Best Dispersed Camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area, CO

Located about 20 minutes from the town of Crested Butte, Slate River Road is home to a bunch of campgrounds. Note: These areas differ from the BLM section you will drive through. After the Oh Be Joyful BLM land, you will then make your way into Forest Service operated areas where there is tons of dispersed camping and it is free. 

We spent some time here around 4th of July and all the spots were filled as expected. Camp grounds are all dispersed, free and have no amenities at the site except some areas have vault toilets. There are a few campgrounds on the left side of the road and if those are all full there are many other spots just along the sides of the roads. The spot where the pin is for this site is one of the few “Camp grounds” where there is a small parking lot built and spots are somewhat defined. 

Most of them were big enough for multiple cars and tents as well as full sized RV’s. The forest service does patrol this area and we saw them writing tickets for people who were parked in areas they should not be in. It seems they used rocks to define camping areas and people were parked beyond them. Keep that in mind when selecting a spot. 

If you cannot find a spot in one of these campgrounds, keep driving. A good portion of the road is Forest Service and camping is allowed on the sides of the road. We saw people camping for miles up the road. 

As is with most of Crested Butte, there is tons to do in this area. Drives, hikes, mountain biking, fishing…the list goes on. We spent a long weekend here, it was a great base camp spot however our spot was pretty exposed to the sun. 

Bonus: We saw tons of wildlife every day right across the river from our camp chairs. Deer. Moose and a Bear!

BLM land just outside the south (main) entrance to Black Canyon National Park. Road can be rough, especially slippery mud after rain. Many dispersed sites with cleared space and fire rings along the road, which goes for miles. Reserved campsites within the National Park can be difficult to get ... there's no shortage of sites here, just outside. There's a small store at the junction of the Park access road with US 50, selling firewood, ice, and necessities. Montrose is a short 15 miles away for more substantial needs (gasoline, repairs, shopping).

Dispersed camping along the South Mineral Creek. This is dry camping with a vault toilet- no hook ups. This is popular with RV’ers and OHV’ers as it is free. The limit is the usual fourteen days. Some “sites” have fire pits, and there are a few picnic tables scattered about. There are a few sites right on the water. Further back in at some larger sites that could accommodate small rvs. The plus is the free camping right on the “river”. The minus is that the road to the forest service campground and the Ice Lake trailhead is very close, very busy, and very dusty.

This BLM land is well trafficked, the sizes are big and there are 5-6 in the first few miles of the road. They sit right along the river slow flowing. There is ZERO cell service or gas for 15+ miles. So pack accordingly. Great to unplug and explore.

Easy to find BLM land with decent roads and lots of spots. I stayed here 3 days and never saw or heard another person. It’s only 5 miles from the North Rim of Black Canyon National Park. Crawford is about 8 miles away and has some restaurants with good home cooking.

Great dispersed camping! Spots were clearly marked and had easy access. The views were fantastic! We would definitely go back. Some of the spots are more exposed and offer less privacy than others. Our spot felt very secluded even though it was right by the road.

One negative was the dust/dirt. The dirt here is very fine and sticks to everything, so be prepared to get dusty/dirty, especially if you have kids.

Popular dispersed camping spot close to silverton. Took our pups on a walk to the beautiful creek, mountains view all around. Bathroom pit toilet, clean but may run out of toilet paper semi frequently. Stayed two nights, wonderful time!

Reach this BLM dispersed about 9 miles on route 90 from the center of Montrose, good paved until the last mile good graveled.  IMMEDIATELY after hairpin switchback, turn left and you'll find a 2 acre mesa with junipers and views, probably can fit 5 camps in there with elbow room.  I had 2 neighbors.  Shade is limited so it'll be hot in the summer.  Only good legal free camping near town!

Blue lakes is one of the most vibrant colored lakes in Colorado and you can camp right at its shores! This is dispersed/backcountry camping only. Spots can be found right before the lake, look for a clearing and setup. This area can get really busy with day hikers and campers so go early and try for a weekday. We went up there on a weekday and saw about 10 other tents. Camping is free, make sure to pack it out there. 

Great jump off point to hike Mt Sneffles or up to the other lakes. The hike is around 3.2 miles one way but worth every step.

We were passing through town, and and all campgrounds in the area were packed out...on a Thursday. The actual lakes dispersed camping were full too, so we ended up parking on the side of the road going up to the lakes. It was a bit freaky just because it felt so isolating. I’m sure it would be fun if you’re fully prepared for bear prevention and enjoy that kind of isolation.

There are 12 decent spots of a several mile dirt road suitable for 2 wheel drive in summer along the spectacular slate river valley that leads up to the 4x4 paradise divide. The sites begin about 5 miles from town and end at the hairpin turn that begins the 4x4 section. Mostly open and clearly marked, sites 6-9 were most attractive to us in that they offered some shade and a bit of distance from road. They were all taken when we arrived mid weekday in July so we stayed at the currently unlisted musicians camp NFS campground still in it's infancy as a solution to previously unmitigated dispersed camping mayhem that i will review in detail when dyrt lists it. The campground offered movers sites (#15-17) than were the dispersed camping options and were (as of July 2021) also free.

First off, make sure you’re using the GPSing to Blue Lakes Trailhead, Telluride 81435 There are two different trailheads and there is camping at the other one (going through Ouray), but you can find that through the NPS system (Thistledown Campground and Angel Creek Campground).

The true dispersed camping is along the route to the “telluride/ Ridgway” trailhead. You should be entering the forest through route 7. This is an 8-ish mile road from the highway to the forest entrance. The camping spots will not appear until you’re actually across the forest threshold (there is a sign and a cattle guard), with only about 1.5 miles left your gps-ed route. The round is rough and long, but manageable in a 2wd car. (I have a Camry.)

I stayed here the past two nights and was lucky enough to have some campers split their space with me. We were right by the stream, maybe a half mile from the TH itself. It’s shortly after the meadow, on your left as you drive in. Cars definitely came and went throughout the evening, but the sound of the stream drowned them out. The temps are def dropping at night this time of year and it was in the 30s. There was ZERO cell service for Verizon. Would def stay here again - in warmer conditions!

You are also able to hike your gear in and camp at the Lower Blue Lake level itself, if that’s you’re thing!

You can camp at a designated campground right on the lake, or you drive up 24 and find a lot of dispersed camping available - all the way up to the little lakes (great for fishing too). The dispersed camping is above the lakes which offers incredible views but is first come, first serve. Definitely bring your paddle boards, kayaks, etc.

This is one of my favorite places in Colorado - but beware of the altitude! Drink lots of water, you will forget how high you are and a little altitude sickness might creep up on you, even if you've been here before without issues. It's also very close to Mt. Elbert and you should take Independence Pass to Aspen for a gorgeous drive and lots of wildlife!

This site rivals my favorite spot in Big Sur. I chose this campground thanks to the previous reviewers. The spot I chose on the map was already taken when I got there, which was next to the creek. After scouting out a few more sites up the road, I landed on one that was even better than I could have imagined. There was a little brook running through and I had to carry my gear over a log to the actual site (though you could definitely set up camp where I parked) and burning the extra calories was worth it. My backdrop was beautiful and even though it rained the entire time I was there, this is still one of my favorite camping spots I’ve stumbled across here in Colorado. It looks like there were multiple fire rings where I camped so I imagine it gets really busy with hikers once summer is in full swing. Totally perfect for anyone who enjoys truly primitive camping. The road up was muddy and had big divots but I think any vehicle would be fine, as long as you take it slow. No cell signal up here so plan for that. Not that you’ll need it :) Enjoy, guys!

Parked and camped below the trail head in the dispersed camping there. It was full of shade and a river flowing through it. Will be back.

Off road trail will take you to a campground, but there are many dispersed sites throughout the trail. We found a beautiful small lake on our way up. Some fire rings made out of rocks, but fires were not allowed. Beautiful and quiet, no amenities as usual with dispersed camping. Only complaint was the swarms of mosquitoes. Get here early on weekends, sites fill quickly!

Went dispersed camping for the first time! Location is amazing and very close to the entrance of the black canyon national park.

Whilst setting up our tent we even saw a bear (really close really scary, we slept in the car)

10/10 would recommend

Good luck finding an Air BNB in Crested Butte. If you're smart, you'll bring a tent and set up camp here off of Slate River road. The camping incredible. The dispersed spots fill up quickly though, especially in the summer but it's obvious why. Don't expect typical campground amenities, these are just dirt pull offs with the occasional fire ring from the previous visitors. Mountain bikers frequent the area and line the road in the summer months. Some single track trails are close to some of the more southeastern spots but you're still not a very far drive from town out here. Slate River runs through the valley where the dispersed camping exists and offers a cool reprieve on the warm summer days and the rising ridge lines on either side are beautiful. If you take the road far enough, you can get to iconic crystal mill as well but I haven't made the trek so I can't speak to what that drive looks like. As far as this dispersed camping goes, no need for a 4WD or high clearance, these sites are easily accessible.

Stocked reservoir with rainbow and brook trout. Smaller fish but fun fishing. 

The dispersed camping is located on the east side of the reservoir. Vault toilets located here and no water(except the reservoir). All camping is first-come, first-serve. Bring bug spray as the mosquitoes are pretty bad here.