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Several dispersed camping options exist around Glen Haven, Colorado, with Hell Canyon Dispersed being the closest. This site requires 4WD vehicles with high clearance as the steep, rough road presents significant challenges. Multiple reviews confirm that standard vehicles and 2WD vans typically cannot access the area. Pole Hill Road Dispersed offers similar primitive camping but also demands capable off-road vehicles. These free sites provide no amenities - no toilets, water, or trash services.
The dispersed sites feature varying terrain and limited spots. Hell Canyon has approximately six established sites with fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "The views were great if you venture off the path and into the trees more," but campers should expect competition for the few level spots available, particularly on weekends. Most areas enforce a 14-day camping limit. Cell service is generally good, with visitors reporting "Great Verizon signal" at Hell Canyon, making these locations suitable for off-grid camping with basic connectivity.
"4x4 drive is a requirement. Good Verizon signal. Narrow road, however not busy at all. Stayed here for 4 days, no issue. The Google Maps directions is slightly wrong."
"A few camper vans were here as well."
"Fire ban was in effect when we went, but lots of fire circles available otherwise. Bring bug spray, the flies are bold."
"Great spots right next to the river. It was roaring in late May. We ended up near the end of the road and high clearance and 4WD was a must"
"We were right up on the lake but turns out it's private property and you cannot even go up to the water."
"You are pinned up against private property around the lake, the camp sites are in the dirt area when you get to the lake down to the left."
"You have to drive through a neighborhood to get to the serving road. Follow the directions on Google and you’ll be fine. The best spots are a little further back. The road will come to a Y go left."
"Awesome scenic drive, great spacious spot. But only for one party. If someone else is there, you're outta luck. Fire road is gated off so no other options."
"Moderate to heavy foot traffic -Busy, mostly big groups staying at sites having their own fun but plan ahead for finding a site -Friendly and respectful people -Very well maintained sites, trails, signage"
"A number of sites will dot both sides of the road on the way into Pingree (take the CSU mountain campus exit off of Poudre Canyon). Most are good, some are in burn scars."
"The road is pretty rough and high clearance is recommended. A Subaru need our help a little bit. We camped on a weekend and the road and other sites got pretty busy."
"New Bronco in front of me turned around. Once past the obstacles (which is why we do this, right?) lots of nice camping. The only drawback is the large power lines in the vicinity. No Verizon. "
"the road is very off-roady, not gravel or just some rocks but truly off-road 4 wheeler style. we mostly saw lifted jeeps or ATVs up there."
"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."
"Arrived around 7:30pm on a Friday. There were 2 soots left available totaling about 8 spots for dispersed camping. Stayed until Sunday morning."
"No water source that I know of."
ScoutDon’t believe the navigation apps and go through lyons, it’s private property ; furthermore if you like I did make the drive though Estes park, have 4WD high clearance and a small vehicle… maybe you’ll make it to this brutally elusive last free camping spot off the main mountain roads
GuideWe 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!
TravelerBeautiful views of gold lake, this specific spot has a rough road that will require high clearance. The other spots are off of a well maintained fire road if you’re in a low clearance vehicle. High 38mph winds all night long at 24 degrees F. Lake is private and there’s lots of private property lines to look out for. The only reason it’s not a 5/5
RangerSo 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!
GuideWent 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.
ScoutMy son and I joined a friend from Longmont and headed to this trail to camp for a couple days. Very accessible road, lots of spots to choose from (we showed up on Thursday, it did get a little busier on Friday and Saturday). Our spot was set back from the trail, right next to the stream. Just an amazing view, ample room for lots of tents, nice fire rings and huge logs around them for sitting. Fire wood abounds but it was all a little wet still from the rains they've been getting. Some folks didn't seem to be aware of the "leave no trace" rule when it comes to going to the bathroom, which was a little gross. Overall, great experience, pretty trail views, caught lots of trout (none big enough to keep). A great getaway.
TravelerI went here the week before campgrounds opened in this area, around May 7th. I had a pop up trailer and got there around 5pm on a Friday. Most spots were already taken and the road was a bit washed out. We got stopped by a camper letting us know not to go further because of the road condition and we shared a spot for the night. I would recommend this spot if you have a 4 wheel drive car with high clearance. Later in the season when the water levels are lower it might be easier to navigate but we saw a car or two get towed out
GuideNice area to set up camp and fish on the Colorado River. There is a bear-proof dumpster and a portapotty (BYO TP) available. Not a lot of traffic along the highway at night, but there is a train that comes through which can be pretty loud. Roughly a dozen established dispersed sites are available here. Bring the bug spray, the mosquitoes are thick! There is zero T-Mobile cell signal here at all.
GuideThis is a great place to start car camping or backpack camping. The roads for my truck were easy to traverse and navigate. Saw some hatchbacks, SUV’s, and other lower clearance vehicles. They did just fine so if you have that you can do it if you take your time. But stay on the main road to the lake some side roads are extremely hard even for my truck. But there is plenty of sites to disperse camp. Pretty much if you explore around you’ll find a nice place to set up with a made campfire already. Also please take care of the fire, pet and alcohol restrictions. They had a fire restriction and they gave out tickets to those who had them, just be aware. Have a great time, it’s beautiful country out there
Dispersed camping near Glen Haven, Colorado offers primitive sites within Roosevelt National Forest. Located at elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet, the area experiences dramatic temperature fluctuations even in summer months, often dropping below 40°F at night. Sites typically sit among lodgepole pine and aspen groves with seasonal creek access depending on snowmelt conditions.
Hiking nearby trails: Access the Flowers Trail from Pingree Road Dispersed Camping for day hikes with moderate elevation gain. "The Flowers Trail is a great hike nearby," notes camper Nidhi S., who appreciated the well-maintained access road that accommodated her "FWD low clearance sedan."
Wildlife viewing: Camp at Allenspark Dispersed Camping for potential wildlife encounters. Camper Ben O. reports, "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he can back and we scared him off again." Bear activity is common in summer months, requiring proper food storage.
Mountain views: Drive to the rocky outcroppings near Beaver Park Reservoir for panoramic vistas. "If you walk over to the lake the view is amazing. There is a super easy family-friendly mini hike with great view and a little cell access," writes reviewer johny R., who recommends following a specific path: "If you are facing the lake, to your right just behind you there are some rocks. Walk twoard them and then maybe 30 yards away from the lake."
Seclusion from crowds: Allenspark Dispersed Camp Spot offers natural isolation with creek ambiance. "Most spots sit on a creek that gives a good ambiance. Few spots need 4x4 or really good tires, but there's a spot for everyone," notes Marcos D.R., adding that the area has "clear skies at night, but tree cover if you prefer."
Cell connectivity options: For remote workers, some sites offer surprising connectivity. Beaver Park Reservoir campers report limited service: "I also was able to get some service with Verizon periodically. Was able to send some texts but no pictures," writes James S. Connectivity varies by carrier and specific location within campsites.
Natural sound barriers: Creek-side camping provides natural white noise to mask nearby campers. Kevin F. notes at Allenspark Dispersed Camping that the "good whitenoise from the creek" enhances the camping experience, though initially "the campgrounds were hard to find. Keep driving down Ski road until you find a fork in the road, and from there onwards are the campsites."
Vehicle requirements vary by site: Pingree Road Dispersed Camping offers accessibility options for different vehicles. "The Pingree Road is also super well maintained so I was able to comfortably get to the campsite with a FWD low clearance sedan," notes Nidhi S., though other reviewers recommend "at least AWD but 2wd should absolutely be able to go on the main road and access most sites."
Seasonal closures impact planning: Forest Road 119 experiences extended closures. Multiple reviewers reported "Road still closed" and "There was a gate that appears to be locked until sometime in summer." Always check current status before attempting access.
Fire regulations change frequently: Always verify current restrictions. Alex O. notes at Hell Canyon, "Fires allowed in established rings only, always check with Roosevelt National Forest website to see if fires are allowed during your stay as this varies by season."
Choose sites with flat terrain: Beaver Park Reservoir offers family-friendly spots. "There are several good sized RV spots. We have a 25 foot camper and feet nicely in," reports James S., noting the "road in was good as well (May 2025)."
Consider wildlife education opportunities: Allenspark provides opportunities for wildlife education with proper precautions. Renee observed that the area is "Beautiful, secluded and right next to a creek. BUT a huge bear got into my tent while I was gone for 2 hours and absolutely destroyed it." Use these experiences as teaching moments about proper food storage.
Plan for weather fluctuations: Pack warm clothing even in summer. Mark W. at Beaver Park Reservoir warns, "just be sure to check the weather before you get there as there is no service, and a storm with high wind caused us to have to tear down camp in the middle of the night."
Size restrictions limit options: Pole Hill Rd Dispersed camping requires careful vehicle selection. Mike C. reports navigating in a "Stock 2005 GMC 4x4 work truck, very basic. Some obstacles that were pretty much to the limit of my truck capabilities." He notes a "New Bronco in front of me turned around."
Road conditions vary dramatically: Rustic camping areas near Glen Haven demand vehicle preparation. Joshua L. at Hell Canyon notes, "Haven't been out camping in a while, should have 4x4 but we made it without. One vehicle had a 20' cargo trailer. (Required 4x4)."
Alternative parking strategies: When main dispersed sites are inaccessible, consider alternative approaches. Justin H. acknowledges Hell Canyon's limitations: "The road was a little rough for a pop up camper. More for tents." Consider parking at established campgrounds and using dispersed areas for day use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Glen Haven, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Glen Haven, CO is Hell Canyon Dispersed with a 3.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Glen Haven, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 119 dispersed camping locations near Glen Haven, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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