Campgrounds in Colorado
14 van-friendly campgrounds in Colorado
View Colorado Van Life Guide →Maroon Bells Backcountry
Aspen, CO
Iconic Maroon Peak views from wilderness camping. Permit required. Among the most photographed peaks in America.
San Juan NF - Silverton
Silverton, CO
Spectacular alpine camping in the San Juan Mountains above 10000 feet. Some of Colorados most dramatic scenery.
White River NF - Breckenridge
Breckenridge, CO
Boreas Pass and other forest roads offer stunning alpine camping. Seasonal access from June through October.
Garden of the Gods
Colorado Springs, CO
Dramatic red rock formations and free public recreation area. Excellent basecamp region for vans.
Moraine Park Campground - Rocky Mountain NP
Estes Park, CO
Front-range camping inside Rocky Mountain National Park with elk viewing right at campsites.
Morefield Campground - Mesa Verde NP
Mancos, CO
Ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings 4 miles from this shaded campground. 800 years of Ancestral Puebloan history.
Blue Mesa Reservoir - Curecanti NRA
Gunnison, CO
Expansive reservoir camping in the high Rockies. Trout fishing and windsurfing at 7500 ft elevation.
Rio Grande NF - South Fork
South Fork, CO
High desert meets alpine forest. Excellent dispersed camping with hot springs nearby.
White River NF - Carbondale
Carbondale, CO
Elk Creek and Crystal River access. Free forest camping in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Dillon Pines Campground - Dillon Reservoir
Dillon, CO
High country reservoir camping in the Rockies. Sailing, fishing, and mountain biking.
Mount Elbert BLM Dispersed
Leadville, CO
BLM land near the highest peak in Colorado. Multiple designated dispersed sites along Halfmoon Creek Road.
Lake Fork Valley BLM - Gunnison
Gunnison, CO
High desert valley camping with elk herds. Continental Divide views. Free dispersed.
Mesa Verde Region BLM
Cortez, CO
Extensive BLM land south of Mesa Verde NP. Free dispersed camping with cliff views. Very quiet area.
Great Sand Dunes BLM Area
Alamosa, CO
Free BLM camping minutes from the dunes. Wide open spaces and incredible night skies.
Colorado is the state that made me fall in love with mountains. I've driven through every western state in my van, and nothing quite prepares you for the moment you clear the last ridge and see a whole range of 14,000-foot peaks stretching out in front of you. Colorado van life is high-altitude living — literally. Much of the camping sits between 8,000 and 12,000 feet, which means crisp air, cold nights even in summer, and views that rival anything in the world. The free dispersed camping on USFS land here is some of the best in the country, and the state has a van life community that's more established than almost anywhere. This guide covers our favorite campgrounds from the Front Range to the Western Slope, including the dispersed spots we keep coming back to every year.
Colorado Van Life Overview
Colorado's geography is dominated by the Rocky Mountains, which run through the state from north to south and create dramatic differences in climate, vegetation, and camping conditions on either side. The Front Range (Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs) is where most people start, but the real camping magic is on the Western Slope and in the San Juans.
Best seasons: June through September is camping season at high elevation. July and August bring afternoon thunderstorms — plan to be done with hiking by noon and hunker down in the van for the afternoon rain show. May and October are shoulder seasons — lower elevations are great, but mountain passes may still have snow or close early.
Key regulations: Colorado has extensive USFS land where dispersed camping is free and generally allowed for up to 14 days. BLM land is also available, particularly on the Western Slope. National Parks (Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes) charge entrance fees. Most developed campgrounds in National Forests charge $15-25/night.
Altitude warning: Colorado's campgrounds sit at elevations where altitude sickness is a genuine risk. Headaches, nausea, and insomnia are common above 8,000 feet if your body isn't acclimated. Spend a night at moderate elevation (6,000-7,000 feet) before heading higher. Drink twice as much water as you think you need. Avoid alcohol on your first day at elevation.
Forest fire restrictions: Colorado's fire season (May-October) can close dispersed camping areas with little notice. Check fire restrictions on the USFS website before heading into the backcountry. Many areas ban campfires during dry periods — a camp stove is always a good backup.
Campgrounds by Region
Northern Colorado (Rocky Mountain NP, Fort Collins)
Northern Colorado is anchored by Rocky Mountain National Park and the city of Fort Collins. The Front Range here is populated and developed, but drive an hour west and you're in alpine wilderness with excellent USFS camping.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Moraine Park)
- Location: Estes Park, CO
- Type: National Park
- Cost: $30/night (includes $30 park entry)
- Highlights: Right in the park with elk herds grazing through the campground at dawn. The access to Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved road in the US) is extraordinary. Reservations are essential — they open on the first of the month, six months out.
Roosevelt National Forest (Chamberlain Lake)
- Location: Fort Collins, CO
- Type: National Forest
- Cost: Free (dispersed)
- Highlights: The Cherokee Park area north of Fort Collins has excellent free dispersed camping on a high mesa with views of the Front Range. We've stayed here for three nights at a time with zero other campers in sight. The access roads are well-maintained gravel.
Pawnee National Grassland
- Location: Briggsdale, CO (northeast CO plains)
- Type: National Grassland (USFS)
- Cost: Free (dispersed)
- Highlights: A surprising ocean of shortgrass prairie with the Butte area as a landmark. This is where you go for big sky, prairie dogs, and the feeling of total solitude. The Pawnee Buttes hike at sunrise is worth the drive from Denver.
Central Colorado (Aspen, Vail, San Isabel NF)
Central Colorado is where the state becomes expensive (Aspen, Vail) but the surrounding national forests keep it accessible. San Isabel National Forest is enormous and offers some of the best free dispersed camping in the state.
San Isabel National Forest (Twin Lakes)
- Location: Leadville, CO
- Type: National Forest
- Cost: Free (dispersed) / $15/night (developed)
- Highlights: Twin Lakes sits beneath Mount Elbert (the highest peak in the Lower 48) and Mount Massive. The dispersed camping around the lake is free and the scenery is jaw-dropping. This is our go-to when we want alpine camping without paying a dime.
White River National Forest (Maroon Bells Area)
- Location: Aspen, CO
- Type: National Forest
- Cost: Free (dispersed) / $25/night (developed)
- Highlights: The Maroon Bells are the most photographed peaks in Colorado, and camping in the surrounding forest puts you right in that landscape. Dispersed camping is available on Forest Road 151. The town of Aspen is expensive for resupply, but Carbondale (20 minutes south) is more affordable.
Mueller State Park
- Location: Divide, CO (between Cripple Creek and Woodland Park)
- Type: State Park
- Cost: $22/night
- Highlights: High meadows at 9,500 feet surrounded by aspens and pines. The park has 28 miles of trails and is far less crowded than nearby state parks. We love it for the fall colors — the aspens here turn brilliant gold in late September.
Southern Colorado (Great Sand Dunes, San Juans)
Southern Colorado is where the state gets wild. Great Sand Dunes National Park has the tallest sand dunes in North America, the San Juan Mountains are among the most dramatic in the Rockies, and the free camping on USFS land is abundant.
Great Sand Dunes National Park (Piñon Flats)
- Location: Mosca, CO
- Type: National Park
- Cost: $20/night (includes $30 park entry)
- Highlights: Camping next to the tallest sand dunes in North America (750 feet tall) is surreal. You can climb the dunes at sunset — no other people, just sand stretching to the horizon. The Medano Creek (seasonal) flows in front of the dunes in spring and is perfect for wading.
San Juan National Forest (Molas Lake)
- Location: Silverton, CO
- Type: National Forest
- Cost: Free (dispersed) / $20/night (developed)
- Highlights: The San Juans are Colorado's most dramatic mountains — steep, jagged, and covered in aspens. Molas Lake sits on the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) between Silverton and Ouray. Dispersed camping around the lake is free and the views are extraordinary.
Rio Grande National Forest
- Location: South Fork / Creede, CO
- Type: National Forest
- Cost: Free (dispersed)
- Highlights: Vast high-elevation forest with dispersed camping along countless forest roads. The Continental Divide runs through this forest, and the Wolf Creek Pass area offers some of the most accessible high-country camping in Colorado. We've had this area almost to ourselves in October.
Western Slope (Grand Junction, Glenwood, Uncompahgre)
The Western Slope is the underdog of Colorado camping — fewer tourists, lower prices, and some of the best free dispersed camping in the state. The terrain is drier and redder than the Front Range, and the peach orchards around Palisade are worth a stop in late summer.
Uncompahgre National Forest (Ouray Area)
- Location: Ouray, CO
- Type: National Forest
- Cost: Free (dispersed)
- Highlights: Ouray calls itself the "Switzerland of America" and the surrounding national forest has free dispersed camping on roads above town. The views of the San Juans from the forest roads are spectacular. Ouray itself has hot springs you can soak in after a day of hiking.
Grand Mesa National Forest
- Location: Grand Junction, CO
- Type: National Forest
- Cost: Free (dispersed) / $15/night (developed)
- Highlights: The Grand Mesa is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world — and it has over 300 lakes scattered across its surface. Dispersed camping along the mesa top is free and surrounded by aspen forest. The fishing is excellent and the solitude is hard to find elsewhere in Colorado.
Glenwood Canyon Area (White River NF)
- Location: Glenwood Springs, CO
- Type: National Forest
- Cost: Free (dispersed)
- Highlights: Camping along the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon puts you next to one of the most scenic stretches of river in the state. The free dispersed camping along Forest Road 312 is excellent, and you're minutes from the Glenwood Hot Springs pool — the largest in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to worry about altitude sickness in Colorado?
Yes, if you're coming from sea level and heading directly to high elevation (above 8,000 feet). Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. The fix is simple: ascend gradually, spend a night at moderate elevation first, drink twice as much water as usual, and avoid alcohol on your first day at altitude. Most people acclimate within 24-48 hours.
Where is the best free dispersed camping in Colorado?
Colorado has outstanding free dispersed camping on USFS land. San Isabel National Forest (around Twin Lakes), Rio Grande National Forest (South Fork area), and Grand Mesa National Forest are our top picks for free camping with great scenery. White River and Uncompahgre National Forests on the Western Slope are also excellent and less crowded.
When do Colorado mountain roads close for winter?
Most high-elevation roads (above 10,000 feet) close between October and May or June. Key passes like Cottonwood Pass, Independence Pass, and Red Mountain Pass typically close by late October. Check CDOT and USFS conditions before planning trips in shoulder season. The lower-elevation dispersed camping areas often stay accessible through November.
How do I deal with afternoon thunderstorms in Colorado?
Summer thunderstorms are nearly daily in the mountains (July-August). They typically roll in between 1 and 3 PM. The strategy is simple: start hiking before dawn, be off exposed ridges and peaks by noon, and be back at the van when the storms arrive. They usually pass within an hour. Never camp on exposed ridges during storm season.