Dispersed camping near Maybell, Colorado occurs primarily on public lands at elevations between 5,900 and 8,800 feet. Summer daytime temperatures often reach 90°F while dropping to 45-50°F at night. Winter camping opportunities exist but require proper preparation as temperatures frequently drop below freezing with occasional snow accumulation on forest service roads from October through April.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Sand Wash Basin is home to approximately 700 wild horses that roam freely throughout the area. "Bring your camera because you just may be able to see some of the 700 wild horses roaming the area! Beautiful moment and capture if you do!" notes one camper who visited the basin.
Off-highway vehicle trails: The extensive trail system at Sand Wash Basin provides excellent terrain for ATVs and dirt bikes. According to a visitor, "Bring your dirt bikes and ATV's! Perfect spot for riding. Tons of trails!" The area attracts riders on weekends but remains relatively remote.
Hiking in Routt National Forest: Several dispersed sites in Routt NF Dispersed offer access to hiking trails at higher elevations. "There are numerous dispersed sites in Routt National Forest. This site had an elevation of about 8800'," reports a camper who stayed in the area.
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Many campers appreciate the remote nature of these dispersed sites. A visitor to White River National Forest noted, "This dispersed campsite has an incredible view, but it's located on a 'primitive road,' so google maps won't show you the route all the way."
Dark skies for stargazing: The minimal light pollution in these areas creates excellent stargazing conditions. At North of Dinosaur CR16, one camper observed, "Really nice and quiet, we were all alone. Not sure how many spots are there. We found a spot that forks left from Harper's Corner road, and there was only one spot, but it was free."
Wildlife encounters: Beyond wild horses, the area supports diverse wildlife. A visitor to Dinosaur Dispersed Site shared that it was a "Great little spot to stop and sleep. The train ran once in the evening. There are several fire pits from the looks of it. No amenities but lots of deer!"
What you should know
Weather considerations: Strong winds affect many sites, particularly at higher elevations. A camper at Sand Wash Basin reported, "The only downfall was it was super duper windy at night to the point where it was tough to sleep even with my heavy canvas tent walls."
Road access challenges: Many sites require high-clearance vehicles. At South Plug Hat Butte Camping, a visitor noted, "Road was narrow and would have been tough with a tow behind camper. The site we stayed at did require 4x4 to get to and a top heavy vehicle would have been a challenge."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. One camper at Yellowjacket Pass observed, "Some sites have no bars AT&T, some 1 bar. Luckily I found a site with 2."
Supply planning: No services exist at these sites. A Sand Wash Basin visitor advised, "Maybell, CO is the closest town to get anything so be sure to bring all your survival necessities (plenty of water, food, gas if you'll be riding ATVs or dirt bikes, etc.)"
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for shade: During summer months, temperatures can rise quickly in exposed areas. A camper at BLM CO 1597 shared, "there was zero tree coverage so we woke up with the sun and were boiling by 9 and it was time to go!"
Road considerations: Family vehicles without high clearance may struggle on some access roads. One visitor noted, "the road going in starts out fine but quickly turns slightly treacherous with large dips on the sharp curves but manageable even in the 2wd beetle!!"
Wildlife viewing with children: Plan early morning or evening wildlife viewing when animals are most active. A camper at North of Dinosaur CR16 mentioned, "Really only two spots if you maintain space, but they have fabulous southerly views, level sites with established fire pits."
Tips from RVers
Turning radius limitations: Several dispersed camping areas have limited space for larger rigs to turn around. An RVer at Angora Hills Dispersed Site reported, "I pull a 21' trailer and was worried about accessing this spot. Put truck in 4WD and went up the dirt road slowly. At the first place the road splits, I turned left and found a perfect circle to turn around and park."
Ground conditions: Dusty, uneven terrain can create challenges for leveling and setup. A visitor warned, "We stayed at this site last night. We went into the second fence area and straight back near the creek. Straight up the steep hill. Don't go there unless you have a 4x4."
Weather monitoring: Clay roads become impassable when wet. One RVer cautioned, "Warning: access road is CLAY dirt and do not access if wet saturated, you will get stuck maybe."
