Best Tent Camping near Divide, CO
Pike National Forest contains several tent-focused dispersed camping areas near Divide, Colorado, including the Pike National Forest Divide sites and Rampart Range Area dispersed campsites. These primitive tent locations offer free camping with minimal infrastructure on Forest Service land. Sites are spread across various elevations and forested terrain, with some providing views of Pikes Peak and surrounding mountains.
Most dispersed tent camping in the area requires visitors to bring their own water and pack out all trash, as facilities are nonexistent. Campsites typically feature rock fire rings but no picnic tables, bathrooms, or potable water sources. Road conditions vary significantly, with some sites accessible by passenger cars while others require high-clearance vehicles or 4WD. Many locations off Rampart Range Road offer multiple pull-offs and tent pads with flat, forest duff surfaces. Fire restrictions apply seasonally, particularly during summer drought conditions.
The dispersed tent areas provide substantial separation between sites, offering privacy not found at developed campgrounds. Sites farther from main roads provide more seclusion and less dust from passing vehicles. During summer months, OHV and dirt bike traffic creates daytime noise in some areas, though this diminishes at night. Cell service is surprisingly available at many higher-elevation tent sites. According to one visitor, "There are lots of places to walk and explore and there was still phone signal! Each spot is far away from another, especially if you drive further down." Wildlife encounters occur regularly in these primitive tent camping areas, with campers reporting moose and deer sightings during morning hours.
