Spread across three loops on BLM land managed by the Royal Gorge Field Office, Shavano Mountain gives campers a dispersed camping experience above the Poncha Springs valley with open sightlines toward the surrounding mountain ranges. The area has seen real improvements in recent years. A visitor who returned after a four-year gap noted that trash had been cleared and roads were well-marked, a significant change from earlier conditions. Sites across loops A, B, and C are spread far enough apart that weekday visitors often go hours without seeing another vehicle pass by.
The road in deserves attention before you go. A few rocky, washed-out sections require slow, careful driving, and one steeper pitch with loose rock near the upper reaches can challenge low-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles. Most reviewers agree the lower loops are accessible to cautious drivers in standard vehicles, including small RVs. Wind picks up at night across all three loops, so an extra layer or blanket is worth packing regardless of daytime temperatures. Grazing cattle are occasionally present on the land, which is worth knowing if you're camping with pets.
Cell coverage is reliable here. Verizon users report two bars of 5G, and T-Mobile connectivity also gets positive mentions. Rock fire rings are present at sites, though burn bans may be in effect depending on the season, so check current conditions before arrival. Aly V. noted "rock fire pits and it was quiet and the stars was wild," and the elevation keeps light pollution low enough to make that a consistent experience. Nearby, Shavano A Loop BLM Dispersed — Royal Gorge FO and Shavano BLM Designated Camping Area provide additional options if the main loops fill on busy weekends.
Salida sits roughly 20 minutes away and serves as a practical resupply point. Campers looking for campgrounds around Poncha Springs will find this area well-positioned for exploring the broader Arkansas River valley. The Applejack RV resort along the entrance road offers showers for $7, a useful stop after a few nights out. Arrive on a weekday if possible, and confirm any active fire restrictions with the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office before heading up.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsShavano Mountain is located in Colorado near Poncha Springs
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
38.56067728 N
106.1240639 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 9/10/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 30 usersLast on 9/10/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/2/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 9/10/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 30 usersLast on 9/10/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/2/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
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 Shavano Mountain needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 52 min from Pueblo, CO
- 2 hrs 13 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 37 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 47 min from Boulder, CO
