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Best Dispersed Camping near Somerset, CO

269 Reviews

The western slope near Somerset, Colorado features predominantly dispersed camping options on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest lands. Black Canyon Dispersed Camping and Overland Reservoir provide free primitive sites within 30-45 minutes of Somerset, while Coal Creek Road Dispersed Camping offers higher-elevation options. Most sites are accessible via dirt roads that branch off Highway 133, with established fire rings but minimal other amenities. The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, approximately 25 miles southwest, provides riverside camping with picnic tables and vault toilets, offering a slightly more developed alternative while maintaining the area's rugged character.

Road conditions vary significantly by season, with many access routes requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain or snowmelt. As one camper noted, "The roads further in are 'fun.' My stock-wheeled SUV did OK on them, but if you have a trailer, it might be hard to turn around." Winter access is extremely limited due to snow accumulation at higher elevations, while summer brings afternoon thunderstorms that can quickly turn dirt roads to mud. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with most areas having limited or no coverage. The 14-day stay limit applies to most public lands, and seasonal fire restrictions are strictly enforced during dry periods, typically from June through September.

Wildlife sightings are common at campsites throughout the area, with deer, moose, and occasional black bears reported by campers. "We saw tons of wildlife every day right across the river from our camp chairs—deer, moose, and a bear," reported one visitor to a nearby site. Star-gazing opportunities are exceptional due to minimal light pollution, particularly at higher elevations. Fishing access is available at Overland Reservoir, which is stocked with rainbow and brook trout, though one reviewer cautioned, "Bring bug spray as the mosquitoes are pretty bad here." Most sites fill quickly on summer weekends, but midweek availability remains good even during peak season. The lack of amenities means proper preparation is essential—all sites require visitors to pack out trash and bring their own water.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Somerset, Colorado (51)

    1. Black Canyon Dispersed Camping

    57 Reviews
    Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO
    30 miles
    Website

    "This was my first time using Dyrt and accessing BLM/public land. The campgrounds at Black Canyon OTG were packed and hotels in the area were outrageously priced (2-star hotel for $200)."

    "Nestled right on the access road to Black Canyon of The Gunnison NP, camps did not require a ton of dirt driving to access."

    2. Overland Reservoir (Dispersed)-Paonia RD

    4 Reviews
    Somerset, CO
    15 miles
    Website

    "My husband and I arrived around 3:30pm on a Tuesday. Camp sites directly on the banks are few, but we managed to score what I thought was the prettiest spot."

    "We saw lots of deer & some elk on the drive up."

    3. Throughline/Coal Creek TH (Dispersed)-Paonia RD

    1 Review
    Somerset, CO
    12 miles

    "This BLM land is well trafficked, the sizes are big and there are 5-6 in the first few miles of the road. They sit right along the river slow flowing. There is ZERO cell service or gas for 15+ miles."

    4. Twin Lake Dispersed Area - Grand Valley Rd

    9 Reviews
    Cedaredge, CO
    22 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "You can camp at a designated campground right on the lake, or you drive up 24 and find a lot of dispersed camping available - all the way up to the little lakes (great for fishing too)."

    5. Dark Canyon Trailhead (Dispersed)

    1 Review
    Marble, CO
    11 miles

    6. Horse Ranch Park (dispersed)-paonia Rd

    1 Review
    Crested Butte, CO
    17 miles
    Website

    "Found this place late afternoon and fell in love with Gunnison National Forest! Lost Lake was right across the road from where we camped. Found a beautiful spot with a great view!"

    7. Dispersed River Site - Gunnison Gorge National Conservation

    5 Reviews
    Lazear, CO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 240-5300

    "Pretty spot right along the river, bit of a bumpy road to get here but nothing requiring 4WD (when dry at least) or high clearance, I bet even a sedan could make it here."

    "I found a turn off just before the coordinates and stayed there. Large space with lots of room for cars at this site. Right along the river, absolutely beautiful."

    8. Washington Gulch - Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Crested Butte, CO
    24 miles

    "10/10 will go back in a heartbeat. We came on a Sunday-Monday and not a lot of campers. Ton of people driving the pass, hikers, bikers and dirt bikes. This is first come first serve!!"

    "Dry Bathrooms near sites 6-8.

    Bugs not too bad.

    Had several deer sightings while there.

    Chilly nights and nice days.

    Incredible views!"

    9. Four Mile Road Dispersed

    19 Reviews
    Carbondale, CO
    34 miles
    Website

    "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 easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails"."

    10. Black Canyon

    2 Reviews
    Crawford, CO
    22 miles

    "Easy to find BLM land with decent roads and lots of spots. I stayed here 3 days and never saw or heard another person. It’s only 5 miles from the North Rim of Black Canyon National Park."

    "this site was easy to find and not too far from the main road but very quiet. we arrived at night and there was plenty of spots. we camped in the car just for the night but plenty of flat land for tents"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Somerset, CO

225 Photos of 51 Somerset Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Somerset, CO

269 Reviews of 51 Somerset 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Daniel B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2016

    Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground

    Ranger Review: Goal Zero Lighthouse 250 Lantern & USB Power HUB at Lincoln Gulch Campground

    Camground Review: Not a whole lot of campsites here, but each is a decent size. So for busy weekends I'd recommend booking in advance. There's a bathroom. No water so bring in your own, or filter from the running stream/lake surrounding camp. Campsites are large enough for a few tents and cars, and about half of the 8-or-so sites had enough bush cover between plots to have some privacy. It's also great to see pantries on each site with locks for food. Then, there's bear-proof waste bins near the camp entrance. The whole Aspen area recommends bear canisters over hanging packs, so those that didn't know this ahead of time (like me) we're not reprimanded. It's a great location for accessing Aspen and in our case, Maroon Bells in the fall color time (end September). I could see the waterfall on location (I know, awesome) also being great for the summertime for swimming. We had plenty of room for 4 tents, a nice size fire, and a game of frisbee. Access: There's a marked turn off from HWY 82 to take you to the campground. You'll descend about 500 ft off the hwy along a dirt road for a quarter mile. It has some built-in dirt speed bumps. Although not required (we saw a Prius down at the campsite) in not perfect terrain due to weather I could see anything less than a AWD vehicle being a risky choice.

    Gear Review: This camp lantern definitely has a lot of car camping staying power. The same can be said for it's battery life (see what I did there?). I also love the option of making the light fully illuminated or unidirectional. There are wire arms that wrap around or fold out and extend below the lantern to add lift on a table or a lashing point to hang above.

    Before I took this 1.1lb guy camping I wanted to make sure it's battery life was as advertised. In a couple full drains and power cycles, broadcasting at full power (turbo), I was getting better-than advertised life. The turbo run time for both sides lit was closer to 3 hrs (vs 2.5) and for one side lit was 6 hrs (vs. 5). I could recharge the device from flat in abotu 7 hours (as advertised). I have to give this 3.5 out of 5 stars though, because I couldn't even get the lantern to do one full charge of my phone for me before dying, when it claims it will provide about 2.5 phone charges from full power before giving out. That just makes for the realization that if I use the lantern at camp for about 30 minutes on full power, I'm only going to be able to get about a 50% charge to my phone. That time will vary for others I'm sure. I am very pleased to see a hand crank, because in an emergency situation this would be a great way to help out. I just think though that due this lantern's weight, you're better off not backpacking with it and so belongs in the car camp category. The likelihood of using the crank then goes down a lot, but it's good piece of mind for the other campers in your group I guess :-). Overall the lantern is solid. It took a bit of a beating over the weekend and it kept on shining. The light isn't hard on your eyes too when at full power, so if you wanted to walk around with it holding it from it's top handle, it wouldn't blind you. I also like the red emergency light button, which when depressed and held gives a battery life indication as well as creates a red strobe effect (althgough faint) from the top of the lantern. More info from Goal Zero: http://www.goalzero.com/p/180/lighthouse-250-lantern-usb-power-hub

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2024

    Dry Creek Ditch Camp off Forest Road 90

    A free camp for a night

    Reach this BLM dispersed about 9 miles on route 90 from the center of Montrose, good paved until the last mile good graveled.  IMMEDIATELY after hairpin switchback, turn left and you'll find a 2 acre mesa with junipers and views, probably can fit 5 camps in there with elbow room.  I had 2 neighbors.  Shade is limited so it'll be hot in the summer.  Only good legal free camping near town!

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Hartman Rocks Recreation Area

    Awesome Rock Formations

    AT&T 5G off and on 2 bars. Fire metal rings, pit toilets in few areas. No water, no garbage (might be garbage at entrance?). Roads spread throughout, pretty rough in some areas. Plenty of places here, views are pretty cool. Lots of hiking, biking trails. Rock formations are the star of the show. Dog friendly. 14 day limit. Town not too far maybe 5 miles for supplies. Creek near town. Not too bad for 5-14 days.

  • Katrin S.
    Jun. 23, 2021

    Washington Gulch Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    47 Free campsites

    Camping at designated sites is free for up to 14 days. We stayed at WG 19. Shady and near the river. No water or electric. There is a pit toilet about 1/2 mile up the road. Very quiet area. Our site was level and had extra parking for a second vehicle if needed. Trash must be disposed off in town about 4 miles away.

Guide to Somerset

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Somerset, Colorado, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities, these locations offer the perfect escape into the wilderness.

Stunning Views for Dispersed Campers

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Somerset, Colorado

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Slate River Dispersed Sites

  • The Slate River Dispersed Sites are well-loved for their accessibility and the abundance of available spots, making it a go-to location for many campers.
  • Located just past the Oh Be Joyful campground, this area offers a variety of sites that are first-come, first-served, ensuring a chance to find a perfect spot.
  • Campers can enjoy the tranquility of the river while being surrounded by beautiful landscapes, making it an ideal choice for those looking to unwind in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping in Somerset?

Free dispersed camping near Somerset can be found at several locations in the surrounding area. Jack's Cabin Pass offers sites accessible via dirt roads, though high clearance vehicles are recommended. It's within 30 minutes of Crested Butte. Another option is Four Mile Road Dispersed, which provides numerous sites along easily accessible gravel roads. The area features both large sites suitable for RVs and smaller, private spots for tents, some with stunning views and others nestled in dense vegetation along water sources.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Somerset?

Dispersed camping in the Somerset area follows standard public land regulations. At Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, camping is only permitted in designated areas with established fire rings. Most dispersed areas in this region allow free stays for up to 14 days. The fundamental principle is Leave No Trace - pack out all trash as there are typically no garbage services. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and in some areas, bear-proof food storage is required. Twin Lake Dispersed Area and other sites require campers to use existing fire rings when available and practice responsible waste disposal.

What amenities are available at Somerset dispersed camping areas?

Dispersed camping areas near Somerset offer very minimal amenities. Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground has bear-proof boxes at most sites, but you'll need to bring your own water or filter from nearby streams. Some areas like Dry Creek Ditch Camp feature spacious sites with juniper trees and views but no facilities. A few dispersed camping areas have basic pit toilets, including spots along certain forest roads, but these are scattered and not reliable. Cell service is generally limited or non-existent in most dispersed areas. Established fire rings are present at some sites, but you should be prepared to pack in all necessities and pack out all waste.

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