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Dispersed Camping near Cripple Creek, CO

83 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Teller County sits above 9,500 feet through most of the Cripple Creek corridor, which sets the conditions clearly: cold nights year-round, limited access before snowmelt in spring, and roads that vary from graded dirt to rough two-track depending on where you go. Pike National Forest land in this area has dispersed sites with no fees, no water, and no restroom access. The 14-day stay limit applies. Bring all your own water and plan for waste pack-out.

    Woodland Park is about 25 miles northeast and has no-fee forest sites near Woodland Park on national forest land with a few more road options for finding open spots. Colorado Springs is about 45 miles northeast if you need a developed campground with water and vault toilets. The Dyrt campers flagging conditions in this corridor consistently mention that high-clearance vehicles handle the upper forest roads considerably better than passenger cars, particularly in early season before the roads fully dry out.

    Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Cripple Creek (83)

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      1. Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed

      4.5(15)9mi from Cripple CreekRVs, Tents

      "Amazing location right next to Boehmer Creek. There are 5 or 6 sites mainly for tents. You might be able ti get an rv in there but low hanging trees and narrow rutted trails would be a problem."

      "Make sure to bring your bug spray. Nice fire pit and gorgeous views. Saw fish in stream a couple of deer and tons of chipmunks. Saw a little trash here and there."

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      2. Cripple Creek BLM Area

      4.8(6)5mi from Cripple Creek

      "We travelled from Tennessee to find some wonderful back country primitive camping and man did we find it."

      "The dispersed sites aren’t far from the road since most of the road goes down a valley with hills on both sides however there’s a nice creek running down the whole way."

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      3. Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping

      4.5(21)18mi from Cripple Creek

      "Rampart Range Road is the main dirt road that has plenty of smaller trails branching off of it to keep you busy exploring all summer."

      "Tucked back in National Forest land."

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      4. Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite

      4.6(20)19mi from Cripple CreekTents

      "We were going from direction Divide town using provided coordinates. All went fine until we ended up in a dead end road with private residence."

      "Rough road getting there though"

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      5. clyde dispersed camping

      4.4(5)6mi from Cripple CreekRVs, Tents

      "Just be sure to look into the county’s current fire ban and not the national park! But the sound of the river flowing thru sure made it peaceful at night"

      "It sits in the meadow right next to the creek. There are two sites one of which is definitely big enough for a decent size rig."

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      6. Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park

      4.2(20)19mi from Cripple Creek

      "A Long rocky and dirt road lays ahead of these dispersed camping areas. This park has set up campgrounds, but we chose to drive off road a bit and set up camp on the edge of a rocky overlook."

      "Had to walk a bit but thats ok. Great veiws no one around. Sadly no campfires, so early to bed. Very close to great trialheads"

      7. Phantom Canyon

      4.4(8)14mi from Cripple CreekTents

      "I’m a rooftop tent camper and the views are amazing but was hoping to be close to the water and isolated from other campers."

      "I like there were different sized spots and a clearly marked line where a 4WD/AWD vehicle is needed and no large rigs."

      8. Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping

      4.1(36)26mi from Cripple Creek

      "If you enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies, drive in dispersed camping and putting your off-roading skills to the test, this dispersed campsite is a must visit!"

      "Not far from the monument exit on I-25. The road is rocky bumpy & rutty in many areas. In others its smooth.  Yet suitable for 2wd vehicles.  Some campsites have mobile data & many do not.  "

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      9. Rampart Reservoir Dispersed

      3.9(11)18mi from Cripple CreekRVs, Tents

      "I try to find a different line but it was just very rough road. I got here about 7:00 and although there are many spots here I sleep in the back of my pickup truck so I wanted a level spot."

      "There are three dispersed camping areas on this road. It is close to the rampart reservoir, which is very nice."

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      10. Penrose Common Rec Site

      3.8(12)19mi from Cripple Creek

      "Road in is rough, but manageable with a high clearance vehicle. Plenty of space to spread out. Popular with those ATV things. Pit toilet, no trash."

      "There’s lots of trails in the area (OHV) but other than that, not much else to do. There is a clean vault toilet at the entrance, no trash services. Plenty of spots as you keep driving up the hill."

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    Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Cripple Creek, CO

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    Dispersed Camping Reviews near Cripple Creek, CO

    424 Reviews of 83 Cripple Creek Campgrounds

    • Juliana J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      Phantom Canyon

      Love a little history/camping combo!

      Cool spot. I like there were different sized spots and a clearly marked line where a 4WD/AWD vehicle is needed and no large rigs. I found a spot that was visible by the road, but there was water access and cool surroundings. The main road was well paved, but turning into my site was a bit rough and I needed the 4WD. There were large animal (I assume black bear) prints to give that extra bit of camping excitement, but no actual sitings (one day, Juliana. One day). Some mosquitos but not overwhelming. The scenery was gorgeous. Definitely a bit desert-esque but it was legitimately perfect weather in mid September. Cool creek rocks and a stunner of a sunset. Would absolutely return again. No numbered sites. Toilets about 1/4 mile beyond the drive through boulder.

    • Juliana J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      Cripple Creek BLM Area

      Worth the trek! Stunning landscape right on the creek

      Quite the drive but worth it. They were repaving some of the road and I personally had no issues getting to a site. It’s gravel, but doable for most vehicles. There was a propane tank and some trash left behind when I got there (always disheartening to find), but it didn’t feel “lived in” like some other spots have so I ultimately felt pretty safe. It was truly beautiful. I got a spot right at the creek that was tucked away from the main road. Maybe a handful of cars passed throughout my stay, so very peaceful and quiet. Zero amenities, so come prepared. No Verizon cell service. Lots of milky quartz laying about, beautiful birds and minimal bugs. Would make the trek here again in a heartbeat.

    • JThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 3, 2026

      Co Rd 306 Dispersed Camping

      Amazing

      Seen my first Bull Moose in rut here! Amazing! Atv traffic but nothing horrible

    • johny R.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 1, 2026

      Beaver Creek Rd Dispersed Site

      Fan favorite

      This middle section of the road has mixed spots some are wooded some are wide open it really just depends on whats available. People pour in around dusk so get there early and get a good spot with a mountain view and maybe you will see a moose like i did. Road is good cell is 1-2 bars in this secrion

    • johny R.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 1, 2026

      Beaver Creek Road

      Prime spots

      This middle section of the road gas some of the best views of pikes peak. Just cruise along the road there are a couple prime.spots you could get a trailer in and then several car sized spots for vans and smaller rigs. Road is 2wd safe but cell is a little spotty

    • Mike & Sarge ..The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 27, 2026

      Manchester Creek Trailhead

      Hidden Gem

      I 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.

    • GThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 19, 2026

      Phantom Canyon

      Almost perfect

      I love canyon camping and this was a guddin. Would be a 5 but for trash and traffic. Found a nice little creekside pull through between the tunnels that scratched the itch.

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 13, 2026

      320A Mt. Herman Dispersed

      An amazing campspot

      i really enjoyed this spot. the road up gets a little interesting, but if i can do it in my ford fiesta, im sure just about any car could!

    Guide to Cripple Creek

    Dispersed camping opportunities near Cripple Creek, Colorado range from 8,500 to 10,000 feet in elevation across Pike National Forest and Bureau of Land Management territories. Winter camping sees temperatures regularly dropping below 20°F while summer nights typically remain in the 40-50°F range. Most campsites feature native ponderosa pine and aspen forest coverage with underlying rocky terrain that can challenge tent setup.

    What to do

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Pike National Forest Divide area offers excellent wildlife spotting chances. "We had a moose and deer at our campsite during the mornings so I suggest being weary of wildlife," reports one camper at Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide. Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing windows.

    Creek fishing access: Several sites offer direct access to seasonal streams. A visitor to Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed noted, "Saw fish in stream a couple of deer and tons of chipmunks." Most accessible fishing spots are found in the first 3-4 miles of service roads.

    History exploration: The area contains numerous abandoned mining structures. At Phantom Canyon, one camper shared, "The spot closest to the mining town has been my favorite so far! It is in a canyon so you won't have any cell phone signal... The history is awesome, the drive is beautiful, and there is a creek that runs along close by at every site."

    What campers like

    Rock climbing access: Several sites feature climbing opportunities. A visitor to Phantom Canyon commented, "Sweet spots along the creek side. Dispersed area that is very spread out so you are not near others. Also has access to climbing walls right by sites."

    Creek-side camping: Water features enhance many sites. One camper at clyde dispersed camping mentioned, "This site is right at the intersection of Gold, Camp Road and FR376. It sits in the meadow right next to the creek. There are two sites one of which is definitely big enough for a decent size rig."

    Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution makes stargazing exceptional. "The stars are beautiful at night," noted a visitor to Penrose Common Rec Site. Finding sites away from main roads reduces ambient light further.

    What you should know

    Fire restrictions enforcement: Local rangers actively monitor compliance. "Sadly no campfires, so early to bed," explained a camper at Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park. Penalties for violations start at $500.

    Varying vehicle requirements: Road conditions differ significantly by site. One visitor to Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite advised, "There are so many places to camp on rampart range rd that you do not have to camp in the sites right off the main road. Too much dust from passing cars and this is a heavy ohv area. Head down one of the many connecting service roads for better options and some peace and quiet."

    Trash management concerns: Pack-out discipline varies widely among visitors. "Unfortunately some of the campsites were absolutely trashed :( however, we walked a bit to find a good spot right next to the creek with a mini fire pit and enough flat ground to pitch a tent," noted a camper at Gold Camp Road. Bringing extra trash bags helps maintain sites.

    Tips for camping with families

    Best timing: Mid-week visits significantly reduce crowding issues. "Went early July 2024. Tons of open spots and only saw one other camper a couple hundred yards away. Make sure to bring your bug spray," advised a visitor to Gold Camp Road.

    Kid-friendly sites: Look for locations with natural play features. "This site has an amazing sunset view every night. The nights were cold some lows 32° and it snowed the first night which we were hoping for. The sunrises were stunning watching the sunlight slowly shed light on the golden aspens was a beautiful sight," shared a camper at Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park.

    Safety considerations: Wildlife activity requires proper food storage. "We seen very little wildlife at the site only an owl and a few birds however the drive to and from camp we seen many deer be cautious at night," noted a visitor to Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park.

    Tips from RVers

    Level site locations: Specific spots accommodate larger vehicles. A visitor to Gold Camp Road observed, "The spot was gorgeous and the sound of the creek completely drowned out any noises or people. When we went not many people out there however, the spots are super separated. Even has a nice big flat area to pull in an RV or something like that."

    Road hazards: Several access routes present challenges. "It wasn't level enough so I don't think I will be back but I loved it, I spend 10 days and I have no complaints with temp of 65-45 it was wonderful taking off the crazy storm with having hailing one night," explained a Gold Camp Road camper about their 21-foot travel trailer experience.

    Turnaround availability: Limited options exist for larger rigs. A camper at Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping warned, "Sorry, No photos. It is very beautiful up there. I have only been here once, and I did not do enough research. 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."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cripple Creek, Colorado?

    Several free dispersed camping options exist near Cripple Creek. Oil Well Flats offers spacious, flat sites with stunning views and is accessible for most vehicles, though travel trailers might find the incline challenging. Phantom Canyon provides isolated camping spots about 14 miles down a dirt road with beautiful scenery. Both areas are drive-in accessible and don't require reservations. Additional dispersed camping can be found throughout Pike National Forest surrounding Cripple Creek. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with a typical 14-day stay limit. For the best experience, arrive mid-week when competition for sites is lower, bring all necessary supplies, and practice Leave No Trace principles.

    Is there BLM land for camping around Cripple Creek?

    Yes, BLM land is available for camping around the Cripple Creek area. Penrose BLM sites offer designated camping areas with a 14-day maximum stay. These sites have pit toilets at the BLM land entrance and are accessible by properly equipped vehicles, though roads can become challenging in adverse weather conditions. Tarryall Creek Dispersed Camping is another option in the region, featuring spacious sites but requiring high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles for access, especially if conditions are wet. BLM lands generally don't provide amenities like water or electricity, so campers should come prepared with all necessary supplies and be ready for primitive camping conditions.

    What rules and regulations apply to dispersed camping in Cripple Creek?

    Dispersed camping in the Cripple Creek area follows standard public land regulations. At Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping, you must camp in established sites only, with vehicle access restricted to existing roads and trails. Route 31 Camp prohibits off-highway vehicles (OHVs), ensuring quieter camping experiences. Throughout the region, the 14-day maximum stay limit is strictly enforced. Campfires are permitted only in existing fire rings, and may be restricted during fire bans. Pack-in/pack-out policies apply for all trash, and human waste must be properly buried away from water sources. Camping is typically allowed only in designated dispersed sites, not randomly throughout the forest. Check current conditions and restrictions before your trip, as rules can change seasonally.

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