Dispersed camping near Weston, Colorado spreads across San Isabel National Forest at elevations between 7,000 to 11,000 feet. The North Fork Purgatoire River area serves as a central hub for both free and paid camping opportunities. Nights typically drop below 40°F even in summer months due to the high elevation, and afternoon thunderstorms occur regularly from July through September.
What to do
Fishing at Monument Lake: Monument Lake Resort provides trout fishing opportunities with license requirements. One camper noted, "I saw people catch trout. There is a good restaurant. Very cool at night. My sight had 20 amp only but I didn't need to run AC. Actually used heater in the morning to break the chill."
Hiking to waterfalls: Blue Lake Campground offers access to mountain trails with waterfall views. A visitor shared, "This is the stuff postcards are made of!! Limited sites available and most are right off the road/trail to the waterfall so privacy is out. I was surprised by the volume of hikers passing thru to view the falls and surrounding area, literally every 5-15 mins someone was walking by."
Mountain wildlife viewing: Cordova Pass Campground provides opportunities to spot local wildlife along hiking trails. "Great campsites great trails this is a hidden gem," reported one camper, while another mentioned the abundance of birds, stating "I won. Camp robbers (the birds) lost."
What campers like
High elevation camping: Blue Lake Campground sits above 11,000 feet with alpine views. A camper advised, "It took me a day to acclimate to the 11,000+ altitude. All in all I'd go back but it's difficult to find a site, especially on the weekends."
Creekside sites: North Fork Purgatoire River dispersed camping offers streamside sites. "Words can't begin to describe this place. Simply beautiful, peaceful, and one with nature. We stayed right next to the river. We sat by the fire and just enjoyed the sounds of the river," wrote one visitor.
Star viewing: Trinidad Lake State Park provides dark skies for astronomy. A camper commented, "Really nice camp ground, cool play ground for the kids, fire place, picnic table and she'd with great views. Views where great from ever angle. We stayed right after Christmas and the snow was an added bonus."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most camping areas have limited or no connectivity. At Blue Lake Campground, campers noted, "No cell phone service. No water, toilets, bring your own food and water and disconnect from the internet."
Early arrival recommended: Competition for prime spots requires morning arrival. "We arrived at 8:30am and found a spot but the rest filled up shortly after," stated a Blue Lake Campground visitor, while another warned, "We drove out there on a Monday afternoon to find there were only like 3 spots total and all of them were taken. Listen when the other reviews say they fill up fast!"
Weather preparedness: Rapid temperature changes occur year-round. A camper at Monument Lake Resort explained, "Very cool at night. My sight had 20 amp only but I didn't need to run AC. Actually used heater in the morning to break the chill."
Bear safety: Bear activity requires proper food storage. One camper at Blue Lake Campground advised, "Bear cannisters are not required for this area but the local ranger station highly recommends keeping all food packed away in your vehicle or hanging from a tree."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Trinidad Lake State Park features dedicated children's areas. A visitor mentioned, "Really nice camp ground, cool play ground for the kids, fire place, picnic table and she'd with great views."
Geocaching opportunities: Family-friendly treasure hunting exists near campgrounds. One camper at Trinidad Lake State Park noted, "Beautiful view and fun stuff for the kids to do! Hiking, playground, geocaching. We will definitely be back!"
Dish washing stations: Trinidad Lake State Park offers dedicated cleaning areas. "Camper center: Amazing! Laundry, clean restrooms and showers(coin operated, but so worth it) and even a dedicated place to wash kitchen dishes. Wow!" shared a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited electrical hookups: Many campgrounds offer minimal power options. At Monument Lake Resort, a camper stated, "My sight had 20 amp only but I didn't need to run AC. Actually used heater in the morning to break the chill."
Narrow forest roads: Access requires careful navigation on unpaved routes. A Blue Lake Campground visitor cautioned, "Oh and the road up can get pretty steep and sketchy so go slow, watch out for the giant potholes, and be sure to make space for other cars, especially if you decide to continuing driving up to the dam (past the first parking lot area). That section of the road gets very narrow."
Campground facilities: Purgatoire Campground requires self-sufficiency. "I can understand rating this campground low if you were hoping to find a Ritz Carlton at the end of the 4-mile rough road, but if you're looking for a beautiful high altitude forested campground that offers solitude and great hiking, you've come to the right place!" explained one RV camper.
