Best Dispersed Camping near Manitou Springs, CO

Initially looked for camping along the South Platte at Happy Meadows but with a 1 year old, we figured campers wouldn't want to hear him screaming in the middle of the night or the cries of my wife as she struggles with her sanity. We pushed a little further north and took the right hand turn onto Matukat road. We drove a couple of miles up the decently maintained dirt road and found the second dispersed camping spot and decided to set up our roof top tent for the night. 

Looking at a map, it looks like the road goes on for quite a ways but we never explored past the spot we stayed in. Up to the point where we camped, 2-wheel drive was more than enough to get us to our spot nestled in the rocks. The dispersed camping spots we saw seemed very easy to get to and we never needed to put our truck in 4WD. 

Since these sites are dispersed camping, don't expect any toilets or amenities. Some spots did have pre-made (from campers before) fire pits and there seemed to be an abundance of dead wood but actual wood cutting in the Pike National Forest needs to have a permit so keep that in mind. We dealt with some crazy wind so a fire wasn't even in question. Be sure to check with the local ranger station before starting a fire in the area, especially since this is a burn area.

PROS: It's FREE, as the great outdoors should be. Gravel roads are well maintained. Spots are far enough off the road w/o being too far from your car (~250 ft). Easy to access for any mobility-level or age. Peaceful and quiet except for the occasional passing car which is to be expected. Spots are relatively well spaced apart. Fire-pits galore! And our spot came w/ wood the last people left - thank you whoever you are! There's also plenty of other wood to gather if you aren't so lucky/didn't bring any. Absolutely gorgeous views - mountains, aspen, pine, wildflowers, etc.

CONS: We got there later in the evening and didn't have any issues with bugs but the next day the bees were out in full force for our lunch. There were some ants but they never really crawled on us or our stuff. Did see one tiny spider on the ground but otherwise didn’t seem like a very spider-ey place.

NOTES: Parking is only along the right side of the road so heads up. No restrooms. No water/stream access from the sites which is always nice to have but still. Farish Recreation Area is right down the street (although military only) and Rampart Reservoir is open to the public for $7/car in the same general area. 

Overall, cannot complain especially given that it's free! It's a gorgeous spot right outside of Woodland Park and only 35 minutes from Manitou Springs.

Rampart Range Road is the main dirt road that has plenty of smaller trails branching off of it to keep you busy exploring all summer. Rampart Range Road is accessible by 2wd vehicles while some of the smaller trails that branch off of Rampart Range Rd do better with a 4wd with high clearance. The southern portion of the road (south of Devils Head Trail) is open year around while the northern half of the road is closed seasonally during winter. Easily accessible outside of Woodland Park on the south end of the road and west through Sedalia. Lots of dispersed camping sites along the road, some are very large and could easily accommodate a large RV or large groups. Other campsites are tucked away off the road a little which is great because this road can be very busy & dusty in the summer. All in all, this place makes for a fun and easy weekend getaway as long as some ohv traffic doesn’t bother you too much. The best part of Rampart Range Road is the several forest service roads that branch off with dispersed camping. These smaller trails and dispersed camping make for a much more relaxing and peaceful weekend, I highly recommend if you have a 4x4. Find the right forest service road and you’ll feel like you are a million miles from it all.