Primitive camping near Penrose, Colorado offers dispersed sites on public lands managed primarily by the Bureau of Land Management. Located at approximately 5,500 feet elevation in a high desert environment, the area experiences wide temperature swings between day and night. Winter temperatures can drop well below freezing, while summer daytime temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with occasional thunderstorms during July and August.
What to do
Trail riding and OHV activities: Oil Well Flats provides miles of off-highway vehicle trails where riders can explore the rugged terrain. "Did the shelf trail from cripple creek to canon city. Was good place to camp for the night quite a few spots, flat, big. Amazing views!" reports a camper at Oil Well Flats.
Creek exploration: Several campsites offer direct access to creeks for wading and exploring. At Cripple Creek BLM Area, one visitor noted, "Beautiful area right by the creek (found natural turquoise) with plenty of wildlife like goats, deer, rabbits, and many other things."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple sites offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We went on a Saturday and it wasn't crowded at all... Definitely check it out if you don't mind a colder night in a valley," says a visitor about Cripple Creek BLM Area.
What campers like
Seclusion between sites: Many campers appreciate the distance between camping areas. At Penrose Common Rec Site, one visitor noted, "Every spot was spread out which is nice," while another mentioned it was "Very open and secluded. Only had a guy pass me on his dirt bike about 6 times."
Creek sounds masking road noise: Campers frequently mention how water features improve the camping experience. A visitor at Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed shared, "Such a beautiful place makes it up for the narrow/bumpy 8 miles road to get there. The creek sound off the noise of the busy road since I camped close to the road with my 21'TT."
Quick access for weekend getaways: The relative proximity to Colorado Springs makes these sites popular for short trips. One camper noted about Penrose Common Rec Site: "We got in at about 10:00 pm with no problems at all, 2wd Truck. Found a beautiful spot to park up for the night before doing the Royal Gorge."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many sites require navigation of rough terrain. As one camper at clyde dispersed camping notes, "The coordinates provided get you onto Gold Camp Road but you have to drive way further. There is a super cool tunnel which means you are close."
Limited facilities: Most sites have minimal or no amenities. At Penrose Common Rec Site, a camper observed, "Dispersed camping on BLM land. Looks like some 'permanent' residents out here. Dirty firepit and one trash pile encountered- cleaned these w/o much work, overall not much litter."
Cell service fluctuations: Connectivity varies dramatically by location. A visitor to Phantom Canyon shared, "It is in a canyon so you won't have any cell phone signal, though I had my Starlink set up and it worked flawlessly."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with creek access: Water features provide natural entertainment for children. A visitor to Gold Camp Road noted, "Drove ~3 miles along the service road to find our spot, it was the second pull off 'open-area' with several fire pits to choose from. Road was a little bumpy but would be fine with a 2WD."
Bring extra trash bags: Previous campers sometimes leave waste behind. A camper at Gold Camp Road observed, "So sad people laugh so much trash behind even broken glasses."
Prepare for limited shade: Many sites have minimal tree cover. One visitor to Penrose Common Rec Site described the area as having "Hot, dusty, cacti, cedar trees- kind of a cool Great American Desert experience."
Tips from RVers
Scout before committing: Road conditions can deteriorate quickly beyond initial access points. A camper at Oil Well Flats warned, "Fairly steep and rough road up into the campground. Once your in the roads are decent. Some sites had broken glass and trash and some were clean and decent."
Plan for uneven terrain: Finding level spots can be challenging. A reviewer at Penrose BLM sites shared, "We got our 19 foot travel trailer into a spot with icy conditions, but the road does get quite a bit rougher if you keep going in."
Maximize space at entrance areas: The most accessible spots for larger rigs are typically near entrances. A visitor to Penrose Common Rec Site advised, "You can camp in the parking area near the toilets. There is a lot of 4x4 jeep and OHV action here."
