Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests offers rustic camping options across northern Colorado's varied terrain, from alpine zones at 12,000 feet to prairie grasslands at 5,000 feet elevation. These dispersed camping areas feature dramatic seasonal changes, with summer temperatures reaching the 70s during day and dropping to the 30s at night in higher elevations. Winter access becomes severely limited with significant snowfall typically closing Buffalo Pass until mid-June.
What to do
Fishing at mountain lakes: Near gilpin lake, backpackers can access high-altitude fishing spots with seasonal limitations. "Awesome little trip with never ending amazing views. Definitely a little windy at the top and the hike back wasn't my favorite but wouldn't recommend it enough. Snow at top... be prepared," notes camper Nora S.
Wildlife viewing along river systems: The Middle Fork Elk River Camp provides excellent access points for wildlife observation. One visitor reported seeing "moose, a golden eagle, foxes, pronghorns, and marmots" during a weekend trip. The Zirkel Wilderness area nearby offers additional hiking trails.
Mountain biking on forest roads: Forest service roads throughout the area provide excellent mountain biking opportunities for various skill levels. Many roads are well-maintained enough for beginners but offer enough challenges for experienced riders. Morgan Y. notes that USFSR 550 has "great easy MTB on the roads and some smaller trails."
What campers like
Mountain views: Buffalo Pass Dispersed camping areas provide panoramic views across the Rockies. Campers consistently mention the visual rewards despite challenging access. Colyer D. shares: "All the leaves were changing, it was cool and misty, the view was spectacular, yes it was rough as hell to get there, but totally worth it if you've got the rig for it."
River access: Many campers appreciate sites situated along rivers for both recreation and ambient sound. At Elk River Dispersed, Mike W. discovered "an excellent dispersed site on 64 going east from Glen Eden... excellent sites along the fast paced Elk River and views of Mt. Zirkel. Our site was nestled in the spruce and fur with small game chattering often."
Solitude away from developed areas: Campers frequently cite the ability to find secluded spots despite proximity to Steamboat Springs. Some locations require effort to reach but reward visitors with privacy. One camper at Lake John Dispersed Camping found "a relatively private site right next to Lake John Shoreline... very peaceful with private location."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements vary dramatically: Road conditions change seasonally and after weather events. At Buffalo Pass, one camper warns: "Very busy on a weekend and hard road... Found a dirt road that took off from the main road but my car couldn't handle it (AWD)."
Mosquitoes and insects: Insect pressure varies by location but can be intense, particularly near water sources. At Walden Reservoir, Robert D. shares: "During the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies. Great place to overnight, but terrible place to hang out during the day unless you have a bug net."
Private property boundaries: Some access routes cross or border private land. At Forest Road 939.1, campers report confusion: "We tried to get to it at night so that may have been the problem but there were 'no trespassing signs' between us and the site. No matter what road we chose we got stopped by a sign."
Tips for camping with families
Water safety awareness: Families camping near lakes should check water quality before swimming. At Miller Lake, campers note potential issues: "The lake is a short walk away, but probably not safe to swim due to what looks like high amounts of HCB. Same goes for fishing."
Bring entertainment options: Limited facilities mean families should pack activities. Near Buffalo Pass, options include hiking, mountain biking on forest roads, and wildlife spotting.
Plan for temperature swings: Pack layers for significant day-to-night temperature changes. Aubrey O. at Middle Fork Elk River Camp reported: "70s during the day and 30s at night in June."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. Morgan Y. advises at Buffalo Pass: "The road up got rough and really did a number on my top mounted bike racks. I wouldn't take anything more than a teardrop or Airstream Basecamp up."
Leveling challenges: Many sites feature uneven terrain. Look for established spots where previous campers have created reasonably flat areas. Lauren L. observed that Buffalo Pass has "not a lot of great options... better for tent camping. did see one or two RVs up, shocked they made it."
Supply planning: No services exist at these rustic sites. Conner suggests: "DONT FORGET TO VISIT CLARK STORE, its very close" to Elk River Dispersed camping for resupplying needs.
