Looking for the best dispersed camping near New Castle? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Hubbard Mesa is a BLM designated area for Off-Highway-Vehicle use. Hubbard Mesa was designated as an Open Area in 2007 in the Roan Plateau Management Plan. It offers 2,460 acres with 50 miles of single track, ATV and Jeep trails. This is a high use area primarily for OHV's but also receives use from non-motorized users, and target shooting. Users can enjoy a variety of terrain and difficulty levels within the designated OHV area. Cross country travel is not permitted outside the Open Area. Target shooters must ensure that they have a safe backstop and remove all target trash. Livestock grazing is permitted in the area. Do not approach livestock or protection dogs. OHV users must yield the right-of-way to pedestrian and horseback riders. There is a parking area with restrooms, picnic tables, and loading structures. There is also a training course for children. The Rifle Arch Trail is located near Hubbard Mesa OHV Area. For more information, please contact the Colorado River Valley Field Office.
10,300-foot elevation.
Overland Reservoir lies approximately 22 miles north of Paonia near the divide between the Grand Mesa National Forest and the Gunnison National Forest.This area offers a very beartiful setting, with the deep blue reservoir, grassy parks and thick green timber. It is stocked every year by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife with Rainbow and Brook Trout. The average size fish caught is 6 to 8 inches. The reservoir is drained every fall, so the fish have no chance of reaching larger sizes. The fisherman with a boat may have better luck than fishing from the bank. There are many dispersed camping spots located on the east side of the Reservoir.
Traveler
Easy to find with Google maps. Plenty of open space. 15min off 70.
Dirt road, a bit bumpy, but we easily pulled our 21ft Micro Minnie
and it was doable for almost any vehicle. We didn't go to far up into the sites so I can't speak to further in. Rolled in at midnight and was still simple to find in the dark.
Traveler
Multiple sites up here for camping. Trailer/RV friendly.
Scout
Definitely would advise 4x4, and not for travel trailers at all. Bringing one up could lead to a serious situation , since there are no places to turn around whatsoever. That said, views were absolutely breathtaking. We also lucked out and saw the northern lights while at site.
TravelerApple map directions are spot on. Lots of room - I chose to go up a rutted road a ways, for privacy. There was one camper at the flat bottom. Check weather for rain chance if you don’t have 4x4.
Scout
Went here on a Saturday in Sept after reading all the great reviews. Drove for miles and every site taken. There aren't many sites like people would make you think. Have these people been to the San Jaun Mountains - so much better. Had to drive home because just nothing available.
Scout
Absolutely horrifying conditions. Litter everywhere. Glass, bullets, nails, and batteries everywhere. We were so horrified, we didn't stay.
GuideThis was a beautiful place to camp. There were a few places along the road you could stop and camp. We stayed at the farthest site out because there were other campers at the other sites. All sites could fit more that one camper if needed.
Beautiful sunsets and sunrises at this location. The road leaving up was doable for our low clearance Winnebago solis.
Guide
Pretty good spot with ok views. Used starlink with no issues. Driver further up the road and found a good spot on the side of the road with a fire pit.
Guide
Beautiful views, easy access with 30 ft TT. Water stream with lots of beaver dams. Great for riding our ebikes. Saw squirrels, deer, one moose, skunk (no spray), a couple prong horn sheep, eagle, endless beauty. Make sure you have full water supply Camp host Stanley is a great guy!
Scout
However what I found was designated site only camping mostly on the side of the road and they were not free. $10/night
Guide
Not an actual site. Pin took me to a feild with horse/cows (pics attached for cuteness). The actual site is in the campground on Google Maps, but IT ISNT ALLOWED!!!
VERY CLEARLY SIGNED CAMPING IN CAMPGROUND SITES ONLY!!!
There is a small fire ring by the trailhead, as description says, but the signs on the road are VERY clear. Also lots of rangers patrolling, so don't risk it!!
So, unless you wanna pay a RIDICULOUS fee for a night, not worth it at all. Would've given it one mark, but figured someone later might find a touch of value.
Traveler
Well groomed dirt/gravel road just West of Rte 65. Go in 1/4 mile and turn Right down dirt path to large camping site. There is nobody for 1/2 mile or more around you. If this site is not good, up FSR 100 maybe 1/2 mile on the Right is a site up in the trees. Very secluded. This site is at 10,700 feet elevation. The lake is stream fed and looks like good trout fishing. There are free range cows in the area.
Legend
Only dispersed camping I found from here to Trappers Lake. 4 sites, only the one in open area is suitable for TTs. Rest are more overland spots. No tables, no toilet, no wayer, no trash. No Cell signal.
TravelerCamp sites here are not well defined (look for fire rings). The trail is heavily rutted, and if it just rained gets incredibly muddy. Would definitely recommend a vehicle with decent 8”+ clearance, and decent all terrain tires if using the trail post rain. Otherwise my dogs loved playing in the sage brush.
TravelerEasy to find the site, ours was near the river. Lots of bugs so bring bug spray. Very calming and felt safe. Would recommend!
ScoutThis is a great little parking area across the street from Harvey gap State Park. There are two off-road trails coming off the parking area and you can see the water and people paddle boarding at the beach from the Sites
Ranger
A little buggy in the summer, but otherwise perfect. Make sure to bring your paddle board or fishing pole. Super quiet spot.
Guide
This was a great spot, it was hidden but there were a ton of people, they recently redid the back roads to get here and it was extremely busy (we had a rig pull up right next us at 1 am because there werent any spots). It is really pretty and close to Grand Junction. The misquote r pretty bad also, tons of spots, if there aren't a ton of people. Lots of lakes though and great fishing!
TravelerThe night sky was so beautiful. This site was on the end of the road and felt secluded, saw deer and moose in the area. Super pleasant drive to the campsite.
TravelerRoad was very easy to find and was very smooth. The first couple sites on the water were already taken so we headed up further. Found a steep, secluded pull-off just past marker #6 that looked like an old off road trailhead or access road that didn't seem to be in use anymore.
The site was a good size but there wasn't a great flat option for the tent but it would be great for a van or small trailer and could easily fit 2-3.
The views were absolutely amazing which is why I'm giving 3 stars. The mosquitos and thunderstorms were insane. Shout out to the REI base camp tent holding dry and not too many bugs in the tent.
We also had the pleasure of a bunch of night riders on the first night traversing up and down the road all night which was incredibly loud. 2nd night was much quieter. I also moved the car to block the entrance to the site so people could see it was taken instead of driving up right next to us just to turn around the first night.
Overall, easy access to the site, views were stunning, easy to get to Glenwood Springs.
Edited to add that this site did have cell service
Guide
Other than the plethora of mosquitos, this is one of my favorite camp spots so far. My husband and I arrived around 3:30pm on a Tuesday. Camp sites directly on the banks are few, but we managed to score what I thought was the prettiest spot. There were plenty of spots around if you don't want to be right next to the lake. As mentioned, there were a ton of mosquitos. When the breeze was blowing, it helped, but definitely bring bug spray! In the evening time, we were treated to a lovely sunset and fish jumping. Will be coming back again. Very peaceful place.
GuideI came late around 8pm Tuesday night and all the sites along the river were booked.
I drove up and up and up along the road to an amazing epic view of the mountains. Even if you get access early on the road along the river you have to drive up the mountain on the INCREDIBLY SMOOTH ROAD but it’s dangerous so please be cautions around corners.
I turned around at a pull off and settled for a pull off campsite on a corner. It was alright but not as good as river campsite. I’m surprised usually the feds don’t let you park 100 ft near. A source of water.
Did I mention the quality of that road? Dam.. so smooth
GuideThe road has huge gashes and impossibly to diagonally do a dance to get through it
TravelerBeautiful spots but we didn’t get there early enough! Long road, some parts were pretty bumpy. We ended up at a campsite next to an electricity pole but there were plenty of other spots if you come early.
Scout
There's a gravel lot right off the road where people were car camping. Good place for a safe one night stop if you're passing through. We went through the water crossing and found a nice spot on the other side of the small hill. Great views, fairly quiet, and enough flat ground for a 4 person tent, but the rest is slanted. Don't go through the water crossing unless you have a lifted off road vehicle. The bottom is soft, sandy ground that's easy to sink into. We made it through with our truck, but ripped the bumper off. Crossing would be impossible with rain. Might be more doable as the summer dries it out but it would still be a deep rut to climb out of.
ScoutDrive to the camp ground and you can keep driving to find campsites. There are sites along the creek and along the road. There is a pit toilet and it's a long road with lots of sites.
No service
GuideThis last minute find at the very end of May was definitely worth the long gravel road to get there. You'll see farms in the valley, cruise through the aspens to see epic white caps, and through some pines to the reservoir. We saw lots of deer & some elk on the drive up. There are quite a few dispersed spots & vault toilets spread around as you drive up to the reservoir and some along the road next to the water. We went fishing & caught a few small trout and enjoyed the breeze over the water. We will definitely be returning!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near New Castle, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near New Castle, CO is Four Mile Road Dispersed with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near New Castle, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 dispersed camping locations near New Castle, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
