Dispersed camping near Mosca, Colorado primarily occurs on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands surrounding Great Sand Dunes National Park. The terrain consists of sandy valleys transitioning to pinyon-juniper woodland at higher elevations, with elevations ranging from 7,500 to 9,000 feet. Temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night are common in this high desert environment, requiring campers to prepare for both hot days and cold nights even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking to nearby summits: Sacred White Shell Mountain area provides access to challenging mountain hikes. "If you are in better shape than we are, you can attempt the summit while there," notes one camper at Sacred White Shell Mountain, adding that the area offers "wonderful views of Blanca Peak."
Off-road vehicle exploration: The mountain roads offer extensive terrain for ATVs and side-by-sides. At Mountain Side 4WD High-Clearance Dispersed Campsites, a visitor observed "lots of people disperse camping on the hillside above Como Road" after walking "up the road about three miles on the way to the lake because the beginning of the road was way too rough for my van with large rocks about 6 inch diameter."
Stargazing: The dark skies in this region provide exceptional night viewing. A camper at The Dunefield shared that "the views of the sky and stars are absolutely mesmerizing, one of the most beautiful sand fields in the world. Dark skies there. You can see the Milky Way with the naked eye."
What campers like
Ease of access for most vehicles: Many sites are accessible without specialized equipment. "We stayed on a busy Friday and didn't go up the road too far; it looked like it gets steeper and rocky," reports a camper at Sacred White Shell Mountain, noting the "smooth dirt road with large spots and smaller spots right off the road."
Privacy at higher elevation sites: The varied terrain provides different levels of seclusion. At BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed, campers appreciate the progression of sites: "The bottom ones are more flat, while the ones higher up the mountain are a little more rocky. I stayed 3 nights and went to a new spot each night, all were gorgeous!"
Wildlife encounters: The area hosts diverse desert and mountain wildlife. "We saw mountain blue birds, tiger beetles, circus beetles, hover flies, common flies, plateau fence lizards, snake holes, pocket mice, deer droppings" noted a visitor at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed, adding that coyotes can be heard "in the distance."
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require proper gear. "The temperature almost went down to freezing at night in early June, so be prepared with layers for both hot and cold desert conditions," advises a camper at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed.
Insect conditions: Biting flies and other insects can be problematic. "Bugs are the worst here than anywhere I've been so lots of bug spray!" warns one camper at BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed, while another mentions "lots of bugs on the ground and flying."
Sand management: Wind-blown sand affects gear and comfort. At Sacred White Shell Mountain, one camper reported: "All was well until the wind came up suddenly and we were in a brief windstorm with sand all in our trailer."
Variable road conditions: Road quality deteriorates with distance and elevation. "The road to the third and farthest site became too rocky for some cars and horses to continue on, but my AWD SUV did great," explains a visitor at BLM Near Great Sand Dunes Hwy 150.
Tips for camping with families
Choose lower elevation sites: Flatter terrain works better for children. "We went to the second area which is probably another¼ mile down the road. That area was busy as well, but we liked it better (more grass than dirt)," describes a camper at Sacred White Shell Mountain.
Watch for hazards: Natural desert conditions present specific risks. "Cactuses everywhere too so wear your shoes," warns a visitor at BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed.
Bring abundant water: No reliable water sources exist at these sites. "In total we brought about a gallon of water each, and by the time we hiked out the next morning we were down to the last couple of ounces," reports a camper at The Dunefield.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Finding level spots is crucial for comfort. "We setup camp in the back of the area and were able to get level without blocks! Most everyone else needed blocks, but they didn't seem to have much problem leveling," shares an RVer at Sacred White Shell Mountain.
Camp size limitations: Different areas accommodate various RV sizes. "I think any size rig would be fine to travel to the first three camping areas. Each camping area could probably fit 3-5 rigs and some tenters without being on top of each other," notes one RVer describing primitive camping near Mosca.
Prepare for exposure: Limited natural shelter exists at many sites. "There are no trees or any obstructions on any of the pullouts. Perfect for solar, but also no protection from wind and blowing sand," explains a visitor at Sacred White Shell Mountain.
