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Best Dispersed Camping near Redstone, CO

381 Reviews

Several dispersed camping options exist in the White River National Forest surrounding Redstone, Colorado. Four Mile Road Dispersed provides primitive sites about 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs, while Coal Creek Road offers pull-offs along a creek just outside Redstone. Other options include Lead King Basin Dispersed camping and dispersed sites near Lincoln Gulch. The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness allows backcountry camping with permit requirements, particularly along hiking routes like the Four Pass Loop and Cathedral Lake Trail.

Access roads to dispersed sites vary significantly in quality and difficulty. Four Mile Road is generally well-maintained but becomes increasingly rough with elevation gain, potentially requiring high-clearance vehicles for the more remote sites. Most areas have no amenities—no toilets, running water, trash service, or hookups. Fire restrictions are common, particularly during dry summer months. Sites typically feature primitive fire rings where fires are permitted. Camping is generally limited to 14 days within a 30-day period on national forest land.

Dispersed camping near Redstone provides seclusion and natural beauty, with many sites positioned near creeks or offering mountain views. Cell service is virtually nonexistent in most areas, creating a true disconnect from technology. Wildlife sightings are common, including turkeys, foxes, and occasionally larger mammals. During peak summer weekends, arriving early is essential as the limited number of established pull-offs fill quickly. "No cell service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs. The road was easy no need for high clearance or 4wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee," noted one Four Mile Road camper.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Redstone, Colorado (91)

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379 Photos of 91 Redstone Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Redstone, CO

381 Reviews of 91 Redstone Campgrounds

  • Matthew V.
    Oct. 9, 2020

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    Easy drive. Tons of sites

    Had a quick stop over here on the way to Dinosaur National Monument. No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs. There are no facilities ie: Toilets, power, water or fire pits. The road was easy no need for high clearance or 4wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee. Only 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs. Would stay again 9/10 would recommend.

    Remember to pack in pack out.

  • robherr The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2018

    Hubbard Mesa OHV East - BLM

    For a free campsite in Southwest Colorado, it's not bad

    Hubbard Mesa area is an off highway vehicle area that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

    There's not much in this area except a small little campsite right off the road. I didn't explore all the rest of the HOV cuz I wasn't in a four-wheeler, but it was perfect for an overnight stay on a motorcycle trip to Sturgis.

    The Road in is dirt and there are no durable paved surfaces anywhere, so I would imagine if it had rained this would be a muddy mess.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2023

    Forest Road 130

    Absolutely awesome

    Stunningly beautiful dispersed camping at its best. To find the most precious spot you need to get to Forest service Road 130 S as in South. There is a forest service ranger station on the south side of Leadville where you can get a motor vehicle use map MVUM. But even without a map the roads are marked. 130 starts near Highway 24 on the west side across from massive lakes, near a large bank of mailboxes. You'll see a sign asking you to respect the private property owners rights. Just keep going up the hill and you will find the forest service signage indicating the public lands. Many people don't go much further. But the truly spectacular sites are a couple miles further. The roads are narrow and steep but manageable. Keep going down 130 until you reach an intersection with 130A and 130 B, A goes north and B goes south. But keep going till you reach a T intersection. 160 goes north and 130 S goes south. Go left, south till you reach a slightly challenging switch back. Just on the other side of the switchback is a wide open space with room for many rigs including good size trailers. Very quiet with very little traffic of any kind. The Leadville 100 foot race goes right by every August.

  • Morgan Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2020

    Brush Creek Dispersed - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Beautiful Dispersed Camping Near MTB Trails

    Travel a few miles down Brush Creek Trail. After passing Strand Hill MTB trail you will get to a split in the road. The left turn will take you up a deeply rutted 4WD road towards Teocalli Ridge MTB trail. Lots of beautiful camping on this road. But it can be tough sledding when it is wet. If you stay to the right you will get to a flat where many people will camp. You can get a smaller RV/Trailer/Sprinter here very easily. If you are intrepid - and have a good 4WD with some clearance - you can continue through the creek and up the hill where superb, quiet dispersed camping exists. 

    Leave no trace.

  • Jeff L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    4 mile dispersed

    There are many sites all over the place up there. Some are big enough for groups of RV's some are small, private tent spots. Some offer magicians views others are in dense vegetation along water. We found no cell reception for miles. There are easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails". No services, no running water, no electric, no cable TV, no bathrooms, no showers, no dump stations, no picnic tables, etc. It's the forest.

  • Alex V.
    Oct. 19, 2020

    Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground

    Capable rig

    The sites are plentiful large, but you’ll require a decent 4x4 vehicle to get you there. The further along the path you travel, the more rugged it becomes; so most people seemingly settled for the first few spots. Personally, site 5, 8, and 11 are best. Almost every site has a bear-proof box you can store food (or hide?) within, which is nice. Sites are also far enough apart to mitigate any privacy concerns, and albeit the current fire ban - come equipped with existing fire pits.

  • Anthony P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2020

    Chaffee County Road 390 Dispersed

    Dispersed camping near great hike

    Located near the town of Granite, this forest service road is host to trailheads and lots of dispersed camping. Off of highway 24 you will find Clear Creek Reservoir, this is a great spot to do some fishing form the shore or in a boat. There is also an established campground beyond the lake that is forest service run and does cost money. However if you keep driving for a few miles the road will open up to free dispersed camping. 

    We showed up on friday at around 4 pm and it was packed! Spots range in size from one care to huge areas big enough for 20 cars and we saw just that. Lots of big camp trips happening. That being said, the camping was still pretty good despite all the people. We managed to find a spot next to another couple in a little turn off. Some groups were parked on the road and walked into the trees to set up a spot. It was kind of a free for all back there. 

    With all those people and trailheads to several 14ers on the road, there ware many cars driving by. It did stay pretty active until later in the night. 

    Campsites: Dispersed with no amenities. No metal fire rings, picnic tables, restrooms or trash bins. Restrooms were located at a trail head but on one set. 

    We enjoyed the spot, it was a little dusty but not terrible. Perfect spot if you are trying to hike Belford, Oxford, Missouri or Huron. Road was in good condition, any car will make it.

  • Anthony P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2018

    Lake Constantine Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful Lake Spot

    Lake Constantine sits about 4 miles off of Tigiwon Rd outside of the town of Minturn. These camp spots are only accessible by hiking in. The lake can get fairly busy on weekends in the summer but the weekdays are usually quiet. We spent a night up there in early July and saw 1 other person on a Monday night. The hike to the lake was fairly easy, takes about 2 hours each way and climbs roughly 1300 ft. Upon leaving the parking lot you MUST fill out the overnight camping sheet and attach a tag to yourself. This is your permit for the night and it is free.

    Spots are laid out along the edge of the lake on either side and are not numbered or marked. This is a first come, first served area. The spot we found was to the left side of the lake right off of the trail and had enough room for a couple tents. Coincidentally, this is the same spot where many of our friends have camped as well. I would say this is one of the better areas. There was a pre made rock fire ring that sat against a rock to reflect heat back (we went during Colorado's 2018 summer long fire ban), so we could not take advantage of this and had no fire this weekend.

    The lake itself is very large and offers some amazing high alpine fishing. We caught many trout while fly fishing throughout the day and night.Dry flies worked very well at dusk. Because of the lake and the creek, the mosquitoes in this area are bad. BRING BUG SPRAY!

    Remember, this area is only accessible by backpacking in and there are no camping amenities. Lake Constantine sits in US Forest Service land so you must obey all forest service rules and closures when in place. Overall, amazing spot. Great for a night getaway or for someones first backpacking trip.

  • K
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Twin Lake Dispersed Area - Grand Valley Rd

    Beautiful and Quiet

    I was up there on a Tuesday-Wednesday so it was very quiet and there was no one else at the site. It’s right on the water although there is a drop off you have to climb down, but it’s not bad. There were some cattle that walked through as I was setting up but otherwise very chill. All sites had areas for parking and fire rings. Driving off the forest road and onto the small road getting up to the campsite, 4WD isn’t required but highly recommended, it is a very rough road. High clearance is necessary. The sites seemed kinda close to each other however there are trees and stumps that define each site. Amazing views, light rain, and still my favorite forest.

Guide to Redstone

Dispersed camping options near Redstone, Colorado range from easily accessible sites to challenging backcountry locations requiring high-clearance vehicles. These free camping areas sit at elevations between 7,000-10,000 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during days and dropping to 40-50°F at night. Most rustic camping spots near Redstone require visitors to be completely self-sufficient with no facilities available except at a few select locations.

What to do

Fishing streams and alpine lakes: The area's waterways offer excellent trout fishing opportunities without crowds. At Overland Reservoir Dispersed, "Stocked reservoir with rainbow and brook trout. Smaller fish but fun fishing," notes one camper, though they recommend bringing "bug spray as the mosquitoes are pretty bad here."

Mountain biking on forest roads: Many campers use their sites as basebases for cycling. "Lots of hikers & bikers in the area," mentions a reviewer at Pearl Pass Dispersed Camping, which offers multiple numbered sites with different accessibility levels.

Wildlife watching: The mountains around Redstone provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Washington Gulch, one camper reported: "We even saw 3 bears (from afar with binos) and a ton of elk! Deer were very curious and coming into our site. They are so sneaky!"

What campers like

Private creek access: Several sites offer personal water access. At Pearl Pass, site 7 stands out as a "really large space and has a path to your own private creek area," according to a camper who strongly recommends this specific spot.

Mountain views: Washington Gulch Dispersed Camping delivers panoramic scenery. "The campsite offered a breathtaking view of Gothic Mountain, surrounded by a mix of RVs, campervans, and car campers," writes one reviewer who enjoyed watching cows grazing peacefully around their site.

Stargazing opportunities: The remote nature of rustic camping near Redstone creates optimal night sky viewing. At Overland Reservoir, one camper enjoyed seeing "trout jumping, and the milky way" during their stay, highlighting the minimal light pollution in this area.

What you should know

Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to many prime sites requires proper vehicles. At Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground, "The road follows Lincoln Creek and the creek is indeed so beautiful... However, it is very hard to access and the road is very scary in places." Another camper notes "4WD a must, I wouldn't take an RV up there unless its a sprinter!"

Arrive early during peak seasons: Popular dispersed sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "We got their around 8 and it took us awhile to find a spot in a truck but we eventually did an was worth it," reports a Washington Gulch camper, while another notes: "We came on a Sunday-Monday and not a lot of campers."

Wildlife precautions essential: Bears are common throughout the area. Lincoln Creek provides "bear-proof boxes, but no other amenities," reports one camper who adds "We never saw bears, but often woke to new claw marks on the trees so make sure to keep a clean campsite!"

Tips for camping with families

Choose numbered sites when possible: For more established camping options with children, seek out designated sites. At Pearl Pass, a camper notes, "A sign tells you only the numbered sights 1-9 are authorized for fires in metal pits," making these locations better regulated for families requiring fire access.

Enjoy stream exploration: Kids love water play opportunities. One Four Mile Road Dispersed visitor enjoyed the "Cute river running throughout" noting that camping spots are "the definition of dispersed as they are quite far from each other."

Pack extra layers year-round: Mountain nights get cold even in summer. A Four Mile Road camper advises, "There are no facilities ie: Toilets, power, water or fire pits," meaning families need to be fully self-sufficient with appropriate gear for changing temperatures.

Tips for RVers

Check clearance requirements carefully: Many dispersed areas have challenging access. At Basalt Mountain Dispersed, a camper confirms "Multiple sites up here for camping. Trailer/RV friendly," making it one of the more accessible options for larger vehicles.

Identify turnaround points: RVers should scout ahead or research thoroughly. "We actually enjoy the sometimes scary Independence Pass drive, but if mountain roads make you nervous, avoid this spot," warns a Lincoln Creek camper, adding that some sites require "technical driving skills" to reach.

Find level parking spots: Even accessible areas can have uneven terrain. "When it's not a busy time of the year you can find some amazing spots out here," notes a Washington Gulch camper, suggesting that patience in site selection benefits RVers looking for flatter areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites in Redstone, CO?

Dispersed camping around Redstone is truly primitive, offering a genuine backcountry experience with minimal amenities. At Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground, you'll find large sites that include bear-proof boxes at almost every location, though you'll need a 4x4 vehicle to access them. The terrain becomes more rugged the further you travel along the path. At Hubbard Mesa OHV East - BLM, expect basic sites with no facilities whatsoever—no toilets, power, water, or established fire pits. Most dispersed sites in the region follow this pattern: established camp rings may exist, but you'll need to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Cell service is typically unavailable, particularly as you venture deeper into these areas.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Redstone, Colorado?

The Redstone area offers several excellent dispersed camping options. Lead King Basin Dispersed provides free camping with drive-in access near Redstone. For those willing to venture a bit further, Four Mile Road Dispersed offers numerous sites ranging from spacious areas for RV groups to private tent spots along water. Many sites are accessible via the main gravel roads, while more secluded spots require traversing through denser vegetation. Additionally, areas like Coal Creek Road and Washington Gulch provide dispersed camping opportunities within driving distance of Redstone. Most of these sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early during peak seasons is recommended.

When is the best season for dispersed camping in Redstone, Colorado?

The prime season for dispersed camping near Redstone is late spring through early fall (mid-May through September), when mountain roads are clear of snow and temperatures are moderate. At Jack's Cabin Pass, summer offers accessible conditions, though high clearance vehicles are recommended even in optimal weather. Forest Road 130 provides stunning camping during summer months when higher elevations become accessible. Weather can change rapidly in the Colorado mountains, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer and early snow possible by late September. Fall brings spectacular foliage but cooler nights. Most dispersed areas become inaccessible during winter and early spring due to snow accumulation and muddy conditions during the thaw.

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