Rustic camping near Rand, Colorado offers free primitive camping options throughout Arapaho National Forest at elevations between 8,000-9,000 feet. County Road 103 provides access to numerous dispersed sites around Chambers Lake, while the Stillwater Pass area features sites recovering from the 2020 East Troublesome Fire. Overnight temperatures drop significantly even in summer months due to the high altitude.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Chambers Lake Dispersed Camping provides access to both lake and stream fishing. "We fished a bit in Chambers and Lost Lake" notes one camper, who mentions that "a further drive up Rd 103 takes you to lots of stream fishing, hiking trails, and more dispersed camping."
Wildlife viewing: Stillwater Pass offers opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We were surrounded by wildlife the whole time with no other busy city noises. We saw a bunch of moose and even had one wander into our site," reports one camper. The area supports populations of moose, bears, elk and deer.
ATV riding: Forest Service roads throughout the region are open to off-highway vehicles. While camping at Stillwater Pass Grand Lake Colorado - Dispersed, one visitor noted the area has "vault toilets about 500 yds from stream" and is accessible for off-road exploration, though "road is closed just before creek crossing."
What campers like
Seclusion: Despite fire damage, many campers appreciate the quiet. At Dispersed Camping Apiatan Mtn, one reviewer described the spot as "Gorgeous spot amidst burn scar. As a result, no shade/cover but temperatures are cool enough even in mid-June."
Mountain views: Sites near Walden Reservoir provide expansive vistas. One camper describes their experience: "Beautiful views of the mountains and lake" with "relatively flat land" that makes for easy setup. The open terrain allows for unobstructed night sky viewing.
Forest recovery: The natural regrowth after wildfires interests some visitors. At Stillwater Pass, a camper noted "The burn scar is not as bad as it used to be and things are growing back!" showing the forest's resilience after the 2020 fire damage.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Multiple campgrounds report significant insect populations. At FR-302 Dispersed Camping - Rabbit Ears Pass, a camper warns, "My only complaint were the mosquitos. Tons. But if you have spray you'll be fine." Another mentions "They were pretty bad this time of the year. Bring bug spray, or better yet, a misquote tent."
Limited amenities: Most dispersed areas have no facilities. At Laramie River Road Dispersed camping, visitors note "It's dispersed so no bathrooms, cell service, and the closest amenities are towards Walden and the town of Rustic."
Road conditions: Forest roads vary in quality. Chambers Lake Dispersed Camping has "a wide well groomed road that could easily be driven by a 2WD car" according to one visitor, while other areas may require higher clearance vehicles.
Tips for camping with families
Lake access considerations: When camping with children at Chambers Lake, note the terrain. "We did walk down to the lake right behind our campsite. The bank is steep but passable by kids so most people can get down there and back up," reports one family.
Wildlife precautions: Laramie River Road Dispersed can provide wildlife encounters requiring proper preparation. "We have had full grown moose run through our camp site and there has been reports of black bears near by as well as elk and deer," notes one camper with children.
Weather preparation: Pack for cold nights regardless of season. "It does get cold at night even in summer as it's about 9,000 ft above sea level," warns a family camping at Laramie River Road Dispersed.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger rigs near Chambers Lake, specific areas work better than others. "For larger rigs keep on driving. Once you get to the end of the lake, keep driving about 1.5 to 2 miles, you will see a turn off to the right. Take it. Here you will see many Large sites that could easily accommodate an RV and trailer."
Clearance requirements: At Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite, a camper mentions "The sites were large. We found a nice spacious one a little off the road, there was a ditch between the road and the site so some higher clearance helped avoid scraping."
Limited cell service: Prepare for communication limitations. At Laramie River Road Dispersed, campers report "There is no cell service" while others note varying coverage depending on location and carrier.
