. We showed up around 6 pm. The road does get pretty rough eventually, and we didn’t trust our minivan going through the “unmaintained” section, we turned around and were able to find a connecting side road that had plenty of open space out there. When entering the road initially, the side road would be about half way up to your left. Pretty close to Great Sand Dunes National Park, so we were happy with this location! Nice mountain view.
Guide
Loved hearing the creek roaring in the background and feeling the sun on my skin surrounded by cactus - an I in Texas!?
Traveler
There are more than one listing for places to camp along FS 949. I stayed on a pad that was build along with the road. Loved the views, The area is very interesting. Crestone is a tiny town with just about anything you might want within a walk from where I parked. Plenty of camping spots all the way up to the end of the road where there is a fairly busy trailhead.
Guide
Absolutely beautiful area! We pulled in on a Friday evening with thunderstorms all around. There were plenty of sites available when we showed up, but they were all full by Saturday morning. We weren’t able to get one of the spots near the creek, but had our own hidden ravine tucked away on the left side of the road. I believe it was the 3rd to last pull out and the last one on the left side of the road. Stunning… but the smell from previous campers unsuccessfully trying to burn their trash in the fire rings (thankfully we brought our solo stove to cook on) and all the litter was a bit overwhelming. Broken glass, toilet paper/feces not buried, cigarette butts, and just trash everywhere. Unfortunate for the area, our spot was the cleanest one we came across. We took some walks past others near the creek that looked like they had just hosted full on frat parties.
It was just super unfortunate and disgusting to go to such a beautiful area and have previous campers all but ruin it for us.
GuideQuick and easy to find. Area was easily accessible. A great option for those on a budget and attempting to avoid paying fees for one night stays. Nice views of the valley and mountain behind. Sites were not the most level going up the mountainside and a bit rocky. Would stay there again!
ScoutThis place is good for those who have clearance and a 4WD. Road can be rough but pretty much all pickups are good. Don’t need a jeep. If it rains, you could get in trouble. The views are beautiful. Especially higher up. Some spots, I didn’t find tons of spots. I was the only one here on a Friday night last week if July 🤷🏼♀️. Or if there were others I didn’t know it. You get cover of some trees quicker than the sacred mountain location farther south on same road. You have to open a gate to get in. I would recommend it, and will probably be back at some point.
GuideThis campsite is very popular, I would definitely recommend arriving early morning time to secure a spot. We got in fairly late in the night from Texas and had to drive in a ways. Many people left early in the morning so sites opened up fairly quickly. The road is graded and then turns into a rocky road that is manageable in a crossover for a ways then high clearance will be needed. There was a small flooded portion that is next to the helipad but we just drove up onto the helipad to get around it as to not risk getting stuck. There are plenty of sites available and even a circle drive in the front of the road if you don’t feel like venturing in during the night. There are A TON of flies! Lots of bug spray and loose clothing to avoid those pesky biting flies. We had a beautiful view of the mountain and Great Sand dunes is a short 20 minutes away. Our pups loved the large open spaces but beware of cacti and tiny burrs.
TravelerI’m a rooftop tent camper and the views are amazing but was hoping to be close to the water and isolated from other campers. Definitely was isolated and found one spot that worked out well for rooftop camper. Like 14 miles on dirt road, on the right, 20 feet before a sign that reads “leaving public land.” Had fire ring and more than enough room. About 20 yards away from creek. Quiet. No Att cell service but don’t expect anyone can get service in that canyon.
Traveler
Your vehicle will prob need new brakes after this trip. Super beautiful but the road never eases up.
TravelerIt was absolutely beautiful! Upwards of 20 spots to park. There is no service which is fine but something to leave in a review. It is a very populated area so if you plan to go on a holiday weekend plan accordingly. We showed up around 10 at night on a Monday night of the fourth week and found lots of open spots. they were all very secluded away from everyone else Over all great spot!
ScoutThere are about 10-15 dispersed camping spots along the dirt road that leads up to trailheads at the end. The spots are spread out enough to where I did not see or hear a soul while camping 2 nights. A large gathering of mountain goats hanging out along the road was a fun surprise! Gorgeous views of Crestone peak and other neighboring mountains. The only negative was the mosquitos. They are horrendous. If you can’t handle it or find a way to keep them away it could ruin someone’s ability to enjoy the beauty.
ScoutA very short drive off the road, open and close the gate to get in. We parked up by a little stream in an E350 RV. Ground a bit bumpy, but drivable if you go slow. Cell signal okay, 5G 4bars AT&T but about 1-3 Mbps. Amazing wide open Mountain View’s. Many many bitey bugs!
GuideWe ended up here by mistake, thinking we were at the Sacred White shell BLM. Glad we did though. Great views of The Twin Peaks and Blanca Peak. Lots of flat open space down low. We stopped as the road steepened and set up in a big spot that was close to the road. No complaints considering we got here an hour before dark. Views for miles here!
TravelerBeautiful spot with amazing views. Not sure what part the other reviewer stayed at, but the approach trial was a little hectic and I was glad to have a high clearance 4x4. Beautiful stream right next to the sites and plenty of fire pits.
Scout
We got in at about 10:00 pm with no problems at all, 2wd Truck. Found a beautiful spot to park up for the night before doing the Royal Gorge. Previous camper even left a nice pile of pinewood by the fire ring! Restrooms were available at entrance as well as a loves a couple few miles away for showers. Definitely coming back to this spot, seems reliable and plenty of friendly campers around to keep company👍🏽
Guide
We have neighbors 100 yards away and others further, so you won’t have the whole wilderness to yourself, but that might be comforting!
Well maintained with an ice fire pit. Be careful of cactus, bring firewood, download the off-line maps. The trails can get confusing so remember your way in!
ScoutStayed here some years ago before hitting challenger and kit carson. Plenty of dispersed spots available. Stayed here in a truck with a rtt. With others in a group. Close enough to town where we hit up the local brewery for drinks and food. Short drive from here to willow creek trailhead.
TravelerPlenty of spots to stop. Entry road has multiple water runoff ditches that make the road best for vehicles with decent clearance. If dry 4x4 not necessary.
We hiked some of the surrounding areas and found bear scat close to our pull off.
Intermittent cell service for AT&T and Verizon. Periods with no connection.
Guide
Every summer I go on a road trip , camping ,backpacking and visiting national parks , while driving through Colorado we drove through phantom canyon road and we stopped about 20 times through our drive and just admired the view , it’s so beautiful and 100% worth going if your in the area
GuideSeveral spots on this dirt road. The first ones are quite flat, then it's more complicated. It's close to the dirt road but there are not many people that use it
GuideWe stopped overnight here for a day trip to the great sand dunes in March. This was a lovely spot , no one around and a large turnaround spot with plenty of space for our 20ft trailer . Multiple small BLM pull off roads along hwy 150 with BLM gates that you just open when you drive in and close on the way out. Thanks BLM!
GuideFairly steep and rough road up into the campground. Once your in the roads are decent. Some sites had broken glass and trash and some were clean and decent
TravelerSpent one night only on my way home. It was perfect for what I needed. Quiet and peaceful. Wide open spaces. Loads of stars! Very sandy/dusty but not intolerable. Would definitely stay again but probably not for multiple days. Easy drive to Alamosa and the Dunes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Colorado City, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Colorado City, CO is Medano Pass Primitive Road — Great Sand Dunes National Preserve with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 29 dispersed camping locations near Colorado City, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
