Pike National Forest covers much of the terrain surrounding Guffey, Colorado, with elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet in most camping areas. Dispersed camping options near Guffey typically require drivers to navigate dirt roads with varying conditions based on recent weather patterns. Most primitive tent camping sites offer fire rings but minimal additional amenities.
What to do
Climbing activities: Shelf Road Sites offers excellent access to popular climbing areas. "You can hike from the campsite... There are vault toilets that are clean and have toilet paper," reports Alice C., who appreciated the convenience of camping near climbing routes.
Hiking trail exploration: The hiking trails around Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites provide opportunities to witness local wildlife. "This canyon is magical," shares a camper named Papa T., who has camped along the canyon multiple times. The road itself serves as a scenic byway with historical tunnels.
Rock formations: Red Canyon Park features distinctive geological formations that visitors can explore. "There are so many fun places to explore, like climbing on rocks to see the mountains around you," writes Emily, who found the area beautiful and private during her stay.
What campers like
Seclusion from crowds: At Matukat Road Dispersed Camping, the distance between sites creates privacy. "The sites are open and spaced out from one another. We only saw a few cars pass by but otherwise no signs of humans around," notes Brandon in his review of the area.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings add to the camping experience in this region. "Saw some dear and rabbits near our campsite," reports Chrischelle N. about her peaceful stay at Red Canyon Park. Other campers have mentioned spotting moose, cows, and coyotes in different areas around Guffey.
Stargazing conditions: Minimal light pollution makes this area ideal for night sky observation. A visitor at Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite noted the "good sunset" views, while several reviewers mention excellent star viewing conditions due to the area's elevation and distance from cities.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many camping areas require careful driving on rough roads. "The dirt road to get there can be tricky, but I witnessed multiple sedans driving by without issue," reports Brianna K. about Pike National Forest Divide dispersed camping.
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Always check current fire regulations before your trip. Most sites have established fire rings, and as one camper at Matukat Road noted, "There is also an ample amount of firewood from the dead, fallen trees."
Insect activity peaks in warmer months: Biting flies and mosquitoes can be problematic during summer. "BRING BUG SPRAY! Mosquitos were a bit annoying but DEET helped," advises Abby D. about camping at Red Canyon Park, while another camper mentioned "insane amount of biting flies" at a stream-side location.
Cell service is spotty: Signal strength varies by location and carrier. "You will lose cell service about 10 minutes before getting to the park," notes Emily about Red Canyon Park, though other areas like Rampart Range have better coverage with one reviewer noting "very good network coverage (T-mobile)."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with natural boundaries: Look for locations that provide natural containment for children. "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope... Highly worth the hard work as you're secluded from the road and have a lot of tree coverage for hot days. Also great to utilize this if you have young children who like to wander," recommends Madi G. from Phantom Canyon Road.
Bring activities for downtime: The areas around Guffey offer limited structured recreation. Some campgrounds like Lone Duck have amenities such as pools, fishing ponds, and game rooms that can keep children entertained.
Plan for temperature fluctuations: Mountain camping means preparing for cold nights even during summer. "Gets warm during the day but it does get pretty cold at night," notes Hayden P. about camping near Phantom Canyon.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Most dispersed areas have limited space for big rigs. "It took us three attempts to get our overweight 2-wheel drive van up the hill and back onto the road. There are a lot of loose rocks," warns Gregg & Sally W. about their experience at Phantom Canyon.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require equipment to achieve a level setup. "Needed leveling blocks but saw several occupied sites more level," notes Sue B. about her stay at Red Canyon Park.
Road navigation concerns: RV drivers should research routes carefully. "There's major dips in the roads," cautions a reviewer about Red Canyon Park, while another mentions that "after 2/3 miles the road get extremely rough for several miles... Cars and campers cannot make it past a certain point."
