The Sargents area in central Colorado sits at elevations above 8,000 feet in the heart of the Rockies, offering summer temperatures that can drop below freezing at night even in July and August. Dispersed camping options and established campgrounds near Sargents provide access to the Taylor River, multiple hiking trails, and high-altitude lakes. The region experiences dramatic seasonal changes with late spring snowmelt often continuing through early June at higher elevations.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Explore the network of trails accessible directly from BV Overlook in nearby Buena Vista. "Turtle rock is a bit difficult to get to in an RV, but is a great spot with climbing mountain bike and hiking trails," notes Henry K., who visited this area with direct trail access.
Fishing access: Fish for trout along the Arkansas River or mountain lakes. "This campground is nestled in a beautiful section of forest with a pond on site," writes Katie H. about Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins, located within driving distance of Sargents.
High alpine hiking: Reach remote lakes at higher elevations from Gold Creek Campground. As camper Shawn notes, "Amazing hiking, camping, and fishing if you can make it to the lakes from the campgrounds. Atv 4x4 required to access lakes or a long hike."
Off-road exploration: Access extensive trail systems directly from Taylor Park Trading Post, where Jason S. reports, "Great place to stay and ride out of park. Camp host were very friendly and we look forward to going back next year."
What campers like
High altitude camping: Campers appreciate the cool mountain nights. "High altitude means cool to cold nights. Gorgeous area and park!" reports Eddie B. about Monarch Spur RV Park & Campground, a spot at 8,000 feet elevation.
Rustic accommodations: Several campgrounds offer yurt camping near Sargents, Colorado. Salida East Campground offers yurt options as an alternative to tent camping. "Clean, tidy and good amenities," writes Susy F. about the nearby facilities.
Family activities: Sites with organized events keep children entertained. "This is a wonderful campground with great hosts," notes Linda F. about BV Overlook, adding they enjoyed "Saturday night we had a ice cream social" and "a nice playground."
Riverside sites: Many campgrounds feature spots along water. "You can hear the river running almost everywhere in the park," writes Matt S., highlighting a key feature at Monarch Spur RV Park & Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal temperature variations: Prepare for significant temperature drops overnight, even in summer. "I came here planning on staying a couple of nights, but I think I'm going to go ahead and stay an entire week," writes Allen B. about Turtle Rock Campground, adding, "AT&T 4G and 5G great reception."
Reservation requirements: Many sites now require advance bookings. "Turtle Rock used to be free dispersed camping but not anymore. See Recreation.gov for sites and reservations," advises Brian B.
Remote locations: Limited services require planning. "Remote, it's about 30 minutes to drive to town Salida. Very cute bigger town with gas, groceries etc," shares Sarah F. about Cutty's Resort.
Road conditions: Some areas require appropriate vehicles. "It is a bit bumpy getting to this point, but most awd cars/suvs should be ok if they go slow," explains Stephen T. about accessing Turtle Rock Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Choose campgrounds with built-in activities. "They have mini golf, a pool, a basketball court, and a game room. All are a tiny bit rundown but who cares-you're camping!" recommends Sarah F. about Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek.
Educational programs: Some sites offer organized activities for children. "They had young staff that organized hands on crafts and science experiment classes for all the kids to participate in who were staying that weekend," reports Thomas P. about Cutty's.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites provide nature observation. "This is a fantastic little campground," writes Allen B. about Turtle Rock, noting the area has "plenty of places to hike and explore."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for sites with adequate facilities. "The kids didn't want to go anywhere they were happy just to hang out here at the campground," observed another camper about the playground facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check site conditions before setup. "Our particular site was pretty unlevel but that's not the campground's fault," notes Sarah F. about her stay at Cutty's Resort.
Winter preparation: For cooler weather camping, protect water systems. "The temps were getting below freezing at night. Nice change from the Texas heat. The morning we left it was 23 degrees so protect your water lines," warns Jason S. from his experience at Taylor Park Trading Post.
Spacing considerations: Site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. "The spots are a little tight for the tents so I felt like I was right next to the neighbors," mentions Gregory R. about his experience at Gunnison KOA.
Hookup availability: Research what utilities are available. "All RV spots are full hookups with 30/50 amp power. Water pressure is good," reports Gary G. about Taylor Park Trading Post, noting its reliability for extended stays.
