Dispersed camping areas near Ridgway, Colorado provide free overnight options on public lands at elevations ranging from 7,000-11,000 feet. Most sites sit within the Uncompahgre National Forest and adjacent BLM lands, where summer temperatures average 70-80°F during days and drop to 40-50°F at night. Road conditions vary significantly by season, with spring snowmelt creating muddy conditions through mid-June.
What to do
Explore ghost towns: The Ironton Park Dispersed camping area provides access to preserved mining structures. One visitor noted, "The ghost town comes before the campground and we did attempt to go to the campground but in one spot we couldn't see what was on the other side of our hood of our truck and chose to turn around... We camped behind the brothel, which is one of the only buildings still fully standing."
Hike alpine trails: Blue Lakes Trailhead Dispersed camping offers direct access to wilderness hiking. According to a visitor: "The hike itself rewards adventurers with awe-inspiring views of alpine lakes, wildflowers, and rugged mountain terrain. It's perfect for those seeking an immersive backcountry experience."
Fish mountain lakes: Sites around Priest Lake provide fishing access, though catches may be limited. A camper reported: "We could see tiny fish jumping in the lake but none swimming. Fished for a while with no luck at all... put a wet fly on, a little young bug looking thing, and we got a bite. We switched to a smaller dry fly to mimic what was hatching and we caught one fish. A super small brook trout."
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Red Mountain Creek offers sites along flowing water. One camper shared: "This was our favorite site in our 10 day camping trip we did this summer. Camping right on the creek with a cool night breeze was amazing. It is a very busy spot but we found a spot on the creek for our RTT even pulling in late at night."
Night sky viewing: The high elevation and distance from light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities. A visitor to Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area stated: "The stars were BEAUTIFUL! This is a great spot for stargazers too."
Wildlife sightings: Many campers report seeing animals near their sites. At Portland Road Dispersed, one camper mentioned: "We saw deer and/or fox every morning and night, which was super cool. There is a creek that is difficult to access but provides some ambient outdoor noise."
What you should know
Road access varies widely: Many roads require specific vehicle capabilities. At Alta Lakes Campground, a visitor cautioned: "The road up is a bit rough. We managed it barely in all wheel drive vehicles but did get stuck for a bit at one point when we had to stop for someone on their way down."
Weather impacts: Mountain storms can create challenging conditions. One camper at Black Canyon Dispersed Camping warned: "Road can be rough, especially slippery mud after rain. Many dispersed sites with cleared space and fire rings along the road, which goes for miles."
Availability patterns: Sites fill predictably during peak seasons. One Last Dollar Road visitor shared: "I was there for a Tuesday night / Wednesday night and it was not crowded. Also, about .7 miles down the road is the trailhead for Alder Creek…which was a nice hike. I have AT&T and had good coverage here."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with natural features: Children enjoy exploring water features. At Priest Lake, one family reported: "The kids enjoyed being able to fish though with little supervision since the lake is really quite shallow and it's very close to the sites. It's a pretty place with very scenic views."
Plan for temperature swings: Bring appropriate clothing for all weather conditions. A camper at Last Dollar Road advised: "We camped here the first week of June and it was spectacular. The views were unreal!! Sadly it was pretty rainy that week but the storms were so cool to watch roll in, the clouds were basically our level."
Bring entertainment: Limited cell service means offline activities are essential. A visitor to Alta Lakes noted: "No Att cell service and very limited Verizon signal. you might make a call but no internet so bring some books, dvd's or hit the Redbox in town."
Tips from RVers
Parking limitations: Many sites have narrow access roads that restrict larger vehicles. At Box Factory Park, a visitor observed: "The road is very narrow with a steep drop off on one side, spots with larger rocks and ruts. Shouldn't have a problem with a 4Runner or similar, but use more/extreme caution with something like a Subaru."
Turnaround space: Some roads have limited options for larger vehicles to turn around. One Blue Lake Trailhead visitor reported: "After an 8.5 mile winding dirt road I got to a gate that was closed and said no entry. No room to turn around had to back down the narrow dirt road with my travel trailer for at least 2 miles."
Site selection timing: Arrive early to secure appropriate space. An Ironton Park camper advised: "Roughly 5 pull through RV sites at the beginning of the road. The further you got the more dispersed and smaller sites got good for our RTT set up. River runs through part of the area and was really flowing due to recent rains."
