Dispersed camping near Edwards, Colorado presents options across elevations ranging from 7,500 to over 10,000 feet. The area experiences rapid weather shifts throughout summer, with temperatures varying by 30-40°F between day and night at higher elevations. Many sites remain accessible from May through October, though early-season campers should expect lingering snow patches at sites above 9,000 feet.
What to do
Hiking from camp sites: Several designated dispersed camping areas provide direct trail access. At Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping, "the trailhead is easy to find at the end of the road and leads to a couple of sweet spots. We stopped by Boulder Lake and it was about 6.5 miles total of a hike."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening hours offer prime wildlife spotting. Campers at Yeoman Park report diverse sightings: "Saw squirrels, deer, one moose, skunk (no spray), a couple prong horn sheep, eagle, endless beauty." Another camper notes they "were treated to a herd of elk crossing the creek" in the morning.
Fishing access: Multiple sites provide fishing opportunities in alpine lakes. A backpacker at Lake Constantine Dispersed Camping reports: "The lake itself is very large and offers some amazing high alpine fishing. We caught many trout while fly fishing throughout the day and night. Dry flies worked very well at dusk."
What campers like
Stream-side camping: Many sites feature proximity to running water. A visitor to Homestake Reservoir Rd found "a great spot on the creek. Level and had a turn around for a larger rig. Many tent sites around." Another camper described "fresh water source coming from the reservoir hundreds of feet away from camping sites."
Night sky views: The area's limited light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. At Rock Creek, campers appreciate "basically no light pollution. Beautiful scenery, beautiful night sky views."
Education programs: Some areas offer ranger-led programs during summer months. At Yeoman Park, "Wildlife dept offers educational entertainment on Saturday evenings at their tiny amphitheater. Great for children."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes are prevalent, particularly near water sources. One Lake Constantine camper warns: "Because of the lake and the creek, the mosquitoes in this area are bad. BRING BUG SPRAY!" Similarly, at Red Sandstone, a visitor noted: "SO MANY MOSQUITOS."
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access roads require careful planning. One Red Sandstone visitor described the road as "REALLY rough. One portion looked like someone had just run around digging random holes in the road." At Bellyache Road, campers report it "absolutely requires four-wheel drive for two and a half miles of extremely rough unpaved road that goes up a thousand feet."
Weekend congestion: Sites fill quickly on summer weekends. At Red Sandstone, one camper arrived "late on a Friday night. My timing was wrong to get a good spot, but I was hoping there would be at least one spot left, unfortunately all the established sites I could reach were taken!"
Tips for camping with families
Educational experiences: Several areas offer child-friendly learning opportunities. At Yeoman Park, "Wildlife dept offers educational entertainment on Saturday evenings at their tiny amphitheater. Great for children."
Accessible wildlife viewing: Many sites provide opportunities to observe animals safely. One Yeoman Park camper was "greeted by a moose licking our car in the morning, not something you see everyday."
Site selection for family safety: Choose locations based on terrain and accessibility. At Rock Creek, campers note: "We took our offroad capable teardrop to the loop at the reservoir but I don't recommend taking a non-offroad trailer past Gold Park." Another advises families that "some sites had cut wood, but no facilities to be prepared."
Tips from RVers
Clearance requirements: Many access roads demand high-clearance vehicles. At Tigiwon Road, RVers note it's "not big-rig friendly, but perfect for pop-ups" with a "bumpy and narrow road in but beautiful views once you get to the top."
Water supply planning: No hookups exist at dispersed sites. Yeoman Park campers advise to "make sure you have full water supply" as there's no drinking water available.
Level site availability: Finding flat parking for larger rigs requires scouting. At Bellyache Road, one RVer reports: "I don't regret bringing my travel trailer up here because it's meant for rough roads but had I known the road was this rough I wouldn't have started."
