Dispersed camping near Cowdrey, Colorado sits within a high-elevation transition zone where sagebrush plains meet forest landscapes. The area's elevation ranges from 7,800 to over 9,000 feet, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature fluctuations and weather changes regardless of season. Mosquitoes and biting insects can be particularly problematic during summer months, especially near water sources like Walden Reservoir.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping, campers can fish for local species while enjoying waterfront camping. "Amazing views but lacks tree coverage. Tons of ants but I nothin bit me. Smells like sage and fresh air. Quiet as can be," notes one camper.
River exploration: The North Platte River provides opportunities for rafting and fishing near Six Mile Campground. "We did the float on the North Platte River. This is a minimal campground near the river with nothing more than a vault toilet. Great views of mountains and plains and even some pronghorns near the camp," reports a visitor.
Off-road vehicle use: The BLM North Sand Hills Campground area caters to ATVs and off-road enthusiasts. "It's clearly an area for off-roaders and people with ATVs. Since I got in so late I didn't make it to the actual coordinates this provides. I just pulled over in a spot that was clearly camped in before and slept," shares one camper.
What campers like
Solitude during weekdays: Many campgrounds in the area remain relatively uncrowded on weekdays. At North Sand Hills, one camper noted: "This camping site has amazing views. Sites are fairly close together but no one was around on a Sunday and Monday night."
Stargazing opportunities: The open landscape at Sage Campground creates perfect conditions for astronomy. "The biggest drawback to this campground is it is completely open with no trees... Excellent for stargazing," reports one reviewer.
Diverse wildlife viewing: The region supports numerous wildlife species. At Big Creek Lakes Campground, visitors often spot animals: "We had hundreds of chipmunks visit us each day to clean up the kids' crumbs. We also saw antelope and deer on the drive in and several moose, elk and a coyote off the highway."
What you should know
Limited camping season: Many higher elevation sites have short seasons. "Big Creek Lakes Campground... camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August. It's camping at over 9,000ft elevation," explains one camper.
Challenging road conditions: Access to many sites requires appropriate vehicles. "You will have to travel down a gravel/dirt road for ~30 miles to get to the lake and campground. Sections of it are TERRIBLY washboarded. Plan for over an hour to navigate through," warns a Big Creek Lakes visitor.
Insect preparation: Bugs can be problematic throughout the region. At Walden Reservoir, one camper warned: "Easy to get to. Lovely to see. Pelicans and seagulls. Flat, no trees and darned few bushes taller than sage. SO MANY BUGS."
Tips for camping with families
Budget camping option: The Vic & Sigrid Hanson Memorial Park offers free camping with basic facilities. "Call the sheriff on +1 (970) 723-4242 and leave name and number. There are some picnic tables with a bit of shelter... Great restaurant on Main Street. Reasonable grocery store at gas station," advises a camper.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting the abundant wildlife. "The area is beautiful, we had the greatest time hiking and fishing... Spot 23 is where we stayed and the pull through drive way is on a wicked hill. Made it tricky getting the camper level," shares a visitor to Big Creek Lakes.
Weather preparation: Families should pack for all conditions. "We showed up at night and it was very quiet, no problem finding a spot to camp. However, during the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies," notes a Walden Reservoir camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: For those requiring amenities, Sentinel Mountain RV & Quick Stop offers services. "We are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and needed a place to dump, do laundry and take on fresh water... The sites are grassy and all looked fairly level. Ours was only about a 1/3 of a bubble off side-to-side."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require careful positioning. At Whitewoods Outdoor Adventures, a visitor noted: "Dry campground $45 right next to LOTS of BLM (which I didn't realize) campground is dirt road lots and lots of garbage but it does look like they just bought the place and is a work in progress."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. At Sentinel Mountain RV, a camper reported: "AT&T coverage is a little complicated; on the South side of the RV service ranged from 1-2 Bars of 4G/LTE with service up to 8 MB/s up, but on the North side service ranged from no service to 4 bars of 3G."
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