Best Dispersed Camping near Montrose, CO
Dispersed camping around Montrose puts you right in Colorado's backcountry with no facilities or amenities. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has basic sites where you'll need to bring everything and handle your own waste. The North Rim section has some remote spots too, but remember you're completely on your own out there. All campers need to stay at least 200 feet from any water sources on public lands to protect streams and wildlife. You can only camp in one spot for 14 days before you need to move on. Many of the dirt roads leading to good camping spots require trucks or SUVs with decent clearance, especially after rain. Fire bans happen regularly in this area, so check with the local ranger station before planning to have a campfire. Since there are no facilities, bring plenty of water and be ready to pack out all trash. The mountains make a nice backdrop, but they also create weird weather patterns - it might be hot during the day and freezing at night, even in summer. Winter snow blocks access to many spots from November through April. If you can handle the rough conditions, you'll find some really quiet places to camp without seeing another person for days.
