Gunnison National Forest — Slumgullion Pass Dispersed Camp

Slumgullion Pass on CO-149 crests at 11,530 feet just south of Lake City, flanked by the famous Slumgullion Earthflow — a slow-moving ancient landslide that’s still creeping today. Dispersed camping in the national forest pull-offs along this corridor puts you above timberline looking out over the Lake Fork drainage, with the San Juans stacked up on the horizon. Primitive and free, this is a legitimate high-country base camp if you’re running the Alpine Loop or heading toward Engineer and Cinnamon passes.

CO-149 is paved to the pass, so any rig can reach the roadside pull-offs. Forest roads branching off into the timber require high clearance. Early season snow and afternoon thunderstorms are the main hazards — come prepared. Check fire restrictions with the Lake City Ranger District. Cell service is essentially nonexistent.

11,530-foot pass camp above the San Juans.