Lizard Head Pass Dispersed Camping
Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Write a Review County Road A63 Ophir, CO 81426 970-327-4261 Official WebsiteGPS: 37.8112, -107.9057
Overview of Lizard Head Pass Dispersed Camping
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by a8z5 on 10/16/2023
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Maritza on 6/8/2021
Elevation 10,203 ft / 3,109 m
Tent Camping Yes
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Reviews of Lizard Head Pass Dispersed Camping 25 people have reviewed this location.
“Also stay across at the rest stop ”
Reviewed 10/16/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
The first few sites were all taken here, so I stayed across the street at the rest stop/trailhead. There were other campers there too. That rest stop has a pit toilet. (Sorry, can't figure out how to add a site there.) Nice location, traffic noise/headlights all night (but didn't bother me). First couple spots accessible by sedan/l... more
The first few sites were all taken here, so I stayed across the street at the rest stop/trailhead. There were other campers there too. That rest stop has a pit toilet. (Sorry, can't figure out how to add a site there.)
Nice location, traffic noise/headlights all night (but didn't bother me). First couple spots accessible by sedan/low clearance, but were taken on a weekday by noon in early October (peak leaf peeping).
The road to the north goes back pretty far, not sure how good that road is.
Bigger open area closer to the road where folks were parking their vans closer together, so you should be able to squeeze in there if the more private sites are taken.
Great views and easy access to Telluride.
a8z5 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful spot but bring water”
Reviewed 8/7/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
RV Length: | 27' (Travel Trailer) |
We were in this location a total of 7 nights. I'm going to repeat some things others have said just so you have a date stamp on this information. The roughest part of the road is coming off the highway. We are in a spot that is away from the others. It's hard to tell if someone removed some small boulders and logs to open this spot or ... more
We were in this location a total of 7 nights. I'm going to repeat some things others have said just so you have a date stamp on this information. The roughest part of the road is coming off the highway. We are in a spot that is away from the others. It's hard to tell if someone removed some small boulders and logs to open this spot or not however it was open and there is a fire ring so we took it (first spot as you come in, a little below the other spots). There is a garbage dumpster across the highway at the Lizard Head Pass pull out. It's very quiet at night. ZERO Verizon service, amazing Starlink speeds. Mid to late July - low to mid 70's for highs, upper 40's at night, perfect! I would suggest making a stop for fresh water before getting too far up the mountain. I called Priest Gulch Campground about 30min south and was told they have full hook ups at sites but no water fill station. The host at the Cayton Campground let us have 5 gallons and didn't seem too thrilled about it. Someone said there was water at Rico, we didn't find any. I called the Stoner RV Resort (37min south) and he said he would allow a fill for $10 so that's your last bet if you are coming from the south. We came from the north and had dumped at the Maverick in Montrose but they didn't have potable water. The Telluride Wastewater Treatment plant has a sign by their water that says "not for drinking", we called ahead and they said it is potable, the sign is to discourage people from using their hose (not clean). If you bring your own hose, that is an option for potable water for a fee (we only took 10 gal so we paid $5). This dump/water is only accessible regular business hours. I guess I my number one piece of advice, make sure you have a FULL tank of water when you arrive in the area. Trout Lake is within 5 minutes and amazing for SUPing or whatever your choice of water activity. If you want to go into Telluride, go to Mountain Village, park for free and use the free gondola. Parking is an issue in Telluride.
Cyboron’s would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Scenery,but…..”
Reviewed 9/20/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
RV Length: | 20' (Travel Trailer) |
We stayed for 5 nights early/mid September. Yes, it’s a stunning location at over 10k ft. However, this place keeps shrinking. Now the far rear turn around is blocked off. Seems the rangers keep moving the boulders to make less and less space. It gets very crowded and you will have people right next to you. If you pull in late and driv... more
We stayed for 5 nights early/mid September. Yes, it’s a stunning location at over 10k ft. However, this place keeps shrinking. Now the far rear turn around is blocked off. Seems the rangers keep moving the boulders to make less and less space. It gets very crowded and you will have people right next to you. If you pull in late and drive to the end with a trailer you might get stuck backing out.
Like many of these spots, people ruin it. We had a big group of a-holes from Sun Glass that apparently travel to jobs and set up base at free camping spots. We had 3 of them directly across from us and one next to us running an open frame construction generator at 6:15 am and until 9:30 pm. Ruins the entire experience for everyone else there, completely inconsiderate.
The road is ok, few ruts and bumps. The worst one is the bump from the road to the dirt. It rained while we were there and it mud is SLIPPERY! Definitely need 4WD to tow in there when it’s wet.
No cell or tv signal.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Scenic camping”
Reviewed 7/7/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Rough road and can get very muddy if rains. We were there on 4th of July week and it rained every day. Temperatures were nice about 70s. Several hiking trails near by. Across the street public pit toilet.
Karen would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Area”
Reviewed 6/25/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
RV Length: | 16' (Travel Trailer) |
Stayed here for about a week and it was lovely. Pretty quiet, people are pretty respectful. Definitely fills up, but nobody was too terribly close. Can't beat the views. Close to Trout Lake where there are more private pull offs and it's a beautiful free lake to paddle on. 20ish minutes to Telluride. Only down side is there is abso... more
Stayed here for about a week and it was lovely. Pretty quiet, people are pretty respectful. Definitely fills up, but nobody was too terribly close. Can't beat the views. Close to Trout Lake where there are more private pull offs and it's a beautiful free lake to paddle on. 20ish minutes to Telluride.
Only down side is there is absolutely no cell service on Verizon or AT&T.
brookeontour would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful location. ”
Reviewed 9/24/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | Open |
RV Length: | 30' (Fifth Wheel) |
This is a great place for dispersed camping. Could get muddy if it rains. There are plenty of sites to camp if not right on the pass many more south of the pass. No water available but you can get some at the state Campground before the pass on the north side. Great hiking trails right from your camp. Lizard Head Pass trail across the ... more
This is a great place for dispersed camping. Could get muddy if it rains. There are plenty of sites to camp if not right on the pass many more south of the pass. No water available but you can get some at the state Campground before the pass on the north side. Great hiking trails right from your camp. Lizard Head Pass trail across the road. Enjoy but keep it clean please. No AT&T service.
George would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great but reduced ”
Reviewed 6/29/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 0 |
RV Length: | 21' (Travel Trailer) |
Stayed here 5 nights end of June 2021. Awesome spot but be aware that NF reduced it a lot with huge boulders to limit acces to more backwoods areas. I walked back there and no kidding. I'm glad they did...so much damage from irresponsible campers, cutting into live trees, tire tracks deep in meadows, broken trees, trash......those k... more
Stayed here 5 nights end of June 2021.
Awesome spot but be aware that NF reduced it a lot with huge boulders to limit
acces to more backwoods areas. I walked back there and no kidding. I'm glad they did...so much damage from irresponsible campers, cutting into live trees, tire tracks deep in meadows, broken trees, trash......those kinda Aholes ruin it for all of us !
That being said, place gets filled and pack on weekends fast sometimes with the same Aholes
parting with music and drinking till midnight....
Otherwise awesome place during the week.
Hope this helps.
Peter would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome!”
Reviewed 6/17/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
RV Length: | 32' (Travel Trailer) |
Seems as thought the forest service has done a lot of work to this area. There looks like there sites that went way back due to the ruts going up the hillside. But they have blocked of those areas and limited access. It is a popular area and it was busy when we were there. The views were amazing. No cell or internet connection... more
Seems as thought the forest service has done a lot of work to this area. There looks like there sites that went way back due to the ruts going up the hillside. But they have blocked of those areas and limited access.
It is a popular area and it was busy when we were there. The views were amazing.
No cell or internet connection.
Will definitely stay there again.
Side note - we noticed at 2 sites after the RV's pulled out that tents still remained but no one ever came back to the sites during the time we were there. Seemed as though the individuals with the RV's were placing a dips on the sites. So rude!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing Location”
Reviewed 6/8/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
RV Length: | 40' (Fifth Wheel) |
This is the best boondocking spot we’ve ever seen. Thank you BLM for making this accessible for everybody to use. They have a pretty large area to accommodate many campers and rigs of all sizes.
Maritza would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Closed until further notice”
Reviewed 6/2/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 0 |
Site Number: | 0 |
RV Length: | 32' (Toy Hauler Travel Trailer) |
Road is closed
Forest service crews are hard at work managing roads and trails.
As of June 7, melting snow has the access roads too wet to travel on, without causing damage.
Waiting until they’ve dried out. You can check in with San Juan NF in Norwood, CO for progress.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“May 10 2022- Closed (temporary)”
noted 5/10/2022
Be advised that this free camping area is closed as of May 10th 2022 due to snow drifts across the forest roads. Not sure when it will reopen. Probably in a week or two would be my guess.
noted 9/9/2019
Just a heads up, we attempted to stop here but I could not get cell service, or a data signal on Sprint, Verizon, or AT&T, so we left.
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Pets
- pets
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