Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, CO has a lot to offer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"It is quiet down there and very secluded but you really have to have experience to do this trip."
"We played free pool. Everyone was friendly. We made a new ski bum friend. Elk migration happens during April and it was spectacular."
"One of those classic colorado vistas, with outdoors feel, safe swimming for children and all round good times."
"Comes with the free price."
"Stayed one night on the way to Colorado. Super easy to find right off the highway and plenty of spots."
"Pulled into this area late one evening on a fall camping trip across Colorado."
"Again, and this is an all of Colorado thing but be prepared with all your tricks for mosquitos because they were everywhere."
TravelerEasy dispersed camping placcess off of hwy 50 between Delta and Grand Junction. BLM land. Several established spots to the right and up the escarpment. A few spots as you head down toward the river.
LegendLocated about 20 minutes from the town of Crested Butte, Slate River Road is home to a bunch of campgrounds. Note: These areas differ from the BLM section you will drive through. After the Oh Be Joyful BLM land, you will then make your way into Forest Service operated areas where there is tons of dispersed camping and it is free.
We spent some time here around 4th of July and all the spots were filled as expected. Camp grounds are all dispersed, free and have no amenities at the site except some areas have vault toilets. There are a few campgrounds on the left side of the road and if those are all full there are many other spots just along the sides of the roads. The spot where the pin is for this site is one of the few “Camp grounds” where there is a small parking lot built and spots are somewhat defined.
Most of them were big enough for multiple cars and tents as well as full sized RV’s. The forest service does patrol this area and we saw them writing tickets for people who were parked in areas they should not be in. It seems they used rocks to define camping areas and people were parked beyond them. Keep that in mind when selecting a spot.
If you cannot find a spot in one of these campgrounds, keep driving. A good portion of the road is Forest Service and camping is allowed on the sides of the road. We saw people camping for miles up the road.
As is with most of Crested Butte, there is tons to do in this area. Drives, hikes, mountain biking, fishing…the list goes on. We spent a long weekend here, it was a great base camp spot however our spot was pretty exposed to the sun.
Bonus: We saw tons of wildlife every day right across the river from our camp chairs. Deer. Moose and a Bear!
TravelerMan, we love these blm lands in colorado!!
ScoutBLM land just outside the south (main) entrance to Black Canyon National Park. Road can be rough, especially slippery mud after rain. Many dispersed sites with cleared space and fire rings along the road, which goes for miles. Reserved campsites within the National Park can be difficult to get ... there's no shortage of sites here, just outside. There's a small store at the junction of the Park access road with US 50, selling firewood, ice, and necessities. Montrose is a short 15 miles away for more substantial needs (gasoline, repairs, shopping).
LegendDispersed camping along the South Mineral Creek. This is dry camping with a vault toilet- no hook ups. This is popular with RV’ers and OHV’ers as it is free. The limit is the usual fourteen days. Some “sites” have fire pits, and there are a few picnic tables scattered about. There are a few sites right on the water. Further back in at some larger sites that could accommodate small rvs. The plus is the free camping right on the “river”. The minus is that the road to the forest service campground and the Ice Lake trailhead is very close, very busy, and very dusty.
GuideEasy to find BLM land with decent roads and lots of spots. I stayed here 3 days and never saw or heard another person. It’s only 5 miles from the North Rim of Black Canyon National Park. Crawford is about 8 miles away and has some restaurants with good home cooking.
GuideGreat dispersed camping! Spots were clearly marked and had easy access. The views were fantastic! We would definitely go back. Some of the spots are more exposed and offer less privacy than others. Our spot felt very secluded even though it was right by the road.
One negative was the dust/dirt. The dirt here is very fine and sticks to everything, so be prepared to get dusty/dirty, especially if you have kids.
GuideFound a great dispersed campsite near Silverton Co. Golden Horn dispersed camping area is located about 5 miles from Silverton Co. This camping area is at 9600' elevation. Head north on HWY 550 out of Silverton and turn onto FSR 585 along South Mineral Creek, There are several boondocking sites packed into this 5 mile stretch. This time of year (July), many are occupied and full. We arrived on a Thursday morning to find only one space available at this dispersed campground. Sites are covered in river rock. Nothing is level, so bring the right gear to manage that if it's important to you. There is a vault toilet, bring your own tp. Generators hum all day and deep into the night. T-Mobile 5G/4G somewhat available. Access to several trails are nearby. Recommend off-road capable vehicle to get to Rico-Silverton trailhead.
GuideReally nice forest sites on BLM land very close to Black Canyon NP. Roads are very rutted, particularly the one straight in. I opted for the road off to the right as you pull in. Easy to navigate in my Outback but would use caution if muddy or heavy rain forecast. There were signs of a vehicle that needed to be pulled out at my site. Very quiet, very wooded. Quite a few deer bones around, so definitely predators in the area.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado. This area offers stunning landscapes and a chance to connect with nature while enjoying the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests is Black Canyon Dispersed Camping with a 4.2-star rating from 51 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests?
TheDyrt.com has all 59 dispersed camping locations near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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