Camping areas near Guffey, Colorado are situated in the Pike National Forest at elevations between 7,800 and 10,000 feet. This high-altitude region experiences cold nights even in summer, with temperatures often dropping below 45°F after sunset. Dirt roads leading to dispersed camping areas can become difficult to navigate during and after rainfall, with washboard conditions common on routes like Matukat Road.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Several campgrounds provide easy access to hiking trails, including Colorado Trail connections. "The end of the campground feeds into many trailheads, which are great for exploring," notes Alexis B. about Mueller State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Fish for trout at Eleven Mile Canyon, accessible via Spillway Campground. "River is easy to access and the fishing is very good. This is a popular area, but the reservation system does not allow over crowding," says Ruth L. from Spillway Campground.
Rock climbing: Some dispersed sites feature natural rock formations for climbing. At Matukat Road Dispersed Camping, "Kid absolutely loved to climb rocks even with thin air in high altitude," reports Frank C., who stayed before "solo climbing Mt. Democrat."
Mountain biking: Many forest roads and trails permit mountain biking. "We also rode our mountain bikes on 272, 274A and the 273," mentions Marine J. about her experience at Raspberry Gulch.
What campers like
Well-spaced sites: Most dispersed camping areas offer good separation between sites. "Dispersed campsites are spread out so you can't see or hear your neighbors," notes Tori T. about Browns Creek.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see local wildlife. "We saw a herd of cows that initially we thought were bears so we had a split second of worry before realizing what they were," reports John M. at Matukat Road Dispersed Camping.
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies in this remote region make for excellent star viewing. Marine J. at Raspberry Gulch comments, "It was very quiet and the sky was amazing at night."
Cool temperatures: The high elevation provides relief from summer heat. Bruce K. mentions about Mueller State Park Campground, "Got below freezing so be ready for the cold."
What you should know
Equestrian limitations: No dedicated horse camping facilities exist in the immediate Guffey area. While dispersed sites like Raspberry Gulch or Matukat Road may accommodate horses in theory, they lack amenities like corrals or stalls.
Fire restrictions: Check current fire restrictions before your trip. "Fire ban, so no fire-pizza delivery to our campsite was a plus!" notes Glenna L. about her stay at Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA.
Rough access roads: Many roads to dispersed camping require higher clearance vehicles. "The road getting in was doable. We didn't need to engage the four-wheel-drive so the only thing I would advise is you need some reasonable clearance to get all the way back," advises Chris P. about Matukat Road.
Limited amenities: Most dispersed camping areas have no facilities. At Raspberry Gulch BLM, campers note, "The creek on the map didn't have any water in it though and the sun was brutal for a few hours," according to Nicole W.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Some established campgrounds provide family amenities. "The kids loved the go-karting, mini-golf and giant slide," mentions Kelly P. about Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA.
Beginner-friendly options: For first-time campers with children, consider more developed sites. "This is a great campground for introducing little ones to car camping. The campground is clean and well-maintained, the sites are good-sized and it's a short hike to decent fishing," recommends Cody R. at Colorado Campground.
Weather preparation: Pack for temperature swings, especially with children. "Short steep hikes. Fly fishing mecca. Long bumpy 11 mile dirt road ride. But worth it. Recommend tent camping. No long or big campers = tough trek in," advises Jenn H. about Spillway Campground.
Animal encounters: Prepare children for potential livestock encounters. Chelsie B. from Matukat Road notes, "Cattle roam freely throughout the property and you can hear coyotes at dusk and dawn."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many roads have restricted access for larger rigs. "No RV/Campers over 36 ft permitted," notes Dave V. about Colorado Campground.
Site selection: Choose appropriate sites based on your rig size. "I was able to get my 25ft rig pretty far up the mountain on road 274A. There was 30-40ft class A in the spot closest to me," explains Brian E. from Browns Creek.
Dispersed options: For boondocking, arrive early for better spots. "We camped in a travel trailer at Royal Gorge/Canon City KOA Holiday," says Cynthia K., who adds, "Everything looked clean except for the shower curtains, which were filthy."
Hookup availability: Few campgrounds offer full hookups. "Spacious spots with full hookups. There's a park entrance fee in addition to the spot rental," reports Brandie about The Meadows Campground at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
