Want to go dispersed camping near Steamboat Springs? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Colorado camping adventure.
Please honor any signs that mention "private land" or "no camping" when in a dispersed area. Please practice Leave No Trace.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story.
The Steamboat Springs area is east and north of Steamboat Springs, Colo. It is managed by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District with a Ranger Station/Visitor Center in the town of Steamboat Springs. Recreation sites along Buffalo Pass and Rabbit Ears Pass are located within this area to include the popular waterfall hike, Fish Creek Falls. The area lies against the western ridge of the Continental Divide and the Routt National Forest. Multiple wilderness areas are nearby. The area is bountiful with recreation opportunities such as mountain biking, hiking, camping, and fishing, as well as winter sports such as skiing and snowmobiling, just to name a few. Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the national forests. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story. Across the forests, opportunities range from dispersed camping miles into wilderness or just off a forest road in designated dispersed areas. Make sure to bring everything you need when dispersed camping, as water, restrooms, and fire rings may not be available nearby, and always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
Dispersed Camping outside of Steamboat Springs.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed in most places. From getting away from it all to just enjoying a weekend with friends, dispersed camping can make for a great story.
Traveler
Camp sites were plenty when I visited on a Thursday. Only people I saw were the forest service workers who were friendly and just out reminding people of the fire ban.
Scout
Doggies loved it, not many people
Scout
Place has very good views from the mountain, however, the terrain isn't level. I found it difficult to get a good spot for my camper to be leveled.
Scout
We showed up at night and it was very quiet, no problem finding a spot to camp. However, during the day the gnats, bugs, and ants were everywhere. Literally crawled up our boots and bodies. Great place to over night, but terrible place to hang out during the day unless you have a bug net.
Legend
Very quiet spot. There were many other campers all around but did not hear any noise other than from highway nearby which wasn't disturbing at all. Easy access off highway although I didn't drive too far into the road as it was raining.
ScoutSummer is over, Labor Day evening, nobody except me here. 5-6 potential spots all in a row, lined up on dirt road that parallels 40 and far enough away to be quiet. Convenient to Steamboat 15 min.
Scoutsimple, and easy place to get to… flat awesome sunset
Scout
However what I found was designated site only camping mostly on the side of the road and they were not free. $10/night
Guide
Found a great little location on the creek. The area was busy, but the spots were separated very well. Off the main road we found a lightly traveled side road that led to the perfect camping spot. While the main road is well taken care of, some of the side roads definitely require an off-road vehicle. This is definitely going to be a place that we revisit.
Legend
Only dispersed camping I found from here to Trappers Lake. 4 sites, only the one in open area is suitable for TTs. Rest are more overland spots. No tables, no toilet, no wayer, no trash. No Cell signal.
Guide
This was our first stop on a week long road trip from Colorado Springs to the Oregon Coast and, honestly, we could have just hung out there and saved all the miles.
It was a such a beautiful area mid September. All the leaves were changing, it was cool and misty, the view was spectacular, yes it was rough as hell to get there, but totally worth it if you’ve got the rig for it.
My only note for the area was that there were a lot hunters walking through and around our camp, but everyone was polite and respectful.
TravelerLeaving this review for anyone else pulling trailer. You can get a small TT into the first 4-5 sites. I would not continue after what I think is site 5 on the right that has a fairly large rock fire pit and good loop for when leaving. Great parking area to drop and go scout with your vehicle first and I'd recommend doing so.
Mosquitos are definitely worse than usual, but otherwise a lovely spot. The tree coverage is affecting my solar generation enough where I may need to move sooner than I'd like
TravelerJust to update this since the last review had it closed. The road leading up to the summit is back open, but it is ROUGH. I had just done Rock Creek's drive up to dispersed near Dillon and thought that was bad, but this was worse.
You will not be able to get anything low clearance or anything you're towing that does not have independent suspension + high clearance (I dropped my 18' TT at Walmart and went to scout - glad I did) While I was 1/4 up into the climb, a Sprinter Van was stopped at what is probably the worst portion of the road. If you can make it past that first choke point, you'll pass a park then walk-in camp site on the left and then shortly after another camp spot on the right that is more van friendly. Both are not good for trailers. It is after those two sites the road goes from bad to worse.
If you have a Camper on a F350 or high clearance + tent, it has some of the best views I've seen at a park spot. It's worth the drive up there for pictures if you're curious, but I would unhook anything you're carrying before doing so.
Ranger
I wouldn’t bring anything back here towing behind me except an overland trailer, personally. It’s rocky a good most of the way, but high clearance isn’t needed. A few off camber spots, but nothing horrible. I passed a Subaru Crosstrack coming in. Once you get back it is beautiful with great views. There is a creek below the spot with crystal clear water. You have to hike to Fishhook Lake from here on the Basecamp Trail (Wyoming Trail). It’s very secluded and quiet. Mosquitoes were very bad, be aware.
Scout
We were hoping to stop at the loop just beofre this spot coming from Steamboat Springs butt here we're three other vehicles there. This stretch of road has a number of pulloffs but beware they are not flat. I was able to.level our travel trailer but only after busting a jack.
Scout
what a bummer. A great spot thats been ruined by crowds. Someone was shooting a gun at close to midnight, people zooming around all night on ATVs. Clean up your mess people.
Ranger
Stopped for the night for a quick eat and sleep. Road was wet in places. Some areas I wouldn’t pull a trailer too far in. A Mercedes van was 200 yards down from me, so not horrible. In the trees, lots of firewood available, and very pretty. No facilities. Completely dispersed. Pack in and out.
Guide
Unfortunately the road is closed right now, I’m not even supposed to be here idt but I foraged through the woods from the campsites further back north on the dirt road. But I figured I’d at least let yall know there is a campsite here.
Guide
Gorgeous spot amidst burn scar. As a result, no shade/cover but temperatures are cool enough even in mid-June. You are right by the county road but “traffic” is only the occasional ATV/car. Quite buggy in the day, too, but not intolerably so.
TravelerThe camping is directly off is route 40, a minute or two drive until campsites. Decided to park in the asphalt/gravel lot. There is camping directly behind this in the grass land though. Easy road to access camping. Staying for 2 nights and continuing on. Seems to be fairly rig friendly, as it was easy for my 25ft travel trailer
Scout
The sign says that state trust land closed March 1-Aug 31, unfortunate bc the app says that this is a free place to camp or hike
ScoutRoad closed right by buffalo Pass campground. No way of getting through to spots and no sign of when the road will open
Guide
Great spot to rest and catch some views!
Traveler
We arrived late in the evening, well after dark. Easy to find (5 miles off freeway. Plenty of rustic spaces. There were three others already setup and having bonfires.
ScoutThe forest road was a bit washed out in some places and required decent clearance but outside of a few big bumps the road was a fun ride! Campsites were many but pretty full upon my late arrival. Would recommend daylight arrival if possible as many spots didn’t appear obvious in the night!
TravelerThe drive up Buffalo Pass is tricky, and definitely requires clearance the further up you go. We found an amazing spot over Labor Day weekend with wildflowers and great views. The spot was at a bit of an angle. The rain paid off with incredible rainbows!
Guide
DONT FORGET TO VISIT CLARK STORE, its very close
drove here in toyota prius. There is a parking lot at the entrance to the dispersed camping where it forks into two roads to access parking spots. The forest service road was in amazing condition to access it.
I decided to hike up ontop a large rock formation because i wanted the killer views. Just enough dirt up there to pitch a tent.
There is dispersed camping along the river where a lot of rv’s were pitched up. I didnt want to be near any of them cause im tent camping
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Steamboat Springs, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Steamboat Springs, CO is Buffalo Pass Dispersed with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Steamboat Springs, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 53 dispersed camping locations near Steamboat Springs, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
