Best Dispersed Camping near Rand, CO

So the Gordon Gulch dispersed camping area has around 15 numbered sites that are ok... but if you keep driving further down 233.1 you will find many more unnumbered campsites. I am reviewing one of these unnumbered campsites in particular, because this one had the best view. Before you read too far, I can't guarantee you will be able to reach this campsite without a 4X4 high clearance vehicle. We got to the site with a Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Tacoma TRD so we had no problems... I can't definitely say a Subaru would make it though. In the pictures I have included a map of the Gordon Gulch trail system. Entering through the Gordon Gulch entrance and taking 226.1 to 233.1 is the hardest route - there is one very steep and washed out spot. Entering via 120J/Switzerland Trail from the Peak to Peak Hwy and then turning right onto 233.1 is the easier option. On that map I have marked the general area of the campsite with a pink dot and here are the coordinates.

DMS: 40°01'18.5"N 105°28'37.6"W

DD: 40.021814, -105.477103 - if you type this into Google Maps it will locate it

As for the actual campsite, it is a great option for spring/fall camping in Colorado. The elevation is about 8,800 ft and it is on the south side of a hill so it gets a lot of sunlight and is protected from northern winds. In terms of privacy, there are no other campsites that can be seen from this one. However, Gordon Gulch is a popular off-roading area so dirt bikes and Jeeps pass by frequently. This campsite is set up high above and away from the road though, so it is really not that bad. Another thing to point out is that this is a popular area for shooting as well, so if you absolutely hate guns it may not be the place for you. Also, as stated before, this is a dispersed campsite the only thing it has is a fire ring. Pack it in, pack it out!

We stumbled upon this campground by chance, and what a wonderful chance it was! After deciding to take a weekend rafting trip along the Wyoming/Colorado section of the Platte River, we planned to just find dispersed camping options within the surrounding National Forest area. We initially put our boats in at the Routt Access Trailhead which is where we were able to find this amazing group of campsites (see directions below). There are plenty of campsites designated by fire rings along the road that are well spread out and offer plenty of seclusion. We were surprised to not encounter any other campers despite it being a beautiful summer weekend. The campsite we used offered much appreciated shade from the June sun with plenty of big trees. The ground is relatively flat on top of the hill so we had quite a few options to spread out with our group pf 3 tents. Another huge plus of this area is how pristine it is, not a piece of trash to be found. If camping here, please continue that by following Leave No Trace principles. 

Camping in this area is complimented by tons of nearby activities including hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding trails, class I-IV white water rafting opportunities, rock climbing, fishing and wildlife viewing. On our weekend adventure we went on a 4-hour boat trip from the Routt Access boat put-in to the Six-Mile Gap take-out point, the river felt like a private get away and we didn’t see any other people except for a few fly fishermen at the access points. The wildlife we encountered was the highlight of our trip, we saw moose, a golden eagle, foxes, pronghorns, and marmots. 

To get there: The GPS coordinates entered on this page are for the Routt Access Trailhead. Following these directions from there is the easiest way to find the campsites. I have also included a screenshot of google maps in this review. When approaching the trailhead from the main road, just a few hundred yards before the trailhead/river access parking area, the road forks. To the right is the trailhead, and to the left is FS 939.1 (Mahogany Road). With a normal clearance vehicle and 2wd, you should be able to easily reach the first campsite along this road, marked by a well-appointed fire ring. For those with slightly higher clearance cars (my friends had a Subaru Forester and did just fine) I would highly recommend continuing along the road a bit higher and up the hill. 4wd is probably not necessary unless the road is muddy, but some large holes and rocks will be problematic for very low clearance vehicles. From up here, you will have amazing views of the grasslands, mountains and river.

Campground Review

This dispersed camping area allows for a more secluded, private camping experience for those willing to venture off the beaten path a little with their (recommended, certainly not required) 4 x 4 vehicles. While this review applies for the specific campground area on the map, readers should know there are many access points along this road for camping. This place is also very difficult to find at night, so plan your trip with enough day light to find these not-so-well marked turn offs and fire pits.

In general, you're "roughing it" here for the views and hikes. There's no water or facilities or garbage receptacles - so leave no trace is in place to ensure these primitive sites stay open. There's lot of brush and spots are dispersed well enough for privacy. Elevation in these parts is near +9,000 ft, so be aware nights are still cold even in summer. Camp here for closer access to various hiking and exploring, or find some streams nearby for fly fishing, but not for those used to creature comforts typically found at designated campsites.

Gear Review

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products from time to time - today I am testing the Primus ONJA camping stove. As far as portable camp stoves go, this is a fantastic purchase if you're looking to cook at camp and stay within a respectable budget. The price tag may seem a bit high for camp stoves, but not based on the quality. The value is here. In my experience you get what you pay for when it comes to camping gear, and this is such a versatile, well made and compact design it has allowed me to expand my cooking options on so many activities. Before I was limited to carrying the backpacker, single-serving, water-boiling stoves for day hikes and road trips to keep my stove from becoming a huge space waster in the car. That meant freeze dried, basic meals. Now I have an actual stove that is relatively lightweight and very portable. Pro Tip: Take this thing with you when you wake up early to get parking spots at your favorite ski hill and with your parking now secured, bust this out and make some breakfast while you wait for the lifts to open. Watch how many new friends you make thanks to warm breakfast burritos.

The burners themselves are very easy to control with the adjustment knobs, and the temperatures are easy to control. The gas canister connections to the burners are well threaded to securely handle your gas bottle - something pretty important if your putting this over your shoulder as you walk. May want to keep them disconnected during transport in a car though, just for the peace of mind. The pot supporter is durable and I was able to put two medium-sized pots on without any worry. I made a pretty basic spaghetti one night, and to have the assurance to let the water boil and the sauce simmer while I used the included wooden cutting board to prepare the sauce. You usually need a cutting board when camping anyway, so to have this included and not add to my footprint of supplies was convenient. It also protects the burners and port supporter when not in use, which I thought was pretty clever.

I would have liked to have seen a self-ignition or Piezo iginiter-type offering with this product. Having to carry a BBQ lighter just to light the thing isn't inconvenient for car camping, but it's a nuisance for a day hike when you're trying to carry as little as possible to save weight. I also wish the cutting board was a better piece of wood. I've used the stove on three tips and I've had to oil the board twice. Not a huge time or expense, just something to remember to do to extend the life of the board. Wish I didn't have to do it as often though.

Overall, solid piece of gear. Great solution for those looking for home stove top-quality stoves to take outdoors without the price tag, weight or footprint issues of conventional camping stoves.

Just to update this since the last review had it closed. The road leading up to the summit is back open, but it is ROUGH. I had just done Rock Creek's drive up to dispersed near Dillon and thought that was bad, but this was worse. 

You will not be able to get anything low clearance or anything you're towing that does not have independent suspension + high clearance (I dropped my 18' TT at Walmart and went to scout - glad I did) While I was 1/4 up into the climb, a Sprinter Van was stopped at what is probably the worst portion of the road. If you can make it past that first choke point, you'll pass a park then walk-in camp site on the left and then shortly after another camp spot on the right that is more van friendly. Both are not good for trailers. It is after those two sites the road goes from bad to worse.

If you have a Camper on a F350 or high clearance + tent, it has some of the best views I've seen at a park spot. It's worth the drive up there for pictures if you're curious, but I would unhook anything you're carrying before doing so.

My son and I joined a friend from Longmont and headed to this trail to camp for a couple days. Very accessible road, lots of spots to choose from (we showed up on Thursday, it did get a little busier on Friday and Saturday). Our spot was set back from the trail, right next to the stream. Just an amazing view, ample room for lots of tents, nice fire rings and huge logs around them for sitting. Fire wood abounds but it was all a little wet still from the rains they've been getting. Some folks didn't seem to be aware of the "leave no trace" rule when it comes to going to the bathroom, which was a little gross. Overall, great experience, pretty trail views, caught lots of trout (none big enough to keep). A great getaway.