Primitive camping near Parshall, Colorado encompasses diverse terrain between 7,500-9,000 feet elevation with significant temperature fluctuations even in summer months. The area receives an average of 16 inches of precipitation annually, with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August. Camping sites range from riverside locations with established fire rings to more remote high-elevation forest settings requiring four-wheel drive access.
What to do
Fishing access points: The Williams Fork River at Ute Pass Dispersed Camping offers productive fishing spots. "Really pretty spot on the Williams fork river. I've had really good service here with T-Mobile. Road is a bit rough and rocky but not far to get back to the sites by the river," notes camper Molly J.
Creek exploration: Several campsites sit directly alongside moving water. At Spring Creek Colorado Dispersed Camping, one visitor shared: "What a gift this site was! Went camping with a friend for 2 nights over the 4th of July. We found one of the last sites and it was lovely. Very little traffic- just a couple vans and ATVs."
Hiking opportunities: The Rock Creek area provides access to multiple trails. "Trailhead is easy to find at the end of the road and leads to a couple of sweet spots. We stopped by Boulder Lake and it was about 6.5 miles total of a hike," reports Jane W., who visited the area.
What campers like
Star visibility: The absence of light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Rock Creek, one camper observed: "Close to town, easy drive in (little bumpy but not a big deal for SUV). Can't hear the road, basically no light pollution. Beautiful scenery, beautiful night sky views."
Wildlife viewing: The less trafficked areas around Hot Sulphur Springs SWA - Joe Gerrans Unit provide opportunities to observe native wildlife. "The first couple of sites are close together, but if you drive further in, they space out more. Had a really good time camping close to the Colorado River," reports Julio M.
Secluded camping spots: Many areas offer isolation despite proximity to towns. "Fairly remote site considering its proximity to Silverthorne. Rough, rocky road, some clearance is nice to have. Stream running near or by many sites is nice, great hiking trails at the end of the road with a small parking lot," notes Kevin K. about Rock Creek.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to most primitive camping near Parshall requires navigating rough roads. "The road up was a bit rough but nothing too bad, if you take it slow you could probably make it up in anything," explains Ryan L. about Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping.
Site availability patterns: Weekends fill quickly, especially in summer. "We arrived on a Thursday & there was already a bunch of people. One guy was complaining to us how he has camped there for 20 years & now can't get a spot," reports Alex C. about Ute Pass.
Insect activity: Mosquitoes are prevalent, particularly near water sources. "Things to note: the weather is incredibly unpredictable (pack a rain jacket) and with the joy of the stream comes the curse of 100000 flies. I wish I was exaggerating, but we were bombarded constantly whenever the sun was out," warns Katherine M.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Look for spots with natural buffers. "Decent amount of spots with fire rings and picnic tables. Portapotty and dumpster available. Good amount of trees for shade," mentions Kendra T. about Hot Sulphur Springs SWA.
Arrival timing: Early arrival significantly improves site options. "We pulled in around noon and barely snagged one of the last open sites. Ours was higher up the road—still accessible, but just rough enough to turn a few others back. By 1 p.m., it felt like a game of musical chairs," notes one camper at Rock Creek.
Weather preparation: Bring gear for rapidly changing conditions. "We thought we had the perfect spot but too many mosquitoes in summer. It would be perfect in another season," suggests Julie K. about Muddy Creek Camp.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility assessment: Not all dispersed sites accommodate larger rigs. At Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite, "The sites were large. We found a nice spacious one a little off the road, there was a ditch between the road and the site so some higher clearance helped avoid scraping," reports Ryan L.
Leveling challenges: Finding flat spots can be difficult. "Not at all a beautiful area, only a few places to camp and it's a bumpy road and the access points are not good, none of the sites are level," warns Steve M. about Stillwater Pass.
Seasonal considerations: Spring access presents additional challenges. "We camped here in early May after looking at several other camp sites that still had snow on the ground. There were a couple of very deep muddy puddles on the drive into the site that we almost got stuck in," shares Karin C. about her experience at Ute Pass.
