Dispersed camping areas near Gateway, Colorado range from 6,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation across the surrounding public lands. Nighttime temperatures often drop below 30°F even in summer months, requiring proper cold-weather gear year-round. The terrain varies from rocky high desert to pinyon-juniper woodlands, with seasonal monsoon storms common from July through September.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area offers extensive trail networks for various skill levels. "Great spot for mountain biking, esp, if you like mountain biking. Not whistler in terms of terrain but plenty of trails for various ability levels," notes andrew B. from Buffalo Creek Recreation Area.
Hiking to reservoirs: Several trails lead to scenic water features. "If you continue down 550 there are some paid camp sites as well, but those were closed for the time being," writes Ben B. about Buffalo Creek. Near Woodland Park, "Nearby is the Rampart Reservoir via Rainbow Gulch trail I recommend walking from the site due to limited parking at the trailhead," suggests a reviewer at Cascade-Chipita Park.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "Moose visitors at dawn and evening, and hungry bears scavenging for food at night is a common occurance," warns a camper at Gordon Gulch, noting "Luckily my car alarm scared them off pretty easily."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the space between camping spots. "Sites are spaced well apart, some sites are covered in trees while others are wide open," notes David H. from Redskin Creek Rd, who adds "Over 30 dispersed campsites along a moderately smooth dirt road."
Late-season accessibility: Lower elevation sites remain usable into fall. "Overall, lots of space to camp and play and a good option for the shoulder season when higher options are under snow," says a visitor to Buffalo Creek. Another camper notes, "It was completely snow free when we visited for Memorial Day, and the creek was flowing high."
Panoramic mountain views: Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping offers exceptional vistas. "Beautiful views, ~50 minutes of rocky gravel road to reach the top but doable in any vehicle depending on the weather. Tons of spots and easy to be secluded," according to Logan C.
What you should know
Campfire regulations: Fire restrictions change frequently and violations carry significant penalties. "There is an active fire ban in the area and the neighbors were lighting 5ft tall fires with gasoline which put us at risk. If you are going to be camping in BLM or Wildlife Areas please follow the restrictions," cautions a visitor to Buffalo Creek.
Site availability timing: Weekends fill extremely quickly across all dispersed areas. At Bailey Area Dispersed, "There are a lot of sites to choose from and some that are super open. Some within the trees where I stayed. There are many sites with beautiful views and comfortable space."
Bears and wildlife hazards: Proper food storage is mandatory. "I did get an uneasy feeling about a few vans and cars that came to the area for a short time. We seen a few abandoned camps one that was closest to us a tent with a few pots and and a sombrero oddly," reports a camper about Cascade-Chipita Park area.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategies: Arrive midweek for better options. "This area is beautiful with lots of great sites available along mt. Herman rd. Looked at 3-4 different sites all had a decent amount of broken glass so be careful with pets/little ones," warns Evan E. from Mount Herman Road.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings of 40°F between day and night are common. "We arrived on a Sunday in late September around 2:00pm. This site has an amazing sunset view every night. The nights were cold some lows 32° and it snowed the first night which we were hoping for," shares a Cascade-Chipita Park visitor.
Water sources: No reliable natural water exists at most sites. "No water sources so you'll have to pack out water. All the fire pits are hand build and being on the finger you're pretty exposed to the wind keeping the fires small and not very hot," explains a camper at Rampart Range Road.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions assessment: Call ranger stations for current road status before attempting access. "Road coming in has some gnarly washboard for the first 2ish miles, at one point we were just crawling cause it was so rough. After that it's smooth sailing until you get to the part of the road where it narrows," reports Andrew L. from Bailey Area Dispersed.
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks as most areas have significant slopes. "The parking areas tend to be very unlevel and there are only a few that you can pull right up to your campsite. #6 had a level spot large enough for my van and the camping area just a few steps away," notes a camper at Redskin Creek.
Turnaround space limitations: Scout ahead before committing to narrow roads. "About half way up looking for a way to turn around. We got lucky and found a space just barely large enough to back in to carfully. Although it was very beautiful, I will not make that mistake again. Don't go up if you are pulling anything larger than a tear drop trailer," warns a visitor to Mount Herman Road.
