Dispersed camping near Hotchkiss, Colorado offers access to high desert terrain at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 10,700 feet. The region experiences dramatic temperature shifts with summer days reaching 90°F and nights cooling to the 50s. Seasonal closures affect several sites, with areas like Black Canyon noting "signs say no camping 12/1-7/15."
What to do
Fishing at multiple reservoirs: The Overland Reservoir Dispersed-Paonia RD area offers trout fishing opportunities in a scenic setting. According to one visitor, "Stocked reservoir with rainbow and brook trout. Smaller fish but fun fishing." Another camper mentioned seeing "trout jumping" during their stay.
Explore shelf roads: The winding roads through Escalante Canyon Road Dispersed offer scenic drives with geological features. A camper notes, "Road was packed gravel almost like highway" making it accessible for most vehicles. Another describes it as "a short scenic drive along a shelf road."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain skies provide excellent night viewing. A camper at Black Canyon Dispersed Camping noted, "It's quite pretty and you can make out some of the milky way on clearer nights." Another visitor to Overland Reservoir got "to see some enchanting aspen forests, trout jumping, and the milky way."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many Black Canyon Dispersed Camping sites offer good separation. One camper reported, "Most have decent privacy from other sites. Not too crowded right now." Another noted, "Nice area with lots of dispersed sites. Lots of good shade at the sites."
Riverside camping spots: The Dispersed River Site - Gunnison Gorge National Conservation area provides water access. One visitor found "a turn off just before the coordinates and stayed there. Large space with lots of room for cars at this site. Right along the river, absolutely beautiful." Another commented on the "Pretty spot right along the river."
Shade availability: Several camping areas offer tree cover for protection from the sun. At Cotton Wood Lakes, a camper noted it was "hidden" and "really pretty." At Escalante Canyon, visitors found themselves "Surrounded by many piñon trees" that "give enough shade and beautiful views of the canyon."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many free camping areas require careful driving. One camper at Black Canyon reported, "this site was easy to find and not too far from the main road but very quiet." However, at Gunnison Gorge, a visitor warned about "a bumpy road to get here but nothing requiring 4WD (when dry at least) or high clearance."
Weather challenges: Strong winds affect many camping areas. At Escalante Canyon, campers should "Be also prepared for strong winds coming though the canyon in May time." At Gunnison Gorge, "the wind was pretty intense when the skies got grey but we managed to set up camp."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially near water. One camper at Overland Reservoir warned, "Bring bug spray as the mosquitoes are pretty bad here." Another at Gunnison Gorge noted, "The mosquitos are plentiful" and advised to "be prepared with all your tricks for mosquitos because they were everywhere."
Limited services: Most areas have no facilities. One camper observed that at Throughline/Coal Creek, "There is ZERO cell service or gas for 15+ miles. So pack accordingly." However, at some Black Canyon sites, "I have Verizon & had decent cell service."
Tips for camping with families
Look for established sites: Twin Lake Dispersed Area offers defined camping spaces. A visitor mentioned, "All sites had areas for parking and fire rings." Another noted there are "Plenty of self made camping areas with tons of privacy."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers animal sightings beyond what's mentioned in reviews. One camper reported, "We saw lots of deer & some elk on the drive up" to Overland Reservoir. At Black Canyon, visitors should "keep an eye out for Mountain Lion" after one camper found "a few deer legs left behind."
Check road access before bringing trailers: Some roads become challenging for towed vehicles. At Black Canyon, a camper advised, "Not sure I'd take a trailer or rv down the side roads too far without scouting." Another noted that at Gunnison Gorge, "the road is bumpy and one way so occasionally someone has to pull over to let others pass."
Elevation awareness: Many sites sit at high elevations. At Grand Mesa, a camper noted their "site is at 10,700 feet elevation," which can affect children's comfort and breathing.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RVs at Escalante Canyon, "Good views and flat spots. Got my 24ft rig in easily, had to go slow in a few spots." Another camper recommended to "continue further. There are plenty more to go, some with access to the water."
Consider time of arrival: Finding level spots for larger vehicles requires planning. One RVer at Black Canyon suggested, "Don't pick the first campground you see, keep driving and exploring two track roads to find the perfect spot." For Black Canyon sites, "There is a lot of open space here, but it does fill up fast."
Weather preparedness: Temperature management is crucial in high-desert camping. One camper at Escalante Canyon noted, "We went mid June, it got hot fast in the morning, but was pleasant enough in the night to not need a/c." Plan accordingly with heating and cooling needs for RV camping.
