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Best Dispersed Camping near Vail, CO

710 Reviews

Dispersed camping around Vail, Colorado offers several free primitive options on public lands. Red Sandstone provides basic dispersed sites where camping is permitted without facilities. Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping, located northeast of Vail, features established sites with vault toilets but no drinking water. Boreas Pass Road offers additional free camping opportunities with stunning mountain views. These areas typically allow both tent and RV camping, though site conditions vary significantly.

Vehicle access requires careful planning. According to reviews, many dispersed sites near Vail demand high-clearance 4WD vehicles. As one camper noted about similar Colorado sites, "The road is a mixture of rocks, small water crossings, and potholes. If you can tackle it, it is absolutely worth it." Forest service roads often become narrow and rough the further you travel from main highways. During spring runoff or after heavy rains, even 4WD vehicles may face challenging conditions.

No amenities exist at most dispersed sites. Pack in all necessary water and supplies, and prepare to pack out all waste. Fire restrictions are common throughout summer months; always check current regulations with the White River National Forest office before your trip. Bear activity is prevalent in the area, so proper food storage is essential. Several campers report that sites fill quickly on summer weekends, particularly those closest to trailheads. For the best chance at securing a spot, arrive mid-week or early in the day. The camping season typically runs from late May through October, depending on snowfall and elevation.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Vail, Colorado (173)

    1. Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping

    25 Reviews
    Silverthorne, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-5400

    "WARNING: The road to the camping locations is very bumpy, narrow, and has some large rocks. AWD with high clearance or 4x4 is recommended.

    This location was great!"

    "This spot was easily accessible with high clearance. I arrived at 11am on Wednesday July 3 and only two sites were occupied."

    2. Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Vail, CO
    5 miles
    Website

    "It is a hidden gem. You can drive or walk down a mile which leads to a trail to Lost Lake, which you can swim in."

    "Plenty of dispersed camping up Red Sandstone Road. Go 2.5 miles up a smooth dirt road once you leave the paved road to reach the start of camping (head right at a junction after those 2.5 miles)."

    3. Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping

    45 Reviews
    Blue River, CO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-5400

    "Road is fine for high clearance. But all of us with 4wD ask that you move over for us."

    "I can see this area being busy all year around, definitely on 4th of july weekend. Wish I could’ve found an open site to spend a night!"

    4. Columbine Landing Recreation Site

    11 Reviews
    Silverthorne, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-5400

    "Great spot for car camping on a road trip like I was. Not far off the main interstate and little to no noise from the smaller highway that passes nearby."

    "Great location. Kinda busy some nights. A lot of in and out vans/campers. Stay 1 night or two and on their way.

    15 mins from town and everything you need."

    5. Homestake Reservoir Rd Milemarker 3 - Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Red Cliff, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 945-2521

    "Level and had a turn around for a larger rig. Many tent sites around. Road is in good shape."

    "Firewood is not for sale nearby and the forest doesn't have much, so you should bring your own."

    6. Tigiwon Road

    5 Reviews
    Red Cliff, CO
    8 miles
    Website

    "Bumpy and narrow road in but beautiful views once you get to the top."

    "Nice dispersed camping spot. There are a few along the road, we went just passed the Tigawon community house and found a great spot with a view, and fire pit!"

    7. Shrine Pass Road Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Frisco, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    8. Blodgett Campground

    2 Reviews
    Red Cliff, CO
    11 miles

    "We found a nice flat spot across the bridge to the right up a small hill with great views. No cell service"

    9. Piney River Road Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Avon, CO
    6 miles

    "There are ~10 free dispersed camping sites along Piney River Road leading up to the resort on the lake. The sites are all drive in, but no amenities."

    10. Ute Pass Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    Heeney, CO
    22 miles

    "Just got back from a solo camping trip at the Ute pass dispersed camping site. My usual spot was under a fire ban, but I acted quick and found this place."

    "We came here after failing to find a dispersed location closer to Silverthorne. It turned out to be a hidden gem with lots of secluded sites."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Vail, CO

582 Photos of 173 Vail Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Vail, CO

710 Reviews of 173 Vail Campgrounds

  • Paulina B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 20, 2024

    Kirby Gulch

    Worth the Rough Drive

    Kirby Gulch is a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-grid camping experience near Grant, Colorado. Situated off Route 1038, this dispersed camping area offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and wildlife watching.

    The campsites are well-spaced, providing plenty of privacy, and the area is generally clean, thanks to considerate campers. Since it’s a dispersed site, there are no amenities like water or toilets, so make sure to come prepared. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for accessing some of the sites, especially after rain or snow.

    What makes Kirby Gulch truly special is its tranquility. You can enjoy the sound of the wind through the trees, the crisp mountain air, and dazzling stargazing at night. It’s also a great starting point for exploring nearby trails or simply soaking in the serene environment.

    If you’re comfortable with primitive camping and leave-no-trace principles, Kirby Gulch is a hidden gem worth checking out.

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Grays Peak Summer Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    Great base camp for summiting Gray’s/Torrey’s

    Stevens Gulch Road (321) is a dirt road off of I-70 west of Denver in the Arapaho & Rosevelt National Forests and the Pawnee National Grasslands. It has amazing scenery and access to gorgeous hiking trails to summit Gray’s, Torrey’s and Kelso Peaks. It is a fairly mellow SUV road with plenty of space to pass other vehicles and you will occasionally see passenger cars as well. The road leads to a large parking lot that fills up fast with car overflow parking spilling down both sides of the road. There are pit toilets and bear proof trash cans at the parking lot. The road continues past the parking lot a very short ways to some dispersed campsites by a river that have stone campfire rings. Definitely filter this water as there are uphill toilet paper gardens along the climb to summit.

  • Meg G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Spectacular - 4x4 is required to access.

    We drove our BRAND NEW 4x4 Revel and were nervous the entire trip up and back.  We are a high profile vehicle, luckily we had plenty of clearance but it was very nerve wracking both up and back.  It is about 7 miles of dirt road, and 4 miles of very challenging (for me) driving.

    Be sure to follow the sign LEFT to Chinns Lake.  When you arrive, there are several dispersed campsites around the lake.  All the spots have beautiful views and tons of space between other campers.  There are firepits (even though CO is on a fire ban) that  will be nice for future visits.  We visited on Sept 17-19, 2020, so the evenings are cold and the days short.  Additionally, the water level was very low.  

    The area is nice for hiking and exploring, and especially to get away from it all.  No cell phone service.

    As the weekend approached, there were several ATV's heading up for the day.  While we were there, only 3 other groups camping on the weekend.

    You will be at 11,000 feet looking at the Continental Divide!  THIS is Colorado camping!  Enjoy and please remember to leave no trace!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2023

    Forest Road 130

    Absolutely awesome

    Stunningly beautiful dispersed camping at its best. To find the most precious spot you need to get to Forest service Road 130 S as in South. There is a forest service ranger station on the south side of Leadville where you can get a motor vehicle use map MVUM. But even without a map the roads are marked. 130 starts near Highway 24 on the west side across from massive lakes, near a large bank of mailboxes. You'll see a sign asking you to respect the private property owners rights. Just keep going up the hill and you will find the forest service signage indicating the public lands. Many people don't go much further. But the truly spectacular sites are a couple miles further. The roads are narrow and steep but manageable. Keep going down 130 until you reach an intersection with 130A and 130 B, A goes north and B goes south. But keep going till you reach a T intersection. 160 goes north and 130 S goes south. Go left, south till you reach a slightly challenging switch back. Just on the other side of the switchback is a wide open space with room for many rigs including good size trailers. Very quiet with very little traffic of any kind. The Leadville 100 foot race goes right by every August.

  • Eileen S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping

    Crowded Camping Near Keystone

    This is beautiful camping close to keystone and likewise gets crowded in the summer months. If you want a spot on a weekend, get there early. There are a few pull offs along the road suitable for most cars, but if you have a high clearance 4WD you can go on a few offshoot roads and find more spacious spots. No cell phone signal or water, and frequent fire bans in the summer.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Rollins Pass Dispersed Camping

    Great spot close to Winter Park

    Went up Rollins pass road (you can access it from the Lakota Trail neighborhood or down the road a bit on 80). The first gate was open but not the second or third to get to the top where there are def more spots and fire rings. You can only camp places where there are dots on the side of the road on the official county map. Check the Rollins pass website it’s very informative and a sacred land so leave no trace. We got one of the like 3-4 spots we saw with a fire ring that wasn’t taken yet. (No fire ban 6/14/25 I check don’t worry :).. Some back trails are very hairy, pretty busy with motor vehicles but a lot of the new electric dirt bikes which don’t make much noise, probably 10-15 ppl the entire night riding by only once. Got great weather and the main trail is pretty easy up to the second gate which is supposed to be open June 15-Sept 15 I think.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Melissa B.
    Oct. 3, 2020

    Chinns Lake Dispersed Camping

    Perfect Little Getaway

    (Camped 09/18-09/20) This was a little tricky to get to but totally worth the trip. Just outside of Idaho Springs, take the exit for Co Rd 275 off of I-70. It's a scenic drive up a curvy paved road for about 15 minutes. Once you get to the "Invincible Lodge" entrance there is a dirt path off to the left. It has a sign at the entrance stating the drive up goes through about 3 miles of private property before reaching the dispersed camping area. It also says the route is for "high clearance vehicles"....and it isn't joking. The first mile isn't too bad...just mostly gravel. The next couple miles though get really rocky with some spots that have large dips and narrow paths. The route is ideal for Jeeps and offroad type vehicles, but it is still manageable in a small SUV or truck. Just have to really know what youre doing. Even in our Silverado, my brother had to drive very slowly and maneuver around large rocks sticking up otherwise we would have bottomed out. It took over an hour to get up to the camping area. There is a split in the road at one point and we continued to the left toward the Chinns Lake Reservoir.

    Once finally at the top there were plenty of spots to choose from. Gorgeous views and lots of wooded area around both reservoirs. There is a nice hiking trail that goes up the mountain side between the two reservoirs as well. We got a little lost and ventured off the path to go higher on the rocks, and the view was worth it. Was a little bit of an adventure to find our way back down though.

    Since it was mid-Sept it got pretty cold at night. Elevation was around 11,000 ft where we camped. We were in a fire ban as well so that didn't help. Probably got into the high 30s the one night. Beautiful view of the stars though, and plenty of small wildlife to see.

    Highly recommend staying in this area!

Guide to Vail

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Vail, Colorado, where nature's tranquility meets stunning mountain views. This area offers a variety of options for campers looking to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying the great outdoors.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Vail, Colorado

Scenic Views and Hiking Opportunities for Dispersed Campers

  • For breathtaking views and easy access to hiking trails, consider McCullough Gulch Designated Dispersed Camping, which is conveniently located near the McCullough Gulch Waterfall trail.
  • If you're looking for a peaceful retreat, Yeoman Park offers serene landscapes and opportunities to spot wildlife like deer and moose.
  • The Whitney Lake area is perfect for those who enjoy fishing and hiking, with a moderate trail leading to the picturesque lake.

Activities While Free Camping Near Vail

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Vail, Colorado?

Vail offers several excellent dispersed camping options in the surrounding national forests. Shrine Pass Road Dispersed Camping is one of the closest options to Vail, offering beautiful sites with mountain views. For those willing to drive a bit further, Tigiwon Road near Minturn provides dispersed camping opportunities with good access to hiking trails. Most dispersed sites in the area are accessible via forest service roads, with varying levels of road difficulty. Always check current forest service regulations, as some areas require camping in designated sites only, and seasonal closures may apply. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for accessing many of these sites, especially after rainfall.

Is there free camping available near Vail?

Yes, free camping is available near Vail on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed offers free camping north of Vail with reasonable access. Homestake Reservoir Rd Milemarker 3 - Dispersed is another free option southeast of Vail. These dispersed camping areas typically allow stays up to 14 days in a 30-day period. Remember that free camping means no facilities - you'll need to pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. Always practice Leave No Trace principles, maintain proper food storage to prevent wildlife encounters, and check for fire restrictions before your trip, as they're common in summer months.

What are the best areas for dispersed camping around Vail like Red Sandstone and Shrine Pass?

Beyond Red Sandstone and Shrine Pass, Piney River Road Dispersed Camping offers stunning scenery and relative seclusion. The road is generally manageable for standard vehicles in dry conditions. Columbine Landing Recreation Site near Silverthorne provides another excellent option with free camping and basic toilet facilities. For a more remote experience, Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping between Breckenridge and Como offers high-elevation sites with panoramic views. Most of these areas feature established fire rings at sites and varying degrees of privacy. The best spots tend to fill quickly on summer weekends, so arriving early (Thursday or Friday morning) is advisable during peak season.

What amenities can I expect at dispersed camping sites near Vail?

Dispersed camping sites near Vail are typically primitive with few or no amenities. At Yeoman Park near Basalt, you'll find vault toilets, making it slightly more developed than true dispersed sites. At Blodgett Campground, you might find established fire rings and some flat tent spots, but that's about it. Most dispersed sites have no drinking water, no garbage service, no toilets, and no picnic tables. You'll need to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Some areas may have creeks or streams for water collection (which must be properly filtered or treated), and many sites feature user-created fire rings where fires are permitted. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent, so bring offline maps and emergency communication devices.

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