Primitive camping areas surrounding Meredith, Colorado range from 8,000 to 10,600 feet elevation in White River National Forest. Most sites close from late September through mid-June due to snow conditions and muddy roads. Summer nighttime temperatures regularly drop below 40°F even in July and August, requiring warm sleeping gear regardless of season.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: At Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping, situated at 10,600 feet, wildlife sightings are common with proper timing. A camper noted, "Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with visitors reporting sightings of deer, mountain goats, and occasionally moose."
Hiking to alpine lakes: Portal Campground provides direct access to high-elevation hiking trails. One visitor shared: "Portal campground is a beautiful place to camp and has pit toilets available for use. We camped here in Early July and it was pretty busy but were able to snag a spot by the Lake. This is definitely worth the trip!"
Mountain biking on forest roads: Turquoise Lake Dispersed offers access to nearby trail systems. While camping has mixed reviews due to noise, the location provides "strong cell reception in most areas, decent views, and a lot of secluded areas," according to one reviewer.
Fishing at high-alpine streams: Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping offers access to productive fishing waters. A visitor explained, "If you go up 24 toward the South Elbert trailhead, you'll find lots of dispersed camping options for everything from RVs to tent camping."
What campers like
Primitive solitude with pit toilets: Portal Campground balances isolation with basic amenities. According to one camper, "Portal campground is a very secluded off the beaten path campground. There are number of designated camping spots on the way to the reservoir lake that include fire rings."
High-elevation fall colors: During autumn, Boreas Pass offers spectacular aspen viewing. One camper shared their timing: "We were up Sept 21 & 22 (2024) and the fall colors were GORGEOUS."
Direct creek access: Certain sites feature water proximity. A camper at Halfmoon Campground noted, "Little creek runs along Site 1 and it's very lovely. Used this campground as a base to hike Mt Holy Cross; a challenging but doable hike for fit folks."
Night sky viewing: Most sites in the region offer minimal light pollution. At Boreas Pass, campers regularly photograph star fields. One camper shared: "The best part about the site were the stars at night - I saw multiple shooting stars."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to Portal Campground requires careful navigation. A visitor reports: "The road is a high-clearance road that is fairly rutted out with tight turns and very small sections to pass people. I didn't see a single RV/trailer and most everyone was driving a 4Runner, Tacoma, or Jeep."
High-elevation effects: Altitude sickness affects many visitors. A camper at Portal noted: "Keep in mind that the campground at Portal is 10,500 feet so if you aren't used to the altitude or familiar with altitude sickness you'll want to do a little research before camping here as it's a long bumpy drive out."
Early arrival recommended: Homestake Reservoir Dispersed fills quickly during peak season. A camper confirmed: "Multiple camp spots. We came out mid week and were able to find a spot early evening."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly. At Portal Campground, service drops entirely past certain points. Cell reception strengthens near Leadville and deteriorates in deeper forest locations.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible viewing platforms: Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District features inclusive infrastructure. A visitor reported, "A highlight of our camping trip at Shrine Pass was walking along the short nature trail to the Mount of the Holy Cross overlook at 'Julia's Deck'. This deck not only offers wonderful views, but is totally wheelchair accessible, which was really great to find so deep in the wilderness."
Insect protection essential: Mosquitoes affect most water-adjacent sites. A Turquoise Lake camper warned: "This area is by the lake ofc and there's a 'creek' that's more like a river, released from the hydroelectric dam. So you end up with a lot of mosquitoes, unless you're coming here in the winter be ready."
Weather preparedness: Summer thunderstorms develop quickly. Campers should bring extra layers and rain gear regardless of forecast. Morning temperature swings of 30-40 degrees are common between dawn and mid-day.
Fire restrictions monitoring: Seasonal bans affect cooking plans. Local regulations change weekly during dry periods. Most sites have established fire rings but restrictions often prohibit their use.
Tips for RVers
Site selection for trailers: Most dispersed camping areas have limited level parking. At Twin Lakes, a camper reported: "We found a great little spot that had several fire rings and lots of space for parking. The road into the site was a bit sketchy but doable in my 2WD Honda CRV."
Generator etiquette: Engine noise carries throughout camping areas. A Turquoise Lake camper noted: "I kept being haunted by engines that wouldn't turn off. I found out when I finally gave up and left the whole area that it was someone with a gas generator and then another person in a motorhome who refused to turn it off."
Clearance requirements: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles. Bellyache Road sites are particularly challenging, with one visitor stating: "Definitely would advise 4x4, and not for travel trailers at all. Bringing one up could lead to a serious situation, since there are no places to turn around whatsoever."
