Any free camping area recommendations not far from castle rock,co?

J

jdm-v35

Member
Hello everyone(mostly colorado locals),

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for free camping areas not too far from Castle Rock, CO? Like <60 miles one way.

Just looking for some places that are open during the winter as most of the Sedalia backroads are closed for the colder half of the year.

Other than that I dont really know any areas that arent >100 miles away. Don’t mind driving far if no other options, but would be nice to find a closer place to camp more often. Been trying to get out there 1-2 weekends a month.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
 
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Wiper heater cracked the windshield.

So windshield was iced over this morning, so I turned on the wiper heater, defroster and let it idle for about ten minutes. When I came back out, the windshield was fine. About a mile down the road, I noticed the crack, and by the time I got to work it covered a third of the windshield. Has any one else had this happen?https://19216811.cam/ https://xender.vip/ https://testmyspeed.onl/
 
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Burt said:
Could camp along S. Platte river, north of Deckers. Not free but cheap.
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Thanks! That is one are that I do occasionally go, but all those roads/sites are closed from Dec1-May1 unfortunately.

I ended up just doing a quick overnighter at Chatfield, but it just doesn't feel the same as camping in the woods. Though it was still nice to just get away for a bit.
 
May want to check out Roxborough and Stauntan State Parks too. Rox is just south of Chatfield, and Stauntan is out 285. Probably only primative camping at both, but I don't know if it's available year round.
 
might be late to the replies, but for future reference.

bottom of Kenosha pass is good free dispersed camping. you can probably connect to it from through decker's.

lake George area has a lot of open camping

any where along 67 really. some of those areas though you have to worry about dirt bikes (summer time)
 
jdm-v35 said:
Hello everyone(mostly colorado locals),

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for free camping areas not too far from Castle Rock, CO? Like <60 miles one way.

Just looking for some places that are open during the winter as most of the Sedalia backroads are closed for the colder half of the year.

Other than that I dont really know any areas that arent >100 miles away. Don’t mind driving far if no other options, but would be nice to find a closer place to camp more often. Been trying to get out there 1-2 weekends a month.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

primitive camping Brainard lake area about 1 hr away from boulder so would be about 2 hrs for you.
Cheyenne mountain'state park south of colorado springs is open year round but you'll have to pay for site.
 
JuanMaddox said:
So windshield was iced over this morning, so I turned on the wiper heater, defroster and let it idle for about ten minutes. When I came back out, the windshield was fine. About a mile down the road, I noticed the crack, and by the time I got to work it covered a third of the windshield. Has any one else had this happen?https://19216811.cam/ https://xender.vip/ https://testmyspeed.onl/
Click to expand...

Yep, my crack is at the bottom of the windshield and covers about 2/3rds of the width. Isn't in my eyesight so not fixing it for now.
 
jdm-v35 said:
Hello everyone(mostly colorado locals),

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for free camping areas not too far from Castle Rock, CO? Like <60 miles one way.

Just looking for some places that are open during the winter as most of the Sedalia backroads are closed for the colder half of the year.

Other than that I dont really know any areas that arent >100 miles away. Don’t mind driving far if no other options, but would be nice to find a closer place to camp more often. Been trying to get out there 1-2 weekends a month.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Lost Creek Wilderness, especially if you like hiking. Lots of dispersed sites along Lost Park Road (starting just north of Jefferson off of Hwy 285). The start of Lost Park Road is around 80 miles from Castle Rock. There is also the Lost Park Campground 20 miles down the road (at its end), although the road is gated about 11 miles from Hwy 285 during the winter. Lots of sites before you reach the gate, though. The Lost Creek Wilderness can also be accessed from the east (starting just North of Deckers) via Wigwam Creek Road (NF-211) and Goose Creek Road, which would probably fall within your 60 mile radius.

Tons of hiking trails and 4x4 roads there with lots of opportunities for peak-bagging.

A good guide for the area is the Lost Creek Wilderness Book by Gerry and Jennifer Roach.
 
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thanks for all the suggestions! I will try and look into it more. I have found that most of trails/unpaved roads seem to close in winter, limiting access to a lot of areas. I would say at this time of year that is more the limiting factor.

I do hope to try and do a little bit of rocky terrain type of offroading this summer, rather than just forest roads like I usually go camping at.
 
Try the North Divide off road area or the Rainbow falls. To get to North Divide, you take US 24 west out of Colorado Springs and go north out of Divide, continue straight at the "T" where it appears the main road veers left. Continue northbound about 2-3 miles and you'll come across a parking lot where there is a outhouse and an ATV ramp. Miles and miles or roads you can drive and camp from.

To get to Rainbow Falls you have two choices from Castle Rock. Plug this into your maps - Rainbow Falls Riding Area, 15757 CO-67, Sedalia, CO 80135
 
DenverDan said:
Try the North Divide off road area or the Rainbow falls. To get to North Divide, you take US 24 west out of Colorado Springs and go north out of Divide, continue straight at the "T" where it appears the main road veers left. Continue northbound about 2-3 miles and you'll come across a parking lot where there is a outhouse and an ATV ramp. Miles and miles or roads you can drive and camp from.

To get to Rainbow Falls you have two choices from Castle Rock. Plug this into your maps - Rainbow Falls Riding Area, 15757 CO-67, Sedalia, CO 80135
Click to expand...

Thanks!! I sometimes camp near Eleven Mile area off 24 as well. It is just quite a drive for a one night camping trip so I usually try to make it worth it and camp 2-3 days if I do go >50 miles
 
What about off of Rampart Range Road? I can't remember if those sites are free or not. It's very close to Castle Rock. In winter it shouldn't be to bad but summer I wouldn't even consider camping there.
 
comtn4x4 said:
What about off of Rampart Range Road? I can't remember if those sites are free or not. It's very close to Castle Rock. In winter it shouldn't be to bad but summer I wouldn't even consider camping there.
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Rampart road is gated closed for the winter. Unfortunately, that area is attracting too many squatters all summer long. This could result in camping ban due to litter, hillbilly heroin and illegal fires.They have already closed the bike trails during mud season.
 
catus said:
May want to check out Roxborough and Stauntan State Parks too. Rox is just south of Chatfield, and Stauntan is out 285. Probably only primative camping at both, but I don't know if it's available year round.
Click to expand...
Roxborough is day use only.
 
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