Best Dispersed Camping near Florissant, CO

Pike National Forest surrounds Florissant, Colorado with numerous dispersed camping opportunities on public lands. Popular free camping areas include Matukat Road Dispersed Camping, Tarryall Creek Dispersed Camping, Mount Herman Road, and Forest Service Road 250. The Rampart Range area also features several primitive sites with no facilities. These locations typically require campers to follow leave-no-trace principles and camp only in designated spots or previously used areas.

Many access roads require careful navigation due to rough conditions. Reviews consistently mention the need for high-clearance vehicles, with several sites accessible only by 4WD. Matukat Road is described as "rough, go slow" while Forest Service Road 250 becomes "quite rutted" further in. Most dispersed sites lack amenities—no water, toilets, or trash service. Fire restrictions are common, especially during dry seasons. One camper noted, "There is a USFS information board on CR31 with flyers and notices" regarding current fire bans. The standard 14-day camping limit applies to most areas.

The surrounding terrain offers panoramic mountain views and relative seclusion. Sites along Tarryall Creek provide spacious camping areas that can accommodate larger vehicles. According to one visitor, "The sites are wide open once you get onto the plateau at the top. Easily could accommodate a big rig, but the issue would be getting it up the road." Wildlife sightings are common, with one camper reporting "moose visitors right by camp each day." Weekdays typically offer quieter experiences, while weekends bring increased traffic, particularly from OHV users. Cell service varies significantly by location—some areas report good coverage while others have none. Campers should arrive prepared with sufficient water, firewood, and supplies, as the nearest services may be miles away in towns like Divide or Lake George.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Florissant, Colorado (81)

    1. Matukat Road Dispersed Camping

    16 Reviews
    Lake George, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "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. "

    2. Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park

    21 Reviews
    Green Mountain Falls, CO
    15 miles

    "A Long rocky and dirt road lays ahead of these dispersed camping areas. 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."

    "Easy to access for any mobility-level or age. Peaceful and quiet except for the occasional passing car which is to be expected. Spots are relatively well spaced apart. Fire-pits galore!"

    3. Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping

    19 Reviews
    Green Mountain Falls, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 636-1602

    "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."

    4. Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Lake George, CO
    10 miles
    +1 (719) 836-2031

    "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."

    5. Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping

    35 Reviews
    Monument, CO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 636-1602

    "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!"

    "It took us about 15 minutes driving past the coordinates (trailhead) to start seeing campsites. There was nobody around, and we picked a very spacious one with a great view."

    6. Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide

    8 Reviews
    Woodland Park, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 636-1602

    "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."

    7. Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite

    12 Reviews
    Green Mountain Falls, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "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"

    8. Forest Service Road 250 Dispersed

    6 Reviews
    Lake George, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Dirt road appears not to be maintained. Closer to the main road is accessible by regular clearance vehicles and equipment. The further back you go the rougher the dirt road gets."

    "Great camp near the lake away from everything. Good off-roading both sides of the road"

    9. North Round Mountain

    6 Reviews
    Lake George, CO
    10 miles

    "Directly behind the developed campground is the dispersed camping with a lot of sites. Even for RV a perfekt spot. Wouldn’t go to the campground at the street."

    "Unpaved road but no problem to get there with a campervan. Really close to the hwy but not noisy at all. Good option to spend the night."

    10. Manchester Creek Trailhead

    4 Reviews
    Divide, CO
    8 miles

    "The road in is well maintained and not muddy even though a ferocious storm hit yesterday, complete with golf ball size hail for a while the worried us for our solar panels."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Florissant, CO

369 Reviews of 81 Florissant Campgrounds


  • Paulina B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 20, 2024

    Kirby Gulch

    Worth the Rough Drive

    Kirby Gulch is a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience near Grant, Colorado. Situated off Route 1038, this dispersed camping area offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and wildlife watching.

    The campsites are well-spaced, providing plenty of privacy, and the area is generally clean, thanks to considerate campers. Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so make sure to come prepared. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for accessing some of the sites, especially after rain or snow.

    What makes Kirby Gulch truly special is its tranquility. You can enjoy the sound of the wind through the trees, the crisp mountain air, and dazzling stargazing at night. It’s also a great starting point for exploring nearby trails or simply soaking in the serene environment.

    If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and leave-no-trace principles, Kirby Gulch is a hidden gem worth checking out.

  • Doug C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 10, 2022

    Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping

    Choose Your Own Adventure From Rampart Range Road

    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. Rampart Range Road is accessible by 2wd vehicles while some of the smaller trails that branch off of Rampart Range Rd do better with a 4wd with high clearance. The southern portion of the road (south of Devils Head Trail) is open year around while the northern half of the road is closed seasonally during winter. Easily accessible outside of Woodland Park on the south end of the road and west through Sedalia. Lots of dispersed camping sites along the road, some are very large and could easily accommodate a large RV or large groups. Other campsites are tucked away off the road a little which is great because this road can be very busy & dusty in the summer. All in all, this place makes for a fun and easy weekend getaway as long as some ohv traffic doesn’t bother you too much. The best part of Rampart Range Road is the several forest service roads that branch off with dispersed camping. These smaller trails and dispersed camping make for a much more relaxing and peaceful weekend, I highly recommend if you have a 4x4. Find the right forest service road and you’ll feel like you are a million miles from it all.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping

    Good but not great

    Tarryall creek dispersed camping. The road in is a bit bumpy. I would not trade in a low clearance vehicle. Four-wheel-drive is needed if it should get wet or slippery. Once you get onto the road, the sites are big and spacious. This is dispersed camping, so there is no water no electric and very little cell service. We have periodic two bars of Verizon. The sites are definitely big enough to accommodate big rigs. You just have to take the road really slowly on the way up. If you carry on all the way up to 10, you get to fenced areas where there is no camping so we took 293 off to the left and immediately after the Turner a couple of sites. We followed it all the way down for a long way. The road is incredibly bumpy and four-wheel-drive is absolutely necessary. Along with high clearance. I would not advise it for big rigs. The Site that we got just on the left after the turn walls reasonably wide. Big enough to get a big rig into. It’s pretty flat too but it’s also very exposed. There’s not a lot of shelter for our tent or our gazebo. The views are OK but nothing spectacular.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Fraile’s Campground - Dispersed

    Huge sites on gnarly road

    CR 290 off Tarryall Rd. Campsites are all designated on 290 but there are numerous firepits on the side roads. The road to get up is very rutted. I recommend a high clearance vehicle. Definitely four wheel drive is required. I did see a Subaru forester up near the top. The sites are wide open once you get onto the plateau at the top. Easily could accommodate a big rig, but the issue would be getting it up the road. The views from the top are really nice. It opens out and you get some spectacular views of Pike National Forest. The sites are spacious with some pine tree coverage for tent campers. This would definitely be a possible back up spot if nothing on Matukat rd was available. Because they are dispersed there is no electrical hook ups or water. There’s no Creek running through the area. I imagine it would be really quiet and remote up here because the road to get in is going to deter a lot of people. We did find some spots with fire pits, but not sure you can camp there given there is no sign post reading designated campsite but they are off the main road so give it a try.

  • Izzy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2022

    Penrose Common Rec Site

    Delightful af

    Road in is rough, but manageable with a high clearance vehicle. Plenty of space to spread out. Popular with those ATV things. Pit toilet, no trash. Not many trees, but a great view of the surrounding area. T-mobile service was good enough to get some work and school done. Close enough to groceries and other stores. Love this spot.

  • Monte P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 23, 2020

    Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping

    A small price for freedom

    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! My 9 yr old son and I happened upon this mountain top paradise somewhat by accident. We were looking for a less challenging day hike with low traffic and decided to try the Mt. Herman trailhead. My ever burning desire for a view and solitude lead us up Mt. Herman rd to the location I marked on the map for this listing. Access was challenging, even with our 4x4 Jeep seeing as there was pretty deep snowfall accumulation, steep grades, and hairpin switchbacks heading up. However in warmer seasons this would be easy access for most stock 4x4 vehicles. No lift necessary, just a desire for the boundless views afforded at the summit. There are multiple pull offs, relatively low traffic aside from the occasional off-roading convoy passing through spreading merriment and good cheer. There are some really cool fire ring setups and plenty of epic views to make your own. If Colorado’s what you want, here’s a great place to experience the back country without having to drive for hours to access it. We had a blast! Please ALWAYS remember, be Kind & rewind!! Wait... wrong slogan😅 LEAVE NO TRACE & PACK IT OUT! Thanks & have fun! Photos are in my phone, I’ll update with photos... sure to amaze! 😉✌🏾

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Route 31 Camp

    Close to perfect if you’re in the right spot

    County Road 31 dispersed camping On entering the area, there is immediately a sign that reads that OHV’s are prohibited. At least in this area you know you’re going to get some peace and quiet. The road to get in is mainly washboard. Totally possible even with a low clearance 2 Wheel Dr. vehicle. The sights designated only. Once you get past the information board you’ll see turn off‘s on the left and right wave Campers and fire pits. If you continue down County Road 31 spectacular. The biggest issue I can see again is a lack of firewood. There appears to be no downed trees or burned trees in the area. You need to bring in your own. There’s also no water source in this area so come well prepared. Since this is dispersed camping, there is no reservation or electric hook ups or sewer hook ups. These sites are plenty big enough for big rigs, and most of them appear to be pull through sites. Tent campers the sites do appear to be a little bit too exposed. There are sites with better tree coverage for tent campers when you go further into the back areas of some of the side roads the downside is you lose the views of the surrounding mountains. If you keep going further back, CR 31 connects to 896, and there are sites way back there that give you the impression that you’re just even further removed from everybody else. There are so many sites in this area. This could be a good back up spot for Matukat Road if it’s not available. There is a site on 896 right before the no camping sign, which is designated as a campsite, and it has some tree coverage, and all the mountain views. 896 is a very tough road requiring high clearance and four-wheel-drive. Numerous places have deep holes and you need to take it very slow.

  • Charles L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Phantom Canyon

    Late July camping trip

    I’m a rooftop tent camper and the views are amazing but was hoping to be close to the water and isolated from other campers. Definitely was isolated and found one spot that worked out well for rooftop camper. Like 14 miles on dirt road, on the right, 20 feet before a sign that reads “leaving public land.” Had fire ring and more than enough room. About 20 yards away from creek. Quiet. No Att cell service but don’t expect anyone can get service in that canyon.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Arkansas River Headwaters

    Arkansas River Headwaters

    There's not much at the ARH marker itself, but continue on down the one-lane, mildly-rough road to a number of very nice campsites down in the valley. They are well marked with fire grids. These are considered dispersed campsites with no hookups or fees.


Guide to Florissant

Pike National Forest dispersed camping near Florissant, Colorado offers primitive sites at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 9,500 feet. The area experiences temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, even in summer months. Most dispersed camping locations sit within lodgepole pine and aspen forests, creating natural wind barriers during frequent afternoon storms.

What to do

Hiking near Rampart Reservoir: The Rainbow Gulch trail leads to Rampart Reservoir, offering a moderate 3.1-mile round trip hike through forest and along a creek. "We took this hike and it was absolutely fantastic, a majestic walk through the woods brings you to flowing creek that you follow all the way down to the reservoir," notes a camper at the Rampart Range Area.

Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities at Tarryall Creek Dispersed Camping. "This is also where I saw my first moose, first pack of minks, big horn sheep, a fox, cool birds, etc. Can't beat it," reports one visitor. Wildlife is most active around dawn and dusk.

Rock climbing: Natural rock formations provide climbing opportunities for all skill levels at several locations. A visitor at Matukat Road Dispersed Camping shared, "There are some great rocks to explore and well built fire rings. Do not forget bug repellent!"

What campers like

Solitude on weekdays: Traffic patterns are significantly different between weekdays and weekends. A camper at Rampart Range Road noted, "We took my Nissan Altima back nice and slow and couldn't access certain paths back to site without 4wd. Many fire pits laid throughout the grounds. Cattle roam freely throughout the property."

Stargazing opportunities: The area's high elevation and minimal light pollution create exceptional night sky viewing. "The views are incredible. The rocks behind us are absolutely outrageous," shared one visitor at Matukat Road. Nights often drop below 40°F even in summer, so warm clothing is essential.

Cell service in select areas: Unlike many wilderness camping areas, some dispersed sites maintain usable cell signals. At Manchester Creek Trailhead, campers report that "access to Woodland Park & Divide, the Florissant Fossil Beds & fishing at Eleven Mile Canyon is great." Service varies greatly by location and carrier.

What you should know

Road conditions vary seasonally: Spring conditions can create significant challenges on access roads. A camper at Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping described access: "Access was challenging, even with our 4x4 Jeep seeing as there was pretty deep snowfall accumulation, steep grades, and hairpin switchbacks heading up."

Fire ring availability: Most established dispersed sites include rock fire rings from previous campers. "Each site already has a fire pit. I definitely love this place," reports a camper at Tarryall Creek. However, current fire restrictions always supersede the presence of rings.

ATV traffic: Many areas serve as access points to OHV trails, creating noise during peak hours. At North Round Mountain, a visitor warned, "The place was full of ATVs. It was loud, and there were many campsites where people were partying."

Tips for camping with families

Sites with natural playground features: Some areas offer natural features that appeal to children. At Cascade-Chipita Park, one camper noted their experience: "Camped right underneath a few rocks and kid absolutely loved to climb rocks even with thin air in high altitude."

Wildlife encounters: Animals frequently visit campsites, providing educational opportunities. "Looking at a map, it looks like the road goes on for quite a ways but we never explored past the spot we stayed in," shared a visitor at Matukat Road. "Since these sites are dispersed camping, don't expect any toilets or amenities."

Proximity to facilities: For families needing periodic access to facilities, certain sites offer strategic advantages. "The Pilot in Monument has showers and was an added bonus for being 15 minutes from our spot," mentioned a camper staying at Mount Herman Road. Such facilities can extend comfortable camping duration for families with small children.

Tips from RVers

Site accessibility verification: RV travelers should confirm access before committing to remote sites. At Forest Service Road 250 Dispersed area, a camper advised, "Dirt road appears not to be maintained. Closer to the main road is accessible by regular clearance vehicles and equipment. The further back you go the rougher the dirt road gets."

Campsite selection strategy: When selecting a site, consider both size and exposure elements. "The deeper you go back the better the sites appear to be. You get more privacy and the views are better. The issue just becomes the road is quite rutted and you would want to scout it before trying to pull anything back there," noted a visitor to Forest Service Road 250.

Space requirements: Assess site dimensions carefully before attempting access. At Tarryall Creek Dispersed Camping, a visitor found that "the sites are big and spacious. This is dispersed camping, so there is no water, no electric and very little cell service. The sites are definitely big enough to accommodate big rigs. You just have to take the road really slowly on the way up."

Frequently Asked Questions

How close is dispersed camping to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument?

Several dispersed camping options exist within a 30-minute drive of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping offers spacious sites roughly 20-25 minutes from the monument, though the access road requires higher clearance vehicles, especially in wet conditions. Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping provides panoramic Rocky Mountain views about 30 minutes away. For those seeking designated dispersed sites, Pike National Forest surrounding Florissant offers multiple options. These free camping areas have no amenities (no water, electricity, or trash service), so come prepared with everything you need and follow Leave No Trace principles. Check current regulations before your trip, as seasonal closures or fire restrictions may apply.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Florissant, Colorado?

Florissant is surrounded by excellent dispersed camping options in Pike National Forest. Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping offers numerous primitive sites along a main dirt road with smaller trails branching off, accessible by 2WD vehicles. For a quieter experience, Route 31 Camp provides peaceful dispersed camping with washboard roads manageable even in low-clearance vehicles. The Manchester Creek Trailhead area near Divide is another option, offering proximity to town supplies and water stations. Most dispersed sites in this region have a 14-day stay limit, no facilities, and require you to pack out all trash. Always check current forest regulations before camping, as rules and seasonal fire restrictions may change.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Florissant, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Florissant, CO is Matukat Road Dispersed Camping with a 4.6-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Florissant, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 81 dispersed camping locations near Florissant, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.