Pike National Forest offers numerous free camping near Monument, Colorado at elevations ranging from 7,000-9,500 feet. Dispersed sites are concentrated on forest roads including Mount Herman Road, Rampart Range Road, and Ice Cave Road. Weather patterns can shift rapidly at these elevations, with summer afternoon thunderstorms common and nighttime temperatures typically 20-30 degrees cooler than nearby Colorado Springs.
What to do
Hike to Rainbow Gulch Trail: Access this trail near Rampart Range Road - Dispersed Camping for a scenic creekside hike to Rampart Reservoir. "We took this hike and it was absolutely fantastic - a majestic walk through the woods brings you to flowing creek that you follow all the way down to the reservoir," notes one camper.
Mountain biking on forest roads: The network of trails offers varying difficulty levels for mountain bikers. "Rampart Range Road is the main dirt road that has plenty of smaller trails branching off of it to keep you busy exploring all summer," reports a visitor at Rampart Range Road.
Stargazing: The high elevation and distance from city lights make this area excellent for night sky viewing. At Ice Cave Rd Dispersed Site, campers report "Great view of the mountains and star at night" though the "road there is a little bumpy."
Wildlife watching: Early mornings provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. One visitor at Rampart Range Dispersed Site mentioned, "Lots of wildlife out this time of year, we even encountered a black bear."
What campers like
Privacy options: Campers appreciate the ability to find secluded sites. "The deeper you go back on forest service roads, the more privacy you'll find. "Real secluded spot pretty far up rampart road," notes a camper at Ice Cave Rd.
Proximity to amenities: The nearby town provides convenient access to supplies. "The Pilot in Monument has showers and was an added bonus for being 15 minutes from our spot," shares a camper at Mount Herman Road Dispersed Camping.
Flexibility for last-minute trips: These dispersed sites often have availability even on weekends. "We arrived late on Saturday afternoon and still found a spot. Very quiet area but some atvs run through," notes a visitor at Rampart Range Dispersed Site.
Mountain views: Pikes Peak dominates the landscape from many camping areas. A camper at Mt. Herman Road Dispersed Site 2 shares: "I ended up at the top of the mountain and the view is gorgeous. Gets a bit windy and definitely colder but a great site to spend some time at."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. "The road up is rough but totally doable with pickup truck with slide in camper. This campsite was nice and level," explains a visitor at Mt. Herman Road Dispersed Site 2.
Fire restrictions: Check current fire regulations before your trip as they change seasonally. Many sites have existing fire rings, but fires are not always permitted.
Pack out trash: Unfortunately, some areas suffer from litter problems. "We had to clean up the site. Beer cans and broken bottles all over the place. Some people have no respect for our beautiful state," reports a camper at Ice Cave Rd.
Cell coverage varies: Service is spotty throughout the area but better at higher elevations. "Very good network coverage (T-mobile)" notes a camper at Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite.
Shooting noise: Target shooting is permitted in some areas. "The problem with this area is too much gunfire. At 7pm on a Tuesday evening just as we sat down to eat a group very close by started target shooting," warns a camper at Ice Cave Rd.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites farther from main roads: For families seeking quiet, avoid sites directly on major forest roads. "The noise from ATVs can get a little annoying. Lots of trails for 4x4 vehicles," notes a visitor at Rainbow Falls - Dispersed Camping.
Watch for hazards: Some sites have broken glass and other debris. "Looked at 3-4 different sites all had a decent amount of broken glass so be careful with pets/little ones," warns a camper at Mount Herman Road.
Bring plenty of water: No water sources exist at most sites, so calculate at least 1 gallon per person per day. "No water sources so you'll have to pack out water," reminds a camper.
Be bear aware: Store food properly as bear activity has been reported. "PUT YOUR FOOD AWAY AT NIGHT to help preserve the wildlife and bear community as they're sadly desensitized to humans," advises a visitor at Rainbow Falls.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs better than large ones. "I recently purchased a 26ft sustainable travel trailer and decided to take it out for the first time. Well the road up is very tight. Very skinny switchbacks," shares a camper at Mount Herman Road.
Scout ahead: When possible, scout potential sites without your RV first. "Most of the sites were inaccessible in our 33 foot travel trailer but we found one last minute," notes a visitor at Rainbow Falls.
Level sites are limited: Come prepared with leveling blocks. "There are multiple pull offs, relatively low traffic aside from the occasional off-roading convoy passing through," explains a camper.
Wind exposure: Many sites with the best views have limited wind protection. "If you enjoy panoramic views of the Rockies, drive in dispersed camping and putting your off-roading skills to the test, this dispersed campsite is a must visit!" advises another visitor.
