Colorado
Routt National Forest Rabbit Ears Range Dispersed Area
Dispersed Camping
Scattered sites along Forest Road 315 and connecting spurs offer camping at 9,500+ feet elevation in mixed aspen and spruce forest. The area provides excellent Continental Divide views and cool mountain air, but gets slammed during peak aspen season in late September. Sites range from small tent spots to areas that handle 35-foot rigs. Afternoon thunderstorms common in summer.
Access from Rabbit Ears Pass on Highway 40, then Forest Road 315 south for several miles. Main road is good gravel, but some dispersed sites require 4WD or high clearance. Snow typically closes access October through June. No water or facilities – this is true backcountry camping.
High-altitude Continental Divide camping
Place Details
| Type | Dispersed Camping |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Steamboat Springs, Colorado |
| Miles from pavement | 6.8 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Access road surface | Gravel |
| Cell service | None |
| Capacity (# of rigs) | 25 rigs |
| Cost (USD/night, 0 = free) | Free |
| Reservation required | No |
| Stay limit (nights) | 14 nights |
| Best season | July-September |
| Land manager | USFS |
| Permit required | No |
| Amenities | Fire ring |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |