Phantom Canyon Road offers multiple dispersed camping areas in a dry canyon environment northwest of Florence, Colorado. These free Bureau of Land Management sites sit at elevations between 5,500-7,000 feet with seasonal temperature variations. Camping sites range from roadside pull-offs to secluded creek-adjacent spots, with varying road conditions throughout the canyon that can challenge some vehicles.
What to do
Creek exploration: Access Eight Mile Creek at various points along Phantom Canyon Road where creek-adjacent campsites allow for water activities. "We camped next to Eight Mile Creek and the tunnel. The flies and mosquitos were bad but our bug screens did their job until dark then we had to close up the van," shares one camper at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.
Rock climbing: Find established routes near several camping areas. "Sweet spots along the creek side. Dispersed area that is very spread out so you are not near others. Also has access to climbing walls right by sites," notes a visitor to Phantom Canyon.
Mountain biking: Ride the trails at East Ridge Campground for moderate terrain with canyon views. "Lots of nice trails nearby that are rated easy. Beautiful spot to watch a sunset," reports a visitor at East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge.
Stargazing: Take advantage of dark skies away from city lights. "Stunning... nice and warm for the elevation, especially at night, which was especially nice considering the other campsites we stayed at that were about 20 degrees cooler at night," a camper explains about their East Ridge experience.
What campers like
Seclusion from crowds: Many campsites throughout Phantom Canyon offer privacy even during peak seasons. "We 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," explains a reviewer at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites.
Wilderness wildlife encounters: Observe local wildlife near camping areas. "Lots of mule deer. Very clean sites with views to the east," describes a visitor to East Ridge Campground - Royal Gorge.
Pet-friendly environment: All dispersed sites along Phantom Canyon welcome pets, though specific challenges exist. "During our stay of Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 I saw less than 10 vehicles come and go. The road is loose gravel, long and winds through large cliff rock faces on both sides, which block out the sun so your daylight is limited," reports a camper describing the pet friendly camping near Florence, Colorado.
Natural swimming areas: Creek access points provide cooling options during hot months. "There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water. The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies," notes a camper about creek access in summer.
What you should know
Insect preparation is essential: Biting flies and mosquitoes are prevalent during summer months, particularly near water. "We saw one more camper drive by the entire weekend. Other than that, it was completely quiet and we felt nice and secluded," shares a visitor to Red Canyon Park.
Pack in all necessities: No services exist in Phantom Canyon. "I found no running water, had to melt snow. Pack in your stuff and pack it out!" advises a camper about winter conditions.
Road conditions vary seasonally: Some areas become challenging after rain or snow. "The road is dirt and goes for 7+ miles if you keep going to exit the park a different way. Be warned that after 2/3 miles the road get extremely rough for several miles to a point that we considered turning our 4Runner around," reports a Red Canyon Park visitor.
No cell service: Communication requires preparation. "There is no signal so get your communication out of the way before entering," warns a camper about connectivity at these remote sites.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly sites: Look for creek-adjacent spots with natural boundaries. "Also great to utilize this if you have young children who like to wander. We didn't have to worry about them being near the roads," advises a parent at Phantom Canyon Road BLM.
Bathroom accessibility: Some sites have vault toilets, though limited. "The bathrooms were a bit of a drive from our site. They are nothing lavish (bring sanitizing wipes) but they were nice for the kids who weren't comfortable going outside," explains a family camper about facilities at Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort.
Wildlife education opportunities: Many sites offer animal sighting chances. "We saw deer wander around the campsites every morning and evening. The sites are terraced so that everyone has a beautiful view," reports a visitor at Mountaindale.
Arrival timing: For family spots, arrive early on weekdays. "Camped along this canyon road a few time and will never forget it. It is magical, always visit during the week, weekends spots are gone," advises an experienced camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Avoid deep canyon areas with RVs. "We were so excited for our vacation we showed up 4 hours early for our reservation, and they had us in ASAP! Thanks y'all! The gentleman that backed us in and shared some secrets to the fishing in the area was very cool," reports an RV camper at Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins.
Water management: No hookups in dispersed areas require preparation. "Starlink worked great as there is no Verizon cellular for miles. It took us three attempts to get our overweight 2-wheel drive van up the hill and back onto the road," shares an RV camper about their canyon experience.
Level site considerations: Many canyon sites require leveling blocks. "This area is a good (free!) alternative if the campground close to Shelf Road are full," advises a camper about nearby options when seeking pet friendly camping sites near Florence, Colorado.
