CO · Mountain West
Rocky Mountain National Park
Elk herds, tundra above 12,000 ft, and Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the US. The park nearly reaches the sky. From Denver it's the most accessible true alpine experience in North America.
- 1.5 hours from Denver airport, the closest true alpine experience to a major US hub
- Elk bugling in September is one of the best wildlife spectacles in the US
- Trail Ridge Road requires no hiking: drive to 12,000 ft for tundra views
- America the Beautiful pass covers entry ($80/year, covers all national parks)
- Estes Park base town has good camping and hostel options
Free camping near Rocky Mountain National Park
Roosevelt NF: Cache la Poudre Canyon Dispersed
Roosevelt National Forest (Canyon Lakes Ranger District)
Free dispersed camping along Colorado's only Wild & Scenic River canyon. Dramatic rocky walls, great fly fishing, multiple pullouts along CO-14. Less than 1 hour from RMNP's north entrance.
How to get there
From Fort Collins, take CO-14 west into the Poudre Canyon. Dispersed camping areas begin past the town of Poudre Park, so look for brown NF signs.
Roosevelt NF: Long Draw Road (CO-14 turn-off)
Roosevelt National Forest
Extremely scenic high-altitude dispersed camping along Long Draw Road near the park's north boundary. Surrounded by Rawah Wilderness. Primitive but spectacular alpine setting.
How to get there
From CO-14 (Poudre Canyon), turn south on Long Draw Road (FS-156) about 50 miles west of Fort Collins. Road is dirt, 4WD recommended in wet conditions.
Dispersed camping ground rules
- Usually a 14-night limit in one area, then you move on
- Camp at least 200 ft from water, trails and roads
- Pack out all trash. Leave no trace.
- Check local fire restrictions before building a campfire
- No potable water: bring or filter everything you drink
Rules vary by forest and BLM field office, so check with the local ranger district or field office before you go.
Find more free spots
Get an app like iOverlander to find places to camp on public land for free in the states. Other campers post what's there, how rough the road is and whether a ranger moved them on.
- iOverlander (opens in a new tab)Free. Campsites reported by other travelers, with recent notes on access, signal and rangers.
- Campendium (opens in a new tab)Free to browse. A map of free campsites across the US, much of it on public land, with reviews.
Spots change. Read the newest reports and any posted rules before you set up, and pack out everything you bring in.
When to go
- January: month to skip
- February: month to skip
- March: month to skip
- April
- May
- June: best month
- July: best month
- August
- September: best month
- October: best month
- November: month to skip
- December: month to skip
WanderRank Scores
Daily Cost
$20 to $70
per day (food + transit)
Campsites: $30/night
or free on nearby public land
Entry fee: $35
Plus gas for the drive
Recommended Stay
3 to 6
days · moderate difficulty
Drive time from your airport
Avoid if
- You're visiting in summer without timed entry reservations. They're required and often sell out
- Altitude sickness is a concern, many trails start above 9,000 ft