Dispersed camping sites near Rockvale, Colorado offer varied terrain with elevations ranging from 5,300-7,500 feet across several public land areas. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-90s during day and drop to the 50s at night, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. The area's red rock formations and pinyon-juniper woodlands create distinctive camping environments with limited shade.
What to do
Tunnel exploration on scenic byways: Phantom Canyon Road features historic tunnels that make for memorable drives. One camper noted, "The tunnels were also super cool to go under. I highly recommend this sight to everyone! Especially families!" Another visitor at Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites mentioned they "drove out to phantom canyon gold belt tour... We camped next to Eight Mile Creek and the tunnel."
Rock scrambling and hiking: Red rock formations provide excellent terrain for low-impact exploration. "There are plenty of rocks to scramble up on for a view of the formations that are public," reports one visitor to Red Canyon Park. For more established trails, East Ridge offers "beautiful trails with some amazing views" according to a camper who "found some great trails with some amazing views."
Stargazing without light pollution: The remote setting delivers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. A camper described Phantom Canyon as having "stunning views of the canyon and great star gazing," while another noted "no service, no noise, just the sound of the creek and an occasional car driving by."
What campers like
Natural seclusion with creek access: Multiple campers value the quiet settings with water features. At Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites, one visitor found "a place tucked back away from the road and felt completely secluded from the world" while another described finding "an amazing camp site that was down a slope... There was 5 different camp site areas at the bottom right next to the water."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region hosts abundant wildlife. At Mountaindale Cabin & RV Resort, campers report, "We saw deer wander around the campsites every morning and evening" and another mentioned "large spread out sites. Beautiful wildlife right by our site."
Fishing in small streams: Local creeks offer trout fishing opportunities. One visitor to Grape Creek - Temple Canyon Park shared, "It's a small stream but it's sure as hells got some trout in it! I've been fishing this stream since I was a kid, and I still have a good time there."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require careful navigation. A camper at Phantom Canyon warned, "It took us three attempts to get our overweight 2-wheel drive van up the hill and back onto the road. There are a lot of loose rocks." Another at Temple Canyon Park stated bluntly, "There is no warning on how these roads are!! Please do not bring any trailers or rvs out here as they will not fit/fall off of the windy roads."
Limited cell service in remote areas: Communication becomes challenging at several sites. At East Ridge Campground - Royal Gorge, a visitor noted spotty connections, while a Mountaindale camper mentioned "cell service which was nonexistent but they did have free internet which was a satisfactory alternative."
Insect pressure can be intense: Biting insects are commonly reported. A Phantom Canyon visitor warned, "The worst and only bad part was the insane amount of biting flies. It was unbearable at times and our dogs were very stressed from them all over them. Bring those fly bags that attract them away from you."
Tips for camping with families
Look for educational trail systems: Some areas offer learning opportunities for kids. The Royal Gorge area features "nice spots with fishing, biking, and boating" according to one visitor, while another at Arkansas Point Campground noted, "The area has a lot of wildlife and bird watching."
Choose sites away from traffic: For safety with young explorers, select spots set back from roads. One Phantom Canyon visitor highlighted that after setting up camp "we didn't have to worry about them being near the roads," while another recommended sites where "you're secluded from the road and have a lot of tree coverage for hot days."
Consider weather timing carefully: Plan around temperature extremes and storms. A visitor to East Ridge Campground warned, "We went end of May. We would not camp here much later than that as it starts to get very hot," while others noted rapid temperature fluctuations between day and night.
Tips from RVers
Select proper rig size for terrain: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles. At Phantom Canyon, campers advise checking vehicle capabilities before arriving, with one noting "4WD not necessary but always recommended in Colorado."
Invest in water filtration systems: Water quality varies significantly. A camper at Haggards RV Campground noted "water system needs work; well water has rust and sediment, be prepared!" while others recommend bringing your own water for primitive sites.
Seek level terrain for overnight stays: Many dispersed sites require careful positioning. One RVer at Royal Gorge RV Resort appreciated that "the sites were level and well-kept" while a Mountaindale visitor noted "we were in our Ford F-150 and kept it on 2WD the whole time."
