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Best Dispersed Camping near Marble, CO

433 Reviews

Several dispersed camping options exist near Marble, Colorado within White River National Forest and surrounding public lands. Washington Gulch Dispersed Camping, located northwest of Marble, provides primitive sites with established fire rings. Other nearby options include Lead King Basin Dispersed, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Dispersed Camping, and Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground. These areas typically feature minimal or no facilities and follow standard public land regulations for primitive camping.

Many access roads to dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles, with some areas demanding 4WD capability, particularly after rain or during spring runoff. Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground and Washington Gulch roads can be especially challenging, with reviewers noting "very rough" conditions. Most sites lack drinking water, hookups, or sanitation facilities, though some areas like Lincoln Creek have vault toilets. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and camping is typically limited to 14 days. Bear-proof food storage is recommended, with some sites providing food lockers.

The dispersed camping experience near Marble offers exceptional mountain scenery and access to outdoor recreation. "Sites are plentiful and large, but you'll require a decent 4x4 vehicle to get there," notes one camper about Lincoln Creek. Washington Gulch receives praise for its wildflower displays during summer months, though reviewers caution about intense mosquito activity. Lead King Basin provides more remote experiences for those seeking solitude. Cell service is limited or non-existent in most areas, particularly in canyons and at higher elevations. Wildlife sightings, including moose and fox, are frequently reported by campers exploring these backcountry areas.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Marble, Colorado (88)

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413 Photos of 88 Marble Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Marble, CO

433 Reviews of 88 Marble Campgrounds

  • Matthew V.
    Oct. 9, 2020

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    Easy drive. Tons of sites

    Had a quick stop over here on the way to Dinosaur National Monument. No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs. There are no facilities ie: Toilets, power, water or fire pits. The road was easy no need for high clearance or 4wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee. Only 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs. Would stay again 9/10 would recommend.

    Remember to pack in pack out.

  • robherr The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2018

    Hubbard Mesa OHV East - BLM

    For a free campsite in Southwest Colorado, it's not bad

    Hubbard Mesa area is an off highway vehicle area that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

    There's not much in this area except a small little campsite right off the road. I didn't explore all the rest of the HOV cuz I wasn't in a four-wheeler, but it was perfect for an overnight stay on a motorcycle trip to Sturgis.

    The Road in is dirt and there are no durable paved surfaces anywhere, so I would imagine if it had rained this would be a muddy mess.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2023

    Forest Road 130

    Absolutely awesome

    Stunningly beautiful dispersed camping at its best. To find the most precious spot you need to get to Forest service Road 130 S as in South. There is a forest service ranger station on the south side of Leadville where you can get a motor vehicle use map MVUM. But even without a map the roads are marked. 130 starts near Highway 24 on the west side across from massive lakes, near a large bank of mailboxes. You'll see a sign asking you to respect the private property owners rights. Just keep going up the hill and you will find the forest service signage indicating the public lands. Many people don't go much further. But the truly spectacular sites are a couple miles further. The roads are narrow and steep but manageable. Keep going down 130 until you reach an intersection with 130A and 130 B, A goes north and B goes south. But keep going till you reach a T intersection. 160 goes north and 130 S goes south. Go left, south till you reach a slightly challenging switch back. Just on the other side of the switchback is a wide open space with room for many rigs including good size trailers. Very quiet with very little traffic of any kind. The Leadville 100 foot race goes right by every August.

  • Morgan Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2020

    Brush Creek Dispersed - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Beautiful Dispersed Camping Near MTB Trails

    Travel a few miles down Brush Creek Trail. After passing Strand Hill MTB trail you will get to a split in the road. The left turn will take you up a deeply rutted 4WD road towards Teocalli Ridge MTB trail. Lots of beautiful camping on this road. But it can be tough sledding when it is wet. If you stay to the right you will get to a flat where many people will camp. You can get a smaller RV/Trailer/Sprinter here very easily. If you are intrepid - and have a good 4WD with some clearance - you can continue through the creek and up the hill where superb, quiet dispersed camping exists. 

    Leave no trace.

  • Jeff L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    4 mile dispersed

    There are many sites all over the place up there. Some are big enough for groups of RV's some are small, private tent spots. Some offer magicians views others are in dense vegetation along water. We found no cell reception for miles. There are easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails". No services, no running water, no electric, no cable TV, no bathrooms, no showers, no dump stations, no picnic tables, etc. It's the forest.

  • Alex V.
    Oct. 19, 2020

    Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground

    Capable rig

    The sites are plentiful large, but you’ll require a decent 4x4 vehicle to get you there. The further along the path you travel, the more rugged it becomes; so most people seemingly settled for the first few spots. Personally, site 5, 8, and 11 are best. Almost every site has a bear-proof box you can store food (or hide?) within, which is nice. Sites are also far enough apart to mitigate any privacy concerns, and albeit the current fire ban - come equipped with existing fire pits.

  • Anthony P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2020

    Chaffee County Road 390 Dispersed

    Dispersed camping near great hike

    Located near the town of Granite, this forest service road is host to trailheads and lots of dispersed camping. Off of highway 24 you will find Clear Creek Reservoir, this is a great spot to do some fishing form the shore or in a boat. There is also an established campground beyond the lake that is forest service run and does cost money. However if you keep driving for a few miles the road will open up to free dispersed camping. 

    We showed up on friday at around 4 pm and it was packed! Spots range in size from one care to huge areas big enough for 20 cars and we saw just that. Lots of big camp trips happening. That being said, the camping was still pretty good despite all the people. We managed to find a spot next to another couple in a little turn off. Some groups were parked on the road and walked into the trees to set up a spot. It was kind of a free for all back there. 

    With all those people and trailheads to several 14ers on the road, there ware many cars driving by. It did stay pretty active until later in the night. 

    Campsites: Dispersed with no amenities. No metal fire rings, picnic tables, restrooms or trash bins. Restrooms were located at a trail head but on one set. 

    We enjoyed the spot, it was a little dusty but not terrible. Perfect spot if you are trying to hike Belford, Oxford, Missouri or Huron. Road was in good condition, any car will make it.

  • Anthony P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2018

    Lake Constantine Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful Lake Spot

    Lake Constantine sits about 4 miles off of Tigiwon Rd outside of the town of Minturn. These camp spots are only accessible by hiking in. The lake can get fairly busy on weekends in the summer but the weekdays are usually quiet. We spent a night up there in early July and saw 1 other person on a Monday night. The hike to the lake was fairly easy, takes about 2 hours each way and climbs roughly 1300 ft. Upon leaving the parking lot you MUST fill out the overnight camping sheet and attach a tag to yourself. This is your permit for the night and it is free.

    Spots are laid out along the edge of the lake on either side and are not numbered or marked. This is a first come, first served area. The spot we found was to the left side of the lake right off of the trail and had enough room for a couple tents. Coincidentally, this is the same spot where many of our friends have camped as well. I would say this is one of the better areas. There was a pre made rock fire ring that sat against a rock to reflect heat back (we went during Colorado's 2018 summer long fire ban), so we could not take advantage of this and had no fire this weekend.

    The lake itself is very large and offers some amazing high alpine fishing. We caught many trout while fly fishing throughout the day and night.Dry flies worked very well at dusk. Because of the lake and the creek, the mosquitoes in this area are bad. BRING BUG SPRAY!

    Remember, this area is only accessible by backpacking in and there are no camping amenities. Lake Constantine sits in US Forest Service land so you must obey all forest service rules and closures when in place. Overall, amazing spot. Great for a night getaway or for someones first backpacking trip.

  • K
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Twin Lake Dispersed Area - Grand Valley Rd

    Beautiful and Quiet

    I was up there on a Tuesday-Wednesday so it was very quiet and there was no one else at the site. It’s right on the water although there is a drop off you have to climb down, but it’s not bad. There were some cattle that walked through as I was setting up but otherwise very chill. All sites had areas for parking and fire rings. Driving off the forest road and onto the small road getting up to the campsite, 4WD isn’t required but highly recommended, it is a very rough road. High clearance is necessary. The sites seemed kinda close to each other however there are trees and stumps that define each site. Amazing views, light rain, and still my favorite forest.

Guide to Marble

Dispersed camping opportunities near Marble, Colorado extend throughout White River National Forest at elevations between 8,000-10,000 feet. The camping season typically runs from late May through October, with July and August offering the most consistent weather conditions. Many sites sit within aspen groves that provide natural shade during summer months when daytime temperatures average 70-80°F.

What to do

Hiking trails access: From Pearl Pass Dispersed Camping, you can reach several trail networks. "Awesome area to escape the big crowds around the Maroon Bells. Lots of options of spots, some more secluded than others," notes one camper who visited the area.

Wildlife viewing: Free camping spots near Marble offer chances to observe local wildlife. At Washington Gulch - Dispersed Camping, one camper reported: "We even saw 3 bears (from afar with binos) and a ton of elk! Deer were very curious and coming into our site. They are so sneaky!"

Water activities: Many dispersed sites provide access to streams and creeks. "Great camping spots! Would highly suggest site 7, it was really large space and has a path to your own private creek area," recommends a camper at Pearl Pass Dispersed Camping, highlighting the water access available at many free camping areas near Marble.

What campers like

Solitude opportunities: Campers appreciate finding secluded spots away from crowds. A visitor to Four Mile Road Dispersed noted, "Beautiful spot and very few other people around. Cute river running throughout."

Convenient locations: Some free camping areas provide easy access to nearby attractions. "This is a really pretty campground near Montrose and Black Canyon NP entrance. We are in a Honda accord and didn't have trouble accessing the first front sites," reports a camper at Black Canyon Dispersed Camping.

Spacious sites: Many dispersed camping areas offer generous site dimensions. At Four Mile Road Dispersed, a camper observed, "The sites were beautiful and well separated. Would highly recommend."

What you should know

Fire regulations: Fire restrictions vary by location and season. At Coal Creek Road Disbursed Camping, visitors enjoy "hearing the water all night long" while camping, but must stay informed about current fire rules.

Cell service limitations: Connectivity is minimal throughout the area. One camper at Four Mile Road Dispersed confirms: "No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs."

Campsite availability: Popular areas fill quickly during peak season. "All sites were taken. Drove around about few hours around and around to find all of the sites were taken. Would have thought there would be some available but due to the holiday weekend I'm sure it is expected," reports one visitor to Washington Gulch.

Weather variability: Mountain weather changes rapidly. At Washington Gulch, a camper noted: "Chilly nights and nice days," highlighting the temperature swings common in the region.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection strategy: For family camping near Marble, choose sites with natural features. "We camped at campsite 44 and 45. Camped with friends. The views were amazing and plenty of room for activities!" shares a Washington Gulch visitor.

Wildlife education opportunities: Use animal sightings as learning experiences. A camper at Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Dispersed Camping reports: "We did see a fox, a moose from a distance, and a deer," providing educational viewing opportunities.

Food storage requirements: Proper food storage is essential with children. "Bear canisters are required for camping here and the proper precautions should be kept in mind to avoid any potentially dangerous encounters with the amazing wildlife in this area," advises a wilderness camper.

Tips from RVers

Road condition assessment: Scout routes before committing with larger vehicles. "Some of the roads were really rutted out, but we were lucky and everything was dry so we were able to get thru in my forester," notes a Black Canyon Dispersed camper, emphasizing the importance of road evaluation.

Site accessibility limits: Many free camping areas near Marble have clearance restrictions. At Pearl Pass Dispersed Camping, a camper advises: "You need to have 4wd & some clearance to get to any sites past site 3. The first two sites are pretty accessible, just rocky."

Turnaround considerations: Plan for limited maneuvering space. "Once you pass the White River National Forest sign and parking lot for the babbish trail head, it's not easy to turn around unless you find a campsite," warns a Four Mile Road Dispersed camper with a teardrop trailer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Marble, CO?

Dispersed camping near Marble follows standard Forest Service regulations. At Four Mile Road Dispersed, like most areas, you must camp at least 100 feet from water sources, 150 feet from roadways, and 1 mile from developed campgrounds. The 14-day stay limit applies within a 30-day period. Fire restrictions vary seasonally—check current conditions before your trip as complete bans are common during dry periods. When fires are permitted, use existing fire rings and completely extinguish all fires. Washington Gulch - Dispersed Camping and surrounding areas require packing out all trash and waste. No facilities means practicing proper human waste disposal by digging catholes 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water. All motorized vehicles must remain on designated roads.

Where can I find dispersed camping spots near Marble, Colorado?

Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Marble, Colorado. Lead King Basin Dispersed offers accessible drive-in sites within the White River National Forest. For those willing to venture a bit further, Pearl Pass Dispersed Camping provides scenic spots with stunning mountain views. The surrounding national forest lands offer numerous unmarked pull-offs along forest service roads. Most sites require high-clearance vehicles, though some areas closer to main roads are accessible with standard vehicles. For the best experience, obtain a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) from the local Forest Service office to identify legal dispersed camping areas and avoid private property. Sites are typically first-come, first-served with the 14-day stay limit common throughout Colorado's public lands.

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Marble, Colorado?

Dispersed camping sites near Marble offer minimal to no amenities—they're truly primitive experiences. At Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground, you'll find basic fire rings and some sites have bear-proof boxes, but plan to be self-sufficient. Similarly, Chaffee County Road 390 Dispersed offers scenic locations but no facilities. There are no toilets, trash services, potable water, or hookups at any dispersed sites in the region. Campers must pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. Cell service is typically non-existent or extremely limited—don't count on connectivity. Some sites feature established fire rings, but many don't. The true amenity of dispersed camping is the privacy, natural beauty, and free camping experience, with stunning mountain views serving as the primary attraction.

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