Planning a dispersed camping trip near Monte Vista? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Explore any part of the 30 square mile dunefield you wish; there are no designated trails in the sand. A dunes-accessible wheelchair is available for free loan at the Visitor Center. Summer air temperatures are pleasant at this high elevation, but during afternoon hours the sand surface can reach 150F degrees, and dangerous thunderstorms can develop. Plan to hike the dunes in early morning or evening to avoid heat exhaustion, burned feet, or fatal lightning strikes.
BLM off grid camping - please remember to Leave No Trace in this area. Thank you.
Dispersed sites do not have many of the same rules of a traditional campground which places a greater responsibility on the users to protect our natural resources.
Camp at already used dispersed camping sites. Camp at least 150 feet from water sources. All vehicles must stay within 300 feet of the center line of a designated road. Pack out all of your trash and dispose of it properly. Dig a pit for your toilet needs at least 150 feet from water and cover the pit before you leave. Always dump sewage from trailers and motor homes at designated dump stations. Do not leave campfires unattended. Fires must be extinguished before you go to bed and before you leave. Drown, Stir, Feel! Check with the local Forest Service office for current fire restrictions. Motorized travel is allowed only on authorized roads and trails. Obtain a Motor Vehicle Use Map from any of the offices or online. Camping is limited to 14 days in any 30 day period on the Rio Grande National Forest. All hay must be certified weed free. A Rio Grande National Forest visitor map can be useful for information regarding the main roads, private land, trails, landmarks, and other features. Maps may be purchased at sjma.org/shop or at district offices.
Traveler
This spot is pretty open with room for a small rv or tent camping. Area Code It's a short drive up to Poage Lake at the top of the mountain and also a short drive to Beaver Creek Reservoir down the mountain.
Traveler
Was able to find a really nice open spot with amazing views of the mountains. Was big and spacious enough for me and my friend to camp in our vans. No one around for miles!
Scout
Gated off. Not accessible
Traveler
The sky is GORGEOUS. The road is very rocky & very rough, so you'll want to have decent clearance and be prepared to take it slow. I've never seen so many stars!
Guide
Stop here just for and sleep stop overnight. Road is well maintained. Several places to pull off the side of the road or actual sites too. We have a 35' 5th wheel and had no problems menivering the area. Nice lake with a parking lot at the end the turn around at if you wish to take the road all the way to the end.
Scout
Unfortunately the gates go this campground were locked!
Scout
Couldn’t get to trail head due to private gate blocking the road.
Traveler
Got here on a Saturday night in September and found a spot right away. It had been raining for awhile too. No issue on the road with a kia sorento.
Guide
snow on ground 9/22/2024 no cell wet roads
ScoutLocked gate at indicated entry point.
Legend
Quick stop while traveling. Several established dispersed camp sites nearby. Rock fire pit at this site doesn't appear to been used in awhile
GuideNot much tree cover at a lot of these spots. Great location to be close enough to the dunes.
Was pretty windy and sandy while we were there
Traveler
There are 20+ campsites along FR667. Some can accommodate RVs, some only tents. We parked a popup at the 1st campsite past the bridge near the trailhead. 2 waterfalls are close, Pagosa Springs is 30ish mins away. Our kids tubed down the creek. Lots of ATV traffic, some bikes, but overall quiet.
TravelerSeveral good spots with fire pits right near the trailhead. A few bugs in late August but nothing terrible. Very quiet except for the sound of the rushing creek. Verizon cell service was between 1 and 3 bars LTE depending on your line of sight to the tower. Road in is rougher towards the end but definitely doable in any SUV
ScoutNo water sources within walking distance. The lake is aways away. It's a pull off on the dirt road that's big enough to fit a small camper on the side of a cliff with high exposure. No cover for thunderstorms.
Traveler
There’s plenty of spots off the main road, but seems like you need to get there early. We showed up around 6 pm. The road does get pretty rough eventually, and we didn’t trust our minivan going through the “unmaintained” section, we turned around and were able to find a connecting side road that had plenty of open space out there. When entering the road initially, the side road would be about half way up to your left. Pretty close to Great Sand Dunes National Park, so we were happy with this location! Nice mountain view.
ScoutIt's a nice spot with a spectacular view but it's very windy and there's a lot of sand.
Guide
Grate spot on the river No cell service Someone has left trash
Guide
Loved hearing the creek roaring in the background and feeling the sun on my skin surrounded by cactus - an I in Texas!?
Traveler
Great for a quick overnight stop. Woke up to people unloading there side by sides.
Scout
Incredible spot, river is incredibly cold even in August. Most sites have river access: Wildlife is abundant. Air is cool. One of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever camped at. The only downside? The F’n ATVS. Disrespectful to other campers and stir up SO much dust, also just out right dangerous? Because of this the road is full of washboards. Folks out here apparently also do not care to pick up their trash or have any common curtesy of how to leave a campsite. Very unfortunate:( PSA: clean up your trash and pack out your used toilet paper…. 🤢 We stayed at 3 different sites. Sites get better the further along you go, road is rough but nothing a standard 4x4 vehicle can’t handle. (We have a Toyota Tacoma) There are hiking trails/ ATV trails too. We will definitely be back. Great spot during the week when there’s less traffic!
Traveler
There are more than one listing for places to camp along FS 949. I stayed on a pad that was build along with the road. Loved the views, The area is very interesting. Crestone is a tiny town with just about anything you might want within a walk from where I parked. Plenty of camping spots all the way up to the end of the road where there is a fairly busy trailhead.
GuideQuick and easy to find. Area was easily accessible. A great option for those on a budget and attempting to avoid paying fees for one night stays. Nice views of the valley and mountain behind. Sites were not the most level going up the mountainside and a bit rocky. Would stay there again!
ScoutThis place is good for those who have clearance and a 4WD. Road can be rough but pretty much all pickups are good. Don’t need a jeep. If it rains, you could get in trouble. The views are beautiful. Especially higher up. Some spots, I didn’t find tons of spots. I was the only one here on a Friday night last week if July 🤷🏼♀️. Or if there were others I didn’t know it. You get cover of some trees quicker than the sacred mountain location farther south on same road. You have to open a gate to get in. I would recommend it, and will probably be back at some point.
GuideThis campsite is very popular, I would definitely recommend arriving early morning time to secure a spot. We got in fairly late in the night from Texas and had to drive in a ways. Many people left early in the morning so sites opened up fairly quickly. The road is graded and then turns into a rocky road that is manageable in a crossover for a ways then high clearance will be needed. There was a small flooded portion that is next to the helipad but we just drove up onto the helipad to get around it as to not risk getting stuck. There are plenty of sites available and even a circle drive in the front of the road if you don’t feel like venturing in during the night. There are A TON of flies! Lots of bug spray and loose clothing to avoid those pesky biting flies. We had a beautiful view of the mountain and Great Sand dunes is a short 20 minutes away. Our pups loved the large open spaces but beware of cacti and tiny burrs.
Guide
There only seemed to be about 2 camping spots. However there is area to just pull off and park. I stayed here 1 night no issues. There is no Verizon phone signal. Stayed at the first large pull off with a stone circle fireplace. It was nice and quite, not a busy road.
TravelerPrimitive at its best
Camping near Monte Vista, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Monte Vista, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Monte Vista, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Monte Vista, CO is Natural Arch Dispersed Site with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Monte Vista, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dispersed camping locations near Monte Vista, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
