We really want to boondock in a national forest in the Keystone Resort area. Any suggestions? This will be next may/june. Thanks!

Need some clarification, since the term is used so loosely. Are you interested in true boondocking, off the beaten path? Basically, dispersed camping in a National Forest? Or, are you looking for dry camping in a NF campground? From the size of your rig, if you are talking about true boondocking, I can't think of any place I would take a rig of that size. I have a much smaller trailer, so I can get more places. I have been looking (GoogleEarth) at the roads I used to take when I lived and camped in Summit County all the time. There are more houses up there now, so more private land borders the Forest Service roads. Keystone Gulch (N39.599145 W105.974609 (just the lower part of the road, not a campsite)) used to be good, but it looks like homes have taken over the low, flatter spots. Deer Creek (N39.564285 W105.860501) above Montezuma also has more private dwellings along where I was thinking you could camp. Peru Gulch (N39.592308 W105.871142) has been gated, but is not always closed, but may only be open for hiking, but even that was a rough road.Dry camping, there are a couple campgrounds around Frisco. I stayed in the one on the east side of Frisco a couple months ago, and it was okay, as campgrounds go. Room for your rig, but neighbors and a fee.Clarify a bit what you are looking for, and I will continue to scan the recesses of my memory, and see what you may fit into. But, you said May/June, and that will rule-out almost everything. There is still lots of mud, if not snow, in that valley in late-May and early-June. FS campgrounds might be open then, but most of the FS roads in the area will still be gated, due to muddy conditions.

Ok, I agree I might be bigger than normal, but I have heard they are places that I might be able to scout ahead with the tow vehicle and see what is "around the bend", so to speak. We want to be as dispersed as we can...we are looking around the Lake Dillon area and Breckenridge or perhaps a little further west on I-70..thanks for any suggestions!

What avoidcrowds is also trying to tell you is that time of year is very iffy in the high country. It all depends on what type of winter they had if the snow has even melted off so you could get off the road to camp.At Keystone valley you are at 9200' elevation and almost anywhere you would go camping is just going to be higher. I lived in CO for 27 years and there were lot of times we couldn't make it into the high country till the end of June.Good Luck

Good point. We were trying to get to the Moab area before it got way too hot...are you familiar at all with the LaSalle Mtns? Would that be a possibility?

Well, since you are trying to get to Moab, I assume you picked Keystone as a possible layover, due to distance traveled. But, most of the land close to I-70 is private. I can't think of any boondocking possibilities for a rig your size, close to I-70, especially that early in the summer.As you head west from Keystone, you will still find mostly private land (no National Forest) along I-70. You would have to go at least 30 miles off if I-70 to get to any National Forest land with camping prospects. Again, though, that time of year, you will likely have lots of mud, and many gates will still be closed.I would bite the bullet and look at the two NF campgrounds by Frisco (other side of Lake Dillon). Or, you could head north on Hwy 9, and go to Green Mountain Reservoir. N39.867569 W106.278065. Lots of NF campgrounds around that lake. Not many trees, but you may want the sun on your unit to warm it up without so much propane.Look at GoogleEarth, and turn on the National Forests. You will see the boundaries, and see how far you may have to travel from I-70 to get to the forest.Good luck!

Boondocking areas around Keystone Resort, CO?? | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

Off_Pavement
Explorer II
Dec 14, 2014
When we lived in Denver, our joke was only rookies headed camping Memorial Day weekend... it was always cold in the high country whether there was snow on the ground or not.

You could get off I-70 at the Minturn exit and head south. About 1/2 way between I-70 and Leadville is the old 10th Mountain Division training area called Camp Hale. It's a large valley and there are places you can find in the valley, as well as up Homestake Creek road that is about 5 or so miles north of Camp Hale to boondock. This road has never been smooth when we've been up and very slow going but there are a few really nice spots along the creek. We were in our 36' DP towing our Jeep last trip.
4runnerguy
Explorer
Dec 14, 2014
sgrizzle wrote:
What can you tell me about Gore Creek Campground? It is just east of Vail. It looks like easy access, no electricity and only about 15 sites...

Would it be possible in late May?

In the past, I haven't usually listed this CG as a possibility, as it was entirely first come, first served. I notice that they have opened up many of the sites for reservations. The reservations system begins taking spots on May 22, so I guess they hope to have it open by then. So far, winter here hasn't been great snow-wise, but it's hard to predict the amounts we might get in March and April. I guess I'd make a reservation and if things don't open up there, go to one of the BLM sites I recommended. With a dozen reservable sites available for RV's, I'd move quickly to snap one up.
sgrizzle
Explorer
Dec 14, 2014
Thanks. I'm not looking to "not pay". We just really would like to try camping in a remote area. I might be too big for some, but just would really like to drive into a national forest and find a nice place to stop and enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains.

We have always stayed in developed campgrounds and we like the national park/state parks better than the resorts.
Oldtymeflyr
Explorer
Dec 13, 2014
Just before Copper Mountain there is a parking area right on I70 by some ponds and you may be able to stay the night, no jacks or slides and you will probably be okay. If you can hold out until highway 65 then take it south, the only way you can go and within a mile you will be able to pull over to a parking area for the night. Will some one bother you, I cannot say.

Keystone is prime real estate they do not want people who do not pay around there. You have to pay to occupy a spot, they have bills to pay.

I have found no name types of places to be best for boondocking.

Your rig is big. Good luck.
sgrizzle
Explorer
Dec 13, 2014
What can you tell me about Gore Creek Campground? It is just east of Vail. It looks like easy access, no electricity and only about 15 sites...

Would it be possible in late May?
4runnerguy
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014
For just a quick stop, your best bet might be a couple of BLM CG's in the Walcott/Gypsum area. About an hour past Frisco. Check out this link for info on how to get there: http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/co/field_offices/crvfo/recreation_documents.Par.16867.File.dat/Campground%20Information%20%203-13-13.pdf.

On weekends, he one near Gypsum may be easier to get a spot than the Wolcott site. Seems like rafters like to camp at the one at Wolcott.
ksbowman
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2014
I'm familiar with the LaSalles and there is good camping there. The only thing you want to watch is the roads going into the camping areas and rain. The main road in is very good gravel, but at the campsites it is dirt and will rut and be greasy for a day or so after a rain. Very nice area to boondock. Good trout fishing in the lakes and ponds too!
COnative
Explorer II
Nov 29, 2014
I wouldn't count anything out. It all depends on mother nature. If you can be flexible, and watch the weather, you may have a trip of a life time. Send me a PM if you haven't been to moab and are looking for fun things to do. It is an awesome place. I can also tell you about places near grand Junction and Fruita to stay.
sgrizzle
Explorer
Nov 29, 2014
ok, thanks for the ideas...just to clarify for me...to me, boondocking is not staying overnight in a walmart parking lot. That is stopping for a quick, late, late night nap. I am looking for National Forest/BLM spots along I-70, to the Moab, UT area. I am a teacher, so we need to wait until Memorial Day week to go.

It sounds like it may be too cold/cool/damp/muddy for Colorado, but may be pushing too hot for the Moab area? Bummer!
COnative
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2014
Yeah, Keystone is a stretch for boondocking, especially in May/June. If we have a banner year, we are still skiing in late May. Keep your finger crossed! If not it's mud season. You may want to head to the Salida area. It's a bit of a banana belt area and there is BLM land all around. A bit south, but nice. There are alot of options around Denver to stay and watch the weather and look for a good towing window if need be. I've towed in big storms, its doable but no fun and not worth it... Personally I'd trek over the mountains and into the Fruita area in May on a dry day. Plenty of boondocking around there for a stay over and just 1.5 - 2 hours to Moab. Moab in June can be hot too. Have fun!