Tent campsites near Florissant, Colorado sit at elevations between 8,500 and 9,800 feet, creating cooler summer nights even during July and August heat waves. The terrain consists primarily of granite outcroppings and ponderosa pine forests, with many camping areas featuring natural rock formations. Access to remote camping spots varies seasonally, with spring snowmelt creating muddy conditions through early June.
What to do
Wildlife watching opportunities: Red Canyon Park offers some of the best wildlife viewing near Florissant camping areas. "We saw some dear and rabbits near our campsite," reports one camper, while others mention deer wandering through campsites at dawn.
Rock formations exploration: Matukat Road Dispersed Camping features dramatic rock formations perfect for daytime exploring. "The rocks behind us are absolutely outrageous. There's good hiking in the area as well," notes one visitor who stayed for 10 days enjoying the scenery.
Creek access for cooling off: Several camping spots offer creekside options for summertime relief. "We stayed at one of the first 5 sites. We camped right next to the little stream and saw so much wildlife!" reports a camper who found the water access invaluable during hot days.
What campers like
Seclusion from crowds: Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide receives high marks for privacy between sites. "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," reports one reviewer who appreciated the buffer between camping areas.
Natural fire rings: Most dispersed sites feature rock fire rings built by previous campers. "Lots of 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," notes a camper who found the existing fire rings convenient.
Wildlife encounters: Early morning animal sightings rank high among camper experiences. "We had a moose and deer at our campsite during the mornings so I suggest being weary of wildlife," advises a camper who enjoyed these natural encounters but recommends caution with food storage.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements vary: Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite access roads can challenge some vehicles. "Aprox. 1 mile of the road was bad, other quite good," reports one camper, while another notes: "Going down we stopped and asked a local who knew right away where we want to go...make sure you follow the 'Rampard Range Road Reservoir' to get there."
Insect protection essential: Biting flies and mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months. "The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times and our dogs were very stressed from them all over them," warns a Phantom Canyon camper who recommends fly traps.
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs dramatically between sites. "We had between two and three bars of Verizon service at the site but no Verizon service at the main road so it is spotty," explains a Matukat Road camper who found usable service at higher elevations.
Tips for camping with families
Easy-access sites for kids: Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites offers family-friendly camping options with bathroom access. "BATHROOMS are pit toilets that are located around at sight (18) and I believe (8) the sights are relatively easy to find. And there are green mile markers all the way through," notes a camper who found the area ideal for families.
Site selection for child safety: Some campsites provide natural boundaries that help contain young explorers. "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope...Highly worth the hard work as you're secluded from the road and have a lot of tree coverage for hot days. Also great to utilize this if you have young children who like to wander."
Temperature planning: Nighttime temperatures drop significantly, requiring proper preparation for children. "Gets warm during the day but it does get pretty cold at night," reports a camper, suggesting layered clothing systems for family camping near Florissant.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Truman's Rock and other dispersed camping areas near Florissant often require leveling equipment. "Needed leveling blocks but saw several occupied sites more level," notes a camper who brought the necessary gear to stabilize their vehicle on uneven terrain.
Road width considerations: Several camping areas feature narrow roads with limited turning radius. "The road gets rougher the further you go in but no problem for a 4x4. Even a small car could get to some nice sites," explains a camper at Pike National Forest Divide who observed various vehicle types accessing the area.
Site length limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs rather than large rigs. "It took us three attempts to get our overweight 2-wheel drive van up the hill and back onto the road. There are a lot of loose rocks," warns a camper who found navigation challenging in a larger vehicle.
