Dispersed Camping in Colorado: Free Sites and Each Forest's Rules

Colorado has a lot of free camping: forest roads that climb to aspen groves, alpine meadows and creekside pull-offs, all open to anyone with a tent or a van. But the busiest forests near Denver, Colorado Springs and the ski towns have tightened their rules in recent years. In several popular areas you can now only camp at numbered, designated sites.

This guide covers the rules forest by forest. For how dispersed camping works in general, read our dispersed camping guide.

The rules at a glance

Every national forest publishes free Motor Vehicle Use Maps showing which roads are open and where you can pull off to camp. Get the one for the ranger district you're heading to, and call the district if you're unsure what's open.

Pike National Forest

The Pike covers the mountains closest to Denver and Colorado Springs. A forest order covering the Pikes Peak, South Platte and South Park ranger districts sets these rules:

• No camping at one location, within the same 20-mile radius, for more than 14 days in any 30-day period.
• No camping within 100 feet of a lake, stream, pond or river, unless you're in a developed campground or a designated dispersed site.
• In the order's described areas, camping and campfires are allowed only in developed recreation sites and designated dispersed campsites, and you can't be in those areas between sunset and sunrise unless you're camping in one.

The order runs through December 1, 2026, unless rescinded, so check whether it has been renewed or replaced before a trip after that date. The described areas are mapped in the order's exhibits on the forest's alerts page. If you're camping near Colorado Springs or Denver, assume you'll need a designated site and look for the numbered posts.

San Isabel National Forest

The San Isabel takes in the Collegiate Peaks, the Arkansas River valley and the Sangre de Cristos. An order for the Leadville, Salida and San Carlos ranger districts applies the same 14-day, 20-mile and 100-foot rules across the districts, and adds designated-site-only camping in some of the most popular spots:

• Leadville district: the Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes recreation areas. Being in those areas between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited unless you're camping in a developed campground or designated site.
• Salida district: the South Cottonwood Creek drainage, the Chalk Creek drainage up to St. Elmo, and O'Haver Lake. Campfires there are also limited to developed and designated sites.
• San Carlos district: the Cuchara Creek recreation area and the Purgatoire River corridor.

Like the Pike order, the San Isabel order runs through December 1, 2026, unless rescinded, so check for a renewal after that date. Chalk Creek and Cottonwood Creek are both just outside Buena Vista. The designated sites there are still free; there are just fewer of them, so arrive early.

White River National Forest

The White River surrounds Vail, Aspen, Glenwood Springs and Summit County. Its rules:

• Pick a site that's already been used, no more than 300 feet from the centerline of the road and at least 100 feet from any water.
• Unless posted otherwise, stay up to 14 days in a 30-day period, then relocate outside a 20-mile radius.
• Camping is for recreation only; living on the forest isn't allowed.
• Some locations allow dispersed camping at designated sites only, and some have 7-day stay limits.

There are no services, so bring drinking water, a plan for food storage and human waste, and a way to carry out all your trash.

San Juan National Forest

The San Juans around Durango, Pagosa Springs and Silverton have the most generous rules on this list (16 days rather than 14):

• Stay up to 16 days in a dispersed area; then move at least 5 road miles away. No more than 16 days in any 30-day period at the same area.
• Camp at least 100 feet from any stream and keep your site within 150 feet of the road. In designated dispersed areas, you may drive up to 300 feet off an open road if it causes no damage.
• Dispersed camping isn't allowed within one mile of developed campgrounds.
• Don't drive across meadows to reach a site.
• Groups of more than 75 need a free special use permit from the district office.
• Campfires are allowed unless restrictions are in place; use existing fire rings.

BLM land in Colorado

Western Colorado has large areas of Bureau of Land Management land. The BLM's general rules apply: dispersed camping is allowed unless posted closed, the limit is 14 days in any 28-day period, and the BLM recommends camping within about 150 feet of the route, 200 feet from water, and a mile from developed campgrounds, trailheads and picnic areas. Local field offices add their own designated-site areas, so check with the office for the area you're visiting.

Fire restrictions

Colorado's forests move in and out of fire restrictions through the summer, and the stage can differ between neighboring districts and counties. The San Isabel and Pike orders above already limit campfires to designated sites in some areas, before any seasonal ban. Check the forest's alerts page the week you go, and carry a stove so a ban doesn't ruin dinner.

Tips for finding a spot

• Go midweek. Popular areas near the Front Range and the ski towns can fill up on weekends.
• Have three options. Mark a first choice and two backups on an offline map.
• Look for the numbered post in designated-site areas. If there's no post, it isn't a site.
• Camp where others have camped. Bare ground and an existing fire ring mean you're doing less damage.
• Pack out everything, including human waste where the area asks for it.

For campgrounds with facilities, see our guide to Colorado campgrounds.