Stillwater Pass Dispersed Camping
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland
Write a Review Co Highway 4 Grand Lake, CO 80447 970-887-4100 Official WebsiteGPS: 40.2199, -105.8875
Overview of Stillwater 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 camper-846283 on 7/23/2023
Longest RV Reported: 32 feet (Class A)
Reported by TripOutside on 6/6/2018
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally May to Oct
Elevation 8,727 ft / 2,659 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Stillwater Pass Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 970-887-4100
John asked on 6/11/2021
Does anyone know ehere can I get fresh water near the Stillwater Pass Dispersed Campsites?
camper-933205 asked on 5/7/2024
Can I leave my tent while I visit RMNP, sort of reserve the spot?
Carly asked on 8/30/2021
Planning on a trip in June trying to beat the July 4th rush. Does anyone know what the usage is like here before the ...
Reviews of Stillwater Pass Dispersed Camping 30 people have reviewed this location.
“There’s A Spot For Everyone, But They’re Not All Equal”
Reviewed 7/23/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Lots of the pictures I’ve seen for this spot are of the more “tuck away” camp sites. As a 2WD truck with a 30ft 5th wheel, I was not comfortable going anywhere other than the OHV staging parking lot. Although there is plenty of space there, it’s pretty dusty and there’s no good views. All the trees are burnt up nearby. If you hav... more
Lots of the pictures I’ve seen for this spot are of the more “tuck away” camp sites.
As a 2WD truck with a 30ft 5th wheel, I was not comfortable going anywhere other than the OHV staging parking lot. Although there is plenty of space there, it’s pretty dusty and there’s no good views. All the trees are burnt up nearby.
If you have high clearance and 4WD, you’ll find tons of better spots.
Tip: Take advantage of the free dump / fill station down near Granby! (You’ll find it on Google maps)
Ps: don’t miss out on cruising downtown to grand lake. It’s a quaint little town.
camper-846283 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Need high clearance vehicle to access most sites ”
Reviewed 7/15/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
I arrived about 40 minutes before sunset on a July Friday. All the designated semi-private sites were claimed by large groups (2-5 vehicles, multiple tents, various ORVs, etc) and looked like they were well-entrenched for a long stay. Those sites looked large enough for a few "toys." However, there aren't too many sites and I imagine t... more
I arrived about 40 minutes before sunset on a July Friday. All the designated semi-private sites were claimed by large groups (2-5 vehicles, multiple tents, various ORVs, etc) and looked like they were well-entrenched for a long stay. Those sites looked large enough for a few "toys." However, there aren't too many sites and I imagine this will be full for much of the year.
The roads themselves were ok for a few miles for sedan/low clearance/Prius, but then got too rutty and I had to turn around. The sites typically had steep entrances and looked inaccessible to sedans, with some being sketchy unless you have a high clearance jeep/truck. I would NOT attempt to access any of the designated sites with an RV!!
The roads go through burned forests and have not been completely cleared of potential deadfalls, so if you go too far, it could be dangerous.
Most sites do not have any views of the surrounding areas, but nice open sky views.
Since everything else was full and/or inaccessible in my Prius, I ended up staying at "Idleglen Staging Area" parking lot up the road to the left. There were many RVs and vans parked there, about a dozen. There is a pit toilet here (nowhere else). Some folks set up chairs and a fire in the parking lot, some families with kids playing, all very respectful and quiet by nightfall. When I woke up I found a van had parked pretty close to me, which is just what kind of place this is. Not much privacy, but if you're self-contained, it's a nice close location to Grand Lake and RMNP west side.
Some people also camped at the pull-off at the entrance to the USFS road where the map is. If you're self-contained it could be ok (and slightly better views).
Cell service was good enough to send some photos and plan the next day with weather, maps, etc.
One of the families with a huge setup at one of the designated semi-private sites had a bunch of ORVs and the kids drove through a few times. That was the only negative of this site.
If your expectations are right, this is a nice option.
a8z5 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Did not stay due to safety concerns.”
Reviewed 6/2/2022
Days stayed: | 0 |
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RV Length: | 22' (Travel Trailer) |
Came here on 05/31/22 to boondocking near Rocky Mountain NP. I only saw two or three sites when coming through due to a broken down trailer that blocks the road that leads to more sites. When we arrived and started to level there was a motorcycle and four trucks driving up and down the road. We didn’t think much of it and continued to ... more
Came here on 05/31/22 to boondocking near Rocky Mountain NP. I only saw two or three sites when coming through due to a broken down trailer that blocks the road that leads to more sites. When we arrived and started to level there was a motorcycle and four trucks driving up and down the road. We didn’t think much of it and continued to level as soon as we got inside our trailer someone shot off a gun literally down the road from where we were several times. That was our cue to Get the heck out of there, so we did. Right as it started snowing and the road was getting a bit muddy. We ended up staying at a first come first serve site at Stillwater Campground not far off. I would scout before you stay and get ready to leave if need be. Another thing we noticed as we came in a truck blocked another site we saw so we moved on down to a site right before the road forks. But when we left the truck wasn’t there anymore. I don’t know if they were with the group driving around or not. It was all very sketchy…
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Boondocking Spot, Amazing Views”
Reviewed 5/13/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | Anywhere |
RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
We came here early in the season for Colorado, and the majority of the road was still closed by a gate. However there were 8 to 10ish spots open just off the road on the way up. We took the first one on the right as you are headed up the mountain and had no problem fitting our 28 foot Airstream in the spot. Fairly level for boon... more
We came here early in the season for Colorado, and the majority of the road was still closed by a gate.
However there were 8 to 10ish spots open just off the road on the way up. We took the first one on the right as you are headed up the mountain and had no problem fitting our 28 foot Airstream in the spot. Fairly level for boondocking and the views were amazing.
If you continue up the road there were only 1 or 2 more spots depending on time of year, puddles etc that we would have tried staying at but they would be awesome for higher clearance vehicles.
At the point where the gate closes the road there is a large trailhead parking lot with vault toilet that any size rig could turn around in if needed. Picture attached.
From our spot we saw three moose in the creek below, a small herd of elk up the road from us and lots of fun bird life.
Alternate Roads would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Limited camping due to fire damage”
Reviewed 5/17/2021
Road is blocked at Idleglen TH and at CO 455 leaving six individual sites plus large parking lot at Idleglen TH.
Liz would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Severe fire damage”
Reviewed 5/5/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Very severe forest fire damage. Needs a few years to recover and grow back. Otherwise, would be an incredible spot!
SwissCat would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great spot!”
Reviewed 9/30/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | N/A |
Keep driving a bit past the point where the coordinates here take you. Like other reviewers mentioned, keep left when you get to the fork and keep going to the Idleglen Parking - which has bathrooms! We stayed at a pull off spot to the right a bit before the fork which allowed for more privacy. Occasional sound/headlights of cars drivi... more
Keep driving a bit past the point where the coordinates here take you. Like other reviewers mentioned, keep left when you get to the fork and keep going to the Idleglen Parking - which has bathrooms! We stayed at a pull off spot to the right a bit before the fork which allowed for more privacy. Occasional sound/headlights of cars driving by but quiet inside the car, wasn’t an issue for us. Great spot in the forest super easy to get to. Oh! There are a couple of private properties on the way so pay close attention, google maps will lead you right to them but thankfully recalculates when you drive past. Had decent verizon cell service too.
emlcv would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet Open Parking Space”
Reviewed 8/31/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | NA |
There are several areas to park and camp along the road leading up to Idleglen parking area. I didn’t go any further than the large gravel parking lot. It can accommodate large RVs. There are vault toilets. There is a Y in the road and you will stay left to reach the parking lot and other potential camping spaces. Nice and quiet. I had... more
There are several areas to park and camp along the road leading up to Idleglen parking area. I didn’t go any further than the large gravel parking lot. It can accommodate large RVs. There are vault toilets. There is a Y in the road and you will stay left to reach the parking lot and other potential camping spaces. Nice and quiet. I had 1 bar at times with ATT service.
KimberlyC would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Full on Thursday”
Reviewed 7/17/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Drove 2hr 15 min to the ends of every road in the area seeking a spot. On a Thursday, every single spot was taken. There are a few good spots for larger RVs, but most are pretty close to the road with heavy ATV traffic. Not the best area for peace and quiet. There is a large parking area next to a bathroom on CR-4, but I would consider... more
Drove 2hr 15 min to the ends of every road in the area seeking a spot. On a Thursday, every single spot was taken. There are a few good spots for larger RVs, but most are pretty close to the road with heavy ATV traffic. Not the best area for peace and quiet. There is a large parking area next to a bathroom on CR-4, but I would consider this a pullover spot for the night rather than a peaceful place to camp. The challenge with these dirt roads is they start out pretty flat and the further you go, the more narrow and bumpy they become, but the biggest problem is finding a suitable place to turn around an RV once you are in the road (other than the large parking lot towards the beginning of CR-4). Luckily we had a separate vehicle to scout with. If you are looking for peace and quiet, this is not your place. Being that every place was full on a Thursday, it might be a better game plan to pay $ and stay at a local RV park and not bother with the hassle, ATV noise, and full sites.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“OHV Galore ”
Reviewed 7/10/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | 0 |
RV Length: | 24' (Travel Trailer) |
If you have an OHV this looks like a nice spot. They generate a lot of dust but most riders seem nice and they are quite at night. There are plenty of sites around. Nice trails for OHV and MTB. Nice place to get away if it’s not the busy season.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- OHV
- recreation trail
Pets
- pets
Nearby
Idleglen Staging Area Dispersed Camping
Nice big parking lot with pit toilet, no privacy but worth it
- a8z5
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