Tent camping near Como, Colorado offers wilderness experiences at elevations between 9,800 and 12,000 feet with access to high alpine meadows and mountain lakes. The area sits within Pike National Forest, where summer temperatures range from 40°F at night to 75°F during day. Weather changes rapidly at these elevations, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August.
What to do
Hiking to alpine lakes: Accessible from McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping, where hikers can trek to waterfalls and mountain lakes. "My partner and I hiked the McCullough Gulch Waterfall trail and camped at this campground. Couldn't have been a better location for the hike," notes one camper.
Fishing mountain waters: Jefferson Lake Recreation Area provides trout fishing opportunities. "Be prepared for great fishing too! We had a great time with simple spinning lures! There were several kayaks out so if you're into that it certainly is a pristine place for it," explains a visitor.
Four-wheel drive adventures: The area features rugged trails accessible from most dispersed camping areas. At Lower Crystal Lake, "There is a cool Boulder field once you get to the lake for extra 4x4 fun. Really beautiful high alpine lake with only a few spots to potentially camp."
Colorado Trail access: Many sites connect to the Colorado Trail. As one Kenosha East visitor noted, "This campground is at the start of the Colorado Trail. A hiking trail that is frequented by backpackers. The trail is also surrounded by aspen grove with thick wildflowers and wild grasses."
What campers like
Solitude in mountain settings: Campers appreciate the isolation at many sites. At Spruce Creek/Crystal Creek Designated Dispersed Camping, "Sites were far enough away from each other to feel secluded, but overall the place was pretty busy on the weekend."
Evening stargazing: High elevation offers excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Spruce Creek noted, "Great star gazing opportunity as there was a new moon when we went, so saw plenty of shooting stars and the milky way!"
Wildlife sightings: The area supports diverse wildlife. At Boreas Pass, a visitor reported, "Wildlife was another highlight—there were clear signs of moose activity nearby, and fellow campers just up the road mentioned seeing a moose wander around their site."
Fall foliage viewing: September and October bring colorful aspen displays. "I came in October when the aspens and birch still had some leaves. Beautiful colors on bareus pass," notes a Boreas Pass visitor.
What you should know
Road conditions vary widely: Many sites require appropriate vehicles. For Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping, "We have a 4wd Sprinter with slightly larger tires, and pulling an off road trailer. We made it with ease. There were potholes to contend with and some mid-sized rocks that did have us rockin' and rollin' from side to side. Slow roll it and you'll be fine."
Mosquitoes present in summer: Bug protection is essential, especially near water. A Spruce Creek camper warned, "Beware - the mosquitoes in August there are no joke, bring the bug spray!!"
Cold nights even in summer: Temperature drops can be extreme. "Temps were high 70s in the evenings and low 40s at night in mid July so prepare with layers," reports a McCullough Gulch visitor.
Campsite competition on weekends: Arrive early on summer weekends. A visitor to Peru Creek noted, "Came up on a Saturday morning during the summer and it was fairly busy. We managed to find a beautiful spot by the creek after going up the road a while."
Tips for camping with families
Tent sites with easy trail access: Families appreciate camping near moderate hiking trails. "Loved the trailhead next to the campsite. The hike is good for kids. We saw some moose by the lake, and fishing was great," says a Lodgepole Campground visitor.
Campgrounds with vault toilets: Some sites offer basic facilities for family comfort. A Kite Lake reviewer noted, "The absolute cleanest trailhead/campground bathroom ever."
Protected camping areas: Look for sites with natural wind protection. "Our site was located in an aspen grove with lush grass and wildflowers. It was beautiful to look out on the grove and watch the bees collect pollen," described a Kenosha East camper.
Sites with stream access: Children enjoy water play at certain locations. At Peru Creek, "Peru Creek was just across the road and we took our chairs over to sit by it one sunny afternoon which was wonderful."
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions at dispersed sites: Larger vehicles struggle at most sites. At Kite Lake, a visitor advised, "The sites were rocky but spacious enough to hold a tent or two and they were pretty spaced out to compensate for lack of trees and shrubs at high altitude for privacy."
Designated pull-offs: Some areas have specific RV-friendly spots. "Site 14 has fantastic access/setup for a van," notes a Peru Creek visitor about specific site options.
High clearance requirements: Most roads demand appropriate vehicles. A McCullough Gulch reviewer advised, "Even with our lifted AWD van, there were sites we didn't want to drive up to. In addition, it is heavily wooded, so if you need Starlink that likely would not work."
Turning radius considerations: RVers should scout ahead. "Campsite road is a rough rock road about 100m long. A 2WD car might manage it, but 4WD is better. A large RV or trailer might be able to just pull in to an area straight down road, but it would be facing the wrong direction and backing out would be challenging," explained a McCullough Gulch visitor.
