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Dispersed camping areas are scattered throughout Pike National Forest near Como, Colorado, with several designated sites available within a 30-mile radius. The public lands surrounding Como offer free dispersed campsites including Boreas Pass Road, Hoosier Pass, McCullough Gulch, and Bruno Gulch dispersed areas. Most sites require no permits and allow camping at no cost, though some areas like Peru Creek and Breckenridge Overlook do require permits for overnight stays. These free camping zones typically feature established fire rings but minimal other amenities.
Access to dispersed sites varies significantly based on location and elevation. Many roads leading to camping areas require high-clearance vehicles, with several reviews specifically mentioning challenging road conditions. Bruno Gulch and Kirby Gulch accommodate larger vehicles including RVs, while McCullough Gulch and Boreas Pass areas primarily support tent camping with limited vehicle access. A recent review noted that "the road to get up is very rutted. I recommend a high clearance vehicle. Definitely four wheel drive is required." Most areas lack drinking water, toilets, and trash facilities, requiring campers to pack in supplies and pack out waste according to leave-no-trace principles.
Many dispersed campsites near Como sit at elevations between 9,000-11,000 feet, providing cool summer temperatures but requiring cold-weather preparation for overnight stays. Reviews consistently mention excellent stargazing opportunities and relatively quiet camping despite proximity to popular recreation areas. A camper at Kirby Gulch described it as "a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience" with "well-spaced" sites "providing plenty of privacy." Fire restrictions are common during summer months, so visitors should check current regulations with the U.S. Forest Service before planning trips. Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout most dispersed camping areas in the region.
"Road is fine for high clearance. But all of us with 4wD ask that you move over for us."
"Fun place all the way to como. I drove a Nissan camper van the whole way with a trailer. I saw every kind of car on the road so easy (a little rough in some places) drive the whole way"
"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. Pretty spot otherwise."
"Great little spot right off the highway for an evening of camping, or longer. There is a bit of foot traffic with hikers coming in but still really peaceful."
"Access road is up the groomed gravel road to McCullough Gulch Trailhead. Road has gate, but it is not closed at night. No parking along road."
"As the other reviews describe, it’s a groomed dirt road entrance near the parking lot for the Mount Quandary trail."
"We arrived around Monday lunchtime. There are 19 sites in this area as they are all designated. There were only two available when we arrived so we selected site number three."
"Great spots hidden in the trees. Dispersed free spots."
"Kirby Gulch is a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience near Grant, Colorado."
"Plenty of trail heads nearby and had moose visitors right by camp each day which was cool but be sure to respect the wildlife and give them space."
"Most SUVs will be fine on this AWD access road. There's not many difficult sections and since there are pull offs to camp or let others pass, navigating the road isn't much problem."
"with 30 campsites, in a cool old mining area, a few of the campsites are across a creek which was probably 18” deep when I crossed but will likely lower later in the season, I’d recommend a mid-high clearance"
"Rough road to get up there. Definitely need 4x4! Amazing views! great fishing! Awesome hikes! Be prepared for a little bit of wind at night. Nothing crazy but wind does pick up. Beautiful night sky’s!"
"We were at Lower Crystal Lake on July 27-28, 2022. This was our first overnight backpacking trip with our 9 and 12 year old. "
"Passing through on my way out of Colorado and was seeing the Thomas Dambo trolls and stopped for the evening before continuing to Rocky Mountains National Park."
"Good proximity to Breckenridge, good views, camping in designated sites only, stayed here for one night. 2w drive okay."
"The site is pretty easy to get to, but there is a steep hill when pulling into the site to be mindful of. A Nissan rogue made it just fine."
"Stunning views and drive all around, very easy to access from Breckenridge, and quiet. Bear boxes at all sites."
"Great dispersed campsite very close to Breckinridge. The road getting to the campsites is VERY rocky/bumpy, 4-wheel drive is recommended. There are a few popular trails nearby which is a bonus."
"There are a number of easily accessible trails nearby."
Guide# 7 was a sweet spot - You can get three to four tents in this spot if you tent camp.
Tons of deadfall for firewood
I was able to pick up three pieces of trash. I am saying it's a clean spot!
Super quiet - Saw a moose!
Great area! Easy to get to!
ScoutNice area with lots of spots, and a few that will work for a camper van. Gravel road that’s well maintained on the way up. Some road traffic but not too bad. No major views, but peaceful and easy to get to!
TravelerSo beautiful, dispersed camping at 11,200 feet surrounded by mountains. Area is busy with day hikers, go past the parking lot and set up at one of the handful of spots. Definitely for small rigs or tents, don’t come up here with a non 4x4 vehicle, and trailers would be close to impossible.
ScoutClose to the road but also the Arkansas river, decent service for the area. Not an area for trailers
ScoutSolid lil campground. Surprisingly busy mid week but everyone seems to be nice and polite. Few sections would be a bit rough for low clearance but sites 1-10 should be easily accessible. The views are gorgeous with the aspens turning this time of year.
ScoutSeveral places to pull off and camp along the road with pre-built fire rings. Some traffic comes through but still very peaceful. 22’ AWD camper van was able to make it there with no issues.
TravelerSeen my first Bull Moose in rut here! Amazing! Atv traffic but nothing horrible
TravelerThe road from the trailhead is a little rocky and rough, but we made it in our tahoe pulling our 17' travel trailer. Basically no one else here on a monday. Stunning leaves and sunset views.
TravelerI really enjoyed this spot. I visited towards the end of September 2026 during the start of the changing of the leaves and there were a lot of motorcyclists trying to get in a final ride before the season ends. Most of the spots off the main road were taken but I found a nice secluded spot right off one of the turn-offs. I arrived on a Saturday morning, and most everyone was gone by Sunday afternoon. I plan on staying for 14 days so that should take me to October 2026. Leveling was a little tricky using LevelMateMax, so I always recommend having back-up methods. Wal-Mart is a quick 30-minute trip away if you need groceries or supplies. Colorado Springs is about 45 minutes away. Cell service and internet can be spotty at times, but Starlink worked perfectly.
Dispersed camping areas near Como, Colorado sit at elevations between 9,000-11,500 feet, creating cooler conditions even during summer months. Most primitive camping sites in this region require campers to pack in all supplies including water, as natural sources are unreliable or contaminated from historic mining operations. Cell service is almost nonexistent in the upper mountain areas, requiring advance planning for navigation and emergencies.
Mountain biking access: Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping connects to several trails that accommodate both novice and experienced riders. "We accessed further down the road with our mountain bikes. Once camping area had a picnic table, most others were typical dispersed camping. There is a super cool mine in the area that you can explore!" notes Leah W.
Wildlife viewing: Kirby Gulch offers numerous opportunities to observe local wildlife in natural habitats. A recent camper reported, "Spent three nights here. Plenty of trail heads nearby and had moose visitors right by camp each day which was cool but be sure to respect the wildlife and give them space."
Stargazing: Rock Creek Hills Road provides excellent night sky visibility due to minimal light pollution. "We will be returning!" says Amanda S., who noted the area's "large and far enough apart" sites that offer privacy despite occasional traffic from off-road vehicles.
Established fire rings: Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping features numerous sites with preexisting fire rings. A recent visitor mentioned, "We arrived here on a Friday afternoon in late August 2024 and were pleasantly surprised to find several spots still available, even later in the day. While many of the campsites are quite small and located right along the roadside with limited parking, we were lucky to find a fantastic, more spacious spot."
Secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy available at Spruce Creek/Crystal Creek Designated Dispersed Camping. According to one review, "Sites were far enough away from each other to feel secluded, but overall the place was pretty busy on the weekend. Fire pits were already established and the ground was matted down for tents."
Proximity to trails: Hoosier Pass Dispersed Camping provides convenient access to hiking opportunities. "Great little spot right off the highway for an evening of camping, or longer. There is a bit of foot traffic with hikers coming in but still really peaceful," reports Nicola, highlighting the balance between accessibility and tranquility.
Weather preparation: The high elevation of primitive camping near Como requires proper equipment even in summer. At Kirby Gulch, a camper advised, "It did get pretty cool at night, and our kids definitely let us know about it. Luckily we have extra blankets to insulate their bags and another person in our party had a small heater. But even in July, plan for cooler night time temps and rain!"
Vehicle requirements: McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping demands appropriate transportation. One visitor observed, "The road to sites 8-10 gets tricky in a few spaces but we were able to make it up and down with an AWD SUV." Another noted that "Even with our lifted AWD van, there were sites we didn't want to drive up to."
Seasonal closures: Several areas restrict access during certain times of year. Lower Crystal Lake received reviews stating, "The main road to the lower lake is closed to vehicles, I'm guessing for the season" and "Closed" in recent months, indicating the importance of checking current status before planning a trip.
Accessible water features: Bruno Gulch Dispersed camping offers creek access for children. "Peru Creek was just across the road and we took our chairs over to sit by it one sunny afternoon which was wonderful," shares a family who visited the area, making it ideal for keeping kids entertained.
Spacious campsites: Bruno Gulch Dispersed provides larger areas suitable for family equipment. A camper noted, "We arrived in a Thursday afternoon and found a large wide open spot just before the Chihuahua Gulch trailhead. We have an off-road teardrop trailer with rooftop tent and travelled with another family with rooftop tent and we were able to spread out with plenty of level ground."
Insect preparation: Multiple camping areas report significant mosquito activity. At Spruce Creek, one visitor warned, "Beware - the mosquitoes in August there are no joke, bring the bug spray!!" This advice applies throughout the region, especially near water sources.
Site access limitations: Breckenridge Overlook offers limited options for larger vehicles. "Couldn't find any designated camping spots, but if you keep driving there're so many spots that are just pull offs. Some are big enough for 2 cars and tents," reports Samuel S., indicating smaller rigs fare better.
Road condition awareness: Kirby Gulch provides numerous sites but requires careful navigation. "Great spot. First 30 or few spots are a little close, accessible for most vehicles but fills up quickly. Past 30, they get more dispersed but more difficult to get to. Past 35 or so it's a true 4x4 trail, only saw broncos/jeeps past this," advises Jerad D.
Turn-around planning: Multiple campers emphasize the importance of considering exit strategy. One McCullough Gulch visitor noted, "Most sites would be tricky with a trailer because of the lack of turn around space (sites 6 & 7 would work for this)," highlighting the need to plan for reversing limitations when driving larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4WD required to access Como dispersed camping sites?
4WD is highly recommended for most dispersed camping areas around Como. Fraile's Campground - Dispersed specifically requires four-wheel drive due to heavily rutted access roads. Similarly, at Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping, campers note that while some low-clearance vehicles like Subaru Foresters can make it, high-clearance 4WD vehicles are much more suitable for the challenging terrain. Road conditions often worsen after rain or snow, making 4WD essential during wet weather. Some of the easier access sites along main forest roads may be accessible with AWD vehicles in dry conditions, but having 4WD capability provides access to more remote sites with less crowding.
Where is dispersed camping available in Como, Colorado?
Dispersed camping is available in several areas near Como, Colorado. Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping offers spacious sites along the creek with bumpy road access. Another option is Bruno Gulch Dispersed near Grant, which provides free camping with water access. The Como area is surrounded by Pike National Forest land, offering numerous dispersed camping opportunities on Forest Service roads. Most sites are situated along dirt roads and in wooded areas that provide privacy and scenic mountain views. Look for established fire rings which indicate previously used camping spots.
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Como, CO?
Dispersed camping in the Como area follows standard Forest Service regulations: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings, and practice Leave No Trace principles. At Kirby Gulch and similar areas, the 14-day stay limit is enforced. Hidden Wilderness Roadside Camp has designated camping spots scattered along forest roads. No permits are required for dispersed camping, but campfires may be restricted during dry seasons or fire bans. Pack out all trash, bury human waste at least 6 inches deep, and store food securely to avoid wildlife conflicts. Motor vehicles must remain on designated roads and established sites.
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