Dispersed camping areas near Red Feather Lakes sit at elevations between 7,800 and 9,000 feet in Colorado's Roosevelt National Forest. Weather conditions can change rapidly year-round, with summer afternoon thunderstorms common and nighttime temperatures dropping significantly even in July and August. Most accessible sites are located along forest service roads 171, 173, and 517, extending north and west of the Red Feather Lakes village.
What to do
Hike local trails: Access hiking paths from several dispersed camping areas. At Elkhorn Creek Dispersed Camping, "There is a clearly marked parking lot with maps for the trails. From there you can hike in to find a number of clearly marked spots and many that are not. Maps at the trailhead will indicate camping areas and prohibited areas."
Fishing opportunities: Fish at small mountain lakes throughout the area. Near Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Dispersed Camping, one visitor mentions, "This area is in National Forest so it is free and there are no 'designated' spots but there are lots of spots where people have made fire pits. Beautiful views and you don't need 4x4."
Wildlife viewing: Watch for local animals during early morning and evening hours. A camper at Laramie River Road Dispersed noted, "Wildlife is abundant with tons of deer and moose in the area. Topography is Aspen wetlands and is beautiful. The road is a county dirt road but it is very well maintained and fairly wide."
What campers like
Natural features: Many campers appreciate the unique rock formations throughout the area. At Comanche Peak View Campground, a visitor explained they stayed in "a lovely, large, treed area with rock formations on one side and beautiful meadow views on the other."
Stargazing: Clear night skies offer excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper at Deadman Road - Dispersed Site reported, "Sunset was amazing, but the real show happened when the stars came out. I think it was the most stars I've ever seen. I definitely would camp here again for a quick weekend getaway."
Solitude options: Quieter camping can be found on weekdays or by traveling further on forest roads. A camper at Lost Lake Dispersed shared, "had to drive pretty far on some dirt roads to get to the location maps took us too... we only saw one car drive in while we were there and saw a set up not too far from where we stayed but besides that didn't hear or see anyone."
What you should know
Cell service: Coverage varies widely across the area. At Pingree Road Dispersed Camping, visitors report, "The road is also super well maintained so I was able to comfortably get to the campsite with a FWD low clearance sedan! Most of these sites already have fire rings set up and the views off some of these are awesome."
Road conditions: Roads can deteriorate after rain. One visitor to Poudre Canyon Road Camp noted, "Very quiet Monday to Thursday and heaving busy Friday to Sunday. These sites are too open for tent campers as there is no shade. Also bring plenty of water as there is none around without going back down the hill to the river."
Cleanliness concerns: Some sites need cleanup before use. At Lost Lake Dispersed, a camper advised, "Definitely check out your campsite before you decide on it. Ours had so much broken glass that we had to pick up the whole time and trash bags (full of gross things) scattered in the trees."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose sites away from steep drops or challenging terrain. A family at Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest reported, "We love taking our kids and dog camping out here. It is dispersed camping and it's first come first serve. There is a camp ground near by with a porta-potty and there is a small market about 10-20 miles away."
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife safety. The same visitor noted, "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. It does get cold at night even in summer as it's about 9,000 ft above sea level."
Swimming spots: Find swimming areas for hot days. One camper shared about Lost Lake Dispersed, "The lake itself is small, but had enough space for many groups of people to enjoy. Folks were swimming, paddle boarding, and we enjoyed a Colorado version of a 'Beach Day.'"
Tips from RVers
Campsite accessibility: RV access varies significantly between sites. A visitor to Laramie River Road Dispersed mentioned, "Further down the road you get it opens up with some nice areas to camp. I've seen most vehicles make their way down this road with no issue and that includes RVs w/ toy haulers."
Levelness considerations: Look for flatter areas for easier setup. At Deadman Road, one RVer found that "We saw one RV in a large site on the main road, but the better spots are up the hill where an RV wouldn't be able to reach. Definitely search for a good site, because there are lots if you explore the different roads."
Length limitations: Some roads have tight turns that limit larger RVs. A camper with a travel trailer noted at Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Dispersed Camping, "Stayed here over a weekend and wanted to stay longer. Pulled our 33' travel trailer and there were good spots off the road."
