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Ruby Gulch, Forest Road 328

5 ReviewsAdd Review

Off Forest Road 328 near Boulder, Ruby Gulch provides free dispersed camping within Roosevelt National Forest along a creek that flows through the historic mining area. The rough access road requires careful navigation, though Rebecca C. notes that "someone with low clearance could make it if they went slowly."

The gulch contains 22 abandoned mining shafts from the former Oxbow Mine operation, creating exploration opportunities for families and history enthusiasts. Tree coverage provides shade at most sites, while the creek offers a water source for filtering. A 7-mile hiking trail connects through the gulch back to the main road, becoming steep in the final 2 miles. Campers report finding multiple camping spots along the route, though availability can be limited on weekends.

Road conditions determine site access significantly. The first campsite sits close to the highway and experiences traffic noise throughout the night, while sites deeper in the gulch require higher clearance vehicles. Some visitors mention litter issues at roadside spots, though interior sites typically remain cleaner. Cameron confirms "no water access of any kind" at the highway-adjacent site.

The area serves as a base for exploring camping areas near Ward and offers budget-friendly access to Roosevelt National Forest's mining history and creek-side camping for those with appropriate vehicles.

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Map & DirectionsRuby Gulch, Forest Road 328 is located in Colorado near Ward

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

40.0411523 N
105.52348182 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 6/21/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 11 users
    Last on 6/21/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 14 users
    Last on 6/21/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 6/21/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 11 users
    Last on 6/21/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 14 users
    Last on 6/21/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Ruby Gulch, Forest Road 328

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5 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted excellent family hiking and mining exploration opportunities. A few reviews mentioned issues with trash at some sites and highway noise concerns. Many mentioned limited camping spots requiring 4WD access for best experience.

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2025

Good spot

I was able to get to this campground in my 2WD SUV and I think someone with low clearance could make it if they went slowly. The first two spots were taken on a Monday and the third was empty, I tried going further down but couldn't make it in my car. There might have been other campsites I didn't find. A good spot with a lot of shade, would definitely go again!

Site3
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2023

Great kid friendly camping with adventure

I have camped here multiple times in different spots and explored most of the gulch and old mining locations. It’s great to bring the kids and explore creating a story core memory for them. It is possible to get even lower clearance vehicles in just take it slow. There is a crick the flows through the gulch with tons of beautiful hillsides with abandoned,game made,and forest path through. It was apart of the abandoned oxbow mine. The hiking trail through the gulch does lead back up to the road and is about a 7mile hike that gets very arduous the last 2 miles but worth it. In total if you can find them there is 22 closed mining shafts from years ago. Lots of tree coverage and very cute camping. The downside is some campers that have rolled through are party animals or like to bring atv’s or dirt bikes which is dumb there is not much room for them to play here. Also the party animals seem to need an education lesson on leave no trace. But aside from them it’s a good family spot to take the kids or get away on a budget not many bugs low light and noise pollution overall.

Site5 of the 12 that are designated areas
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Ruby Gulch, Forest Road 328 by shawn L., August 14, 2023
  • Review photo of Ruby Gulch, Forest Road 328 by shawn L., August 14, 2023
  • Review photo of Ruby Gulch, Forest Road 328 by shawn L., August 14, 2023
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Sep. 9, 2022

Decent for car camping

Right off the highway and about :15 from Neaderland which was nice but quite noisy at night. Kind of trashed (sadly) so I was a little nervous camping.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2020

Rough road, trash, but free

I think most of the campsites are only accessible via an extremely rough road that was impassable for my Honda Civic. If you can make it down that road, you’ll probably have a much better experience. I slept at the closest campsite to the highway. Tons of trash - I think somebody took all their belongings and dumped them out here, trash bags full of clothes, a mattress, plus lots of broken bottles and stuff. There’s a fire pit and plenty of deadfall to burn. The highway was quite busy all night. No bugs. No water access of any kind. There’s only one campsite that doesn’t require you to take the rough road, so 4WD probably improves campsite availability quite a bit.

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2018

Stunning views & adventurous hikes

This is a really awesome spot for hiking and camping. There are so many abandoned mines out here and old trails, it's a fun adventure trekking up to the collapsed rubble of mining history. When the fire ban is not in effect there are also a lot of great shooting spots out here. There only downside is there are not very many camping spots, and the last one is quite a drive into rugged roads. There is a possibility of driving all the way in just to turn right back around due to no vacant camp grounds. If you get a chance to camp out here I highly recommend it. There is also a really beautiful spring with some of the freshest pure water that's tough to find but worth the hike to get to it!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Ruby Gulch, Forest Road 328 by Amanda V., September 30, 2018
Showing results 1-5 of 5 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What vehicle types can access Ruby Gulch dispersed camping areas?

Ruby Gulch offers a mix of accessibility options for different vehicles. While high-clearance 4WD vehicles will have the best access to all camping spots, many areas are accessible with 2WD SUVs if driven carefully. Some campers have successfully navigated the area in lower clearance vehicles by taking it slow, particularly to the first few campsites. However, the roads become extremely rough further in, making them impassable for standard passenger cars like sedans. For the full range of camping options, a vehicle with decent ground clearance is recommended.

Where is Ruby Gulch dispersed camping located in Colorado?

Ruby Gulch dispersed camping is located right off the highway approximately 15 minutes from Nederland, Colorado. The area features multiple dispersed camping spots along Forest Road 328, with beautiful surroundings that include old mining locations. The proximity to the highway makes it easily accessible while still offering a rustic camping experience in the Colorado mountains. Due to its location near the road, some campers may notice highway noise, especially at night.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at Ruby Gulch?

Ruby Gulch follows standard Forest Service dispersed camping regulations. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash, as littering has been an issue in this area. When in effect, fire bans must be strictly observed. Camping is limited to existing sites to minimize environmental impact. There are no designated facilities, so campers need to be prepared with their own water and sanitation solutions. The area is popular for recreational shooting when permitted, but all shooting activities must comply with local regulations. Always check current Forest Service regulations before your trip as rules may change seasonally.

Can I access hiking trails from Ruby Gulch dispersed camping?

Yes, Ruby Gulch offers excellent hiking opportunities directly from the camping areas. The area features numerous trails that lead to abandoned mines and historical mining sites, creating unique exploration opportunities. A creek flows through parts of the gulch, adding to the scenery. Many campers enjoy trekking through the old trails to discover collapsed mining structures and other remnants of the area's mining history. These hiking options make Ruby Gulch particularly appealing for families and history enthusiasts who want to create memorable outdoor experiences while learning about Colorado's mining heritage.

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