The mountains around Pleasant View, Colorado range from 6,000 to over 9,000 feet in elevation, creating diverse camping microclimates with temperature variations of 15-20 degrees between valley floors and ridgetops. Most backcountry tent sites in this area sit on decomposed granite soil that drains quickly after rain but can be dusty during dry periods. Nighttime temperatures commonly drop below 40°F even in July and August at higher elevation campsites.
What to do
Paddle at Gross Reservoir: The reservoir allows kayaking and paddleboarding but enforces strict rules. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir provides access points, though "you can only launch your boat at the boat launch on the southeast side of the reservoir that is monitored by a ranger. He requires you to have a life vest, whistle, and your name written on your boat."
Explore mountain streams: Fall River features multiple small cascades and pools. One camper at Fall River Reservoir Dispersed Camping Trail noted "There is a beautiful creek right across the road that is great for filtering water and cooling off. The reservoir itself is gorgeous. There are a few falls that flow in and some good bouldering routes towards the back."
Rock scrambling with kids: Many sites feature natural boulder formations perfect for supervised climbing. At Winiger Ridge, one visitor mentioned their campsite was "huge—plenty of space for our whole group, multiple tents, and a couple of cars. With a picnic table and fire pit included, it made for the perfect outdoorsy hangout spot."
What campers like
Accessibility despite rugged terrain: Even challenging roads offer camping rewards. At Gordon Gulch, a visitor mentioned, "We went on a Sunday, the weekend after the 4th of July. It was quite easy to find a campground for dispersed camping with other sites marked. Recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach some of the spots, especially if there is poor weather."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn and dusk bring animal sightings at many campsites. One camper at Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area observed "Moose visitors at dawn and evening, and hungry bears scavenging for food at night is a common occurrence. Luckily my car alarm scared them off pretty easily."
Solitude on weekdays: Many popular weekend spots empty out midweek. A visitor to Staunton State Park Campground reported, "This park was incredible for just getting away with my pup for a night. We brought out the bike and did some trails to find the perfect spot and since we went in the middle of the week we had our choice of spot."
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At Dream Canyon Campsites, one visitor warned "The ditch getting into the parking lot is bruuutal so 4WD is necessary," while another noted "2 Wheel Dr. and low clearance vehicles can do it, but should be extremely careful in how they approach."
Rapid weather changes: Mountain storms develop quickly at these elevations. A camper at Fall River observed "The weather changes drastically up there and all three days we got 3/5 hours of rain."
Seasonal campfire restrictions: Fire bans are common during dry periods. At Aspen Meadows Campground, campers noted the metal fire rings are "good for stage 1 fire ban" but during stricter bans, no fires are permitted at all.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner backpacking experiences: Several walk-in sites provide training wheels for family backpacking. At Sawmill Hiker Campground, one parent shared: "My husband went to this campsite with a group of Scouts and took me and our 1 year old a few weeks later. I had never been backpacking up until this point because I was always intimidated by the experience. This was an excellent 'beginner' foray into backpacking!"
Transport solutions for gear: Some campgrounds offer assistance for families. At Staunton State Park, one visitor advised: "All the sites are walk-in so expect to carry your gear for a little while or bring a wagon. There is one wagon for all the campsites but it's often occupied."
Child-friendly tent placement: Strategic tent setup enhances family camping. At Aspen Meadows Campground, a visitor mentioned "Tent pad was big enough to squeeze two 3-person tents and a 6-person tent (barely). Walking distance to vault toilets. Some nice foresty hikes between Aspen Meadows and Reverend's Ridge."
Tips from RVers
Unlevel parking at dispersed sites: Many free camping areas require careful positioning. At Dream Canyon, one visitor noted: "There were plenty of pull offs on this and other roads surrounding that were bigger but on quite a slant."
Distance from hookups: Plan accordingly for water and power needs. One visitor to Bear Creek Lake Campground highlighted that "The sites are for tent/RV and have electric hookups... Only drawback might be the bathrooms have no night lighting and you have a dumping station instead of sewage hookups. Also water is available but not at the site."
Clearance challenges: Many dirt roads require careful navigation. At Winiger Ridge, a camper cautioned: "Camp sites are nice, but except for a few (~5) the rest require a serious climb (drive) up a gnarly hill with deep ruts. I wouldn't try this with a camper/RV, or anything that doesn't have high clearance and power."
Traveler
