Dispersed camping near La Veta, Colorado offers numerous options at elevations ranging from 7,500 to 10,000 feet with typical summer day-night temperature swings of 30-40 degrees. Access roads frequently deteriorate after rain, with many sites becoming impassable even to high-clearance vehicles during wet conditions. Most campsites fill by Friday afternoon during peak summer months, especially those within 30 minutes of popular attractions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mountain Home Reservoir SWA provides good trout fishing with shallow access points along the shoreline. "We camped at our property a few miles from here but came here to fish and it was amazing great trout fishing and beautiful views," notes a visitor to Home Mountain Reservoir SWA.
Hiking into backcountry areas: The Dunefield at Great Sand Dunes National Park requires a free backcountry permit but delivers exceptional solitude once you cross the first dune ridge. "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," explains a camper at The Dunefield.
Water activities: Several reservoirs offer paddleboarding opportunities during calmer morning hours. "I went out on my paddleboard with my dogs and it was lovely," reports a camper at Mountain Home Reservoir. The reservoirs typically experience strong afternoon winds starting around 1-2pm.
Off-road exploration: The Medano Pass Primitive Road provides challenging 4WD terrain with multiple stream crossings. "Medano Pass Trail has numerous Medano Creek Crossings, significant scenic sights, plenty of camping, soft sand wheeling, and is rated as Moderate," notes a visitor at Medano Pass Primitive Road.
What campers like
Immediate night sky access: Areas away from towns provide exceptional darkness levels with minimal light pollution. "I saw constellations that I had only heard about. Our next door neighbors were dumb and loud, and didn't know where to point their flashlights. I think I preferred the cows," mentions a camper at BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed.
Camp near water sources: Sites adjacent to streams and reservoirs offer both scenery and practical benefits. "We sat by the fire and just enjoyed the sounds of the river," notes a visitor to North Fork Purgatiore River.
Vehicle-accessible isolation: Many areas provide seclusion without requiring hiking. "We ended up here by mistake, thinking we were at the Sacred White shell BLM. Glad we did though. Great views of The Twin Peaks and Blanca Peak. Lots of flat open space down low," explains a camper at BLM Mt. Blanca Rd.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings offer the best wildlife spotting times. "The free-range cows in the morning making a raucous and using the RV as a back scratcher. They didn't visit every morning but were there several times bright and early," reports a camper.
What you should know
Permit requirements: State Wildlife Areas require specific permits or licenses. "After doing some research, I found an article saying a state fishing or hunting license was interchangeable for a SWA permit. Still not confirmed, but we didn't have any problems," notes a visitor at Home Mountain Reservoir SWA.
Road condition challenges: Many sites become progressively more difficult to access. "The road gets pretty rough the further up you get, but there are plenty of large camp sites on the way up the mountain, some you'd have to home to if you decide to go to Blanca Peak," explains a reviewer.
Insect issues: Biting flies and gnats can be problematic across the region. "There are A TON of flies! Lots of bug spray and loose clothing to avoid those pesky biting flies," warns a camper at Mt. Blanca Rd.
Extreme weather preparation: Rapid temperature changes require adaptable gear. "The temperature almost went down to freezing at night in early June, so be prepared with layers for both hot and cold desert conditions," advises a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose lower elevation sites: Lower areas typically experience less extreme temperature swings. "Sites at the bottom are pretty flat, but ones farther up become steep," notes a visitor to Sacred White Shell Mountain.
Seek sites with natural boundaries: Areas with natural barriers help contain children and pets. "Very private, beautiful scenery. Tons of spots available but hardly anyone was there. We stayed two nights. No wild life except a lizard my kids found," explains a camper at Sacred White Shell Mountain.
Be cautious with pets: Hidden hazards affect four-legged companions. "There is a bit of trash throughout the area surrounding the reservoir and our dog got into something that made her sick, so I recommend keeping a close eye on your dogs here, especially dogs that like to get into things they shouldn't," warns a visitor to Home Mountain Reservoir.
Early arrival essential: Family-friendly sites fill quickly on weekends. "We arrived after dark and there were still plenty of spots. It was easy to find and the roads were in good conditions. This place had a lot of campers but the sites were very spread out," reports a camper at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed.
Tips from RVers
Stay in lower sections: High areas become challenging for larger vehicles. "If you don't have high clearance scout it out before attempting. Lower sites are very open but decent space between locations. The higher you go the better the sites with some piñon and good spacing," suggests a visitor to BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed.
Arrive with full water tanks: No potable water exists at most sites. "No hookups but as long you have generator and you can fill up your tanks its great. We hardly use the generator because it gets cooler especially at night," notes an RVer at Mt. Blanca Rd.
Watch for soft ground sections: Especially after rain, many seemingly solid areas become problematic. "There was a small flooded portion that is next to the helipad but we just drove up onto the helipad to get around it as to not risk getting stuck," explains a camper at Mt. Blanca Rd.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial leveling equipment. "We selected this location because it got so many great reviews. I don't expect perfection in dispersed locations but, I was pretty disappointed in the quality of the established areas. They were very difficult to level our smallish travel trailer," warns an RVer visiting Great Sand Dunes Dispersed.
