Salida North BLM campground permits pets in its free, primitive camping area near Poncha Springs. The dispersed sites accommodate both tents and RVs with drive-in access, though visitors should note the absence of drinking water, hookups, and toilets. Mount Shavano Dispersed Camping provides another free pet-friendly campsite option with high ratings from campers who appreciate the spacious sites and spectacular mountain views. Browns Creek campground includes toilet facilities while maintaining a pet-friendly policy for those camping with dogs. Reviews note that campsites are spaced better than at nearby locations, providing privacy for campers and their pets. The sites at Shavano Mountain offer great views of both the mountains and Salida below.
Several BLM camping areas near Poncha Springs feature established fire rings but require campers to bring their own water and pack out all waste, including pet waste. Leashed pets can explore the surrounding terrain, though wildlife encounters necessitate keeping dogs under control. For campers seeking more amenities with pets, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area campgrounds like Hecla Junction and Ruby Mountain allow pets while providing picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets. The area experiences significant temperature fluctuations, with sites at higher elevations becoming very windy in the evenings. Some dispersed camping roads become progressively technical as visitors drive farther toward trailheads, requiring careful navigation for those with RVs or trailers. Campers with pets should be aware that cattle occasionally graze through some pet-friendly camping areas.
"It's about a 12 minute drive to Buena Vista or Poncha springs (which has water and a dump station) and a 20 minute drive to downtown Salida."
"Within 20 minutes of driving you have multiple Colorado 14ers to hike, amazing fishing, miles of mountain biking trails and 2 amazing towns with great places to eat or grab a beer. "
$28 / night
"The campground is north of Salida Colorado on the Arkansas River. This is the busy spot at the end of the commercial river rafting run."
"Beautiful in its location, there were site improvements several years ago, which are nice and still hold true in 2023. (level tent pads, delineated sites, etc.)"
"Cows are grazing, they’re great but leash up pets. Perfect spot if you want to camp and explore the local area. 80 degrees with most sites offering shade from trees."
"Pulled by a 2 wheel drive tundra. The road in is a little bit rough but I had no trouble. Slow and steady. Once you get up the entrance it is easy driving."
"Off of HWY 285 between Poncha Springs and Buena Vista, we took County Road 270W for ~ 1.5 miles to a 4-way intersection and continued .... the road changes to FR 272 and we stayed on for another few miles"
"The hiking is good with several trailheads and easy access to the Colorado Trail."
"Large well-spaced sites within a short driving distance to BV. Great access to the colorado trail."
"Kinda busy with good access to Browns creek and the Colorado trail, but otherwise quiet if you can squeeze in. Easy for trailers too."
$28 - $56 / night
"The dirt road arriving to Ohaver lake is certainly one to proceed slowly on."
"This is one of my favorites from this summer trip to Colorado. O’Haver Campground is a high altitude lakeside campground outside of Salida Colorado."
$28 / night
"Dogs were entertained watching the chipmunks walk in front of them. Great hike near by. Great fishing too walking distance. Short driving distance to Buena Vista and/or Salida."
"Here are the positives: Great access to the Arkansas River (fishing, put-in/ - take/out access)
- Very well-maintained spaces and clean bathrooms
- Minutes from rafting outfitters (we always go through"
$28 - $90 / night
"Right next to the river. You can hear the traffic from the highway unfortunately but its not terrible."
"This campsite is a couple miles outside of Salida. Along the river it offers beautiful views and immediate access to the river. The camp host is friendly and the campsite is very well maintained."
"There are several sites right at the entrance but the best a a little further back. There is room for 30- 40 or more. Just depends on how close you want to be to others."
"Poncha Springs is only 10 minutes away in Salida another 10 minutes. There's a Walmart in Salida which has a very good beverage selection."
"I pulled in here around 8 PM on a Tuesday and had intentions to stay for multiple nights."
"Great location with easy drive to Buena Vista & Salida & Mt. Princeton. The only drawback was, well, August dryness & no water nearby."
GuideThis was a nice spot about 15 min outside of poncha springs. The road is passable by most cars. We camped in the first area on the right. There was only one RV there and it was a very quiet night. It would probably be a rowdy spot later in the summer as there are multiple spots right next to each other. It is nestled in pines, some aspens, with a near by lake and stream.
GuideWe and our camping buddies made reservations to stay in this popular park for 6 nights but the only pr was we couldn’t reserve any site for more than two days meaning we would be moving sites constantly during the week. The dirt road arriving to Ohaver lake is certainly one to proceed slowly on. As you climb the mtn the last mile or so you are greeted with numerous washboards on the switchbacks but don’t worry, It’s worth it! When we arrived we noticed that two walk ups had just pulled out, 4 and 5. The friendly camp host allowed us to occupy those side by side sites which meant no moving for the rest of our stay! We enjoyed nice daytime temperatures in the mid 60’s and nighttime temperatures right around 50. And NO humidity! Wow that was great for some Arkansans! Though not on the lake, we found our sites were wonderful! This park is popular! Lots of activity and action on the lake from fishing to kayaking to swimming ( brrr) to sunbathing. We hiked around the lake and enjoyed the beauty of the area. No ATT cell service and no tv access so really enjoyed the down time! On the way out, at the visitors center located at Poncha Springs is a dump station with non potable water for $10 credit/debit card and potable water available at the next building. Thank you Poncha Springs!
GuideWe came down from Boulder to find a great little spot off of 274A! Off of HWY 285 between Poncha Springs and Buena Vista, we took County Road 270W for ~ 1.5 miles to a 4-way intersection and continued .... the road changes to FR 272 and we stayed on for another few miles until FR 274 split to the right. Our site was off 274A and had great views.
TravelerThe Gunnison KOA is in a beautiful setting with large trees that is about 75 yards from the river. The spaces are generously sized, although the camping sites could use power outlets. They are very kid and pet friendly; and have a dog park. There is a friendly donkey who roams the grounds, so make sure your 4 legged friends are okay around bigger animals. The bathrooms are clean and functional. The same could not be said for the dishwashing station that is outdoors. It is in horrible condition, including a dripping faucet. Also, be aware that you are very close to the river and there is a mosquito and moisture problem. Even with these minor problems, this is still a great place to stay.
TravelerThis is a pretty area and it does have a ton of room, great views, etc. but it wasn't the paradise we expected. We planned to stay several nights but decided to leave after one. First, the road in is extremely rough. You can get to quite a few spots lower down, but if your plan is to go higher up on CR 250 or on to some of the other roads that branch off I'd recommend a 4x4 and high clearance.
We noticed on our way in some folks around a large rig with a huge campfire burning, despite a statewide fire ban and wildfires raging in the San Juans to the south. I believe it was that same crowd who spent the better part of the afternoon firing handguns. Another group farther down on the other side had two barking dogs and they filled in the gaps yelling at each other or the dogs...not sure.
So, relatively easy to get to and close to town means busy. Plus, there's plenty of highway noise during the morning and afternoon commute times. Salida/Poncha Springs is a beautiful area but in my opinion there are better places to camp.
GuideWe absolutely loved this BLM spot. It's about a 12 minute drive to Buena Vista or Poncha springs (which has water and a dump station) and a 20 minute drive to downtown Salida. We saw 2 great horned owls during our stay on several occasions. It was quiet (some highway noise) and in a beautiful canyon with great mountain views. We parked at the very end and while it was a bit of a rough road to get there it was worth the views and solitude. We stayed a week. No facilities here including trash. There's a recycling center just down the street too!
GuideThis is probably my family's favorite area to camp in Colorado. Off the beaten path enough that traffic is minimal. But nice and close to some great four wheel and off roading areas.
GuideGreat place to camp in Colorado to avoid weekend crowds. Wide open, off the beaten path as far as Colorado goes.
ScoutVery clean, large level spots with gravel and plenty of room in between RVs. Great location, close to Salida and hiking & biking trails. Directly on the Arkansas River -- river view spots are very nice and all spots have a view of the mountains, there's a bit of road noise from nearby highway. Friendly staff, nice clubhouse with showers, pool table & fitness center, there's a small dog park and pickleball courts. Direct access to Arkansas River for kayaks and small boats (walk down to river, can't drive there). Campground internet was spotty but cell service is great so internet is very good if you have a hot spot. Highly recommended, my only complaint is there's no pool or hot tub.
Dispersed camping near Poncha Springs ranges from 7,500 to 9,000 feet in elevation, with significant temperature swings between day and night. The area between Salida and Buena Vista sits in a rain shadow, receiving less precipitation than surrounding mountains. Free camping sites typically remain accessible from May through October, with some lower elevation areas open year-round.
Hiking to Brown Creek Falls: Access the trailhead from Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping for a moderate 7-mile round trip hike. "Browns creek and Little Browns Creek Trail in the beginning of August. There were great spots for camping along the way- some of the best camp sites I've stayed at," notes one camper who backpacked the loop.
Mountain biking local trails: The San Isabel National Forest offers extensive trail systems suitable for various skill levels. A visitor at Raspberry Gulch BLM shares: "We went for a hike, there were multiple hiking trails including access to the Colorado Trail. We also rode our mountain bikes on 272, 274A and the 273."
Fishing the Arkansas River: Access points are available at multiple camping areas along the river. "The trout fishing here is incredible and many folks were getting their 4 fish limit each day," reports a visitor to Ohaver Lake Campground, noting the high-altitude lake fishing opportunities.
Kayaking alpine lakes: Several alpine lakes in the area offer calm waters for paddling. "This 9000foot high lake is a gem for kayaking, fishing and overall zen-ing. The lake was busy with folks doing all of these things, it never felt too crowded or overused," writes a camper about Ohaver Lake.
Spacious dispersed sites: Campers appreciate the privacy at many dog friendly campgrounds near Poncha Springs. "Each campsight has lots of space between each other," notes a reviewer at Browns Creek, while another mentioned, "Dispersed campsites are spread out so you can't see or hear your neighbors."
River access: The Arkansas River provides recreation opportunities directly from campsites. A reviewer at Ruby Mountain Campground states: "RV and can sites are out in the open so they can be hot during the day. Walk-in sites have shady trees and are next to the river."
Wildlife encounters: Many campers report seeing diverse wildlife at pet-friendly camping areas. "We saw big horn sheep in the campground when we pulled in," reports a camper at Salida North BLM, while another mentions, "We saw 2 great horned owls during our stay on several occasions... in a beautiful canyon with great mountain views."
Cell service availability: Several dispersed camping areas maintain good connectivity despite remote locations. A camper at Mount Shavano notes: "We have good service with Verizon but not much with ATT," while another at a different site reports: "Apparently there is really great service here, but we didn't experience it on T-mobile."
Fire restrictions: Fire bans occur frequently during summer months. "Since the fire ban had just lifted, our fire pit was not maintained, but it wasn't difficult to clean out," explains a camper at Salida East Campground, highlighting the importance of checking current restrictions.
Cattle grazing areas: Free-range cattle move through many camping areas. "The cows roam freely and will come and poop in your campsite," warns a Browns Creek visitor. Another camper mentions: "We had cows grazing around our campsite in the morning (it was adorable)."
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. "The road is very rocky, bumpy, and just a little steep in a couple of places if you are pulling a trailer," writes a visitor to Mount Shavano Dispersed Camping. Another reports: "I was able to get there in my hyundai santa fe but got nervous a couple of times."
Seasonal closures: Some areas close during winter months. "Closed Dec 1-June 1 for wildlife management. Watch out in the wet weather-road super muddy a bit difficult to get through," warns a Browns Creek visitor from a February trip.
Look for established restrooms: Several pet-friendly campsites offer basic facilities. "Only about 10-15 campsites in the section but good area to camp. They've added portapotties to help with the toilet issue but they're only at the entrance," notes a visitor to Salida North BLM.
Consider reservoir camping: Ohaver Lake provides family-friendly camping with fishing access. "Great little lake to fish and camp. Atv's aren't allowed in the camp ground, but there's a parking lot right at the entrance for atv's," writes a visitor, adding it's "Great for teaching the grandkids fishing."
Pack for temperature swings: High-altitude camping means significant day-night temperature differences. "We enjoyed nice daytime temperatures in the mid 60's and nighttime temperatures right around 50. And NO humidity!" reports a camper at Ohaver Lake, noting the contrast to their home state.
Bring alternative recreation: When water levels are low, have backup activities planned. "The creek was dry but other than that we loved it!!" mentions a Raspberry Gulch visitor, highlighting the importance of flexible planning with children.
Scout ahead on rough roads: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Poncha Springs have challenging access. "DO NOT bring your trailer past the 3rd spot up the road after the bridge. And do not drive up that section to the 3rd if it is already taken (scout ahead here, trust me)," advises a camper at Road 240 - Dispersed, explaining, "You won't be able to turn around and the road gets worse with no where to turn around."
Dump station location: Plan waste management accordingly. "Nearest dump station is about 2 miles way at the Crossroads Visitor Center in Poncha Springs," notes a Mount Shavano camper, providing critical infrastructure information for RV owners.
Arrive early for level sites: Many dispersed areas fill quickly during peak season. "We arrived a little before 8 and there was plenty of room in the wide open field just past the trailhead," reports a Mount Shavano visitor planning for an early morning summit.
Watch for narrow access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging entry points. "Keep in mind the access road into the camp is very narrow. Your best bet is to have someone be a look out and clear the road because your in between a rock and cliff," cautions a Ruby Mountain Campground visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Poncha Springs, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Poncha Springs, CO is Salida North BLM with a 4.2-star rating from 23 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 216 dog-friendly camping locations near Poncha Springs, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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