Dispersed camping near Colorado City, Colorado offers secluded sites in San Isabel National Forest and Bureau of Land Management territories. The area sits at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 feet with dramatic temperature swings between day and night. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F during the day but can drop below 45°F at night even in July and August.
What to do
Hiking access: Davenport Campground provides direct trail access for hikers looking for day adventures. A visitor noted, "Trail right off campgrounds is an easy, beautiful hike."
Stargazing opportunities: Hummingbird Ranch offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A camper shared, "We came here to watch the Perseid meteor shower and it did not disappoint. We had the place to ourselves and a great view of the stars."
Creek exploration: Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites features multiple sites with creek access for cooling off during summer months. According to one review, "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope. We parked up top and lugged everything down the slope. It was tough but so worth it. There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Many sites feature opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. At Greenhorn Meadows Park, a camper mentioned, "Woke up to an 8-point deer munching in the bushes."
Natural tranquility: Dispersed Sand Area 1 provides a peaceful mountain atmosphere with natural soundscapes. One reviewer appreciated "hearing the creek roaring in the background and feeling the sun on my skin surrounded by cactus."
Private camping areas: Campers appreciate the seclusion available at many dispersed sites. At Phantom Canyon, "It is a canyon so you won't have any cell phone signal... We had an F150 and a Santa Fe, that both made it in fine, though some spots are walking only."
What you should know
Weather preparation: The area experiences rapid temperature changes requiring appropriate gear. A visitor to Davenport Campground advised, "The sites are pretty close together, but we had no problem with our neighbors. There is only one hand pump near sites 6/7 that takes forever to get water from, but does work."
Bug activity: Mosquitoes and biting flies can be problematic during summer months. A camper at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites warned, "The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times and our dogs were very stressed from them all over them."
Access challenges: Many dispersed areas require appropriate vehicles. A visitor to Dispersed Sand Area 1 noted, "Easy drive, can get a little bumpy but nothing an all wheel drive can't handle."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Choose sites with natural boundaries to prevent wandering. A camper at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites mentioned their setup was "great to utilize if you have young children who like to wander. We didn't have to worry about them being near the roads."
Bathroom accessibility: Greenhorn Meadows Park provides more amenities for family comfort. A visitor observed, "no toilet nearby, but a clean shower house was available for use a short drive away."
Wildlife education opportunities: Use animal sightings as learning experiences. One camper at Davenport Campground shared, "We saw a nice site with the wood log shade cover and were gonna take it but apparently this other family had 'claimed' it with a half a tent laid out across the pad."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling equipment for uneven terrain. A visitor to Great Sand Dunes Dispersed noted, "They were very difficult to level our smallish travel trailer and perhaps that is the problem. We were one of very few travel trailers on this road."
Water access planning: Most dispersed areas have no water hookups or access. At Greenhorn Meadows Park, one camper advised, "There electric hook ups at your site; however the water is across the path and you need to port it to your rig."
Road condition awareness: Many of the best tent camping near Colorado City, Colorado requires navigating dirt roads. A visitor to Phantom Canyon observed, "It is a bumpy road, but we had an F150 and a Santa Fe, that both made it in fine."
