Dispersed camping areas near Midland, Colorado range in elevation from 7,000-9,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during daytime but can drop below 40°F at night even in July. Most sites lack cellular service beyond major highways, with intermittent coverage reported at higher elevations.
What to do
Fishing access points: Several camping areas provide creek access with seasonal fishing opportunities. The trout pond at Lone Duck Campground and Cabins allows fishing for $6 per catch, with equipment available to borrow. As one camper noted, "They had breakfast for you in the morning if you wanted for $5. We woke up one morning at our tent site with deer walking and eating down the creek right next to us."
Mountain biking trails: The road networks around tent camping sites near Midland connect to various trail systems. One visitor at Matukat Road Dispersed Camping mentioned, "Saw a few cars & mountain bikers on the road each day but nothing too noisy. Had some nice rocks to explore and well built fire rings."
Wildlife observation: Many camping areas host significant wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper at Matukat Road reported, "Cattle roam freely throughout the property and you can hear coyotes at dusk and dawn. Plenty of exploring and climbing around."
What campers like
Seclusion from crowds: The dispersed nature of many sites provides privacy despite their accessibility. At Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites, one visitor shared, "Stayed for the weekend, found a place tucked back away from the road and felt completely secluded from the world. No service, no noise, just the sound of the creek and an occasional car driving by."
Night sky viewing: The remote location of tent camping near Midland allows for exceptional stargazing opportunities. A camper at Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite noted about their site, "Not sure why others didn't take it since it has an amazing view of Pick's Peak!" Another mentioned "good star gazing" at Phantom Canyon Road.
Natural rock formations: Unique geological features surround many sites, providing natural climbing and exploration opportunities. A visitor at Matukat Road stated, "The area is surrounded by young aspens, mountain flowers, and rock outcroppings. The sites are open and spaced out from one another."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many tent camping sites requires navigating unpaved roads of varying quality. At Red Canyon Park, a camper observed, "The road is dirt and goes for 7+ miles if you keep going to exit the park a different way. Be warned that after 2/3 miles the road gets extremely rough for several miles to a point that we considered turning our 4Runner around."
Seasonal insect activity: Biting insects can be problematic during certain periods. At Phantom Canyon, a camper warned, "The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times and our dogs were very stressed from them all over them. Bring those fly bags that attract them away from you unless you're prepared to get eaten up."
Weather fluctuations: Mountain camping near Midland experiences rapid weather changes. One visitor at Matukat Road shared, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly exploration: Natural features provide built-in entertainment for children. At Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide, a camper noted, "This dispersed camp site has numerous spots with rock fire pits. We had a moose and deer at our campsite during the mornings so I suggest being weary of wildlife."
Selecting protected sites: Choose locations with natural boundaries for safety with younger children. One visitor at Phantom Canyon explained, "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope. We parked up top and lugged everything down the slope. It was tough but so worth it. Not easy but highly worth the hard work as you're secluded from the road and have a lot of tree coverage for hot days. Also great to utilize this if you have young children who like to wander."
Bathroom accessibility: Only some sites provide toilet facilities. A camper at Phantom Canyon advised, "The bathrooms were a bit of a drive from our site. They are nothing lavish (bring sanitizing wipes) but they were nice for the kids who weren't comfortable going outside."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for vehicle access: Finding suitable spots for larger vehicles requires advance planning. A visitor at Rampart Range noted, "Endless sites. Every FS road off from Rampart seems to go on forever. We spent 2 hours on one of them and found so many amazing sites!"
Leveling challenges: Most dispersed sites near Midland require leveling equipment. One camper at Matukat Road shared, "Took my Nissan Altima back nice and slow and couldn't access certain paths back to site without 4wd. Many fire pits laid throughout the grounds."
Road width considerations: Some access roads narrow significantly. An RVer mentioned, "There aren't many sites and everyone was taken except the turn around at the end of the road."
