Dispersed camping near Montrose, Colorado provides direct access to public lands ranging from sagebrush mesas at 5,800 feet to high mountain terrain above 9,000 feet. The region experiences dramatic temperature swings where midday summer temperatures can reach 95°F while dropping below 50°F at night. These free campsites typically lack facilities but offer excellent proximity to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Uncompahgre National Forest, and BLM lands within a 30-minute drive of town.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Areas near Black Canyon Dispersed Camping often host local wildlife. As one camper notes, "We did find a few deer legs left behind, so keep an eye out for Mountain Lion" at these sites while another reported, "In the morning we saw bunnies and a deer carcus so wild life present."
Hiking nearby trails: The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation area provides access to riverside trails. A visitor mentioned, "Hiking trails nearby. Great campground at the end of the road with toilets, fire pits with grills and picnic tables with roof to keep rain out."
Stargazing after dark: When skies are clear, the minimal light pollution allows for excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Black Canyon Dispersed Camping shared, "It's quite pretty and you can make out some of the milky way on clearer nights."
What campers like
Convenient national park access: The proximity to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park makes BLM Near Black Canyon Dispersed particularly popular. A reviewer noted, "Got to the campground pretty late on a road trip. Planned to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP in the morning. We were surprised to find that the campground was right off the main road, 1 mile from the entrance to the park."
Spacious camping areas: Many dispersed sites provide ample room between campers. As one visitor described, "Tons of open spots even getting in on the afternoon of the 4th of July. Great views & lots of space! I have Verizon & had decent cell service."
Riverside locations: Dispersed River Site - Gunnison Gorge offers direct water access. A camper shared, "I found a turn off just before the coordinates and stayed there. Large space with lots of room for cars at this site. Right along the river, absolutely beautiful."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads become challenging after rain or snow. A visitor to Last Dollar Road reported, "Road gets washed out in the rain so heads up. But just go slow if you're in a lower clearance vehicle and you'll be fine if it's dry."
Variable cell service: Connectivity depends on exact location and carrier. One camper mentioned, "Some of the roads were really rutted out, but we were lucky and everything was dry so we were able to get thru in my forester," while another noted good connectivity: "I had good cell service too (working remotely)."
Seasonal closures affect access: Winter conditions block many dispersed camping areas. At Black Canyon, a visitor warned, "Note: signs say no camping 12/1-7/15" while other areas may have different seasonal restrictions.
Cleanliness issues at some sites: Without regular maintenance, some areas accumulate trash. One camper observed, "It's a bit dirty with broken glass and litter here and there, especially cigarette butts, so shoes are a must at all times."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near the entrance: For easier access with children, stay closer to main roads. A visitor recommended, "We pulled in and noticed that the roads into the campground were rugged and muddy so we opted for the first site on the right of the entrance to avoid trouble."
Check for natural hazards: Small children need supervision around certain areas. One camper at Dry Creek Ditch reported, "Hot during the day. Not a lot of shade. Very dusty. Could potentially be a problem when wet. Deep ruts showed that vehicles do travel the trails when muddy."
Pack for extreme temperature swings: Desert camping means preparing for both hot days and cool nights. A visitor explained, "Morning and evening the site worked well to shade from the sun but quickly heated up as the sun rose."
Tips from RVers
Scout sites before attempting access: Large rigs require careful planning on rough roads. A camper at Dry Creek Ditch Camp shared, "We were able to get into this spot with the trailer bumper dragging just slightly. It was an okay spot to park for the night."
High-clearance vehicles recommended: Most dispersed areas require appropriate vehicles. One RVer warned, "I have a truck that can pull 12,000lbs and my smallish travel trailer with water weighs 5500lbs. The roads are completely sketchy pulling a trailer."
Consider approach direction: Some roads are more RV-friendly from certain directions. A camper advised, "I would definitely recommend going up through the telluride way bc it's a much smoother and shorter road!"
