Dispersed camping near Peyton, Colorado offers self-sufficient campers primitive sites at elevations ranging from 7,000-9,500 feet. Many locations follow seasonal fire restrictions, with bans common from May through September depending on conditions. Primitive campsites typically have minimal established facilities beyond existing fire rings, requiring campers to bring their own supplies and pack out all waste.
What to do
Fishing access points: Rampart Reservoir provides accessible fishing spots for campers staying in nearby dispersed areas. "Awesome camping spot, esp, if you like mountain biking... Much of the area still shows scars from the 1996 fire here, but the sprouts and smaller trees show you a preview of how nature heals," notes a visitor to Buffalo Creek Recreation Area.
Trail exploration: Several dispersed sites connect to established trail networks. "There is an active fire ban in the area... The trails and stream aren't too far from the site so you can easily hike or bike there. We hiked out to the 96 burn area to explore and we ended up doing a nice 7 mile loop to get down to the creek for a cool down," explains a camper at Buffalo Creek Recreation Area.
Wildlife watching: Early mornings offer opportunities for spotting local wildlife. "Lots of wildlife out this time of year, we even encountered a black bear," reports a visitor at Rampart Range Dispersed Site, suggesting campers practice proper food storage techniques.
What campers like
Secluded creek camping: Many campers appreciate finding spots along water features. "Beautiful spot with easy access to lots of trails and Wellington lake. Only downside is that it is very difficult to find a spot on a weekend," reports a visitor to Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. At Gold Camp Road/Forest Service Road 376 Dispersed, one camper shares, "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. Gorgeous, secluded spot next to the creek."
Convenient access: Despite primitive conditions, many dispersed sites offer accessibility. "Literally right outside of Woodland park. We got there late on Saturday afternoon and still found a spot. Very quiet area but some atvs run through," notes a camper at Rampart Range Dispersed Site.
Seasonal variations: Weather patterns affect both availability and experience. "We were there 13 days, there's not a view in the place that isn't absolutely beautiful but it is very busy," reports a camper at Rampart Range Dispersed Site, suggesting weekday visits for reduced crowds.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access roads require different vehicle capabilities depending on location and weather. At Mount Herman Road Dispersed Site 2, a visitor warns, "But so worth it. There were other spots along the road on the way up but most were taken or uneven. I ended up at the top of the mountain and the view is gorgeous. Gets a bit windy and definitely colder but a great site to spend some time at."
Site cleanliness issues: Several campers report needing to clean sites before setting up. "There is evidence of some parties and broken glass so watch out for that but mostly clean and taken care of," notes a Mount Herman Road Dispersed Site 2 visitor. Similarly, another camper reports, "We found a great little campsite and had a fox as a neighbor! Only downfall was there was broken glass everywhere."
Weather preparedness: Rapid weather changes occur regularly in this area, especially at higher elevations. "We woke up with few inches of snow. Nothing of that down in town," shares one camper at Rampart Range Area Dispersed Campsite, highlighting the importance of bringing all-weather gear regardless of season.
Tips for camping with families
Simple hikes: Several family-friendly trails exist near dispersed sites. "Nearby is the Rampart Reservoir via Rainbow Gulch trail I recommend walking from the site due to limited parking at the trailhead. We took this hike and it was absolutely fantastic a majestic walk through the woods brings you to flowing creek that you follow all the way down to the reservoir," shares a camper at Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park.
Wildlife encounters: These areas offer natural educational opportunities. "Awesome camp spot. Met a friendly dog and a random turkey. Beautiful scenery," notes one visitor to Cascade-Chipita Park/Woodland Park.
Spacing considerations: Sites vary in size and privacy levels. "Our site on this trip was #27 and we really loved it. It was downset from the road so we had a little privacy and the sites are large and far apart from each other so we were able to socially distance within our own group," notes a Buffalo Creek Recreation Area visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many dispersed areas have limited large-rig access. "Sorry, No photos. It is very beautiful up there. I have only been here once, and I did not do enough research. I recently purchased a 26ft sustainable travel trailer and decided to take it out for the first time. Well the road up is very tight. Very skinny switchbacks," warns an RVer at Mount Herman Road Dispersed Site 2.
Access timing: Arriving early improves chances of finding suitable spots. "We got up there around 6:30pm on Friday night and after driving around for a couple hours ended up bailing and going home. We pushed our luck and went back on Saturday morning and were lucky enough to catch someone as they were leaving," shares a Buffalo Creek Recreation Area visitor.
Road preparedness: Properly equipped vehicles handle most conditions. "The road up is rough but totally doable with pickup truck with slide in camper. This campsite was nice and level," reports an RVer at Mount Herman Road Dispersed Site 2.
