How To Find Dispersed Campsites In Colorado
Most dispersed camping sites are not listed online, and the few that are listed are often overrun by crowds. Part of the fun of dispersed camping comes from the excitement of searching for the right site, and not having to deal with reservations online. I recommend starting by picking a general area you want to camp in. Use Google Maps to identify roads in the area easily accessible from the highway.
I recommend bringing a 4WD vehicle if possible as many of these roads are in poor condition.Once you have a list of roads, program them into your GPS and head out to the mountains. Drive along the road and keep an eye out for campsites. You may wish to stop and hike around, as there may be better sites located down a trail or turn off away from the main road. When picking a site, look for areas without dead trees, which are a common falling hazard. Flat ground is better for tents, but avoid depressions that collect rainwater.
In some areas like Montezuma Road and Guanella Pass dispersed camping is not allowed or requires a permit or reservation. While there are usually roadsigns in the area that say this, it is ultimately your responsibility to know where you can and cannot camp. Check online at the Forest Service website to see a list of areas with dispersed camping regulations.
While the Western United States are filled with seemingly endless opportunities to find beautiful, free camping, few states do it quite as well as Colorado.
Grand County Campground Information
Create unforgettable family memories waking up to mountain-crisp air, babbling brooks, verdant meadows, and towering mountains just outside your tent door. Grand County offers a variety of camping accommodations including public campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park, Arapaho National Recreation Area, Byers Peak, Idlewild, Robbers Roost, and St. Louis Creek.
For complete information on camping in each of the four main areas of Grand County, as well as the many public lands and wilderness areas, please contact each chamber directly.
Here are some of the more well-known spots to pitch a tent or hook up an RV around Grand County:
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Colorado National Monument Saddlehorn Campground
Colorado National Monument represents some of the most unique beauty of the western edge of the state, and camping is available for those want to soak in the views and the scenic drives that surround the site. Although the amenities are few, there is ample room for RVs and trailers to cozy up at this campground.
- Closest Town: Fruita , Grand Junction
- Specs: 80 total sites, pull-thru and back-in for RVs and trailers as well as tent camping sites
- Amenities: Flush toilets, water, picnic tables, fire pits, and charcoal grills
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.Gov
- Address: Saddlehorn Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81507
- Directions: From Grand Junction, take CO-340 W for about 11 miles. Take a left onto Monument Rd, which becomes Rim Rock Drive, and continue for about 4 miles. Be warned, this is a toll road, but the views are worth it. Turn left onto Saddlehorn and the campground will be on your left.
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Bookcliff Campground Highline Lake State Park
Located in Highline Lake State Park, Bookcliff Campground is a well-known spot for RV and tent campers looking to appreciate Highline Lake and its recreational offerings. For weary travelers entering through the Utah border, Bookcliff is the perfect place to spend a nice recuperating before taking in the opportunities that Mesa County affords.
- Closest Town: Loma , Fruita , Grand Junction
- Specs: 34 total sites for tent camping and RVs, 3 walk-in tent sites and group camping areas as well
- Amenities: Restrooms, coin showers, laundry at Camper Services, dump station, water spigots
- Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
- Address: 11 8/10 Rd, Loma, CO 81524
- Directions: From Grand Junction, take I-70 W for about 10 miles. Take Exit 15 for CO-139/Loma and then turn right onto CO-139 N/US-50 E. Continue for about 1 miles, then turn left onto US-6 Business E. After about a mile, turn right onto 12 Rd, then about 3 miles later take a left onto Q Rd. Turn right onto 11 8/10 Rd and follow this for about a mile. Make a left to enter Highline Lake State Park and follow signs for Bookcliff Campground.
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What People Are Saying About Valley Sunset Rv Ranch
Friendly staff, plenty of room to maneuver a big rig, and the cheapest LP prices weve ever seen. Been there twice and will stay there again. Mark, Google Review,
Location
Image Source:https://www.glenwoodcanyonres…
Glenwood Canyon Resort is more than just a campground and RV park. It is located about 85 miles from Grand Junction in Glenwood Springs, which is northeast of Grand Junction on the way to Denver. This park is big-rig friendly, and the nearby town of Glenwood Springs has everything you will need for food and supplies.
Camping Near Grand Junction
With an estimated population of around 65,000 residents, Grand Junction provides all the shops, restaurants and attractions to keep you entertained and well fed during your Western Colorado camping trip. The downtown features several blocks of businesses, perfect for strolling and enjoying the warmer days at 4,586 feet. With magnificent mesas visible in most directions, its a scenic high desert landscape with a few RV campgrounds to choose from close to town. Clifton is its direct neighbor to the east and part of the same metro statistical area.
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Are You Considering Dispersed Camping Near Grand Junction
For some people, the beauty of camping lies in the serene and genuine experience of camping in national forests and dispersed campsites. Boondocking at dispersed campsites just cant be beaten.
While great amenities like a hot shower and a good laundry area are welcome sometimes, camping in the great outdoors can really be appreciated by some if they camp on an undeveloped campground.
If you are considering this, weve prepared some tips to consider:
- It is free and on a first-come-first-served basis.
- The rule is to camp about 100-200 feet away from the road and any waterway.
- If you can still see the next camper, then you may have to move further a little.
- Bring food and water and fuel
- Bring out what you bring in
- Store food properly especially in a bear territory as dispersed camping doesnt come with bear lockers.
- familytravelfever
Why Youll Love Moon Dance Rv Park
Moon Dance RV Park is conveniently located to all the services and attractions that Grand Junction has to offer. It is a laid-back park, and many reviewers remarked at how clean the facilities were kept. If you are passing through or staying several nights, Moon Dance is a family-friendly choice for you.
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The Best Of Western Colorado Camping Near Grand Junction
This article about Camping near Grand Junction, Colorado is brought to you by Gregory. Their water backpacks are a great way to store water while visiting these high desert locations.
Mountain bikers flock to the desert just west of Grand Junction each spring and fall to test their skills on the regions vast network of singletrack trails. Its a low key alternative to nearby Moab, and its proximity to Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers visitors plenty of interesting landscapes to explore. Grand Junction has also been dubbed Colorados wine country, so you can spend an afternoon sampling wine and other goods from the regions many orchards after a morning on the trails.
Campers will find a variety of options around Grand Junction including amenity-packed RV parks closer to town and more primitive sites out in the BLM lands west of town. Whether you want easy access to mountain bike trails, riverside views among the peach orchards, or incredible sunset views from the mesa top in Colorado National Monument, youll find options for every kind of camper.
James M Robb Co River State Park Island Acres Campground
If you want to be close to the water during your camping experience, Island Acres Section Campground is the prime location to spend your vacation. A huge selection of sites awaits you at Island Acres, where you will be surrounded by three fishing lakes as well as a swimming hole to cool off in during the summertime.
- Closest Town: Palisade , Grand Junction
- Specs: 78 total sites on the Colorado River, many w/ full-hookup or electric-only services, tent-only campsites as well
- Amenities: Restrooms, coin showers, laundry, 3 fishing lakes and a swimming hole, 2 playgrounds
- Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
- Address: 1055 I-70, Palisade, CO 81526
- Directions: From Grand Junction, use I-70 E to travel for about 10 miles. Take Exit 47, which will have signs for James M. Robb Colorado River State Park. Turn left, then continue for 3/4 of a mile, then make a right. Take another right onto D loop to arrive at the campground.
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Why Youll Love Aspen Trails Rv & Campground
Why Youll Love Aspen Trails RV & Campground Aspen Trails RV & Campground will win your heart with its cozy RV camping, family-friendly cafe, and beautiful location. It has large, level, gravel campsites and is surrounded by beautiful views of the mesa. When it comes to camping in the Grand Junction, Colorado, area, Aspen Trails offers a lot of value at a great price.
Camping In Grand Junction Colorado
Located near the Utah-Colorado border on the western edge of the state, Grand Junction’s red-sandstone monoliths and brilliantly colored canyon walls are the gateway to the 20,450 acres that make up the Colorado National Monument. Pitch a tent or park your RV within city limits, or venture to camping areas found among the forested mesas situated just outside.
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Places To Camp For Free In Colorado
Camping Below the Stars Scenic view along the Colorado River with tent illuminated from within with Milky Way.
Colorado has some amazing campgrounds, with scenic beauty and accommodations like drinking water, restrooms, and picnic tables all for a nightly fee that is a fraction of what a hotel would cost. But sometimes, dont you just want to find a secluded spot along a dusty road and enjoy some privacy? Or maybe you just forgot your checkbook. With that in mind, here are 7 places to camp for free in Colorado. Please keep in mind that no fee means no cleaning or trash pickup, so for the sake of the forests, follow Leave No Trace principles by using existing campsites and campfire rings and packing out all your trash.
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Aspen Trails Rv & Campground
Aspen Trails RV Campground is another cozy RV site on the other side of the Grand Mesa from Grand Junction. It is specifically located in between Cedaredge and Grand Mesa.
The campground has a limited space of up to 23 RV pull-through slots for 75 feet long campers.
Relax in their family-friendly cafe that has a beautiful vintage vibe. Make sure you try out their handmade waffle cones with their famous ice cream. Locals and tourists alike admit to coming back to this campground for the ice cream. Try this while you enjoy the view of the Grand Mesa and the Colorado National Monument.
- Discount: Military members
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James R Robb State Park
- familytravelfever
As mentioned, situated right across Monument RV Park is James R. Robb State Park. This campground is not just a place where you can stay for the night, it also is jam-packed with outdoor activities that you can do during the day. Some of the activities that you can do in this park are swimming, river tubing, playing volleyball, horseshoes, fishing, kayaking/rafting/canoeing, birding, camping, and biking.
Apart from these, guests can enjoy the on-site amenities such as a playground, picnic area, laundry facilities, gift shop, and fire pit.
- Wi-Fi: No
Palisade Basecamp Rv Resort
When you approach Palisade Base Camp RV Resort, you may miss it at firstthis park is hidden behind a beautiful peach orchard and sits right up against the Colorado River, but thats just the start of the amenities at this spot. With a swimming pool and a dog run, even your furry friends will love your stay in Mesa County.
- Closest Town: Palisade , Grand Junction
- Specs: 90 total sites, full hookups available for RVs and trailers, riverfront tent camping sites available as well
- Amenities: Showers, restrooms, laundry, dump station, dog run, swimming pool
- Reservations: Yes, call 462-9712
- Address: 985 N River Rd, Palisade, CO 81526
- Directions: From Grand Junction, take I-70 E for about 11 miles. Take exit 42 for US-6/Palisade and continue for a third of a mile. Make a right onto 37 3/10 Rd/Elberta Ave and drive for a half mile, then turn left onto W 1st St/G 4/10 Rd. Turn right onto Main St, then make a left onto E 3rd St. The road will become N River Rd and after about a mile, the RV park will be on your left.
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James M Robb Co River State Park Fruita Campground
For those who want to treat themselves during their stay near Fruita, the Fruita Section Campground is one of the most developed around. With an abundance of sites that are full-hookup, this campground is a haven for RV and trailer campers, but also features walk-in tent campsites as well.
- Closest Town: Fruita , Grand Junction
- Specs: 57 total sites, 22 w/ full-hook up, 22 w/ electric only, and 13 walk-in tent campsites
- Amenities: 4 restrooms, coin showers, laundry, visitor center, book store, playgrounds, fishing nearby
- Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
- Address: 595 Highway 340, Fruita, CO 81521
- Directions: From Grand Junction, follow I-70 W towards Fruita. At US-6, exit the highway turn left onto CO-340 E. Continue for about a mile, then the campground will be on your right.
What People Are Saying About Grand Mesa Rv Park
We stayed here on our vacation, and it was a last-minute rush to find somewhere to stay. They were amazing people and so flexible and willing to work with us. Its a very family-friendly environment, and the whole grounds are amazingly well kept. Will definitely be visiting again and again! Aiaba, Google Review
Location
Image Source:http://www.valleysunsetrvranc…
For one of the best values when it comes to Grand Junction RV parks rates, Valley Sunset RV Ranch is an excellent choice. It is located in Delta, Colorado which is about 50 miles from Grand Junction. This campground is big-rig-friendly and easily accessible from Highway 50.
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Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite
Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.
Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.
This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
Rv Parks And Campgrounds In Western Colorado
Now that summer is here its time to get the RV ready for some outdoor fun along the Western Slope. You dont have to travel too far away from Grand Junction to find some excellent RV camping spots either.
There are tons of campgrounds and RV parks near Grand Junction and here are some of the top spots.
This highly reviewed KOA campground is conveniently located off Highway 50 and comes packed with amenities. There is a swimming pool, outdoor movie theater, playground, mini-golf course, game room, Wi-Fi, and more.
In addition to the RV sites, there are also tent sites and cabins that are available to rent. Additionally, because this is a family-run campground, the friendly atmosphere will make your stay even more enjoyable.
This is the closest full-service RV Park to the Colorado National Monument, and everything from tents to 95-foot pull-throughs are accommodated. Theres Wi-Fi, a pool and hot tub, laundry facilities, a dog run area, and picturesque views.
Monument RV Resort is also across the street from our next top spot, which is ideal if you want to enjoy swimming and fishing.
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