Dispersed camping near Granby, Colorado offers primitive sites with varied terrain and accessibility. Sites along Stillwater Pass Road feature post-fire conditions with limited tree cover, while Diamond Lake trails provide backcountry camping options at 10,000+ feet elevation. Visitors should be prepared for unpredictable mountain weather patterns and variable road quality when accessing more remote locations.
What to do
Fishing at high-elevation lakes: Diamond Lake offers prime fishing conditions. According to one visitor, "Took the Forth of July Trail to Diamond Lake for some camping and fishing. Ended up camping for 4 nights. Aside from a few random hikers throughout the day, I pretty much had the place to myself. Great fishing." Diamond Lake requires a hike in, making it less crowded than roadside options.
Biking on forest service roads: Many dispersed sites connect to trail systems suitable for mountain biking. At Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite, campers noted, "We took a left at the fork and found a site with the best view and a porta-john at the end of the driveway." This area provides direct access to multiple biking trails.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning or evening hours offer the best chances to spot wildlife. A camper at Allenspark reported, "The second day staying there we ran into a bear and scared him off. Two hours later he came back and we scared him off again. He's afraid of humans but he did try to get into the car while we were sleeping." Always maintain safe distances and proper food storage.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Several areas feature sites directly adjacent to flowing water. At Allenspark Dispersed Camping, one visitor noted: "It was gorgeous! Lots of spots, and also lots of people. Some folks coming in late night. It's definitely a bumpy ride in." The sound of running water helps mask road noise at busier locations.
Mountain views from elevated sites: Higher elevation camping provides panoramic vistas. "Great site and location about 10 minutes from downtown Grand Lake. The sites had tons of space and a great view of the mountains. Only downside, there's only a few sites along this road and they filled up fairly quick on a Friday," reported a camper at Stillwater Pass.
Porta-toilets at select locations: While most dispersed sites lack facilities, some areas offer basic amenities. A camper mentioned, "We took a left at the fork and found a site with the best view and a porta-john at the end of the driveway. The site appears to have been freshly cleared." These facilities can be found at limited locations in the Stillwater Pass area.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many of the best tent camping sites near Granby require suitable vehicles. "The road is a mixture of rocks, small water crossings, and potholes. If you can tackle it, it is absolutely worth it!" notes a camper about Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail. Lower clearance vehicles should stick to sites closer to main roads.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity decreases with distance from town. A camper at Stillwater Pass reported, "T-mobile service was fair. Area is decently trafficked so you might show up at night with no spots available." Download offline maps before heading out.
Weather can change rapidly: Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms. "Went on a bit of a rainy weekend so it got super cold at night. The roads are super rocky as you get up to the reservoir and with the rain there were some large puddles," shared a Fall River Reservoir visitor. Pack warm, waterproof layers regardless of season.
Tips for camping with families
Select sites with natural features: Areas with streams provide built-in entertainment. At The Lost Site - Dispersed Campsite, "First comes first. I planned to stay one night, but then decided to take advantage of the area and stay an extra night. Since I travel in SUV converted into mini camper - I parked next to a river (love the sound of flowing water)."
Consider developed campgrounds for amenities: For families wanting more facilities, Brainard Lake Recreation Area offers a middle ground. "We love Brainard. The campground is clean, spacious, and there are beautiful trails to ride your bikes, fly kites, read, hike, fish. Some campsites are a little close, but if you pick a good spot you have great seclusion."
Check site security: Ensure your chosen area has stable terrain. A camper at Stillwater Pass noted, "There was a ditch between the road and the site so some higher clearance helped avoid scraping." Sites with established fire rings typically offer better tent placement options.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions on forest roads: For RVs, road width and turning radius present challenges. At Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area, a visitor shared, "Recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach some of the spots, especially if there is poor weather." Most suitable RV sites are located within the first mile of forest service roads.
Limited level parking spots: Finding flat areas for larger vehicles requires planning. "Not at all a beautiful area, only a few places to camp and it's a bumpy road and the access points are not good, none of the sites are level," reported one Stillwater Pass visitor. Arrive early to secure the limited level spots available.
Consider weekday camping: Weekend congestion makes finding appropriate RV sites difficult. "We showed up on a Sunday evening in July around 10 AM and still found a spot," noted a camper at Stillwater Pass, suggesting that timing your arrival for weekdays or non-peak hours improves chances of finding suitable parking.
