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Best Dispersed Camping near Gateway, CO

562 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Gateway, Colorado, with several free primitive sites scattered throughout the surrounding public lands. Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping, and Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite offer no-fee camping options with varying levels of accessibility. These sites feature established fire rings but minimal amenities. According to reviews of similar Colorado dispersed sites, "campsites are well-spaced, providing plenty of privacy, and the area is generally clean, thanks to considerate campers."

Road conditions to these dispersed sites vary significantly by season and recent weather. High-clearance 4WD vehicles are strongly recommended, particularly after rain or snow. Many access roads become rutted, washed out, or impassable for standard passenger vehicles. Several campers noted that "the road to get in is very rutted" and that "you need to take it very slow" when approaching these sites. The most accessible spots fill quickly on summer weekends, so midweek arrival is advised.

No drinking water, trash facilities, or toilets are available at these primitive sites. Campers must pack in all necessary water and pack out all waste. Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent. Fire regulations change frequently based on conditions; always check current fire restrictions with the local ranger district before your trip. Nights can be cold even in summer due to the elevation, with temperatures often dropping below 40°F. Prepare for significant temperature swings between day and night. Practice strict Leave No Trace principles, as these areas depend on responsible use to remain open for dispersed camping.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Gateway, Colorado (91)

    1. Buffalo Creek Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Buffalo Creek, CO
    24 miles

    "So busy that we had to go in the middle of the week to get a spot, so plan ahead here and expect crowds. That being said, each spot is unique and we loved it."

    "We stayed here a couple weekends in a row and we were able to try out some different spots and trails close to those spots. This free campground is perfect! "

    2. Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping

    35 Reviews
    Monument, CO
    34 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."

    3. Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite

    8 Reviews
    Buffalo Creek, CO
    24 miles

    "Over 30 dispersed campsites along a moderately smooth dirt road. Sites are spaced well apart, some sites are covered in trees while others are wide open."

    "About 32 or more spots along redskin creek road that goes back a few miles with spots with fire rings along the dirt road."

    4. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    54 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    44 miles
    Website

    "So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites."

    "Like the title suggests, this campsite is typical for a free forest service campground. Prior campers have left some trash, bullet casings and obviously neglected to dig cat holes."

    5. Bailey Area Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Buffalo Creek, CO
    27 miles

    "The first 3 are out in the open and then the remaining 5 are past the trailhead. Nice area for Starlink and solar and dog walks. It’s a burn site."

    "I had to slow down to a crawl at points because it was thrashing my rig around so much. There is also one turn on the road where if you’re not careful, I could imagine getting stuck."

    6. West Magnolia Campground

    26 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    42 miles
    Website

    "Oe of my family's fav places, beautiful views, camping spots super far away from one another so awesome privacy, and completely free. Spots fill up quick on weekends, you can stay 14 days."

    "The roads around the whole campground were a little rough but i did okay in my Ford Escape. All of the sites seems to be really spread out.

    There were several people in the campground."

    7. Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park

    21 Reviews
    Green Mountain Falls, CO
    41 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."

    "Had to walk a bit but thats ok. Great veiws no one around. Sadly no campfires, so early to bed. Very close to great trialheads"

    8. Rainbow Falls - Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Woodland Park, CO
    31 miles
    Website

    "Lots of shade in the morning at our spot. We were by a dirt road and did have a few vehicles drive by but not bad. There is bear scat, not old and not new, in the area but no wildlife was seen."

    "Terrain was interesting on the drive in, some of the pull off camping spots are pretty steep off the road. However, the sights were beautiful and it was very quiet and peaceful when we visited :)"

    9. Dream Canyon Campsites - Dispersed Camping

    22 Reviews
    Nederland, CO
    41 miles
    Website

    "Was desperate to find "something" after driving 11 hours that day, and normal paid camp grounds were full. HOWEVER I was pulling a smaller trailer, and that turned out to be a real issue."

    "Went on a Tuesday afternoon and there was foot traffic around our spot from people headed on hikes."

    10. Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping

    19 Reviews
    Green Mountain Falls, CO
    41 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."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Gateway, CO

421 Photos of 91 Gateway Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Gateway, CO

562 Reviews of 91 Gateway 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.

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Grays Peak Summer Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    Great base camp for summiting Gray’s/Torrey’s

    Stevens Gulch Road (321) is a dirt road off of I-70 west of Denver in the Arapaho & Rosevelt National Forests and the Pawnee National Grasslands. It has amazing scenery and access to gorgeous hiking trails to summit Gray’s, Torrey’s and Kelso Peaks. It is a fairly mellow SUV road with plenty of space to pass other vehicles and you will occasionally see passenger cars as well. The road leads to a large parking lot that fills up fast with car overflow parking spilling down both sides of the road. There are pit toilets and bear proof trash cans at the parking lot. The road continues past the parking lot a very short ways to some dispersed campsites by a river that have stone campfire rings. Definitely filter this water as there are uphill toilet paper gardens along the climb to summit.

  • Meg G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Spectacular - 4x4 is required to access.

    We drove our BRAND NEW 4x4 Revel and were nervous the entire trip up and back.  We are a high profile vehicle, luckily we had plenty of clearance but it was very nerve wracking both up and back.  It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving.

    Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake.  When you arrive, there are several dispersed campsites around the lake.  All the spots have beautiful views and tons of space between other campers.  There are firepits (even though CO is on a fire ban) that  will be nice for future visits.  We visited on Sept 17-19, 2020, so the evenings are cold and the days short.  Additionally, the water level was very low.  

    The area is nice for hiking and exploring, and especially to get away from it all.  No cell phone service.

    As the weekend approached, there were several ATV's heading up for the day.  While we were there, only 3 other groups camping on the weekend.

    You will be at 11,000 feet looking at the Continental Divide!  THIS is Colorado camping!  Enjoy and please remember to leave no trace!

  • Karl G.
    May. 6, 2019

    Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area

    Dispersed Campsite with Views - Gordon Gulch (4x4 recommended)

    So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites. I am reviewing one of these unnumbered campsites in particular, because this one had the best view. Before you read too far, I can't guarantee you will be able to reach this campsite without a 4X4 high clearance vehicle. We got to the site with a Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Tacoma TRD so we had no problems... I can't definitely say a Subaru would make it though. In the pictures I have included a map of the Gordon Gulch trail system. Entering through the Gordon Gulch entrance and taking 226.1 to 233.1 is the hardest route - there is one very steep and washed out spot. Entering via 120J/Switzerland Trail from the Peak to Peak Hwy and then turning right onto 233.1 is the easier option. On that map I have marked the general area of the campsite with a pink dot and here are the coordinates.

    DMS: 40°01'18.5"N 105°28'37.6"W

    DD: 40.021814, -105.477103 - if you type this into Google Maps it will locate it

    As for the actual campsite, it is a great option for spring/fall camping in Colorado. The elevation is about 8,800 ft and it is on the south side of a hill so it gets a lot of sunlight and is protected from northern winds. In terms of privacy, there are no other campsites that can be seen from this one. However, Gordon Gulch is a popular off-roading area so dirt bikes and Jeeps pass by frequently. This campsite is set up high above and away from the road though, so it is really not that bad. Another thing to point out is that this is a popular area for shooting as well, so if you absolutely hate guns it may not be the place for you. Also, as stated before, this is a dispersed campsite the only thing it has is a fire ring. Pack it in, pack it 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.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Rollins Pass Dispersed Camping

    Great spot close to Winter Park

    Went up Rollins pass road (you can access it from the Lakota Trail neighborhood or down the road a bit on 80). The first gate was open but not the second or third to get to the top where there are def more spots and fire rings. You can only camp places where there are dots on the side of the road on the official county map. Check the Rollins pass website it’s very informative and a sacred land so leave no trace. We got one of the like 3-4 spots we saw with a fire ring that wasn’t taken yet. (No fire ban 6/14/25 I check don’t worry :).. Some back trails are very hairy, pretty busy with motor vehicles but a lot of the new electric dirt bikes which don’t make much noise, probably 10-15 ppl the entire night riding by only once. Got great weather and the main trail is pretty easy up to the second gate which is supposed to be open June 15-Sept 15 I think.

  • Eileen S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping

    Crowded Camping Near Keystone

    This is beautiful camping close to keystone and likewise gets crowded in the summer months. If you want a spot on a weekend, get there early. There are a few pull offs along the road suitable for most cars, but if you have a high clearance 4WD you can go on a few offshoot roads and find more spacious spots. No cell phone signal or water, and frequent fire bans in the summer.

Guide to Gateway

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Gateway, Colorado, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers

  • Experience breathtaking mountain vistas at Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, where well-maintained dirt roads lead to numerous dispersed sites nestled among the trees.
  • Enjoy the serene atmosphere at Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite, which features designated spots surrounded by impressive rock formations, ideal for a peaceful getaway.
  • Capture stunning sunsets and sunrises at Bailey Area Dispersed, where the elevated terrain offers panoramic views that are perfect for photography.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Gateway

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Gateway, Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Gateway, Colorado?

Dispersed camping sites near Gateway, Colorado are truly primitive with minimal to no amenities. Similar to areas like Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area and Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping, expect no potable water, no electrical hookups, no trash service, and no restroom facilities. Most sites have established fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. You'll need to bring everything with you, including water and waste disposal solutions, and pack out all trash. Some areas have informal pullouts for vehicles while others might offer more secluded spots. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. These sites trade conveniences for solitude, stunning natural scenery, and the authentic wilderness experience.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Gateway, Colorado?

Near Gateway, Colorado, you'll find excellent dispersed camping opportunities in the surrounding public lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest lands near Gateway offer numerous free camping options. Areas like Redskin Creek Rd Dispersed Campsite provide drive-in access with spacious sites suitable for various vehicle types. For those willing to explore forest roads, Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping offers beautiful sites, though a high-clearance vehicle is recommended as the access road can be bumpy. Remember to follow dispersed camping regulations: camp at least 200 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings, and practice Leave No Trace principles.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gateway, CO is Buffalo Creek Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 91 dispersed camping locations near Gateway, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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