Dispersed camping opportunities near Somerset, Colorado extend beyond the popular Horse Ranch Park area into several remote Forest Service zones. Located at elevations ranging from 7,500 to 10,500 feet, these sites experience temperature drops of 30-40°F between day and night, even in summer months. Access typically requires traveling 4-7 miles on unpaved roads that become challenging after rainfall.
What to do
Mountain biking on nearby trails: Portal Campground serves as an excellent base for mountain biking enthusiasts. "We took our new van out for a drive and a brief camping trip. The Portal campground has some beautiful spots that are next to the creek and is very close to hiking. The entrance in makes you feel like you are entering a secret garden of sorts with the beautiful trees and rock formations on either side of the vehicle," notes Tamara S.
Fishing at Grizzly Reservoir: The waters near Portal Campground provide productive fishing opportunities. Kelly Z. shares, "This campground is located way out in the wilderness. It has incredible mountain views as well as a view of the close by Grizzly Reservoir. This is a free campground and it has vault toilets."
Stargazing at high elevations: The Somerset region's distance from major light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. At Black Canyon, Kevin S. experienced "Extreme solitude close to Black Canyon National Park. 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."
What campers like
Natural swimming opportunities: Several dispersed camping areas feature accessible water features. At Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, Jessica S. highlights that "We had such a relaxing stay at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch! One of the major highlights for us was the amazing pool setup—both indoor and outdoor pools were clean, well-maintained, and perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring."
Established fire rings at primitive sites: Many dispersed sites include established fire rings despite minimal other amenities. At Thompson Creek Campground, Amanda U. notes, "We have stayed in the designated spots down by the stream, and also up the steep, dirt road to the dispersed sites past the designated spots. The spots by the stream are cooler, more shaded but empty in late August."
Wildlife viewing from camp: The Somerset area offers frequent wildlife encounters from established campsites. A visitor to Crater Lake Campground shared, "Its about a 2 mile hike in, but its a great, easy hike and the campsite makes it totally worth it. The views of Maroon bells at crater lake are unbelievable. There is wildlife everywhere. We saw many mountain goats, mule deer, and other critters."
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect availability: Some of the best tent camping near Somerset, Colorado operates with strict seasonal limitations. According to Jaz C. at Black Canyon, "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... note: signs say no camping 12/1-7/15."
High clearance vehicles recommended: Most remote camping areas require appropriate vehicles. Christina S. notes about Portal Campground: "After you turn off of Hwy 82 it's 6.5 miles up a 4x4 road. I made it in a small 'crossover' AWD SUV, but anything lower might have trouble. You definitely can do it without a big truck, though."
Weather conditions change rapidly: The high elevation camping areas experience sudden weather shifts. At Four Pass Loop, Forrest Y. advises, "Get to campsites early as the good spots fill up quick. Make sure to get the passes over before noon as your likely to get a lightning storm not much after noon."
Tips for camping with families
Select sites with water features: Children particularly enjoy campsites near streams or lakes. Eliza S. at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch reports, "We stayed here for 3 nights and loved it! There is so much to do on the ranch such as swim in the pools, play games, horseback ride, etc. The bathrooms and showers were clean and nice."
Choose campgrounds with activities: Some sites offer organized recreation options. Katie B. shares, "We loved our stay here! There is an indoor and outdoor pool, playground, cool mini golf set up, horses, and a lake for kids to fish in! There is NO service here but the lodge does have WiFi."
Prepare for cool nights: Even summer camping requires warm clothing for children after sunset. At Horse Ranch Park, temperatures drop significantly at night due to the elevation. Christina S. notes temperatures were "pretty chilly at night…upper 30s in late August…and a really pleasant high 60s during day."
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig access: Most dispersed camping areas near Somerset restrict larger RVs due to narrow forest roads. Wayne H. at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch suggests, "Try out the wilderness area. It is in the same resort but feels more like forested camp ground but can't take RVs over 30 feet, perhaps shorter."
Consider water management: Kevin H. describes his practical approach: "I use this Campground to explore and enjoy hiking, fishing and 4WD into remote areas near hear. I can stay 21 days, out 7 and right back for another 21 if I desire. I disperse camp and come back to do laundry, rinse tanks, resupply fresh water tank."
Cell service limitations: Digital connectivity is minimal in most camping areas. Wyatt from Blue Mesa notes, "Cell service for T-Mobile is not good however head into Gunnison and it's good. They do have access to a longer dirt road some take an atv back to a small lake I took my mountain bike on."
