Many options for private pull-offs once you drive past established NF campgrounds—likely tough to do without high clearance and/or 4WD when wet. Only “traffic” was the occasional ATV/OHV. Tons of great hiking around.
Great spot to land after long day of driving. Definitely some spots have more human waste and trash than I would want to camp too close to—not to mention the impacts of some campers’ poor habits on the many natural water sources throughout this area. Still, such a sweet spot with uber PNW vibes (water, tree lines, mountains, etc.). I love any spot where I can camp free and safely at night and wake up early to paddleboard a few hundred feet away. Great spot to SUP.
Have camped at Goosenecks many times traveling between NM and WA on the regular. The views here are unparalleled. If you love the desert and various shades of sepia and brick—this is the spot. No shade but it’s lovely, dry desert air, so it’s never too hot…You will likely have neighbors (but not too close usually, with only air and some space between you (so no privacy per se). And even though I don’t like camping much around people or in established spots, I love this place.
Found this campground after several dispersed spots in the area were either closed due to weather or already claimed. Campsites were big with privacy and there was almost no one staying here except the camp host and one other camper. Host was super friendly and it was quite nice to have a toilet to utilize!
Beautiful space with views and birdsongs aplenty. Spaces are small and right off the road, but for a free night not far from I-94 with solitude and nature, it’s fantastic. There are a few more pull-offs (again, no privacy and right off the Forest Road) if you drive on down toward Skunk Rd, but road gets rougher (high clearance and/or 4WD fine) from especially if it has recently rained. Those spots were also all taken. Went about a 1/2 mile beyond the GPS coordinates for spot with wee bit more space but the pull-off with these exact coordinates ended up getting claimed by an RV at some point in the night—this road gets solid use in the summer—saw at least a dozen vehicles in the 14 hours here.
For established camping, this park is lovely and spots are spacious. The place is bumpin’ with people but trees provide some sense of privacy but large, louder group was definitely in our vicinity—we couldn’t enjoy the birdsongs as we’d have liked (over 150 species can be found here). Staying at Grass Lake, we might have been able to launch our paddleboards from our site, but would have been a little tricky. Energy was better spent on keeping a fire tended with onslaught of unavoidable mosquitoes. Also, park doesn’t permit burning of found woods in the pits…
Needed an easy spot to land after too many hours on the road. I was the only camper that night, so complete privacy. Camp host was kind and diligent too. Beautiful views and great opportunities to hike all around.
Whilst a little eerie due to its location—you will be (hopefully) alone off a farm road, had a quiet, good night here. The hike up to the rock is awesome too, with a great view. This spot’s just a picnic table and a trash can (no facilities of any kind) but for a free spot on a long road trip, it’s sweet.
Definitely the place for some space and solitude without hiking out to a spot. Just up the road from Turquoise Lake and away from the apparent popularity of that spot you can drive up this well-maintained forest road for some peace and quiet and minimal bugs! Oh and to my surprise, a cell signal. Definitely a favorite spot in Colorado.
I always stop here on my to North TX from Southern New Mexico. Gorgeous dunes and sunrises and sunsets from anywhere at this camp. The bathrooms are always super clean and there are even showers!
Camp host was awesome and approachable with good knowledge of that natural area. Didn’t want to go to campground but needed to, and appreciated the clean bathrooms and lack of busy-ness at the camp—only 3 or 4 of at least 17 spots were taken, so still had complete privacy at site 16. There were quite a few bugs from standing water due to snow melt, but burning a fire (firepits at all sites) and using a little lemongrass minimized peskiness. The sites are mostly pretty close together or really close to the facilities so if you’re finicky about your spot, reserve online before turning off 50 because you won’t have a signal on the county road to the falls; although, you might get lucky just showing up and choosing your spot.
Loads of options going down 103. Found a solid spot by the river that even had a few primitive structures built. Great fishing and pondering spot until neighbors rolled in on both sides. Guessing you can generally count on neighbors in summer months even in seemingly nestled spots quite a ways down 103 and it was a a random Monday. I still had plenty of space and privacy. But I could hear a group of RVers playing music through the trees (and they were in view, too) at night which led me to seek a new spot after night one.
While there are tons of spaces where one could camp out here, most spaces are taken. While there were a few spots where I could technically post up, there’d have been no privacy. Certainly, it looks like there are a few spots where one might maximize privacy, but folks look pretty settled in those spots.
An established campground with priceless access at the river. Campground is small which means it won’t ever be swarmed with people overnight, but the road to the camp and lot is shared by many river rafting touring guides. Only 3 or 4 sites occupied on my visit in mid-June. This is sage country so no tree privacy or shade but enough space to spread out in your personal site comfortably.
Stopped by to SUP after some nights in the Arapaho National Forest. I day-camped for $5–multiple points to picnic with tables with loads of shade (but not shaded parking) to SUP on lovely Lake Grandby. Vault toilets available throughout the area. I considered overnight camping but felt too busy even on a Tuesday. Beware the wind—would have paddled sooner on the water but the wind was fierce for a few days straight.
Would have been a great spot if I’d arrived later—sundown or thereafter. But too sunny at 2 PM in June for my liking, especially with the bugs and the other people nearby. Would come back if I just needed a spot to boondock at night for a night. T-mobile service was fair. Area is decently trafficked so you might show up at night with no spots available.
Unfortunately, county road to access is closed until July 1st. No other access available.
Gorgeous spot amidst burn scar. As a result, no shade/cover but temperatures are cool enough even in mid-June. You are right by the county road but “traffic” is only the occasional ATV/car. Quite buggy in the day, too, but not intolerably so.