Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed, near Vail, Colorado, is a fantastic spot for those seeking a rugged camping experience surrounded by stunning natural beauty. This area offers a true escape into the wilderness, with sites nestled among aspens and pines, and a babbling stream that adds to the serene atmosphere.

The road leading to the camping area is quite rough, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. Many visitors have noted that while the journey can be challenging, the reward is well worth it, with beautiful views and a peaceful setting once you arrive. As one camper put it, “The camp is a 5, road is a 2,” highlighting the contrast between the drive and the destination.

For outdoor activities, you’re in luck. The nearby Lost Lake Trail offers a scenic hike, and the area is perfect for fishing and swimming, though be sure to bring bug spray to fend off the mosquitoes. Campers have enjoyed gathering around the stone fire pits, making it easy to enjoy evenings under the stars.

While amenities are minimal—no drinking water or toilets—this location is ideal for those who appreciate a more primitive experience. Visitors have remarked on the quiet and beauty of the area, making it a great choice for a weekend getaway or a longer stay in the heart of Colorado's wilderness.

There are many dispersed camping opportunities on the forest ranging from backpacking to car-camping along designated Forest Roads. Visitors are encouraged to minimize resource impacts by utilizing established sites rather than creating new ones. Dispersed camping sites along Forest Roads are shown on Motor Vehicle Use Maps, which are available free of charge at ranger district offices. Visitors are permitted to drive vehicles up to 300 feet from designated routes for purposes of dispersed camping as long as no resource damage is incurred in the process. Dispersed camping within 100 feet of lakes, streams, and forest system trails is prohibited unless otherwise designated. Campers may stay for a maximum of 14 days. Some areas may have additional special restrictions. This dirt road begins at the paved Red Sandstone Road near Vail and ends at either Piney Lake or Hwy 131 north of Wolcott: This road gets heavy vehicle traffic and also a fair number of mountain bike riders, so please share the road. The climb is gradual and steady, and all but the very lowest of passenger cars can handle this relatively easy dirt road. The road winds its way up along Red Sandstone Creek and then Indian Creek with occasional views south over Vail Mountain, before reaching its high point near the trailhead for Lost Lake Trail. Here you can choose to head west toward Muddy Pass and Hwy 131, or head toward Piney Lake as your destination. Enjoy the peace and beauty here or take a hike up the Upper Piney River Trail, but remember that the lake is surrounded by the Eagles Nest Wilderness and is closed to bikes.

Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed

Vail, CO is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Vail. Find the best campgrounds near Vail, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Vail

The Best Camping Near Vail, Colorado

This camp site was BEAUTIFUL! The road up has tons of ruts,some a hit deep so I would not come with any tow behind. Nice little creek and a couple fire pits already there made for the perfect night


Excellent site, tough road

Camp is a 5, road is a 2. Very rough, slow, rutted road. Campground has a few sites with rock fire pits and a stream rolling through. Loved the area.

Beautiful if you can get there

Road was REALLY rough. One portion looked like someone had just run around digging random holes in the road; however, once you got past the road, it was everything you'd want in a primitive site. Beautiful aspens, pines and a babbling stream made it one of our top picks for dispersed camping.

Absolutely beautiful 

Great 

Rough is pretty tough but I saw several vans make it. Would recommend 4x4. The campsites are decently spaced out but not the place to go if you don’t want neighbors, I chose the only single site I could find but could still hear dogs barking and music in the distance(to be fair it was 4th of July so probably more crowded than normal). The first two sights have really nice views but we’re taken. No views at the campsites at the end of the road because you’re pretty boxed in with trees but there a couple nice overlooks on the drive up. A nice little getaway. SO MANY MOSQUITOS. 

Pretty, lots of bugs.

We drove for what felt like forever and found a place where someone else had obviously camped. Not sure if it was supposed to be there. Saw tons of wildlife. Bring bear equipment! Camped with 1 year old. Quiet and peaceful. 

Not tons of options

The reviews below are spot on. The road was really bad. It was heavily eroded from water and had huge ruts from people driving through previous mud. Even scraped the bottom of our Subaru forester a little. Slow, but doable. 

There were a couple spots early on, but the bulk of the camping was down near the creek. There were probably 4-6 spots that were pretty close together in that area. We took a left up the hill and found a more secluded spot, but that road was tight (probably not worth it in a van). 

Lots of bugs! 

Busy and buggy

It was really pretty veiws but really busy, it was kind of hard to find a spot, and piney lake lodges were open and u couldn't bring any food or water near the lake also u had to pay $10 to use the lake with ur water craft. The 6 mile hike to the falls was fun, but we didn't make it all the way because the gates closed at 6 pm, so we had to hurry back. We couldn't find a camp on the way, but we did find some open dispersed kind of behind the lake that was open because it was a rough road. It was really pretty, tho, lots of hikes and close to Vail.

Piney Lake Dispersed 

I thoroughly enjoyed this camping area the stars at night are incredible. 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. It was definitely buggy, got my fair share of mosquito bites, so I recommend bug spray. The stone fire pits made it easy to get the blaze going. Will be back

Great Location, BUMPY Road

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). The road gets much more rough here, so take it slow, definitely some clearance needed (I was clear in my Subaru Forester). I found a great spot for 2 nights just before the Piney Lake Road junction. Seemed like there were plenty more options on the way up to that junction and leading up to the Lost Lake Trailhead. Managed to camp here on a Friday and Saturday summer night without any issue. Super quiet and beautiful spot. Hard to find any better option for free in this area. 

Good free option right outside of Vail

Went out late on a Friday night. My timing was wrong to get a good spot, but I was hoping there would be at least one spot left, unfortunately all the established sites I could reach were taken! I couldn't get more than a few miles up the road, the first few were manageable in my Impreza but having a higher clearance vehicle is definitely ideal. I was able to find a spot to pitch my tent for the night, but it was far from level or smooth. Still, incredible views of the stars and absolutely gorgeous to see the Aspen leaves changing! 

Photos of Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed

Real photos from real campers