Stillwater Pass

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Wildfire has left a visible mark on Stillwater Pass, a free dispersed camping area within Arapaho National Forest northwest of Grand Lake, Colorado. The 2020 fire stripped much of the surrounding forest, leaving open sightlines across the mountain that reviewers consistently note as a trade-off worth making. Vegetation is slowly returning, and recent visitors report moose wandering through sites, a sign that wildlife is reestablishing itself in the burn zone.

Access follows Highway 34 north from Grand Lake, then roughly 4 kilometers up Highway 4. The road transitions to gravel, and sites appear on both sides. Most vehicles handle the route without issue, though a few spots require higher clearance. Sites are dispersed and generally spacious, with downed timber readily available for campfires. Cell coverage exists here, with at least one bar reported for Verizon and T-Mobile users.

The campground draws a mix of solo campers and groups. Holiday weekends can bring crowding, particularly at larger group sites. Trash left by previous visitors has been flagged in multiple reviews, so pack-in, pack-out habits matter here. Reilly notes the site offers "plenty of room" and that neighbors are well-spaced, which holds true outside peak periods. A vault toilet sits approximately one kilometer up the road from where the gravel begins.

Grand Lake, about 12 kilometers away, has grocery stores, restaurants, and shops for resupply. Campers who want a developed alternative nearby can compare options at Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsite or browse places to camp around Grand Lake for a broader look at what the area has available.

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Map & DirectionsStillwater Pass is located in Colorado near Grand Lake

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

40.21909058 N
105.887453 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 23 users
    Last on 8/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 15 users
    Last on 8/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 57 users
    Last on 8/1/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 23 users
    Last on 8/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 15 users
    Last on 8/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 57 users
    Last on 8/1/26

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
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • 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 Stillwater Pass needs a permit.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Stillwater Pass

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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the large, well-spaced sites and stunning mountain views, along with free camping. Several noted the wildfire damage from 2020, though recent visitors report signs of recovery and abundant wildlife.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed May. 17, 2025

Secluded and Quiet

The burn scar is not as bad as it used to be and things are growing back! We were surrounded by wildlife the whole time with no other busy city noises. We saw a bunch of moose and even had one wander into our site. Great place for a one night stay.

Site40.22169° N, 105.88726° W
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Emma C., May 17, 2025
  • mr. moose!
    Play button icon
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Emma C., May 17, 2025
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2024

Easy Spot, Trash Left Behind

This spot was really easy to get to and had at least one bar of service for Verizon and T Mobile. The spot was nice and secluded, but there was some trash left behind from previous campers:(

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Grace S., October 8, 2024
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2024

Stillwater drive

Plenty of spots available. But land and trees are decimated from fire in 2020. But hey it’s a free spot to sleep

Sitenot sure
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Paul K., September 30, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2024

Solid sites

The sites up on this mountain are all or mostly surrounded by burnt forest due to a wildfire. It’s kind of sad. That aside, the views are pretty good. We ended up staying at a group site, which happened to be on 4th of July so it was a little overcrowded. But, all in all, pretty great sites. Plenty to choose from.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Kasey B., July 7, 2024
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Kasey B., July 7, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2023

Speechless

Not only is there plenty of room at each site and the neighbors are spaced but the views are amazing! Also many trees blown over perfect for firewood!

Sitenot sure
Month of VisitJuly
  • Play button icon
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2023

Great Spot for Camping

From Highway 34, just north of the Stillwater RV and Campground, take Highway 4 for about 4km. Once the road turns to gravel, you’ll see largish camping area on each side of the road. There is a vault toilet about another 1 km up the road. Some of there camping areas were being used by large groups, but others had just one or two tents, and as a courtesy, I asked them if it was ok to camp along side them. Grand Lake is about 12km away, with shops, restaurants and grocery stores. The best bit? It’s absolutely free!

Sitesecond camping area on the right
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2023

easy to find

simple road with beautiful surroundings, campsites just off the road so not much privacy, i would camp here again

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Milly C., July 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Milly C., July 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Stillwater Pass by Milly C., July 5, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2023

Convenient for RMNP

Some sites need high clearance, our minivan was able to manage most of the road. There's vault toilet in the beginning of the road. View is not the nicest, but the our site was large and convenient.

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Stillwater Pass dispersed camping located in Colorado?

Stillwater Pass dispersed camping is located just north of Grand Lake in Colorado. To reach the camping area, take Highway 34 north of the Stillwater RV and Campground, then turn onto Highway 4 for about 4km. The camping areas become visible once the road turns to gravel. This area is situated on a mountainside that offers excellent views, though it has been affected by past wildfires.

What do reviews say about camping at Stillwater Pass?

Stillwater Pass offers spacious campsites with good separation between neighbors and amazing mountain views. The area has been affected by wildfires, resulting in a burn scar with bare forest in some sections, though vegetation is gradually returning. Wildlife sightings are common, particularly moose. The camping experience is generally peaceful with no city noise. Cell service is available with at least one bar for Verizon and T-Mobile. Most campers rate their experience positively despite the fire damage, appreciating the secluded location and natural setting.

What are the best spots to camp at Stillwater Pass and are there photo resources to view them?

The best spots at Stillwater Pass are those offering mountain views, which help compensate for the burn-scarred forest surroundings. Some sites require high clearance vehicles to access, though most areas are reachable with standard vehicles like minivans. The campsites just off the road are spacious but offer limited privacy. Look for sites that balance accessibility with seclusion. Some higher elevation spots provide particularly good vistas. While specific photo resources aren't mentioned, visiting during spring and summer allows you to see the gradual regrowth of vegetation following the wildfire damage.

Are there any designated campsites or facilities at Stillwater Pass?

Stillwater Pass features largish camping areas on both sides of the road after it turns to gravel. There is a vault toilet located about 1 km up the road from where the gravel begins. The sites are informal dispersed camping spots rather than developed campgrounds with numbered sites. Some areas are suitable for groups. While basic, the sites offer plenty of room, and many have access to fallen trees that can be used for firewood. No water or electric hookups are available, so campers should be prepared to be self-sufficient.