Primitive camping near Gypsum, Colorado offers diverse terrain from 6,000 to 9,000 feet elevation with summer highs typically reaching 80-90°F and winter temperatures dropping below freezing. Most dispersed sites in this region remain snowy and inaccessible until late May, with many forest service roads closing annually from October through May. Cell service varies significantly by carrier and precise location throughout the area's numerous camping zones.
What to do
Mountain biking on nearby trails: Four Mile Road Dispersed camping provides excellent access to local trails. As one visitor notes, "The road up to the campsites is pretty well maintained but you do gain a good amount of elevation. The scenery is beautiful with lot of wild flowers and tall, towering trees" and "continue on to find some more campsites."
Paddling opportunities: LEDE Reservoir Campground offers water recreation. A camper mentioned, "There were two other campers when we arrived. There's plenty of open areas and few more shaded. Great spot to kayak or paddleboard."
Wildlife viewing: Yeoman Park provides exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper reported, "In the morning we were treated to a herd of elk crossing the creek" while another noted they "Got greeted by a moose licking our car in the morning, not something you see everyday either."
Target shooting: Some remote areas permit target practice with proper safety measures. At Four Mile Road, one camper shared, "My campsite was remote and safe for me to do some target practice with my pistol."
What campers like
Solitude and seclusion: Remote areas offer privacy away from crowds. At Four Mile Park Dispersed, campers appreciate that "The sites were beautiful and well separated" and that it's "Secluded and beautiful" with "very few other people around."
Night sky viewing: Clear mountain skies provide excellent stargazing opportunities. One visitor to Yeoman Park remarked, "The night sky was so beautiful. This site was on the end of the road and felt secluded, saw deer and moose in the area."
Accessible primitive camping: Many sites accommodate various vehicles despite being undeveloped. At Basalt Mountain Dispersed, visitors noted, "Multiple sites up here for camping. Trailer/RV friendly" and "Very remote but easy access, we car camped to be near a trailhead the next morning."
Creek access: Several sites feature water access. At Deep Creek Trailhead Camp, visitors mentioned, "There are sites along the creek and along the road" and "Easy to find the site, ours was near the river. Lots of bugs so bring bug spray."
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many roads require appropriate vehicles. On Bellyache Road, visitors warn, "Absolutely requires four-wheel drive for two and a half miles of extremely rough unpaved road that goes up a thousand feet" and "The trail is heavily rutted, and if it just rained gets incredibly muddy."
Wildlife encounters are common: Prepare for wildlife interactions. At Coffee Pot Road Dispersed, one camper warned, "I heard critter sounds. It was so loud, I thought it might be a coon on my roof... it was IN my sunroof channel (and actually came down the pillars into my front seat foot well)."
Limited turnaround space: Some roads have few places to turn around. At Red Table Road, a visitor cautioned, "This road is narrow, no turnabouts for about 2 miles (wall-to-wall Manzanita and canyon drop offs), then about 2.2-4.4 there are some areas to turn around."
Seasonal access restrictions: Many areas have limited seasonal availability. For Basalt Mountain Dispersed, campers note, "Road closed Oct 1st to May 31st" and another reported, "Road closed several mile before sites" during fire season.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Some areas offer educational programs. At Yeoman Park, a visitor mentioned, "Wildlife dept offers educational entertainment on Saturday evenings at their tiny amphitheater. Great for children."
Water activities: Creeks and reservoirs provide recreation. One camper at Blue Lake Camp shared, "The water is crystal clear and lovely for a dip (if you can handle the cold!). A few kind souls have even left their row boats in the woods next to the lake."
Tick awareness: Protect children and pets from ticks in certain areas. At Deep Creek, one camper cautioned, "The biggest complaint was the multiple ticks we discovered while sitting around the camp fire. Make sure to keep a close eye for ticks."
Site selection for safety: Choose sites with natural boundaries for younger children. A visitor at Four Mile Park noted, "Ended up camping at the very first turn off after the parking lot. The sites were beautiful and well separated."
Tips from RVers
Length limitations: Consider your RV size when selecting sites. For Red Table Road, one visitor explained, "This road is narrow, no turnabouts for about 2 miles, then about 2.2-4.4 there are some areas to turn around."
Water planning: No potable water exists at these sites. At Four Mile Park, a camper advised, "The road is long, so plan to stay without fresh water, utilities, etc. There was a brackish creek this time of year which could be filtered, treated and boiled with some work."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require leveling equipment. At Upper Colorado River BLM Dispersed, a visitor observed, "It is an open area with some flat spots and some areas requiring leveling. Can handle big rigs, but space is limited."
Noise considerations: Be aware of potential disruptions. One RVer at Upper Colorado River BLM noted, "Dirt lot as others stated but far enough off the interstate to be quiet. Good view of Colorado River. Train track on other side of the river, but no intersections so no horns blasting."
