Saguache is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Saguache is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Saguache camping trip.
Shavano Mountain
48 min away
Ventana Arch Dispersed Camp
48 min away
"Flat parking lot with trash bins and bathrooms. Beautiful view! 55 minutes to the Great Sand Dunes."
"The road wasn’t rough just a normal dirt road
But this was so pretty and quiet."
"We didn't make it all the way to the arch because that "road" was mostly giant rocks and we were renting our campervan. We drove past that turn and found a spot at 10:30pm."
"Do not route via Apple Maps, it will try to take you through a private road. Don’t follow the “major trail” signs, just find the side road this spot is on and drive up and you’ll find it."
"The road is very rocky & very rough, so you'll want to have decent clearance and be prepared to take it slow. I've never seen so many stars!"
"There were sites you could pull into off of the road, but we car camped along the side since we were leaving early. Finding a spot can be difficult, but the views and location are nice."
"Awesome group sites and very easy access to lake!"
"Several good spots with fire pits right near the trailhead. A few bugs in late August but nothing terrible. Very quiet except for the sound of the rushing creek."
"Was going to stop at the dispersed camping which is before this one. Decided to continue on and take my chances. So glad I did. Beautiful scenery, so quiet. It’s a mental escape."
"If you ever been to any of the BLM camping locations around Salida, Mt. Shavano is not anything different."
"Totally Boondocking, no hookups, but close to town to refill water and such."
"This is BLM land that's free to camp on for up to 14 days every 45 days. The camp sites are just off a dirt road that leads to the trailhead for hiking to Blanca Peak."
"We spent two nights here, in our camper van, while visiting the national park. It’s proximity is so great."
"Quite a few flat tent spots right by the creek although there are boulders from preventing you from driving too far into the woods."
"level, shaded, right by nice size creek. perfect for exploring and quiet. we were in tent but saw several largeRV. some traffic but never heard another person. were a few spots right next to us but we"
"Turn off Hwy 285 at “Mears Junction” and head up Marshall Pass Rd."
"Road is a tad washboarded/rocky but nothing hard to traverse, even if you're only driving a small suv. You go through private property at first but then it opens up to public access."
RangerBackcountry dispersed camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park offers an unforgettable and truly unique wilderness experience. If you’re seeking solitude and raw, untamed landscapes, this is the perfect spot to pitch your tent. With no designated sites, you have the freedom to find your ideal spot beyond the busy dunes and under an expansive star-filled sky.
The journey begins with a hike deep into the park’s rugged terrain, where you’re surrounded by towering sand dunes, alpine forests, and sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The lack of light pollution makes stargazing an absolute highlight—this is one of the best places to witness the Milky Way.
Keep in mind, this is true backcountry camping: no facilities, no water sources, and you must pack out all waste. Permits are required, so be sure to plan ahead. The environment can be challenging, with extreme temperature swings and strong winds that shift the sand beneath your feet. Good preparation and Leave No Trace practices are a must.
The rewards are well worth the effort. From sunrise hikes to the serene sound of nothing but wind across the dunes, this camping experience immerses you in nature’s raw beauty like few others can. It’s an adventure you’ll carry with you long after you’ve left the dunes behind.
Highly recommend skipping the tent and sleeping under the stars!
GuideThis is BLM land that's free to camp on for up to 14 days every 45 days. The camp sites are just off a dirt road that leads to the trailhead for hiking to Blanca Peak. The road gets pretty rough the further up you get, but there are plenty of large camp sites on the way up the mountain, some you'd have to home to if you decide to go to Blanca Peak. It's a fairly busy place as off-road vehicles and horse back riding are popular here. Beautiful views of the San Luis Valley, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Mt. Blanca. Definitely worth checking out of you're in the area. No shade or amenities, so bring everything you need with you and as always, leave no trace.
RangerWe camped here for 4 nights in August 2020. It was so peaceful. Big wide dispersed camping spaces. Plenty of nice hiking - especially Brown's Creek area. Great location with easy drive to Buena Vista & Salida & Mt. Princeton. The only drawback was, well, August dryness & no water nearby. This was our first dispersed camping experience and we realize no facilities. There is one bathroom near the Brown's Creek trailhead about 2 miles away from where we camped, but we had a camper. Also, no picnic tables at all. AND cows roam freely throughout the area - drive slowly & respect them - listen for moos & coyote howls. Great bird-watching too. We enjoyed it so much!!
LegendWe spent two nights here, in our camper van, while visiting the national park. It’s proximity is so great.
The area is easy to find, big and open and nearly all up the very upper parts are navigable by a regular car. There are some upper parts that could require 4WD and high clearance.
Our only complaints were how dusty is was and that there really were no trees so potentially not much privacy depending whom is camping around you. If you don’t have a bathroom….this could also be an issue. Not much in the way of tree cover if you are going in the wilderness.
We chose sites on the north side of the area, closer to the park and it seemed more private.
GuideTurn off Hwy 285 at “Mears Junction” and head up Marshall Pass Rd. The first few miles are through private property, but then it opens up into the National Forest, with dispersed campsites interspersed regularly along the roads. There are easy camper friendly spots, and tent spots, as well as some areas where a group could be easily accommodated. The views are fantastic, there are numerous trailheads, and Poncha Creek and other seasonal creeks are running beautifully.
LegendThis site is on Marshall Pass Road off of highway 285. The dispersed sites are near the intersection of Marshall Pass Road and Forest Service Rod 200. This intersection at the base off the access road up to Ohaver Lake Campground. The primitive sites are spread along the creek just off the Forest Service Road. Like many dispersed camps, the sites only have flat cleared areas with fire pits and no other amenities. The area is a great spot for ATV Riders to trailer into area as well as horse trailers to park and access the mountain roads and trails. The location is not the best for scenery and can get busy in the summer especially on weekends since it’s so close to the highway and Salida, Colorado.
GuideIf you ever been to any of the BLM camping locations around Salida, Mt. Shavano is not anything different. Some long dirt roads will lead you to multiple sites, though some of them are closer to people than I would want to be..
There is no water source, no trash, bathrooms, and it would be difficult to get a spot with an RV or trailer at this location. I did have decent cell service (AT&T).
One unfortunate thing I've noticed there was that it could be used as a dumpsite for illegal poachers. I saw numerous locations which had deer bones left but no head, as well as the area where presence of the animals sex was missing. I am debating reporting this to Colorado Parks and Wildlife as well as BLM to investigate.
Overall my stay was pleasant. There was still snow in the forecast at the end of the month of April when I was there. There was quite a few people there for a Tuesday, which was quite odd but I guess it's a popular area. Some of the residents looked more permanent, but I couldn't tell since I was just there for one night.
LegendThis spot is one of the best kept secrets for dispersed camping in Colorado. The road has plenty of camping spots all the way up to the lake. Most spots are wooded and offer plenty of shade. We were lucky enough to end up right along the river. If you keep driving down the road, you will end up at a stunning alpine lake basin that offers plenty of hiking. High clearance vehicle is necessary to get down this road.
GuideMedano Pass is the route it's believed that Pike took into the San Luis Valley, and is one of the only primitive roads accessing the valley. The road starts in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and runs over the mountain and exits on RT 69, or if you want an easy up and hard way down the mountain start off RT 69 and go to the dunes. From 69 to the top of the pass takes about an hour, and you only need high clearance 4 wheel drive for the last two miles of the 12 mile journey to the top. That's not the route we took.
We started at Point of No Return in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, don't worry there are plenty of places to turn back if you get nervous. There's DEEP sand throughout the first six miles, I aired down to 50 from 65, LOL. I figured I'd make it on 35's 12.5" wide, but I can definitely see where as the Sand ets softer I would have gone down to the recommended 20psi. If your going over the mountain have an air compressor to fill your tires when you get to the rocks. There's air at the ampitheater parking lot at the National Park, but no air on RT 69 until you get to a gas station at least twenty miles away.
We made it no issues, buy squeezing a super crew cab, F 250 through was TIGHT! It was FUN though, and my God the place is breathtaking!
Campsites start about five miles in and are spread all the way to the top of Medano Pass. This is National Preserve land, and it is primitive camping. There are fire pits and bear boxes, use the bear boxes as bear encounters are frequent. The sites are clearly marked, and nice size. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TAKE A TRAILER, if you do you won't make it, I promise you that.
The Park, Preserve, and Forrest boundaries are clearly marked. To camp along the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Preserve area of the road you must have a permit, free at the visitor center. I suggest reservations. After the Preserve it is a National Forrest and its first come first serve primitive camping only. You can stay for up to 14 days, as with most National land.
The 12 mile trip up from the Park takes about 4 hours, yes it's that rough. AND you will stop alot to take in the amazing views.
Even if you don't camp, take the drive, it's worth it. You will need high clearance 4 wheel drive, all wheel drive will not cut it here.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Saguache, Colorado, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. Enjoy the freedom of choosing your own spot while exploring the stunning landscapes and outdoor activities the area has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any fees or permits required for dispersed camping in Saguache?
Most dispersed camping in Saguache County is free, but regulations vary by land management agency. On BLM land like Sacred White Shell Mountain, camping is free for up to 14 days in a 45-day period. Similarly, Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area follows typical BLM dispersed camping rules with no fees. For camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park backcountry, permits are required and can be obtained at the visitor center. While most dispersed sites don't require specific permits or reservations, always check current regulations with the managing agency (Forest Service, BLM, or National Park Service) before setting up camp, as rules may change seasonally.
Where can I find dispersed camping in Saguache County, Colorado?
Saguache County offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities. Marshall Pass Dispersed is accessible by turning off Highway 285 at Mears Junction and heading up Marshall Pass Road, with numerous sites spread along the roads after passing through private property. Road 240 - Dispersed is another excellent option with plenty of camping spots along the route leading up to a lake, many offering wooded areas for shade and some sites along the river. Other popular areas include the Medano Pass Primitive Road in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, Sacred White Shell Mountain on BLM land, and Browns Creek South area which offers wide camping spaces with access to hiking trails.
What amenities or facilities are available at dispersed camping sites near Saguache?
Dispersed camping sites near Saguache are typically primitive with minimal to no amenities. Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping offers peaceful, wide spaces but lacks water sources, especially during dry months. Similarly, The Dunefield in Great Sand Dunes National Park provides a unique wilderness experience but has no designated sites or facilities. Most dispersed areas in the region don't provide trash service, restrooms, potable water, or hookups. You'll need to pack in all necessary supplies, including water, and pack out all waste. Some areas like Old Spanish Trail offer spacious areas for multiple vehicles with scenic views, but you should plan to be completely self-sufficient with all camping necessities.
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