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Best Dispersed Camping near Walden, CO

232 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Walden, Colorado occurs primarily on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and State Wildlife Areas. The region includes several free camping areas such as Walden Reservoir, Dispersed Camping in Routt National Forest, Buffalo Pass Dispersed, and multiple Delaney Lake State Wildlife Areas. These primitive sites are typically located along forest roads, near reservoirs, and in meadows surrounded by mountain views, providing backcountry access without developed facilities.

Most access roads require careful navigation, with several sites demanding high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. A camper noted that Buffalo Pass has "a rough road up, in a sprinter 4x4, not a lot of great options. Seems better for tent camping." Many forest roads become impassable during wet weather or winter months. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry periods. Most areas have no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Camping is typically limited to 14 days, and some wildlife areas require permits. Several locations prohibit pets, particularly in State Wildlife Areas.

These primitive camping areas feature diverse landscapes from reservoir shorelines to high mountain meadows. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with elk, moose, and various bird species frequently spotted. One visitor to Routt National Forest described finding "plenty of campsites designated by fire rings along the road that are well spread out and offer plenty of seclusion." Another camper highlighted the solitude: "We were surprised to not encounter any other campers despite it being a beautiful summer weekend." The Delaney Lakes area provides fishing opportunities, while Buffalo Pass offers hiking trails and mountain biking routes. Cell service varies significantly by location, with some areas maintaining good connectivity while others have no signal.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Walden, Colorado (95)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Walden, CO

232 Reviews of 95 Walden 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.

  • Izzy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2022

    Laramie Overlook Disperesed Camping

    Small, but mighty

    Great place to boondock for a few days. We stayed here for a week in our 20 foot skoolie. Short drive into the Medicine Bow National forest and you’re here. There are a couple of loops right as you enter, which are the most level places to park a rig. Then another path leads about a half a mile to a few other sites that are more secluded, but not very level. I wouldn’t recommend towing anything down there with the condition of the dirt road and low hanging tree branches. Those would be ideal for a camper van or tent. There is a lovely creek that runs along there. The dump/water is decommissioned at this site, but as you turn in there is dump/water at the forest station. During our stay there were a couple of RV’s and some off road fanatics. Quiet and cool summer evenings. Great cell service!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • shawn L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Long Draw Reservoir Dispersed Camping

    long draw resovour

    29 really spread out dispersed camping spots along a very long road. Some of them are hard to find. A few really awesome hiking trails a couple different lakes to choose from for fishing kayaking. It’s along rd 151 you also have Peterson lake nearby as well. I found two group campgrounds that are pay per night (22 a night) they have toilets and water. The dispersed by Peterson lake was very rough road high clearance recommended. The 151 to long draw relatively smooth and vehicle could make it

Guide to Walden

Dispersed camping near Walden, Colorado ranges from high alpine sites at 8,000-9,000 feet elevation to sagebrush plains surrounding reservoirs and lakes. The region experiences short summers with cool nights, even in July and August when temperatures can drop into the 40s. Water access varies significantly between locations, with reservoir sites offering shore fishing while forest locations provide more shade and protection from elements.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Seymour Lake State Wildlife Area, campers can fish in a serene setting just 5 miles off the freeway. One visitor noted, "Picturesque, serene. We arrived late in the evening, well after dark. Easy to find. Plenty of rustic spaces."

Wildlife viewing: The Delaney Lakes complex offers excellent wildlife spotting chances. At South Delaney Lake, a camper reported, "Nice mountain views, and some wildlife, saw an otter. Though we heard much more through the night, the heavy steps and gutterral sounds nearby."

Mountain biking: The Buffalo Pass area provides trail access for cyclists. A visitor mentioned, "Great free spot if you're looking for somewhere not too far from the town. Awesome bike trails not very far. No bathroom or water it is dispersed."

What campers like

Solitude: Many campers value the quiet atmosphere in the Walden area. At Laramie River Road Dispersed, visitors found "Peaceful and beautiful. We will go back again for sure. Plenty of camping sites even though some were destroyed in the fires."

Diverse landscapes: The region offers varied terrain from lakeshores to forests. One camper described the area as "Aspen wetlands and is beautiful. The road is a county dirt road but it is very well maintained and fairly wide."

Fall colors: For those camping outside peak summer season, the changing leaves create spectacular scenes. A visitor to Buffalo Pass Dispersed shared: "It was such a beautiful area mid September. All the leaves were changing, it was cool and misty, the view was spectacular."

What you should know

Insect activity: Mosquitoes and other biting insects can be intense, especially near water. A visitor to South Delaney Lake warned, "First, SO many mosquito! They were biting through our jeans. This multi lake site has multiple vault toilets that may be just shy of a mile walk. Once we managed to get out on the lake to SUP, they follow you for hundreds of feet."

Road conditions: Many camping areas require careful navigation. One camper reported, "Very busy on a weekend and hard road. Some nice spots but many are blocked from a view so get there early."

Wildlife precautions: Large wildlife regularly passes through campsites. A visitor to Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping observed, "Pelicans and seagulls. Flat, no trees and darned few bushes taller than sage. SO MANY BUGS."

Weather preparedness: The high elevation means wide temperature swings. Even summer nights can be cold, as noted by a camper: "It does get cold at night even in summer as it's about 9,000 ft above sea level."

Tips for camping with families

Timing considerations: For family camping trips, many experienced campers recommend weekday visits. A reviewer noted, "Further down the road you get it opens up with some nice areas to camp. I choose wisely when to camp in order to avoid the mass gathering of campers on the weekends."

Shelter options: The lack of natural shade at some sites requires planning. At Walden Reservoir, a camper advised, "Better for campers/cans as there isn't much privacy for tent campers. Not enough trees for bathrooms so you may want to bring a hide-able set up."

Activity planning: Families should prepare entertainment that works in changing conditions. At Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area, a visitor observed, "Right off the Hwy 125, several spots for RVs and tents. You should buy the (SWA) Annual Pass, $11 for the year for seniors."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: RVers should scout locations before committing to a spot. One RVer shared, "I wouldn't take anything more than a teardrop or Airstream Basecamp up. The road up got rough and really did a number on my top mounted bike racks."

Access limitations: Many rustic camping areas near Walden have significant access challenges. A camper warned, "Rough road up, in a sprinter 4x4, not a lot of great options. Seems better for tent camping. Did see one or two RVs up, shocked they made it."

Length restrictions: Longer RVs will find limited suitable options. Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only, with one visitor noting they "camped in a 22ft travel trailer" at Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Walden, Colorado?

Walden offers excellent dispersed camping options in the surrounding national forests. Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Dispersed Camping provides numerous sites along back roads - just avoid private property areas. Some roads require high clearance vehicles. Another excellent option is Rabbit's Ear Pass East Summit FR 251, which offers campsites with beautiful tree coverage, though 4x4 high clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing most sites. The Medicine Bow National Forest area also offers dispersed camping opportunities, with many sites located along forest service roads that branch off from main highways around Walden.

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Walden?

Dispersed camping sites near Walden are primarily primitive with minimal amenities. At Hot Sulphur Springs SWA - Joe Gerrans Unit, you'll find a bear-proof dumpster and a porta-potty (bring your own toilet paper) with approximately a dozen established dispersed sites. Most other areas, like Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite, offer no facilities at all - you'll need to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Be prepared with plenty of water, food, and emergency supplies. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. Fire restrictions often apply, especially during summer months, so check current regulations before planning to have a campfire.

Is there free camping available around Walden Reservoir?

Yes, free camping is available near Walden Reservoir and throughout the surrounding area. Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping offers free sites near Jackson County. Additionally, Long Draw Reservoir Dispersed Camping provides 29 spread-out dispersed camping spots along a lengthy road, with access to fishing, kayaking, and hiking trails. These areas typically follow the standard 14-day stay limit common to public lands. Remember that dispersed sites don't take reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early during peak season is recommended.

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