Pike National Forest surrounds Cripple Creek, Colorado with camping options ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation. The area features pine forests interspersed with aspen groves and mountain meadows. Overnight temperatures can drop below 40°F even in summer months due to the high elevation, requiring campers to pack warm clothing regardless of season.
What to do
Rock climbing access: Shelf Road Sites provides direct access to climbing areas. "The Banks campsites are perfect if you're climbing at Shelf Road. You can hike from the campsite. There are vault toilets that are clean and have toilet paper," notes Alice C.
Fishing opportunities: Several sites offer access to streams and small lakes for fishing. Trout fishing is particularly popular at some locations in spring and early summer when water levels are higher. Remember that Colorado fishing licenses are required and can be purchased online or at sporting goods stores in nearby towns.
Crystal hunting: The red rock areas contain mineral deposits worth exploring. One visitor to Red Canyon Park mentioned "AMAZING crystal finds here," though they also cautioned about "cacti mats everywhere and not safe for pets/dogs."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide the best opportunities for viewing deer, small mammals, and birds. "We saw one more camper drive by the entire weekend. Other than that, it was completely quiet and we felt nice and secluded," reported Taylor B. about their winter camping experience.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed camping areas offer substantial separation between campers. At Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites, one camper found "a place tucked back away from the road and felt completely secluded from the world. No service, no noise, just the sound of the creek and an occasional car driving by."
Winter camping opportunities: The area offers year-round camping possibilities for those prepared for cold weather. "We came mid February and arrived to a bit of snow. We saw one more camper drive by the entire weekend. Other than that, it was completely quiet," shared one visitor about their experience.
Geology exploration: The distinctive red rock formations provide unique exploration opportunities. "There are some really cool rock formations - but only to look at unfortunately as they are on private property. However, there are plenty of rocks to scramble up on for a view of the formations that are public," noted a camper.
Stargazing conditions: Minimal light pollution in dispersed camping areas creates excellent night sky viewing. "Stunning views of the canyon and great star gazing. Just get there on a weekday or all of the off-the-road spots will be taken up," advised Matthew L.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mountain weather can change rapidly, with significant temperature drops at night even in summer. At Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite, one visitor reported: "The place was pretty windy when we were there and next day we woke up with few inches of snow. Nothing of that down in town."
Road conditions: Many camping areas require driving on dirt roads of varying quality. A camper at Red Canyon Park noted, "The dirt road was easy for our loaded down Subaru to handle," while another mentioned "major dips in the roads" that challenged larger vehicles.
Wildlife precautions: Bears are active in the area, requiring proper food storage. One camper advised, "BE SMART ABOUT FOOD! We did have a bear encounter as we were driving out of the park."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack water sources and restrooms. Vault toilets exist at some established areas, but campers need to bring all necessary water. "Spaces feel very clearly mapped out so you know pretty quick if you are parked in a designated spot. Signs say that you can stay for up to 72 hours."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Look for campsites with natural barriers that prevent wandering toward roads. One family at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites found "an amazing camp site that was down a slope. We parked up top and lugged everything down the slope. It was tough but so worth it... Highly worth the hard work as you're secluded from the road and have a lot of tree coverage for hot days. Also great to utilize this if you have young children who like to wander."
Bug protection: Insects can be problematic during summer months. "BRING BUG SPRAY! Mosquitos were a bit annoying but DEET helped," recommended one camper. Another mentioned "biting flies" being particularly troublesome: "The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times."
Historic features: Several areas contain remnants of mining history that can interest children. The drive through Phantom Canyon includes "cool tunnels to drive through" as mentioned by visitors, providing educational opportunities about the area's gold mining past.
Water recreation: Some campsites provide creek access for shallow water play. "There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water," noted a family that camped near a creek, providing natural entertainment for children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Many dispersed sites require leveling equipment. At Rocky Mountain Oasis!!, campers reported needing to use leveling blocks on uneven ground: "We went quite a ways in and found a site for our campervan. Needed leveling blocks but saw several occupied sites more level."
Road clearance considerations: Some access roads have significant dips requiring higher clearance vehicles. "There's major dips in the roads," noted one camper, while another mentioned: "It took us three attempts to get our overweight 2-wheel drive van up the hill and back onto the road. There are a lot of loose rocks."
Space limitations: Larger RVs face significant challenges on many roads leading to dispersed camping areas. A camper observed: "The road is dirt and goes for 7+ miles if you keep going to exit the park a different way... Cars and campers cannot make it past a certain point."
