Best Dispersed Camping near Steamboat Springs, CO

Several dispersed camping areas surround Steamboat Springs, with Middle Fork Elk River Camp being one of the more popular spots for backcountry camping. You'll need to be completely self-sufficient since these sites have no facilities - just remember to follow Leave No Trace principles. Forest Service rules require setting up at least 100 feet from any water sources to protect streams and wildlife. Most areas limit stays to 14 days before you need to move on. Many access roads get rough after rain or snow, so high-clearance vehicles work best for reaching the more remote spots. The Routt National Forest often has fire restrictions during summer and fall, so check with rangers before planning to have a campfire. Bring all your water and supplies as there's nothing available once you're out there. These remote sites put you right in the middle of the wilderness without campground noise or lights. Bears and elk are common in these areas, so hang food properly or use bear canisters. Weather changes quickly - summer nights still get cold at this elevation, and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Spring and fall typically have the best camping conditions. Elk River Dispersed is another good option if you want to camp near water. Before heading out, check the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest website for any new regulations or road closures.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Steamboat Springs, Colorado (59)

    1. Buffalo Pass Dispersed

    19 Reviews
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    5 miles

    "I had just done Rock Creek's drive up to dispersed near Dillon and thought that was bad, but this was worse. "

    "Good camping right close to the road. Secluded and private with beautiful views. Currently a stage 2 fire ban so no campfires allowed."

    2. FR-302 Dispersed Camping - Rabbit Ears Pass

    9 Reviews
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    "We went 2.7 miles up from the turn off of 40 and found a great spot on the left. There is a spot right there off the road but if you go in another 100 yards or so it's a great spot."

    "Very nice spot close to Steamboat Springs. (Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest) We arrived a little before noon on a Saturday in July."

    3. Dispersed Overlook off Hwy 40

    5 Reviews
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    "I stayed at another pull off a little higher up on the hlll and with that pull off you can get a little more down the mountain and hence away from the noise."

    "Quick stop overlooking Lake Catamount. This is actually a pull off from the highway but noticed people had camped here so we did too."

    4. Pleasant Valley Roadside Camp on Hwy 40

    5 Reviews
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    "As it says in the name is RIGHT off the highway so be ready for lots of car noise and close quarters with other campers."

    "Summer 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."

    5. FSR-296 - Dispersed Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 870-2299

    "There were many other campers all around but did not hear any noise other than from highway nearby which wasn't disturbing at all."

    "The 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."

    6. Rabbit's Ear Pass East Summit FR 251

    5 Reviews
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    12 miles

    "Recommend 4x4 high clearance to get to the campsites. If you have low clearance, there are a couple right at the start but they don't have much tree clearance. "

    "Only people I saw were the forest service workers who were friendly and just out reminding people of the fire ban."

    7. Off Highway 40 Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    10 miles

    "Stayed on a Saturday night and the road traffic wasn’t too terrible keeping us up at night, but you could hear the traffic pick up around 6:30 AM."

    8. Steamboat Springs Colorado Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    "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."

    9. Falls Road Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 745-2300

    "In the trees, lots of firewood available, and very pretty. No facilities. Completely dispersed. Pack in and out."

    "I had to pick a site short of the posted coordinates just past where the road starts to curve away from highway 40."

    10. Base Camp Trailhead

    1 Review
    Steamboat Springs, CO
    10 miles

    "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."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Steamboat Springs, CO

101 Reviews of 59 Steamboat Springs Campgrounds


  • Catherine L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2023

    Rabbit's Ear Pass East Summit FR 251

    Great forest camping spot

    Recommend 4x4 high clearance to get to the campsites. If you have low clearance, there are a couple right at the start but they don't have much tree clearance. 

    We drove about a quarter mile down the road and got a campsite that was lush with a ton of tree coverage. It felt like we were alone in the world, no other campsites in site. We even saw elk walking around the mossy ground. Bring bug spray!

    Dog friendly, no amenities.

  • Isabelle K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2018

    Dispersed Camping in Routt National Forest

    Solitude by the river

    We stumbled upon this campground by chance, and what a wonderful chance it was! After deciding to take a weekend rafting trip along the Wyoming/Colorado section of the Platte River, we planned to just find dispersed camping options within the surrounding National Forest area. We initially put our boats in at the Routt Access Trailhead which is where we were able to find this amazing group of campsites (see directions below). There are plenty of campsites designated by fire rings along the road that are well spread out and offer plenty of seclusion. We were surprised to not encounter any other campers despite it being a beautiful summer weekend. The campsite we used offered much appreciated shade from the June sun with plenty of big trees. The ground is relatively flat on top of the hill so we had quite a few options to spread out with our group pf 3 tents. Another huge plus of this area is how pristine it is, not a piece of trash to be found. If camping here, please continue that by following Leave No Trace principles. 

    Camping in this area is complimented by tons of nearby activities including hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding trails, class I-IV white water rafting opportunities, rock climbing, fishing and wildlife viewing. On our weekend adventure we went on a 4-hour boat trip from the Routt Access boat put-in to the Six-Mile Gap take-out point, the river felt like a private get away and we didn’t see any other people except for a few fly fishermen at the access points. The wildlife we encountered was the highlight of our trip, we saw moose, a golden eagle, foxes, pronghorns, and marmots. 

    To get there: The GPS coordinates entered on this page are for the Routt Access Trailhead. Following these directions from there is the easiest way to find the campsites. I have also included a screenshot of google maps in this review. When approaching the trailhead from the main road, just a few hundred yards before the trailhead/river access parking area, the road forks. To the right is the trailhead, and to the left is FS 939.1 (Mahogany Road). With a normal clearance vehicle and 2wd, you should be able to easily reach the first campsite along this road, marked by a well-appointed fire ring. For those with slightly higher clearance cars (my friends had a Subaru Forester and did just fine) I would highly recommend continuing along the road a bit higher and up the hill. 4wd is probably not necessary unless the road is muddy, but some large holes and rocks will be problematic for very low clearance vehicles. From up here, you will have amazing views of the grasslands, mountains and river.

  • Morgan Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2020

    USFSR 550 - Dispersed Camping

    Far from the crowds, far from ordinary

    Beautiful Aspen groves surround you as you roll on endlessly down well maintained dirt roads. I've put in specific coordinates, but you can follow any of these FS roads after you pass through the "town" of Columbine. I prefer to go up to the right along 550. But you can't go wrong. 

    Free range sheep are being guarded by Great Pyreneese dogs, Moose and Pronghorn are all abundant. Bears too, so lock it all up. 

    Great easy MTB on the roads and some smaller trails.

    Leave no trace.

  • Fernando D.
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Off Highway 40 Dispersed

    Pull off from highway 40

    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.

  • Donovan A.
    Jul. 25, 2024

    Buffalo Pass Dispersed

    Must have Suspension

    Just 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Hot Sulphur Springs SWA - Joe Gerrans Unit

    Nice Camping Area With Good Fishing

    Nice area to set up camp and fish on the Colorado River. There is a bear-proof dumpster and a portapotty (BYO TP) available. Not a lot of traffic along the highway at night, but there is a train that comes through which can be pretty loud. Roughly a dozen established dispersed sites are available here. Bring the bug spray, the mosquitoes are thick! There is zero T-Mobile cell signal here at all.

  • Sue B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    FR-302 Dispersed Camping - Rabbit Ears Pass

    Great dispersed area!

    Loved this area! Quite a few spots. We went 2.7 miles up from the turn off of 40 and found a great spot on the left. There is a spot right there off the road but if you go in another 100 yards or so it's a great spot. The driveway is a touch rough but we got there in our camper van no problem. There's room for several vehicles and endless tent spots, some by the parking and fire pit or haul your tent out a little ways. Shady areas and huge meadows on either side that look like they could be marshy with some rain. Saw evidence of moose elk deer and bear (and horses) but no sightings. Some mosquitos but it was quite dry when we were there. I would imagine you'd need bug spray in|wetter/marshier conditions, but worth it for the chance to see a moose!

    We enjoyed walking and exploring and could go quite a ways straight from the site without having to go out to the road.

  • S
    Aug. 8, 2021

    Buffalo Pass Dispersed

    Good camping close to Steamboat Springs

    Good camping right close to the road. Secluded and private with beautiful views. Currently a stage 2 fire ban so no campfires allowed.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2022

    White River National Forest dispersed

    Beautiful solitude, rough road

    This dispersed campsite has an incredible view, but it’s located on a “primitive road,” so google maps won’t show you the route all the way. I was using the OnX off-road app when I found it. If you approach from the south side (County Rd 48?), you will need a high clearance 4wd. If you approach from the north side (County Rd 51) it is accessible by any mid-clearance AWD vehicle, unless it’s wet. Then you’ll probably need a legit 4wd. I was there in mid-October, and there were hunters camped out all over the forest. But I found this place and had complete privacy, great view, and occasional Verizon service.


Guide to Steamboat Springs

Dispersed camping near Steamboat Springs offers several free options for campers seeking backcountry experiences in the Routt National Forest. Most sites around this area sit at elevations between 8,000-10,000 feet, making for cool nights even in summer. The terrain features a mix of alpine meadows and dense forest, with unpredictable mountain weather patterns bringing afternoon thunderstorms throughout camping season.

What to do

Mountain biking on Buffalo Pass: Buffalo Pass features excellent mountain biking trails accessible directly from many camping areas. "Great free spot if you're looking for somewhere not too far from the town. Awesome bike trails not very far," notes a camper at Buffalo Pass Dispersed.

Wildlife watching in meadows: The abundant meadows near Rabbit Ears Pass offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "We enjoyed walking and exploring and could go quite a ways straight from the site without having to go out to the road," writes a camper at FR-302 Dispersed Camping. Another adds, "Saw evidence of moose elk deer and bear (and horses) but no sightings."

Hiking nearby trails: Many camping areas connect to forest trails. A camper at Base Camp Trailhead reports, "You have to hike to Fishhook Lake from here on the Basecamp Trail (Wyoming Trail). It's very secluded and quiet."

What campers like

Cooler temperatures at higher elevations: The higher elevation camps provide relief from summer heat. At Rabbit's Ear Pass East Summit, campers appreciate that "it's at about 9500 elevation too," which keeps temperatures comfortable during hot months.

Proximity to Steamboat Springs: Many campers value the short distance to town amenities. "This series of pullouts is excellent for those that want to camp near steamboat for $0," notes a reviewer at Off Highway 40 Dispersed. Similarly, a camper at Buffalo Pass Dispersed mentions it's "not too far from the town."

Secluded camping spots: Despite being close to town, many sites offer privacy. A camper at Rabbit's Ear Pass East Summit found that "We drove about a quarter mile down the road and got a campsite that was lush with a ton of tree coverage. It felt like we were alone in the world, no other campsites in site."

What you should know

High clearance vehicles recommended: Many roads deteriorate with weather and distance. "Recommend 4x4 high clearance to get to the campsites. If you have low clearance, there are a couple right at the start but they don't have much tree clearance," advises a camper at Rabbit's Ear Pass East Summit.

Mosquitoes can be intense: Insects can impact camping comfort in many areas. "When you see other reviews that say there are lots of bugs… they were not exaggerating, there are massive swarms of mosquitoes everywhere," warns a Buffalo Pass Dispersed camper. Another visitor to Falls Road Dispersed Campsite suggests preparation: "Mosquitoes were very bad, be aware."

Road conditions vary seasonally: Access can change dramatically with seasons. "Drove a long ways to find out the gate isn't open like prior post of members and will not open until June 15 on the steamboat side as posted at gate," reports a Buffalo Pass Dispersed camper about spring conditions.

Tips for camping with families

Find level sites for comfort: Look for the rare flat spots when camping with kids. At Off Highway 40 Dispersed, a camper warns, "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."

Choose less remote sites with children: Some areas offer easier access for family camping. At FR-302 Dispersed Camping, a reviewer notes, "Doggies loved it, not many people," making it suitable for families with pets.

Prepare for rapid weather changes: Mountain weather shifts quickly with children present. A camper at Buffalo Pass Dispersed observed, "summer nights still get cold at this elevation, and afternoon thunderstorms are common," highlighting the need for proper gear.

Tips from RVers

Scout before committing to dispersed sites: Check accessibility before bringing in larger rigs. At FR-302 Dispersed Camping, an RVer advises, "We are full-timers and have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and had scouted the area a day before arriving with the RV."

Bring leveling equipment: Most free camping areas near Steamboat Springs have uneven terrain. "They do slope upwards, so bring your leveling blocks," recommends a camper at Off Highway 40 Dispersed.

Check road conditions before towing: Road quality affects RV access significantly. "I wouldn't bring anything back here towing behind me except an overland trailer," notes a camper at Base Camp Trailhead, adding "It's rocky a good most of the way, but high clearance isn't needed."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is BLM land for camping near Steamboat Springs?

While Steamboat Springs is primarily surrounded by national forest land rather than BLM land, there are some BLM camping options in the broader region. Hot Sulphur Springs SWA - Joe Gerrans Unit offers free dispersed camping with approximately a dozen established sites along the Colorado River, featuring basic amenities like a bear-proof dumpster and a portable toilet. White River National Forest dispersed areas also provide camping opportunities with incredible views, though some sites require high-clearance 4WD vehicles for access. For more extensive BLM camping options, consider exploring areas west of Steamboat Springs toward Craig or south toward Eagle County.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Steamboat Springs?

Steamboat Springs offers excellent dispersed camping options in the surrounding national forests. Rabbit's Ear Pass East Summit FR 251 provides numerous campsites with tree coverage, though high-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing the best spots. Another popular area is Buffalo Pass Dispersed, which offers secluded sites with beautiful views, though the road to the summit is quite rough and requires appropriate vehicles. Additional options include forest roads in Routt National Forest, FR-302, and various forest service roads around Rabbit Ears Pass. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early, especially on summer weekends, is advised.

What are the best dispersed camping spots near Strawberry Hot Springs?

The best dispersed camping near Strawberry Hot Springs can be found in the surrounding Routt National Forest. Dispersed Camping in Routt National Forest offers excellent options within a reasonable driving distance to the hot springs. Off Highway 40 Dispersed provides convenient camping with several pulloffs, though be aware that many sites aren't completely flat. Buffalo Pass area and Elk River Road also offer good dispersed camping relatively close to Strawberry Hot Springs. When selecting a site, consider that the closest spots may fill quickly during peak season, and the roads to some of the more secluded areas require high-clearance vehicles. Remember that camping is not permitted at Strawberry Hot Springs itself.

Is there free camping available around Steamboat Springs?

Yes, plenty of free camping is available around Steamboat Springs. FR-302 Dispersed Camping - Rabbit Ears Pass offers numerous no-fee sites about 1.9 miles in from Highway 40, with spots that can accommodate various camping setups. USFSR 550 - Dispersed Camping provides beautiful free camping among aspen groves along well-maintained dirt roads past the town of Columbine. Other free options include dispersed sites along Highway 40, in Routt National Forest, and at Buffalo Pass. Be aware that most free camping follows a 14-day stay limit, requires practicing Leave No Trace principles, and may have seasonal fire restrictions depending on conditions.