Pike National Forest offers numerous dispersed camping options near Monument, Colorado. The forest spans elevations from 6,000 to 10,000 feet with pine and aspen groves dominating the landscape. Many camping areas remain accessible from May through October, with road conditions varying based on elevation and recent weather.
What to do
Wildlife watching: Phantom Canyon Road has camping spots that put you close to wildlife. One visitor noted, "We found an amazing camp site that was down a slope... right next to the water. The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies."
Fishing access: Sites near water bodies provide fishing opportunities. At Platte River Campground, "These campgrounds have an amazing river right at your finger tips... The stars here are incredible. However if the breeze is up it's gone chilling."
Rock exploring: Many sites offer rock formations for exploration. At Matukat Road Dispersed Camping, campers found "a spot just off the road... had some nice rocks to explore and well built fire rings. Do not forget bug repellent!"
Mountain biking: Forest roads throughout Pike National Forest double as biking routes. According to a camper, "We saw a few cars & mountain bikers on the road each day but nothing too noisy."
What campers like
Seclusion options: Dispersed Camping - Pike National Forest Divide offers varied levels of privacy. "Each spot is far away from another, especially if you drive further down. We didn't hear anyone late into the night due to the distance."
Established sites: Many areas feature previously used sites with stone fire rings. "Found a great little campsite and had a fox as a neighbor! Only downfall was there was broken glass everywhere," reported a camper at Mt. Herman Road.
Accessibility: Multiple forest roads remain accessible to standard vehicles. At Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite, a visitor mentioned, "Quite a few people on a weekday night, but not bothering. Very good network coverage (T-mobile). Aprox. 1 mile of the road was bad, other quite good."
Extended stays: Some areas work well for longer visits. One camper at Matukat Road shared, "We spent 10 days at the top of the mountain. There were a few people that came in for a night or so, but not even close enough to hear them or see lights."
What you should know
Road conditions: Expect variable road quality when tent camping in Monument, Colorado. At Mt. Herman Road Dispersed Site 2, a camper advised, "Definitely recommend going slow on the road, the bumps are pretty bad."
Fire restrictions: Regulations change seasonally, particularly during dry periods. Check current status with the Pike National Forest office before camping.
Cell reception: Coverage varies by location and carrier. One camper at Mt. Herman Road Dispersed Site 2 found "Lots of places to walk and explore and there was still phone signal!"
Weather changes: Weather conditions can differ significantly from nearby Colorado Springs. A camper at Rampart Ridge reported, "There aren't many sites and everyone was taken except the turn around at the end of the road... Not sure why others didn't take it since it has an amazing view of Pick's Peak!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly exploration: Areas with rock formations appeal to children. At Matukat Road, a camper shared, "Camped right underneath a few rocks and kid absolutely loved to climb rocks even with thin air in high altitude."
Wildlife education: Bring wildlife guidebooks to identify tracks and sightings. "We woke up one morning at our tent site with deer walking and eating down the creek right next to us," noted a visitor at Lone Duck Campground and Cabins.
Bug preparation: Pack insect repellent for mosquitoes and flies. "The flies and mosquitos were bad but our bug screens did their job until dark then we had to close up the van," reported a camper at Phantom Canyon Road.
Camping wagon: For sites requiring a short hike, bring a folding wagon. One family explained, "We took a cavas wagon for the heavy items and let it roll backwards down the slope with the help of two people. Not easy but Highly worth the hard work as you're secluded from the road."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose dispersed sites with adequate turning space. At Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites, a camper noted, "It took us three attempts to get our overweight 2-wheel drive van up the hill and back onto the road. There are a lot of loose rocks."
Parking limitations: Some sites restrict where RVs can park. At Platte River Campground, "According to a camp host at lone rock, you can park and camp in your roof top tent in the lot for the same price. However, no trailers are allowed."
Overnight temperatures: Prepare for significant temperature drops after sunset. "The road up is rough but totally doable with pickup truck with slide in camper. This campsite was nice and level," reported a visitor at Mt. Herman Road.
