Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Oak Creek? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
There are 10 undeveloped campsites near Crosho Lake. The area is popular for fishing in the lake and hiking on nearby trails. The Crosho Lake Recreation Area is located 10 miles northwest of Yampa at the base of the Little Flat Tops.
There are many dispersed camping opportunities on the forest ranging from backpacking to car-camping along designated Forest Roads. Visitors are encouraged to minimize resource impacts by utilizing established sites rather than creating new ones. Dispersed camping sites along Forest Roads are shown on Motor Vehicle Use Maps, which are available free of charge at ranger district offices. Visitors are permitted to drive vehicles up to 300 feet from designated routes for purposes of dispersed camping as long as no resource damage is incurred in the process. Dispersed camping within 100 feet of lakes, streams, and forest system trails is prohibited unless otherwise designated. Campers may stay for a maximum of 14 days. Some areas may have additional special restrictions. This dirt road begins at the paved Red Sandstone Road near Vail and ends at either Piney Lake or Hwy 131 north of Wolcott: This road gets heavy vehicle traffic and also a fair number of mountain bike riders, so please share the road. The climb is gradual and steady, and all but the very lowest of passenger cars can handle this relatively easy dirt road. The road winds its way up along Red Sandstone Creek and then Indian Creek with occasional views south over Vail Mountain, before reaching its high point near the trailhead for Lost Lake Trail. Here you can choose to head west toward Muddy Pass and Hwy 131, or head toward Piney Lake as your destination. Enjoy the peace and beauty here or take a hike up the Upper Piney River Trail, but remember that the lake is surrounded by the Eagles Nest Wilderness and is closed to bikes.
The Castle Peak Wilderness Study Area is a semi-primitive backcountry area with no facilities. There is no motorized or mechanized use within the WSA to help preserve erosive soils, wildlife, scenic values, water quality and cultural resources.
The Steamboat Springs area is east and north of Steamboat Springs, Colo. It is managed by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District with a Ranger Station/Visitor Center in the town of Steamboat Springs. Recreation sites along Buffalo Pass and Rabbit Ears Pass are located within this area to include the popular waterfall hike, Fish Creek Falls.
The area lies against the western ridge of the Continental Divide and the Routt National Forest. Multiple wilderness areas are nearby. The area is bountiful with recreation opportunities such as mountain biking, hiking, camping, and fishing, as well as winter sports such as skiing and snowmobiling, just to name a few.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the national forests. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story. Across the forests, opportunities range from dispersed camping miles into wilderness or just off a forest road in designated dispersed areas. Make sure to bring everything you need when dispersed camping, as water, restrooms, and fire rings may not be available nearby, and always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
This site provides four campsites with picnic tables and BBQ stands or fire rings. No restroom provided and all cat holes must be at least 100 yards (75 Steps) from the river. Access by boat or narrow dirt road (trailers not recommended) south of State Bridge Landing. For more information, please contact the Colorado River Field Office. ADA Access: ADA Accessible Restrooms
Traveler
Camp sites were plenty when I visited on a Thursday. Only people I saw were the forest service workers who were friendly and just out reminding people of the fire ban.
Scout
Doggies loved it, not many people
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.
Scout
Place has very good views from the mountain, however, the terrain isn't level. I found it difficult to get a good spot for my camper to be leveled.
Scout
Went out late on a Friday night. My timing was wrong to get a good spot, but I was hoping there would be at least one spot left, unfortunately all the established sites I could reach were taken! I couldn't get more than a few miles up the road, the first few were manageable in my Impreza but having a higher clearance vehicle is definitely ideal. I was able to find a spot to pitch my tent for the night, but it was far from level or smooth. Still, incredible views of the stars and absolutely gorgeous to see the Aspen leaves changing!
GuideThis is a nice quiet KOA that is reasonably priced. All facilities are clean, the staff are friendly and it’s close enough to the city of Craig and a few attractions
Traveler
Dry campground $45 right next to LOTS of BLM (which I didn't realize) campground is dirt road lots and lots of garbage but it does look like they just bought the place and is a work in progress. Owners where very nice, only a few spots very bad mosquitoes
Traveler
This is just below a site with the same name. The road is rough but was doable in a stock Subaru wilderness and a stock Nissan Frontier, just go slow. The little road is less than 2 hundred yards .
You end up in a cul-de-sac of pine and aspen trees with a stream below you. Very pretty and peaceful. If the road is too rough you can always stay above at the beaver creek dispersed site at the same elevation as the road.
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.
Scout
We showed up at night and it was very quiet, no problem finding a spot to camp. However, during the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies. Great place to over night, but terrible place to hang out during the day unless you have a bug net.
Legend
Very quiet spot. There were many other campers all around but did not hear any noise other than from highway nearby which wasn't disturbing at all. Easy access off highway although I didn't drive too far into the road as it was raining.
Guide
Tried to camp at Deep Creek but had no luck with the very limited spots. If you keep driving up the road there’s about a dozen spots off the road; none very nice but are a free place to stay with great views.
ScoutSummer is over, Labor Day evening, nobody except me here. 5-6 potential spots all in a row, lined up on dirt road that parallels 40 and far enough away to be quiet. Convenient to Steamboat 15 min.
Guide
This was a great stay I stayed at spot #2, pitched a tent and really enjoyed it. They had a fire ring. Also you can hear the creek down below the entire night which was quite peaceful. It was only 10 minutes off of I70 which made it nice for traveling. I have Google FI wireless and had no connectivity..
Scoutsimple, and easy place to get to… flat awesome sunset
Traveler
Greats views and ambiance here. Rangers were very friendly. Only downside is the noisy highway is too close by.
ScoutThis campground is closed
Guide
Our boys were raised camping on this lake. Great fishing, boating, kayaking, camping, and crawfishing. The West boat ramp is closed which makes it a great spot to visit for a day on the docks to enjoy lunch and have the kiddos and dogs splash in the water and fish for crawfish in the rocks. Plenty of camp spots on both sides of the lake, but this year they made it pay and reserve in advance. Make sure to reserve before getting here because there is little to no service once at the reservoir. Check out the PI for a 🍔 burger in Parshall!
TravelerPlenty of dispersed camping up Red Sandstone Road. Go 2.5 miles up a smooth dirt road once you leave the paved road to reach the start of camping (head right at a junction after those 2.5 miles). The road gets much more rough here, so take it slow, definitely some clearance needed (I was clear in my Subaru Forester). I found a great spot for 2 nights just before the Piney Lake Road junction. Seemed like there were plenty more options on the way up to that junction and leading up to the Lost Lake Trailhead. Managed to camp here on a Friday and Saturday summer night without any issue. Super quiet and beautiful spot. Hard to find any better option for free in this area.
Scout
We hit this place coming from the northern Colorado border with Wyoming on a Sunday night. I've grown up and camped in Colorado my whole life, this place was 10/10, and one of my favorite spots ever! With hiking, biking, and fishing, you could spend some time here!
Guide
Found a great little location on the creek. The area was busy, but the spots were separated very well. Off the main road we found a lightly traveled side road that led to the perfect camping spot. While the main road is well taken care of, some of the side roads definitely require an off-road vehicle. This is definitely going to be a place that we revisit.
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.
Guide
This was our first stop on a week long road trip from Colorado Springs to the Oregon Coast and, honestly, we could have just hung out there and saved all the miles.
It was a such a beautiful area mid September. All the leaves were changing, it was cool and misty, the view was spectacular, yes it was rough as hell to get there, but totally worth it if you’ve got the rig for it.
My only note for the area was that there were a lot hunters walking through and around our camp, but everyone was polite and respectful.
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.
Legend
One of five CGs. This one has larger sites than Bucks CG and is FCFS. $22/$12 senior. Toilets, water, trash. No cell signal though.
Legend
One of five CGs. This one has larger sites than Bucks CG and is FCFS. $22/$12 senior. Toilets, water, trash. No cell signal though.
Legend
One of five CGs. This one has smaller sites and is FCFS. $22/$12 senior. Toilets, water, trash. No cell signal though.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Oak Creek, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Oak Creek, CO is Crosho Lake Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Oak Creek, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 tent camping locations near Oak Creek, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
