Boondocking locations near Colorado Springs

07caddy wrote:

JiminDenver wrote:
The Pikes peak and South Park rangers Districts are around there and offer many boondocking options.

Jim,

Do the Ranger District offices have info on boondocking? I found some info the pike district website on dispersed camping locations, but it seems focused on trail heads and hiking, unless I'm not reading it right? I'm going to call the Pike District Office tomorrow and see what they have to say.

Mike

Mike

I talk to the Rangers before I go up every time to check on rule changes, fire bans and ideas on where to camp. They call it disbursed camping not boondocking. I have been given everything from generalizations( see a stone fire ring, you can camp there) to very specific spots where it is allowed.

Here is the Stay the trail page that has the links to all of the Motor vehicle use maps. MVUM maps

The area east of Jefferson mentioned above is the Rock Creek road area and we have been using it for a few years now. Open the South park east map, zoom in to 100 percent and look in the upper left corner and you will see the indicator for Mud hill. It points right at CR 39 which is your turn off to Rock Creek road. A few miles in is where the NSF starts and you just need to find a spot you like with a stone fire ring.
We like it because the spots we like are a good half mile apart with wonderful views. Most of the larger roads are pretty good but I suggest finding a spot to drop the rig and exploring without it first. We always find the "next" spot the trip before as we never use a spot twice. Soon we will start driving up from Denver without the trailer for day trips just looking for good spots and road conditions.
This year we will be out of the Rock Creek area and working our way down 77 into the Terryall area. 140 has spots but was too rough for us, 844 has beautiful spots but the initial run up the hill had a lot of deep dips and we don't have the best clearance. We did see some 5th wheels back there so it is doable.
Terryall Res itself has two tiny no service campgrounds that are free. We will use them this year for a day or two to find a suitable spot in that area and get some fishing in.

The best spots fill up fast so if you want to go for a big holiday weekend, get up there by Thursday at the latest. We went up the two weeks before the 4th of July last year and the place was near deserted during the week and not much busier on the weekends.