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Pike National Forest roads around Deckers have some of the most accessible dispersed camping in the Front Range foothills, and The Dyrt check-ins here run consistently heavy from May through October. Sites cluster along creek drainages and pine-covered ridges at elevations between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, which keeps them accessible earlier in spring and later in fall than higher-elevation alternatives. No water, no restrooms, 14-day stay limit. Road conditions are the main variable, with some two-tracks getting soft and rutted after rain.
Pike and San Isabel National Forests dispersed sites cover the broader forest network if the roads immediately around Deckers are crowded during summer weekends. Buffalo Creek is about 15 miles away and has additional forest road access worth checking as an alternative when Deckers fills up.
"So busy that we had to go in the middle of the week to get a spot, so plan ahead here and expect crowds. That being said, each spot is unique and we loved it."
"We stayed here a couple weekends in a row and we were able to try out some different spots and trails close to those spots. This free campground is perfect! "
"We only drove into the 30s and turned around to claim site 23. Only a few spots are across from one another or beside each other. Majority of the sites are spaced out which was really nice."
"A large number of established roadside dispersed camping spots to choose from. All spots have metal fire rings, so campfires are allowed even with Stage 1 fire restrictions in place."
"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. "
"Rock fire pits, wood around. No water, garbage, nor toilets. Cool temps, road in is rough go slow. Nice shady trees. First few spots you encounter left, then right seem ok."
"We drove a couple of miles up the decently maintained dirt road and found the second dispersed camping spot and decided to set up our roof top tent for the night. "
"Most of the campsites are right next to a dirt road with little privacy. I went on a hike on the 4x4 road and there were so many more dope campsites.."
"Lots of shade in the morning at our spot. We were by a dirt road and did have a few vehicles drive by but not bad. There is bear scat, not old and not new, in the area but no wildlife was seen."
"Felt safe car camping as there was a thunderstorm. Beware of cows in the road as you enter the area, they’re kind if you are! Verizon cell coverage at the site I parked at was 1-3 bars."
"The first 3 are out in the open and then the remaining 5 are past the trailhead. Nice area for Starlink and solar and dog walks. It’s a burn site."
"Great dispersed camping for an evening on our way out west. The campground nearby was closed, but it was easy finding a dispersed spot near OHV trails."
"Tarryall Reservoir is an awesome location. To update from a different review; the ONLY camping is dispersed. There is a day use only area next to the reservoir with no overnight camping."
"This dispersed camp site has numerous spots with rock fire pits. There are a lot of dirt bikes and atvs driving during the day however I didn’t find it overly disruptive."
"If you like dispersed camping with 360 views this is the place for you. This was our second time dispersed camping and off-roading here."
"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"
"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."
ScoutNice area with lots of spots, and a few that will work for a camper van. Gravel road that’s well maintained on the way up. Some road traffic but not too bad. No major views, but peaceful and easy to get to!
RangerCool 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.
RangerQuite 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.
TravelerSo beautiful, dispersed camping at 11,200 feet surrounded by mountains. Area is busy with day hikers, go past the parking lot and set up at one of the handful of spots. Definitely for small rigs or tents, don’t come up here with a non 4x4 vehicle, and trailers would be close to impossible.
GuideBeautiful drive out here past window rock!
LegendThis 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
LegendThis 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
TravelerI 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.
LegendI 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.
Primitive camping near Deckers, Colorado sits at elevations between 6,000-8,000 feet where summer thunderstorms occur almost daily from July through August. The Pike National Forest landscape features rocky ridges with ponderosa and lodgepole pine interspersed with aspen groves that turn gold in September. Spring camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing even in May.
Mountain biking on Buffalo Creek trails: Over 40 miles of connected singletrack trails through burn areas and pine forests near Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. "Great camping spot, esp, if you like mountain biking. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels. Much of the area still shows scars from the 1996 fire here, but the sprouts and smaller trees show you a preview of how nature heals."
Rock climbing access: Several camping spots along Matukat Road offer direct access to boulder fields and rock formations. "We found a spot on one of the turn offs and had some of the best views we've had while camping this year... Such a gem. Was approached by a polite guy who said we were fine as long as we didn't take any minerals since he owns rights to them. Then after a long chat he must of deemed us worthy since he gave us permission to pick up a rock or two."
Fishing Tarryall Reservoir: Located 30 minutes from Deckers with both shoreline and boat fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout and kokanee salmon. "Tarryall reservoir is beautiful and a great fishing spot! The camping here is all dispersed with the exception of maybe 8-10 spots in one identified camping 'loop' by the lake which is really just a few spots in a gravel lot."
Numbered sites with established fire rings: Redskin Creek Road offers 32+ designated dispersed sites along an easily accessible road. "About 32 or more spots along redskin creek road that goes back a few miles with spots with fire rings along the dirt road. Eventually there is a campground that is pretty packed on the weekends, but some great spots with room for cars and groups, most are secluded from others."
Privacy between sites: Most dispersed areas offer good separation between camping spots. "This dispersed camp site has numerous spots with rock fire pits. There are a lot of dirt bikes and atvs driving during the day however I didn't find it overly disruptive. Each spot is far away from another, especially if you drive further down. We didn't hear anyone late into the night due to the distance."
Cell service availability: Many higher elevation spots receive surprisingly good coverage. "The site at the very end is very large and has a perfect view of Pikes Peak and plenty of hammock trees. We had AT&T service in site 6 is decent. Calling is 2 bars."
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access roads range from smooth gravel to challenging 4x4 routes. "The road in is gravel and pretty choppy, but the weather was good and my car made it fine but I was going like 5 mph. If the weather wasn't good you would probably need 4x4."
Weekend crowds arrive early: Popular free camping areas fill completely by Thursday or Friday. "We arrived early on a Saturday and there were quite a few people already around and two spots available. It is clear the sites are heavily used though, with small pieces of plastic and glass scattered about. The area is busy and can easily fill for the weekend by Thursday mid-day."
OHV and shooting noise: Mount Herman Road and other sites may have significant recreational noise. "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. We did help a couple with a rig a bit smaller than ours (23ft I believe) through using boards in the ruts and some guidance."
Wildlife encounters: Bears and moose are present in the Deckers area. "There was bear scat, not old and not new, in the area but no wildlife was seen. I have AT&T, my wife has mint mobile, both were able to doom scroll while it was raining."
Avoid party spots on weekends: Some dispersed camping areas near Deckers attract noisy groups. "We had worst camping experience here this week. We initially planned to do disperse camping for 4 days but ended up having to leave early after 3 unbearable nights. The third night, a 3 car convoy of teenagers with beers came to camp right next to us, again same story partied all night long despite strong wind and rain."
Seek camping with natural playgrounds: Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide offers rock formations for climbing and exploring. "This dispersed camp site has numerous spots with rock fire pits. We had a moose and deer at our campsite during the mornings so I suggest being weary of wildlife. Each spot is far away from another, especially if you drive further down."
Pack extra water for dust control: Many sites are dry and dusty in summer months. "The parking areas tend to be very unlevel and there are only a few that you can pull right up to your campsite. After so many horrible roads and places closed, it was a blessing to find this spot. The road is a bit of a washboard, but that is nothing compared to most of the forest roads in Colorado."
Scout sites before bringing large rigs: Many Deckers area roads aren't suitable for longer trailers. "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. About half way up looking for a way to turn around. We got lucky and found a space just barely large enough to back in to carefully."
Level parking at Rainbow Falls: The Rainbow Falls area offers some spots suitable for small to medium RVs. "Nice area that has some flat or flatish spots for smaller RV and campers. It is normally busy with atv, dirt bike and jeeps. 15 min drive from woodland park."
Conserve water with limited resupply: No water sources exist at most dispersed sites. "We stopped at a campground in Woodland park on the way in and were able to fill up with water before heading up the mountain for $10. If you are heading south from Woodland park on highway 24 to the left is a brown wooden sign that says PROPANE."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping allowed near Cheesman Canyon and Cheesman Lake?
Camping near Cheesman Canyon and Cheesman Lake is limited due to watershed protection. Cheesman Lake itself prohibits camping along its immediate shoreline as it's a Denver Water facility. However, nearby areas like Fraile's Campground - Dispersed off Tarryall Road offer dispersed camping options within driving distance. For those wanting to stay closer to Cheesman Canyon, Bailey Area Dispersed provides free camping alternatives. Both require high-clearance vehicles for best access. Always check current regulations with the South Platte Ranger District before planning your trip, as restrictions can change seasonally, especially during high fire danger periods.
Where are the best dispersed camping sites near Deckers, Colorado?
For exceptional dispersed camping near Deckers, check out Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping, which offers numerous campsites along a main dirt road accessible by 2WD vehicles, though 4WD is recommended for the smaller branching trails. The area provides plenty of space for exploration. Another excellent option is Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite, which offers free, drive-in access and is suitable for larger rigs. Both locations provide the authentic Colorado wilderness experience typical of the Deckers area, with stunning mountain views and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and fishing in the South Platte River.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Deckers area?
Dispersed camping in the Deckers area follows Pike National Forest regulations. Most areas like Route 31 Camp prohibit OHVs in certain sections, so watch for signage. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days within a 30-day period. Campsites must be at least 100 feet from water sources, 150 feet from roads, and 1 mile from developed campgrounds. At Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping, remember there are no facilities—pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. Fire restrictions vary seasonally; always use existing fire rings when permitted and fully extinguish fires. Some areas require free permits available from ranger stations. Check current conditions and restrictions before your trip.
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