Camper submitted image from Sawmill Gulch - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Sawmill Gulch - 2
Roads
Camper submitted image from Sawmill Gulch - 3
Camping
Camper submitted image from Sawmill Gulch - 4
Facilities
Camper submitted image from Sawmill Gulch - 5
Nature
Unlock Planning Tools in App

Dispersed Camping

Sawmill Gulch

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Sawmill Gulch is located near rugged terrain with elevations that provide a variety of landscapes. Temperatures in this area can range from lows in the 30s Fahrenheit during cooler months to highs in the 80s during warmer seasons. Nearby, visitors can explore the scenic beauty of Mount Evans and the recreational opportunities at Staunton State Park.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Sawmill Gulch is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

39.48205872 N
105.7958885 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

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

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Sawmill Gulch needs a permit.


2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

34%
34%
0%
34%
0%

3.5

out of 5

3 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 23, 2025

Drive in + makeshift firepits

Loved this spot because it felt like a secret. Only 4 or 5 designated camping spots, but you can drive your car into the spot as well. I came from Kenosha Pass ($24 to camp there and you can’t drive your car to your campsite). The road up to the campsites starts out like a regular dirt road, but then it gets a tad rocky and then it gets slightly rough with several potholes. I drive a 2008 Prius and I went slow and it was not a problem for me at all, I cannot speak for the road coming from the other side though. There are bear signs so please be careful. There are also a couple spots along the way to park but not camp. Each of the campsites had makeshift rock style firepits as well. No bathrooms, no water, no trash cans. Private property on most of the rest of the land. No cellphone service for Verizon until you get to the highway again. Highly recommend!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Sep. 2, 2023

Follow up review

We returned in late August. The bugs are almost all gone. OHV traffic in the middle of the week is fairly quiet. There are only 5 dispersed sites along this road and it fills up on the weekend. Handcart and Hall Valley campgrounds are now closed for the season so it will fill up fast.

Site3
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Sawmill Gulch by Chris P., September 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Sawmill Gulch by Chris P., September 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Sawmill Gulch by Chris P., September 2, 2023
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2023

Bugs defeat campers

It’s hard to give this place a bad review as it is one of the most beautiful locations we have ever camped at. Other sites call it Hall Valley dispersed camping. We arrived on a Sunday evening around 5pm. The sites are all designated. CR60 is heavily used by OHVs and when the parking lots are full, they use the campsites to park their trucks and trailers so only 2 sites were available. We chose site 3 which sits on beaver ponds with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Unfortunately, the OHV traffic went into the late evening and the combination of engine noise and blaring music was disturbing. Also the dust they kick up blew across the site. That was only the beginning of the bad experience. The worst part was the insect infestation which we were not prepared for. Mosquitoes and biting flies were swarming due to the surrounding beaver ponds. Even with a good fire with some smoke we could not ward them off and they seemed to like our bug repellent. After one night of being eaten alive, we bailed for higher ground on Guanella Pass. The pros of this site are the spectacular views, hummingbirds, easy access on CR60 which does not require 4wd, we saw a beaver and you can drive right up to your site so great for tent/car campers. The cons are the OHV traffic, especially on a weekend and the intolerable insects. We will return in the fall when the insects should be calmer and will go in the middle of the week to avoid the OHVs.

Site3
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Sawmill Gulch by Chris P., July 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Sawmill Gulch by Chris P., July 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Sawmill Gulch by Chris P., July 20, 2023
  • (12) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sawmill Gulch Campground located in Colorado?

Sawmill Gulch Campground is located in what's sometimes also called Hall Valley in Colorado. It can be accessed via County Road 60 (CR60). The campground sits in a stunning mountainous area, offering some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the region. It's positioned near Kenosha Pass, though exact driving directions would require checking with forest service offices or official maps for the most current access information.

What facilities and amenities are available at Sawmill Gulch Campground?

Sawmill Gulch is a primitive dispersed camping area with minimal facilities. There are only 4-5 designated camping spots along the road. Each site allows you to drive your vehicle directly into your camping spot. No developed amenities like running water, electricity, or bathroom facilities are provided. The area experiences heavy OHV traffic, especially on weekends when the nearby parking lots fill up. Bug activity varies by season, with late August offering fewer insects than earlier in the summer.

How do I make reservations for Sawmill Gulch Campground?

No reservation system exists for Sawmill Gulch Campground as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. With only 5 dispersed sites available, the area fills up quickly, especially on weekends and when nearby developed campgrounds like Handcart and Hall Valley are closed for the season. For the best chance of securing a spot, arrive mid-week or early in the day. Since this is a dispersed camping area on forest service land, be prepared to find alternative camping if all designated sites are occupied.