Best Dispersed Camping near Howard, CO

Dispersed camping areas near Howard, Colorado include several free, primitive sites across Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands. Hayden Creek Roadside Camp provides creek-side tent camping with several pull-offs along the road before reaching the established USFS campground. Additional dispersed options include Cloverdale Mines Dispersed Area, Marshall Pass Dispersed, and Browns Creek South, all situated on public lands with varying levels of accessibility. Most sites feature established fire rings but lack other amenities typical of developed campgrounds.

Road conditions vary significantly across these dispersed camping areas. Many access roads require vehicles with decent ground clearance, particularly at Cloverdale Mines where water runoff ditches make the entry road challenging for low-clearance vehicles. While 4WD isn't always necessary in dry conditions, high-clearance vehicles are recommended for most sites. Campers should prepare for primitive conditions with no potable water, toilets, or trash services. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and campers must pack out all waste. Most sites allow camping for up to 14 days, following standard public land regulations.

The terrain offers diverse camping experiences from creek-side settings to mountain views. Hayden Creek provides shaded sites near flowing water, while higher elevation areas like Marshall Pass deliver cooler temperatures and mountain vistas. Wildlife sightings are common, with bear activity reported near Cloverdale Mines. Cell service varies significantly by location and provider. "The creek is nice and the sounds was much louder than we anticipated, which was good," noted one Hayden Creek camper. Another visitor at Cloverdale Mines reported, "Entry road has multiple water runoff ditches that make the road best for vehicles with decent clearance. If dry 4x4 not necessary." Many sites offer good separation between campsites, though proximity to other campers varies by location.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Howard, Colorado (92)

    1. Hayden Creek Roadside Camp

    4 Reviews
    Coaldale, CO
    6 miles

    "Quite a few flat tent spots right by the creek although there are boulders from preventing you from driving too far into the woods."

    "level, shaded, right by nice size creek. perfect for exploring and quiet. we were in tent but saw several largeRV. some traffic but never heard another person. were a few spots right next to us but we"

    2. Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area

    16 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    18 miles
    Website

    "If you ever been to any of the BLM camping locations around Salida, Mt. Shavano is not anything different."

    "Totally Boondocking, no hookups, but close to town to refill water and such."

    3. Salida BLM Land

    4 Reviews
    Salida, CO
    10 miles

    "There’s two outhouses at the Race Track trailhead."

    "Well labeled from Highway 50 just before entering Salida. About or greater than 20 camping spots (but we didn't venture to the last site)."

    4. Marshall Pass

    7 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    16 miles
    Website

    "There were sites you could pull into off of the road, but we car camped along the side since we were leaving early. Finding a spot can be difficult, but the views and location are nice."

    "Awesome group sites and very easy access to lake!"

    5. Shavano Mountain

    7 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    19 miles

    "Very rough road."

    "Tough road that gets progressively technical as you go farther up towards trail head."

    6. Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site

    18 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Found an area right off the Colorado Trail trailhead. You don’t really need 4wd, but it is a dirt road and some parts are less smooth than others. Very close drive to the Mt Princeton Hot Springs"

    "It is gorgeous and so easy to access. From the 285 going north turn left on County road 270 until it becomes the 272 we went straight to the 274."

    7. Cloverdale Mines Dispersed Area

    2 Reviews
    Hillside, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 269-8500

    "Entry road has multiple water runoff ditches that make the road best for vehicles with decent clearance. If dry 4x4 not necessary."

    "Be careful of cactus, bring firewood, download the off-line maps. The trails can get confusing so remember your way in!"

    8. Marshall Pass Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    16 miles

    "Turn off Hwy 285 at “Mears Junction” and head up Marshall Pass Rd."

    "Road is a tad washboarded/rocky but nothing hard to traverse, even if you're only driving a small suv. You go through private property at first but then it opens up to public access."

    9. Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Big wide dispersed camping spaces. Plenty of nice hiking - especially Brown's Creek area. Great location with easy drive to Buena Vista & Salida & Mt. Princeton."

    "I pulled in here around 8 PM on a Tuesday and had intentions to stay for multiple nights."

    10. Browns Canyon Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    18 miles

    "A nice BLM area, free dispersed camping. Some loud generators in use when we came here but so much room we could get far enough away to not mind."

    "Awesome location, beautiful views of the collegiate peaks and about 20 minutes away from Salida. There are lot of spots in this area (some side roads lead you to 360 views)."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Howard, CO

283 Reviews of 92 Howard Campgrounds


  • Paulina B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 15, 2024

    The Dunefield — Great Sand Dunes National Park

    Wild and Untamed

    Backcountry dispersed camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park offers an unforgettable and truly unique wilderness experience. If you’re seeking solitude and raw, untamed landscapes, this is the perfect spot to pitch your tent. With no designated sites, you have the freedom to find your ideal spot beyond the busy dunes and under an expansive star-filled sky.

    The journey begins with a hike deep into the park’s rugged terrain, where you’re surrounded by towering sand dunes, alpine forests, and sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The lack of light pollution makes stargazing an absolute highlight—this is one of the best places to witness the Milky Way.

    Keep in mind, this is true backcountry camping: no facilities, no water sources, and you must pack out all waste. Permits are required, so be sure to plan ahead. The environment can be challenging, with extreme temperature swings and strong winds that shift the sand beneath your feet. Good preparation and Leave No Trace practices are a must.

    The rewards are well worth the effort. From sunrise hikes to the serene sound of nothing but wind across the dunes, this camping experience immerses you in nature’s raw beauty like few others can. It’s an adventure you’ll carry with you long after you’ve left the dunes behind.

    Highly recommend skipping the tent and sleeping under the stars!

  • Lise F.
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping

    Space and Views!!

    We camped here for 4 nights in August 2020. It was so peaceful. Big wide dispersed camping spaces. Plenty of nice hiking - especially Brown's Creek area. Great location with easy drive to Buena Vista & Salida & Mt. Princeton. The only drawback was, well, August dryness & no water nearby. This was our first dispersed camping experience and we realize no facilities. There is one bathroom near the Brown's Creek trailhead about 2 miles away from where we camped, but we had a camper. Also, no picnic tables at all. AND cows roam freely throughout the area - drive slowly & respect them - listen for moos & coyote howls. Great bird-watching too. We enjoyed it so much!!

  • Tommie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2018

    North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    Ranger Review: Wild Zora Foods at North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camp

    Bare bones but beautiful camping opportunity conveniently located near the trailhead to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area in Colorado

    Campground Review:

    Needing a spot to serve as a staging area for a planned backpacking trip into the Collegiate Peak Wilderness Area of Colorado, my group discovered this gem. County roads (CR) that access national forests in Colorado often have primitive but established camping spots. Since we were going to start our backpacking trip from the North Cottonwood Trailhead, we searched online to make sure that the access road, CR 365 offered dispersed camping.

    After a nice meal in nearby Buena Vista, Co, we headed out on the 7-8 mile drive to the trailhead. Now 7-8 miles on a CR isn’t always the same as a similar distance on a paved road. The first 3 miles on the drive from town center were paved and were navigated quickly and easily. The next few miles were not and driving became more of an adventure and slowed dramatically. While in the end we saw 2 WD vehicles at the trailhead, I would suggest that at a minimum you should have a high clearance FWD vehicle. Our Subaru Outback AWD served us well. The drive took us around 30 minutes.

    2 miles away from the trailhead, you pass a Colorado Trail access point with parking and vault toilets. IMPORTANT: there are no toilets past this point on CR 365 and no facilities at the North Cottonwood Trailhead.

    We ended up driving all the way up to the trailhead to know what to expect for the next morning when we would start the hike. We then headed back down CR 365 about a mile to some of the more attractive looking camping sites along the road. In all, I would suspect you pass 15-20 opportunities along the road. Some of them are small, single vehicle, single tent areas and others could handle multiple groups.

    We ended up finding a pull off point that had a gravel road that accessed several campsites. You are encouraged to find sites that have been used in the past and most will have a fire pit. Always check with the ranger stations to see if fires are allowed in the area at the time.

    Since this site had a gravel road that took you 50-100 yards off the CR, you really felt the seclusion. The CR is not heavily traveled (maybe 6 cars used it from 7pm to 6am the next morning while we were there), being off the road really made this a nice site. The sites that are accessed via side gravel roads do have road designations. The one we chose was 365B and was clearly marked with a reflective post sign.

    The sites are adorned with pines and aspens. We were also near a stream that provided us beautiful sounds to fall asleep to. Spacing between sites is significant so you do feel remote and won’t hear much if anything from other campers. Our site had a rock fire ring but firewood is scarce so if you want a campfire, you will need to bring some with you. There is no running water at these sites but the stream is flowing and with a filtration system, you can easily fill up. No tables or benches are in the area.

    Does a bear … in the woods? Well yes and you will need to as well. This area’s minimum suggested practice was to dig your “cat hole” at least 6 inches deep, 100 feet or more away from water, camping and trail locations. Degradable toilet paper, no wipes, was suggested.

    The site was beautiful, primitive, remote, and convenient. Everything we were looking for. We experienced temperatures of 70’s during the day and mid 40’s at night. We did have the typical misty rain in the evening but it didn’t last long and the ground absorbed it well. You are at around 9500 feet above sea level so you may feel the effects of the altitude. It served as a great place for this “flatlander” to get acclimated.

    Not a site for someone that needs amenities. But if you love the thought of a controlled, primitive site, this will be right up your alley!

    Gear Review: Wild Zora Foods

    See a quick video summary of the product HERE.

    As a Dyrt Ranger gear tester, I often get opportunities to evaluate camping related products during my outdoor adventures. On this outing, I was able to pack a variety of Wild Zora snacks and meals to help fuel this physically demanding trip.

    The genesis for Wild Zora began in 2011 with a family that discovered the benefits of Gluten-Free, Paleo, and Primal foods. After developing their own, sharing with friends and family, the founders decided to package and offer their creations to the public. They offer meat and veggie bars, paleo meals to go, soups and teas. All are claimed to be prepared with minimally processed, high quality ingredients. The company states that it is mindful of diet restrictions and allergies.

    Testing conditions:

    I tested the product over several weeks under somewhat adverse but consistent conditions. The food was used to fuel a physically demanding trip where calorie dense foods were needed. I needed to be able to consume around 4000 calories a day to be able to backpack for miles and to climb 14,000 foot Colorado peaks. Space and weight were taken into consideration as well. We would be preparing the meals at high elevation which would affect how long and effective reconstitution of the dehydrated food would take. During most of the cooking times, temperatures were between 40-60 degrees.

    Things that stood out:

    · Conveniently packaged. Durable with no excessive packaging.

    · Shelf life was way longer than what I needed for this trip so if any was left over, it would keep for my next trip.

    · The meals and flavors offered are not limited to your common camping meals offered by others. CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE FLAVORS!

    · There is no shortage of flavor in the meals. Nothing bland about them.

    · Ingredients are top shelf and the meals and snacks have such a short but impressive ingredient list, you know you are doing your body good.

    My preferences for improvement:

    · Adjustment needed in how I ate it because of the dimensions of the meal packages. Narrow and tall vs short and wide made me adjust how I consumed the meal.

    Summary of experience with Wild Zora:

    These meals are POPPING with flavor! Since what we like in our meals is a personal preference, some may not like the strong flavors but I loved them. I am a little adventurous with my food and the flavors in all the meals I tried were distinct and pleasing – think gourmet vs fast food.

    The food is packaged with the outdoor enthusiast in mind. Easy to tuck away in my backpack without being a space or weight hog and the snacks were perfect when I went “peakbagging” with a smaller daypack. Calorie dense. I was able to easily take 4 meat/veggie bars with my on mountain climbs and averaged 120 calories a bar. The bars provided satisfying protein and fat calories that complimented my quick carb foods I packed.

    Will absolutely be a part of my meals on future adventures. See a quick summary of the product HERE.

  • Izzy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2022

    Penrose Common Rec Site

    Delightful af

    Road in is rough, but manageable with a high clearance vehicle. Plenty of space to spread out. Popular with those ATV things. Pit toilet, no trash. Not many trees, but a great view of the surrounding area. T-mobile service was good enough to get some work and school done. Close enough to groceries and other stores. Love this spot.

  • Silouan A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Marshall Pass Dispersed

    Dispersed camping spots with amazing views

    Turn off Hwy 285 at “Mears Junction” and head up Marshall Pass Rd. The first few miles are through private property, but then it opens up into the National Forest, with dispersed campsites interspersed regularly along the roads. There are easy camper friendly spots, and tent spots, as well as some areas where a group could be easily accommodated. The views are fantastic, there are numerous trailheads, and Poncha Creek and other seasonal creeks are running beautifully.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Route 31 Camp

    Close to perfect if you’re in the right spot

    County Road 31 dispersed camping On entering the area, there is immediately a sign that reads that OHV’s are prohibited. At least in this area you know you’re going to get some peace and quiet. The road to get in is mainly washboard. Totally possible even with a low clearance 2 Wheel Dr. vehicle. The sights designated only. Once you get past the information board you’ll see turn off‘s on the left and right wave Campers and fire pits. If you continue down County Road 31 spectacular. The biggest issue I can see again is a lack of firewood. There appears to be no downed trees or burned trees in the area. You need to bring in your own. There’s also no water source in this area so come well prepared. Since this is dispersed camping, there is no reservation or electric hook ups or sewer hook ups. These sites are plenty big enough for big rigs, and most of them appear to be pull through sites. Tent campers the sites do appear to be a little bit too exposed. There are sites with better tree coverage for tent campers when you go further into the back areas of some of the side roads the downside is you lose the views of the surrounding mountains. If you keep going further back, CR 31 connects to 896, and there are sites way back there that give you the impression that you’re just even further removed from everybody else. There are so many sites in this area. This could be a good back up spot for Matukat Road if it’s not available. There is a site on 896 right before the no camping sign, which is designated as a campsite, and it has some tree coverage, and all the mountain views. 896 is a very tough road requiring high clearance and four-wheel-drive. Numerous places have deep holes and you need to take it very slow.

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2019

    Marshall Pass

    ATV Dispersed Camping

    This site is on Marshall Pass Road off of highway 285. The dispersed sites are near the intersection of Marshall Pass Road and Forest Service Rod 200. This intersection at the base off the access road up to Ohaver Lake Campground. The primitive sites are spread along the creek just off the Forest Service Road. Like many dispersed camps, the sites only have flat cleared areas with fire pits and no other amenities. The area is a great spot for ATV Riders to trailer into area as well as horse trailers to park and access the mountain roads and trails. The location is not the best for scenery and can get busy in the summer especially on weekends since it’s so close to the highway and Salida, Colorado.

  • Charles L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Phantom Canyon

    Late July camping trip

    I’m a rooftop tent camper and the views are amazing but was hoping to be close to the water and isolated from other campers. Definitely was isolated and found one spot that worked out well for rooftop camper. Like 14 miles on dirt road, on the right, 20 feet before a sign that reads “leaving public land.” Had fire ring and more than enough room. About 20 yards away from creek. Quiet. No Att cell service but don’t expect anyone can get service in that canyon.

  • S
    May. 8, 2021

    Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area

    Lots of sites and beautiful mountain views.

    If you ever been to any of the BLM camping locations around Salida, Mt. Shavano is not anything different. Some long dirt roads will lead you to multiple sites, though some of them are closer to people than I would want to be..

    There is no water source, no trash, bathrooms, and it would be difficult to get a spot with an RV or trailer at this location. I did have decent cell service (AT&T).

    One unfortunate thing I've noticed there was that it could be used as a dumpsite for illegal poachers. I saw numerous locations which had deer bones left but no head, as well as the area where presence of the animals sex was missing. I am debating reporting this to Colorado Parks and Wildlife as well as BLM to investigate.

    Overall my stay was pleasant. There was still snow in the forecast at the end of the month of April when I was there. There was quite a few people there for a Tuesday, which was quite odd but I guess it's a popular area. Some of the residents looked more permanent, but I couldn't tell since I was just there for one night.


Guide to Howard

Free camping near Howard, Colorado spans across several Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service areas throughout Chaffee and Fremont counties. Most dispersed sites sit at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between seasons and from day to night. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F overnight to 85°F during peak afternoon hours, while sites at higher elevations like Marshall Pass maintain cooler conditions throughout summer months.

What to do

Hiking access: 7 miles round-trip to waterfalls: Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping provides direct access to the Browns Creek Falls trail. "We backpacked Browns Creek and Little Browns Creek Trail in the beginning of August. There were great spots for camping along the way - some of the best camp sites I've stayed at," notes one visitor. The trail features varying water sources including "streams, waterfalls, lakes."

Wildlife watching opportunities: Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area offers excellent wildlife viewing across its three camping loops. "We saw Bats, Nighthawks, Turkey Vultures, Coyotes, and Deer," reports one camper. Another mentions that "cows are grazing, they're great but leash up pets" when staying in the area.

Hot springs proximity: 45 minutes to Mt. Princeton: From Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site, campers can easily access Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. "Very close drive to the Mt Princeton Hot Springs," confirms one visitor. The location also provides access to "multiple hiking trails including access to the Colorado Trail."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site offers well-spaced camping areas. "We loved it! Very spread out, lots of space. Our camping spot was excellent and provided great views and seclusion," writes one camper. Another mentions that "the 'spots' were very far apart which was great and if they're full you can honestly find a flat grassy spot to park."

Night skies and stargazing: Free camping locations provide excellent night sky viewing opportunities away from city lights. At Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area, campers report that "it was quiet and the stars was wild." The elevated locations throughout the area create unobstructed viewing platforms for astronomical observation.

Consistent cell connectivity: Unlike many remote camping areas, several sites maintain reliable cellular reception. At Browns Canyon Dispersed, campers report "solid cell service (Verizon and AT&T)." Similarly, one reviewer at Browns Creek notes having "decent AT&T service in the location I was at."

What you should know

Road condition variations: Access roads to dispersed sites range from maintained gravel to challenging rutted paths. At Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping, "the road past Browns Creek trailhead is a bit dicey. It's very rutted. If you have a low vehicle you may bottom out." Another camper adds that "the roads to get extremely muddy whenever there is rain or snow."

Wind exposure: Many sites sit on plateaus or ridges with limited natural windbreaks. One camper at Browns Canyon Dispersed notes the area is "on a plateau, so it can get pretty windy." Sites with tree coverage provide better protection from gusts.

Water availability: Most dispersed camping areas have limited or seasonal water sources. At Raspberry Gulch, one camper mentioned "the creek was dry" during their July visit. Plan to bring all required water for drinking, cooking and cleaning needs.

Tips for camping with families

Creek-side options for kids: Hayden Creek Roadside Camp provides water-adjacent camping opportunities. "Quite a few flat tent spots right by the creek although there are boulders from preventing you from driving too far into the woods. The water was flowing well in July and we loved the sound overnight," shares one visitor. These sites combine accessibility with natural entertainment for children.

Educational mining history: Several camping areas sit near historic mining operations. A camper at Cloverdale Mines Dispersed Area notes the historic interest of the area while warning to "be careful of cactus, bring firewood, download the off-line maps. The trails can get confusing so remember your way in!"

Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness remains important when camping with children. At Browns Creek, visitors report "some evidence of bears, so I'd suggest planning accordingly with bear spray and bear bags." At Cloverdale Mines, campers discovered "bear scat close to our pull off."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for large rigs: For RVs over 30 feet, Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site provides suitable options. One RVer notes, "we arrived around 5 pm on a Wednesday and most of the spots were taken but we were able to find one to fit our 40 feet toy hauler." The dispersed area features "plenty of sites suitable for trailers and RVs."

Generator considerations: Due to camping density at some locations, generator usage should be approached with consideration. At Browns Canyon Dispersed, campers mentioned "some loud generators in use when we came here but so much room we could get far enough away to not mind."

Supply planning: With Salida approximately 10 miles from many dispersed sites, resupply runs remain convenient. One RVer at Browns Canyon Dispersed mentions "Salida is ten miles away with all the amenities including Walmart."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Howard, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Howard, CO is Hayden Creek Roadside Camp with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Howard, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 92 dispersed camping locations near Howard, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.