Pike National Forest offers numerous rustic camping near Colorado Springs, Colorado options at elevations typically between 7,000-9,000 feet. Temperatures often drop below 40°F at night even in summer months due to the high elevation. Many dispersed sites are located along forest service roads that branch off major routes, with varying levels of accessibility depending on recent weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking at Rampart Reservoir: A 4-mile loop trail circles the reservoir and connects to several dispersed camping areas. "There was a great 4-mile round trip flat, easy hike walking distance from our campsite to Rampart Reservoir! Highly recommend! We walked it around 7AM - it was so quiet and the water was lovely," shares a camper at Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide opportunities to spot deer, foxes, and occasionally larger mammals. "We had a moose and deer at our campsite during the mornings so I suggest being weary of wildlife," notes a visitor at Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide.
Creekside exploration: Several camping areas feature access to small streams. One camper at Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed reports, "We found a campsite across the stream that you cross a log on. Beautiful drive to get to."
What campers like
Proximity to town with wilderness feel: Many sites offer quick access to supplies while maintaining a remote atmosphere. "The Pilot in Monument has showers and was an added bonus for being 15 minutes from our spot," mentions a camper at Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping.
Varied site options: Different roads offer different camping experiences. "Each spot is far away from another, especially if you drive further down. We didn't hear anyone late into the night due to the distance," reports a visitor at Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide.
Morning vistas: The areas around Rampart Range provide excellent sunrise viewing. "Great views of the city lights and then sunrise," notes a camper at Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping, while another mentions, "Watching the sunlight slowly shed light on the golden aspens was a beautiful sight."
What you should know
Road conditions vary seasonally: Weather impacts accessibility significantly. "We went there in May 3rd week and I loved it despite 'bad weather'. Our city car got stuck in the snow and we had to shovel our way out," reports a camper at Rampart Reservoir Dispersed.
Weekend crowds: The areas closest to Colorado Springs fill quickly from Friday through Sunday. "We arrived on a Sunday in late September around 2:00pm. This site has an amazing sunset view every night," shares a visitor, suggesting Sunday arrivals can still find good spots.
Safety concerns: Some areas have reports of rowdy behavior or homeless encampments. "Maybe we hit it at the wrong time, but many of the sites (mostly the best ones) were filled with what appeared to be homeless camps and campers," warns one visitor to Rampart Reservoir Dispersed.
Tips for camping with families
Trash awareness: Many reviewers mention litter issues. "Looked at 3-4 different sites all had a decent amount of broken glass so be careful with pets/little ones," advises a camper at Mt. Herman Road Dispersed Site 2.
Wildlife encounters: The area supports active wildlife populations. "We had a fox as a neighbor!" shares an excited camper at Mt. Herman Road Dispersed Site 2, highlighting the potential for memorable animal sightings.
Weekday camping: For quieter experiences with children, consider non-weekend visits. "We were the only campers around our area," reports a fall visitor, while summer weekends often fill completely by Friday evening.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Many forest roads have tight turns limiting RV size. "I recently purchased a 26ft sustainable travel trailer and decided to take it out for the first time. Well the road up is very tight. Very skinny switchbacks. About half way up looking for a way to turn around," warns a visitor to Mount Herman Road.
Level site hunting: Finding flat spots for larger vehicles requires persistence. "This campsite was nice and level," reports a truck camper at Mt. Herman Road Dispersed Site 2, while another camper notes, "Tons of level, large spots. Road is meant for ATV use, and was a fair amount of traffic throughout the day but tolerable."
Road roughness assessment: Most dispersed sites require driving on unpaved roads. "The road gets rougher the further you go in but no problem for a 4x4. Even a small car could get to some nice sites," advises a visitor at Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide.
