Best Dispersed Camping near Parachute, CO

Dispersed camping sites are prevalent on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands surrounding Parachute, Colorado, with several free primitive camping areas situated within a 30-minute drive. The region includes notable sites such as Pyramid Rock Camp, Near De Buque Dispersed, and Cow Creek Dispersed, all situated on public land with minimal development. These areas accommodate both tent and RV camping, though amenities are virtually nonexistent, creating a truly primitive camping experience on publicly accessible terrain.

Many access roads leading to dispersed sites require careful navigation, with several locations demanding high-clearance vehicles. Four-wheel drive becomes necessary during wet conditions, particularly at sites like Hubbard Mesa OHV East where water crossings can be hazardous. Most areas lack drinking water, toilets, trash collection, and other services. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some sites like Cow Creek permitting campfires while others maintain year-round fire bans. According to one review on The Dyrt, "The road was easy, no need for high clearance or 4-wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee." Campers should verify current fire restrictions before arrival and prepare for self-sufficient camping.

The dispersed camping experience near Parachute provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and stargazing away from light pollution. While many sites are primitive, they attract visitors seeking solitude and natural settings without the structure of developed campgrounds. A camper described Four Mile Road Dispersed as having "many sites all over the place... some are big enough for groups of RVs, some are small, private tent spots." Cell service varies considerably by location and carrier, with some areas providing reliable connections while others remain completely off-grid. Camping duration is typically limited to 14 days within a 28-day period on BLM lands, and all visitors must practice leave-no-trace principles by packing out all waste and minimizing site impacts.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Parachute, Colorado (39)

    1. Pyramid Rock Camp

    15 Reviews
    De Beque, CO
    15 miles

    "It is a designated OHV area so no worries about people stopping you from ripping around and exploring."

    "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."

    2. Near De Buque Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    De Beque, CO
    17 miles
    Website

    "Plenty of dispersed sites along this road."

    "Nice area with many dispersed camping sites. Pin is not in exact spot but many spots along this road. The road was decent and i made it easily in my toyota prius."

    3. Cow Creek Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Rifle, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 876-9000

    "The public land area is ginormous and there’s only one other group camping here that I know of. Upon arrival, I drove about 3 miles down the creek just to check it all out."

    "Just pure dispersed camping. 

    Cow Creek does offer fresh water if it's running. "

    4. Hubbard Mesa West

    3 Reviews
    Rifle, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 876-9000

    6. Hubbard Mesa OHV East - BLM

    6 Reviews
    Silt, CO
    23 miles
    Website

    "The ground was exceptionally muddy so my subaru forester did some off roading which was a bit of an adventure, but otherwise had a lovely view and a great place to car camp."

    "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."

    7. Twin Lake Dispersed Area - Grand Valley Rd

    9 Reviews
    Cedaredge, CO
    29 miles
    Website

    "There were some cattle that walked through as I was setting up but otherwise very chill. All sites had areas for parking and fire rings."

    "You can camp at a designated campground right on the lake, or you drive up 24 and find a lot of dispersed camping available - all the way up to the little lakes (great for fishing too)."

    8. Harvey Gap BLM Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Silt, CO
    24 miles

    "This is a great spot for free, dispersed camping! As others have stated, it is a bit rough getting into but I saw, regular street cars pulling into the …”parking lot”."

    "Super rugged road, I don’t recommend any low clearance vehicles. Unmarked camping areas, we stopped at the first one with an already made fire pit. Super fun view of the lake!"

    9. Four Mile Road Dispersed

    19 Reviews
    Carbondale, CO
    37 miles
    Website

    "Had a quick stop over here on the way to Dinosaur National Monument. No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs."

    "There are easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails"."

    10. Grand Junction Desert Road Recreation Area BLM

    12 Reviews
    Grand Junction, CO
    32 miles
    Website

    "After searching for a campsite for a while, we finally stumbled across this place around 10pm on a Saturday night at the end of April 2021."

    "Easy access for low clearance vehicles like my Subaru. Busy but I found a spot no problem tossed some firewood down and had a great night."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 39 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Parachute, CO

141 Reviews of 39 Parachute Campgrounds


  • Matthew V.
    Oct. 9, 2020

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    Easy drive. Tons of sites

    Had a quick stop over here on the way to Dinosaur National Monument. No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs. There are no facilities ie: Toilets, power, water or fire pits. The road was easy no need for high clearance or 4wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee. Only 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs. Would stay again 9/10 would recommend.

    Remember to pack in pack out.

  • robherr The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2018

    Hubbard Mesa OHV East - BLM

    For a free campsite in Southwest Colorado, it's not bad

    Hubbard Mesa area is an off highway vehicle area that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

    There's not much in this area except a small little campsite right off the road. I didn't explore all the rest of the HOV cuz I wasn't in a four-wheeler, but it was perfect for an overnight stay on a motorcycle trip to Sturgis.

    The Road in is dirt and there are no durable paved surfaces anywhere, so I would imagine if it had rained this would be a muddy mess.

  • Alexia L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Nine Mile Hill

    Great Views, Secluded

    Found this spot and was very happy with the setup. Like other reviews, the highway noise was a bit loud but nothing too crazy, especially really late. There were other campers spread out nicely, you wouldn’t even know they were there. The road is a bit iffy so snagging a spot at the front would be best if you don’t have 4WD (my Nissan car struggled, we had to back up & turn around). Overall great spot for tent camping! Remember to leave no trace 🫶🏼🏕️🌎

  • Jeff L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    4 mile dispersed

    There are many sites all over the place up there. Some are big enough for groups of RV's some are small, private tent spots. Some offer magicians views others are in dense vegetation along water. We found no cell reception for miles. There are easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails". No services, no running water, no electric, no cable TV, no bathrooms, no showers, no dump stations, no picnic tables, etc. It's the forest.

  • K
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Twin Lake Dispersed Area - Grand Valley Rd

    Beautiful and Quiet

    I was up there on a Tuesday-Wednesday so it was very quiet and there was no one else at the site. It’s right on the water although there is a drop off you have to climb down, but it’s not bad. There were some cattle that walked through as I was setting up but otherwise very chill. All sites had areas for parking and fire rings. Driving off the forest road and onto the small road getting up to the campsite, 4WD isn’t required but highly recommended, it is a very rough road. High clearance is necessary. The sites seemed kinda close to each other however there are trees and stumps that define each site. Amazing views, light rain, and still my favorite forest.

  • Sarah M.
    Aug. 16, 2024

    Dragon Douglas Trail BLM Dispersed Site

    Dragon Douglas Trail BLM

    This spot is for OHV parking. There’s a fire ring and we parked to the left of it so we didn’t interfere with parking. There’s 5 sites up the OHV trail that we saw. It was muddy so we weren’t comfortable towing our 19’ rig up the trail. We took our 4 runner up the trail and didn’t need 4wd. If dry, you could tow your small camper in if high clearance. There’s a bit of a rise to get from the road to the grass. Sites are perfect for tent camping.

  • Lauren M.
    Aug. 2, 2022

    Hubbard Mesa OHV East - BLM

    Nice place to stay for the night!

    The ground was exceptionally muddy so my subaru forester did some off roading which was a bit of an adventure, but otherwise had a lovely view and a great place to car camp. We cleaned up some trash in the area but otherwise pretty clean. The entrance was muddy and difficult for my car so if you don't have high clearance I don't recommend driving further past the gravel path. Saw some vans parked up there and we decided to travel out a little further.

  • Shanda H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Escalante Canyon Road Dispersed (650 Rd)

    Great one night pull off

    Location was right off the road but once you drive about 5 minutes down the road you cannot hear any traffic. No other campers. Road was packed gravel almost like highway. We have camper van and our site and most of them were flat and had established fire rings. Dry and dessert landscapes.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Overland Reservoir (Dispersed)-Paonia RD

    Peaceful location

    Stocked reservoir with rainbow and brook trout. Smaller fish but fun fishing. 

    The dispersed camping is located on the east side of the reservoir. Vault toilets located here and no water(except the reservoir). All camping is first-come, first-serve. Bring bug spray as the mosquitoes are pretty bad here.


Guide to Parachute

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Parachute, Colorado, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for adventurers seeking a more rustic experience.

Scenic Views and Relaxation while Free Camping near Parachute

  • Enjoy breathtaking sunsets and sunrises at Pyramid Rock Camp, where open spaces allow for peaceful camping experiences.
  • For those seeking privacy, Hubbard Mesa OHV East - BLM offers secluded spots with stunning views, perfect for a quiet getaway.
  • The serene environment at Cow Creek Dispersed provides ample opportunities for relaxation, with spacious areas close to the creek.

Adventure Awaits: Top Activities for Dispersed Campers

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping near Parachute, Colorado

  • Always check the weather before heading out, especially if you're planning to visit Near De Buque Dispersed, as the roads can become slippery and challenging during rain.
  • Bring your own water and supplies, as many areas, like Fish Hawk Tailhead Dispersed, do not offer amenities such as drinking water or trash disposal.
  • Be prepared for varying road conditions; for example, accessing Kiser Slough Reservoir may require a vehicle with higher clearance due to rough terrain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Parachute, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Parachute, CO is Pyramid Rock Camp with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Parachute, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 39 dispersed camping locations near Parachute, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.