Poudre Canyon Road Camp

After leaving RMNP we headed towards Steamboat Springs via Poudre Canyon and the Roosevelt NF. Spent a quiet night off the highway. A few cars went by and a flock of turkeys but was otherwise a quiet spot to camp for the night. It is dispersed camping so no facilities or trash receptacles available. Pack in-pack out.

Full disclosure: I crashed here after driving straight through eastern Wyoming so my standards may have been a little low at the time. I would have preferred to stay at Pingree but it wasn’t an option so I snagged a site here for a few nights and explored the canyon during the day. Overall I found it comfortable and quiet. The sites are spaced far enough apart for privacy. The view of the canyon isn’t spectacular; the opposing hillside is a little scruffy looking. But there are still trees and vegetation around the site so I wouldn’t call it ugly by any means. It just depends where you look I guess.

There were a handful of flies buzzing through the campsite which my dog took great personal offense to. But otherwise it was a very mellow, low-key site. I would describe it as a serviceable alternative if your first choice is full and you are tired of driving.

We liked the spot and the view was pretty but it was too close to the road AND twice our dog had some kind of reaction. Honestly, it looked like he was high. He started out looking sleepy and swaying as his eyes became heavy. He was very lethargic with dilated pupils. The first time we thought it was heat stroke so we took extra precautions but our third night there both of our dogs exhibited the same symptoms. Our smaller dog was barely responsive and we thought he was going to die. We never found out what it was...no ticks either.

Plenty of spaces from which to chose last weekend...which was mid-February -- "may" fluctuate seasonally

Can verify: NO Verizon OR TMobile service

Numerous sites on both sides of the road. Very quiet Monday to Thursday and heaving busy Friday to Sunday. These sites are too open for tent campers as there is no shade. Also bring plenty of water as there is none around without going back down the hill to the river. No cell service in this area. This is in a burn area so the scenery is not great. There are better sites higher up the road at the turn off for Crown Point Rd as you can camp on Bennett Creek in better scenery.