Are you looking for the best places for free camping in Colorado? If so, keep reading!
If you’re on the look out for the best places for free camping in Colorado, this is the place to find out. Colorado is home to some of the most sensational camping spots… and loads of the best free places for camping in Colorado are FREE!
So let’s discover… the best places for free camping in Colorado!
Whether that be nestled in the Rocky Mountain National Park or in the southern part of the state… There are some gorgeous places for free camping in Colorado.
We’ve got you covered, for we’ve scouted out the top 10 places for free camping in Colorado so that you can witness the Centennial State without an exorbitant price tag.
So, whether you’re camping on a budget or just want to save your money to spend elsewhere, read ahead!
Portal Campground
First on my list of the best places for free camping in Colorado, it’s Portal Campground. Though most people associate resorts and skiing with Aspen, there are actually a good number of campgrounds in the area.
If you head out down the road towards Independence Pass, then you’ll find a neat campground that is perfect for those that love the Great Outdoors.
Hidden amongst forestry and the mountains, it’s a great place to stop for hiking, fishing, and more and certainly one of the best places for free camping in Colorado! The campground itself is quite small, so be sure to get in early to snag a spot.
Though you can access this site by car, the roads are slightly precarious, so make sure you’re driving a vehicle that deals well with dirt roads. This is such a great choice for free campsites in Colorado.
Read more about visiting Colorado: Top 10 castles in Colorado!
Gordon Gulch
Next up on my list of the best places for free camping in Colorado, it’s Gordon Gulch. If you’re looking to stay along the southern Rocky Mountains, then the Front Range is your best bet.
If you just head towards Nederland, you’ll be able to find a camping spot in Gordon Gulch. Completely free for campers and a good distance between both Boulder and Denver, it’s a great place for those looking for a weekend break away from the city.
Though the camping here is free, there are still designated sites that campers need to stick to, so be aware of this when you set up camp. Other than that, this is definitely one of the best places for free camping in Colorado.
Read more about visiting Colorado: 20 fun things to do in Breckenridge in the summer!
Anvil Dispersed Camping
This place that offers free camping in Colorado is slightly off the beaten track, but it’s not too difficult to find. Just head north of Silverton and onto County Road 7.
From there, you’ll find a valley that sits below the San Juan Mountains, and that’s where you’ll find this next location for the best places for free camping in Colorado.
Believe it or not, you’re freely allowed to camp here, and it’s surrounded by plenty of great trails for hiking and biking. As the roads are quite navigable, you’ll be able to bring your RV along if you wish to!
As this area is located on national forest land, you can pitch here for up to 14 days, which makes it a perfect spot for free camping in Colorado, especially for vacations!
Here are some useful directions!
Alta Lakes Campground
One of the most popular places for free camping in Colorado is Alta Lakes Campground. With 20 dispersed sites in the area, we recommend heading down early to secure a good location.
At this free camping spot, you’ll have excellent views of the mountains and the nearby Alta Lakes. As the roads leading here are slightly dicey for large vehicles, you won’t be able to haul an RV up here.
However, this is a truly excellent spot to set up near Telluride, so it’s well worth considering. Definitely one of my favourite places for free camping in Colorado.
Peru Creek Road
Another great place for free camping in Colorado is Peru Creek Road. An area that offers mountain views from all sides, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more stunning spot to set up for the night.
As you’ll be surrounded by alpine trees and will be reasonably high up, we recommend packing plenty of layers for a trip up here.
Whether you want to explore the trails around the area or want to check out the remnants of the old mining era, there’s plenty to do at this stunning Coloradan campsite. When it comes to free camping in Colorado, this is hard to beat!
Read more about Colorado: 12 best places to visit in Colorado in the summer
Sacred White Shell Mountain
Sacred White Shell Mountain is one of the best places for free camping in Colorado as it is located close to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Though the park itself is extremely popular with tourists, this campsite is surprisingly manageable in terms of footfall.
So, if you’re looking for a great camping spot in Colorado that won’t be absolutely overwhelmed by tourists, then this free campsites in Colorado, should be at the top of your list.
Read more about USA camping: Top 10 Pigeon Forge Campgrounds
Jackson Mountain Road
If you’re after a free place to camp in Colorado that provides access to hot springs, then look no further than Jackson Mountain Road.
With hot springs and spa style facilities available in the wild, it’s the perfect place to visit for a more luxurious camping experience.
Though there are only a few spots available for RVs, there is plenty of space for tent camping.
Twin Lakes North
Next up on my list of places for free camping in Colorado, it’s Twin Lakes North.
The nearest town to Twin Lakes North is Leadville, Colorado, which just so happens to be the highest town in America! As a result, at Twin Lakes North you’ll get incredible views that span as far as the eye can see.
As this town is 9000 feet above sea level, you’ll have unparalleled opportunities here to snap some perfect photos. As this place is quite remote, you’ll need to make sure you have all of the necessary gear to hand when you arrive, as you’ll struggle to find it once you get there!
It’s a pretty great spot for free camping in Colorado, and one of the best free campsites in Colorado, and I think you’ll love it.
Royal Gorge East Ridge
Next on my list of free campsites in Colorado, it’s Royal Gorge East Ridge! If you’re looking to visit the Canon City Gorge, then this place is the perfect choice.
One of the best places for free camping in Colorado for those looking to see the best of Canon City, it’s no surprise that it can get slightly crowded.
However, the place does have some great amenities; on-site you’ll have access to bathrooms, picnic tables and fire pits, so you won’t find yourself struggling here – it’s a fantastic place for free camping in Colorado.
Free camp sites in Colorado: Saul’s Creek
Next up on my list of free camping in Colorado, it’s Saul’s Creek. Located near Bayfield, this is one of the best places for free camping in Colorado as it is incredibly peaceful.
Great for those with smaller RVs and tents, Saul’s Creek is the perfect getaway spot for those looking for privacy.
Though the camp does see quite a lot of traffic, the area is large enough that you should be able to grab a decent spot without too much trouble, so it had to make my list of free camping in Colorado.
Hopefully this list of places to find free camping in Colorado has been helpful!
Let me know which of these places for free camping in Colorado you decided to try out in the comments below! As you can see, there are plenty of free campsites in Colorado!
