Public lands surrounding Rangely, Colorado offer several tent camping options, ranging from free dispersed tent campsites to primitive campgrounds within driving distance, including Rainbow Park in Dinosaur National Monument. The best tent campsites in the area span flat sagebrush terrain with panoramic views and backcountry solitude, requiring campers to bring all water, food, and firewood. The North of Dinosaur CR16 dispersed sites provide free primitive tent camping with multiple spots tucked along grassy double tracks off the main road. These walk-in tent sites require no permits and allow campfires, though they lack amenities like drinking water or toilets.
Most tent campsites in the region feature basic fire rings but minimal facilities. The North of Dinosaur CR16 sites sit on flat, grassy terrain with limited shade among sagebrush. Access roads are generally smooth dirt, passable with standard vehicles in dry conditions, though some areas become impassable when wet. Rainbow Park Campground, located down a 20-mile dirt road, offers four primitive tent campsites with pit toilets but no running water. Campers should bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water, food, and firewood, as services are not available at these remote locations. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most backcountry tent camping areas.
Tent campers frequently report exceptional solitude at these sites. According to reviews, even during holiday weekends, Rainbow Park Campground often has minimal occupancy, with one camper noting they "had only one neighbor" during Labor Day weekend. The North of Dinosaur CR16 sites offer panoramic views but can be windy, with one visitor describing the location as "quiet and clean" with "beautiful views." Night skies provide excellent stargazing opportunities, particularly at Rainbow Park where the Milky Way is clearly visible. Wildlife sightings are common, with elk herds occasionally spotted near Rainbow Park and deer frequently seen throughout the region. The primitive nature of these tent-only sites appeals to those seeking a true backcountry camping experience away from developed facilities.
"Smooth dirt road leading to short turn off loop with a fire ring. Peaceful low-mid T-Mobile."
"Just randomly driving thru Colorado and run into Dinasaur and a peaceful off grid place to camp. No one around. No one else on the planet. Great place to stop."
"We visited on a busy weekend (labor day weekend) and we only had 1 neighbor. This made for a very quiet, relaxing stay."
"Crept in driving a Honda about 15 mph on the 20+ mile dirt road. Just when I thought I couldn’t go any further, that I was hopelessly lost, I saw the sign pointing to the campground."
from $12 / night
"Located just off US 40 on the road to Dear Park Campground. Far enough off the highway that not much road noise was heard. Nice views of rural grazing land."
"It's right off the highway, and a mostly level, paved lot. Perfect for a weary traveler to spend the night. No facilities, but I wasn't expecting any. Full bars of Verizon coverage."
GuideThe campground for what it is great. Usually clean and maintained. Location is pretty lame unless your staying here for the fishing. Usually hot and windy. Lots of bugs. So unless your staying here to fish I would pass and go somewhere nicer or with a view.
GuideI'd been traveling all day, from South Dakota to Moab when I came across this little gem. It's right off the highway, and a mostly level, paved lot. Perfect for a weary traveler to spend the night. No facilities, but I wasn't expecting any. Full bars of Verizon coverage. I couldn't ask for better
ScoutIncredible scenery of DNM on display, site was right next to access road but no nighttime traffic at all. I would be concerned with a 2wd if it rained, I had great weather and this site was elevated. I would not have driven my van on that access road if it was muddy or slippery. Water facilities at visitors center or nearby campgrounds, 5-10 min drive. 4 wheelers/atvs not allowed in DNM land or roads.
TravelerThis place still has trails being built in and around the grounds. Price is right, just $10!!! The bathrooms (pit toilets)are super clean. All sites come with table and fire ring. Some with covered tables. Trails for riding or running right at the entrance to the cg.
ScoutFew spots betteen road and Green River. Some Mosquitos . Not so much noise. Ok for one or two night. I collected few trash in a bag. Cell signal good. Real blm ?
GuideWow, what an amazing camping spot! Meeker City Park is absolutely lovely, so clean and green—something the city should really be proud of. Thanks so much for sharing this hidden gem with us travelers passing through! The grounds are beautiful, and I was pleasantly surprised by the cleanest pit toilet that actually smelled good. The RV hookups are conveniently located in the parking lot before the bridge, and the tent spots are just across it. I slept so peacefully—such a restful night! Oh, and the Italian restaurant within walking distance has incredible pizza, and their red sauce is so good, I wanted to lick every last drop. I’ll definitely be back for another visit!
ScoutCouldn’t find it. Coordinates took us to a boat ramp.
LegendGets crowded during day with rafting OF. Beautiful CG in the canyon on the river. I had no issue with my 32 ft rig navigating the roads. Fishing, hiking and nature all around. Mosquitoes get annoying early morning and sunset. But the nights are beautiful and peaceful.
TravelerLike it says, small campground and all the spots are close. Lovely view of the river, water is a nice temp for swimming when it's hot out. Super close to some of the best petroglyphs in the park, but be sure to check out the cub creek ones too. We pulled our 19ft travel trailer in here, the gravel road was in good condition
Tent camping near Rangely, Colorado offers remote backcountry experiences on BLM land and within Dinosaur National Monument. The area sits at approximately 5,300 feet elevation with a semi-arid climate characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and minimal rainfall. Weather patterns can change rapidly in this high desert region, with temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night common during spring and fall camping seasons.
Explore petroglyphs: A short drive from Rainbow Park Campground brings visitors to remarkable ancient rock art. "There are amazing petroglyphs a short drive down the road" notes camper Gina J., who recommends making time for this cultural experience.
River activities: While personal watercraft require permits, the Green River offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities from shore. "You can park your car abut to the site, increasing ease of access to things stored in there, and walk down to the rocky beach for some toe-dipping," explains Lis G., though she cautions, "you are not allowed to launch boats from there (even kayaks) without a permit, as the water gets fast quickly past the beach."
Stargazing: The remote locations provide exceptional dark sky viewing with minimal light pollution. Grant M. describes the experience at Rainbow Park: "Absolutely pitch black out. There was no one here and no one for miles. Great view of the Milky Way. Totally silent."
Exceptional solitude: North of Dinosaur CR16 dispersed sites offer remarkable isolation even during peak seasons. "Just randomly driving thru Colorado and run into Dinasaur and a peaceful off grid place to camp. No one around. No one else on the planet," reports Jay U., highlighting the appeal of true backcountry camping.
Multiple site options: The dispersed camping areas often have more sites than initially apparent. Katherine C. explains, "This location as more camping spots available down CR16 past the GPS waypoint. The site at the waypoint has 2-3 more sites tucked back down the grassy double track you can see from the initial pull-off."
Convenient staging location: Despite remoteness, campsites provide strategic positioning for monument exploration. "I drove further down the road slightly over the utah border and it was silent and serene with beautiful views. All the spots available on this road were gorgeous," notes Cas M. about the cross-border camping options.
Access considerations: Many campsites require driving significant distances on unmaintained roads. Faye N. advises about North of Dinosaur CR16, "No shade, rocky, need a 4WD for some of the uphills. 10 miles to the sites on a dirt road if you come from the northwest."
Weather preparedness: The area experiences significant temperature fluctuations and wind. "Great views from any site, if windy," notes Katherine C., while John N. describes conditions as "Top of a hill, sagebrush, no shade," indicating the exposure to elements.
Resource planning: All supplies must be brought in, including firewood which is scarce. "There is little firewood around these sites, bring your own from in town," recommends Lis G., adding "Closest grocery store is the Walmart in Vernal, UT."
Bug protection: Insect activity can be intense near water sources during certain seasons. "Bring bug spray! The mosquitoes are vicious here," warns Lis G. from her experience at Rainbow Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Rainbow Park Campground offers potential animal sightings for children. "If you're lucky, you will come across the herd of elk roaming the grounds," shares Gina J., noting this unexpected highlight for family camping.
Site spacing awareness: At established campgrounds, proximity to other campers can affect the experience. Jeff K. cautions, "Rainbow Park Campground is 4 sites that are very close together offering almost NO privacy," information particularly relevant for families with active children.
Road condition monitoring: Weather dramatically impacts accessibility for larger vehicles. "Road is easily accessible by sedans, SUV's etc…just not in the rain (the road will easily wash out)," notes Lis G., a critical consideration for RV travel planning.
Limited turnaround space: The remote road endings provide few opportunities for large vehicle maneuvering. "Crept in driving a Honda about 15 mph on the 20+ mile dirt road. Just when I thought I couldn't go any further, that I was hopelessly lost, I saw the sign pointing to the campground," recounts Grant M., illustrating the challenging navigation.
Communication preparation: Emergency planning is essential due to isolation. "Make sure your gas tank is full as there is no cell reception at the campsite," advises Gina J., while John N. reports "Peaceful low-mid T-Mobile" service at North of Dinosaur CR16, providing useful connectivity information for different areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rangely, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rangely, CO is North of Dinosaur CR16 - Dispersed Site with a 4.4-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Rangely, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Rangely, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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