Best Tent Camping near Mancos, CO
Dispersed tent camping options near Mancos, Colorado include several forest service sites with limited amenities and natural surroundings. Forest Road 316 Roadside Camp offers numerous established tent sites along a forest road with good parking for tent campers. Bay City Campground provides more seclusion with tent sites near a creek, offering natural background noise and mountain views, while Cherry Creek Gravel Lot serves as an accessible option when other areas are closed.
Most dispersed tent camping areas near Mancos lack basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash services. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water, food, and waste disposal bags. Fire rings are common at established sites like Forest Road 316, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply. Road conditions vary significantly across the region, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles while others remain accessible to standard cars. A recent review noted, "The road starts out residential and then eventually becomes unpaved but quite nice. I'm in a Corolla and had no problems."
Sites farther from highways provide deeper backcountry tent camping experiences with reduced noise. Forest Road 316 features varying landscapes as elevation increases, with some campers reporting pinon pine areas transitioning to aspen groves at higher elevations. Many locations offer scenic views despite proximity to access roads. Tent campers frequently find spots with natural shade, important during summer months when temperatures rise. According to one visitor, "Lots of spots as you go up, some more secluded than others so a lot of variety of privacy and sizes for any setup." Winter access is limited at most sites, with several roads closing seasonally, typically reopening in May when snow conditions permit tent camping to resume.
