The Southern San Juan Mountains are one of the most breathtaking places we’ve found for dispersed camping in Colorado, and somehow, one of the quietest. Tucked into southern Colorado near the New Mexico border, this area combines forested mountains, alpine meadows, creeks, and miles of forest roads with a surprising amount of solitude.
We found everything from easy creekside campsites to secluded 4×4 spots tucked deeper into the mountains, then spent the next few days hiking and exploring the surrounding area. Even the trails were remarkably empty, making it easy to experience this beautiful part of Colorado without feeling surrounded by other visitors.
This guide covers where to find dispersed camping in the Southern San Juans, the forest roads and specific campsites we scouted, road conditions, logistics, two nearby hikes, and everything you need to plan your own trip.
Southern San Juans Dispersed Camping at a Glance
Best for: campers looking for secluded Colorado dispersed camping, forest roads, creeks, big views, and genuinely uncrowded hiking
Vibe: wild, quiet, scenic, and surprisingly untouched compared with Colorado’s better-known mountain destinations
Road access: varies significantly by forest road, from relatively easy dirt roads with RV-friendly campsites to rougher 4×4 spurs
Best vehicle: high clearance recommended; 4×4 opens up considerably more secluded camping options
Amenities: essentially none once you’re in the mountains, so stock up before leaving South Fork
Cell service: limited to nonexistent in the backcountry
Best season: summer through early fall, depending on snow and road conditions
Ideal trip length: three to four nights, plus an optional hotel night before heading into the backcountry
Highlight: secluded creekside and mountain-view camping paired with beautiful, almost completely empty hiking trails
Best for travelers who: want the scenery of a Colorado mountain trip without building their vacation around developed campgrounds or the busiest San Juan destinations
Table of Contents
- Why Go Dispersed Camping in Colorado’s Southern San Juans?
- About the Southern San Juan Mountains
- Getting There & Essential Logistics
- Dispersed Camping Rules in Rio Grande National Forest
- When to Go: Best Seasons for Southern San Juan Camping
- Resources
- Southern San Juans: Lay of the Land
- Where to Find Dispersed Camping in the Southern San Juans
- Dispersed Campsites We Scouted
- Hiking in the Southern San Juans
- How to Spend Your Time in the Southern San Juans
- Meals That Work Well for Colorado Dispersed Camping
- FAQ: Colorado Dispersed Camping in the Southern San Juans
Why Go Dispersed Camping in Colorado’s Southern San Juans?
Colorado certainly isn’t short on beautiful places to camp. What made this part of the Southern San Juans stand out wasn’t simply the scenery. It was how much of that scenery we seemed to have to ourselves.
Miles of forest roads wind through the mountains, with smaller roads and spurs branching off into forests, meadows, and creek drainages. Even the main routes felt surprisingly quiet, while some of the smaller roads had almost no traffic at all. That gives you plenty of room to explore and find the combination of scenery, access, and privacy that works for you.
Why this area is worth the drive:
- The scenery is classic Colorado. Forested mountains, alpine meadows, creeks, wildflowers, and huge mountain views are everywhere once you get into the high country.
- Real solitude is still possible. Even the main forest roads felt surprisingly quiet, and some of the smaller roads had almost no traffic at all.
- There are seemingly endless roads to explore. The network of forest roads and smaller spurs creates plenty of dispersed camping options, from easy creekside sites to much more tucked-away camps.
- You can choose your level of accessibility. Some campsites are easy to reach and large enough for RVs, while rougher side roads reward high-clearance and 4×4 vehicles with more secluded options.
- The hiking is incredible and surprisingly empty. Crater Lake gave us miles of forests, meadows, creeks, waterfalls, and alpine scenery without seeing another person on the trail.
- It’s an excellent place to actually enjoy camp. Our site had plenty of space, beautiful scenery, and enough privacy that a day spent cooking, reading, exploring around camp, and doing absolutely nothing felt just as worthwhile as an excursion.
- It still feels like a place you discover. Between the extensive forest-road network, low traffic, and secluded campsites tucked throughout the mountains, this part of the Southern San Juans felt surprisingly untapped.
If your ideal Colorado dispersed camping trip involves finding your own campsite and disappearing into the mountains for a few days, this is an incredible place to do it.
About the Southern San Juan Mountains
The San Juan Mountains stretch across southwestern Colorado, but this guide focuses on their quieter southern reaches near the Colorado-New Mexico border. This area falls within Rio Grande National Forest, a nearly 1.9-million-acre forest encompassing an enormous swath of south-central Colorado. More specifically, the camping areas in this guide span the Divide and Conejos Peak Ranger Districts, extending from the South Fork side into the high country surrounding the Conejos River and tiny mountain town of Platoro.
Key characteristics of the Southern San Juans:
- Landscape: forested mountain valleys, open meadows, river and creek corridors, and high alpine terrain
- Elevation: much of the camping area sits around 9,000 to 10,000 feet, with surrounding peaks rising above 13,000 feet
- Geography: the Conejos River watershed shapes much of this area, with numerous creeks descending from the surrounding mountains
- Camping: a few developed campgrounds are concentrated closer to South Fork and around Platoro, with extensive dispersed camping opportunities throughout the National Forest in between
- Access: an extensive network of Forest Service roads reaches into the mountains, ranging from relatively easy dirt roads to rough high-clearance and 4×4 routes
- Wildlife: elk, deer, black bears, and other mountain wildlife are found throughout the region
Getting There & Essential Logistics
The Southern San Juans can be accessed from South Fork on the western side or the Conejos River Valley on the eastern side. From South Fork, US Highway 160 connects to Forest Road 380. From the east, CO Highway 17 north of Antonito connects with FR 250 along the Conejos River toward Platoro. FR 380 and FR 250 eventually connect through the mountains.
Logistics to know before you go:
- From Phoenix: roughly 8.5 hours to South Fork, before accounting for the additional drive into the forest
- From Denver: roughly 4 hours to South Fork, depending on traffic and route
- Forest-road drive time: how much farther you drive depends on where you camp. Traveling the full stretch of FR 380 takes roughly 1.5 hours, with about another hour along FR 250 to Platoro
- Supplies: stock up before heading into the backcountry. South Fork is the most convenient place to fill up on gas and grab groceries, ice, firewood, and other last-minute supplies
- Platoro: don’t rely on it for resupply. We found a tiny community of houses and cabins with a café, but no dependable gas, groceries, ice, firewood, or camping supplies
- Cell service: limited to nonexistent throughout much of the backcountry, so download offline maps, coordinates, and trail information ahead of time
- Road conditions: FR 380 is generally easier toward the South Fork end but becomes rougher and increasingly bumpy as you travel deeper into the mountains. FR 250 is a similarly slow, uneven drive with plenty of rough stretches. We recommend 4×4 for traveling deep into either route, while the smaller spurs vary considerably and many require 4×4. Conditions can change quickly after storms.
- Planning tip: if you’re making a long drive, consider spending your first night in South Fork.
- We stayed at Wolf Creek Ranch Ski Lodge which was affordable, dog-friendly, very comfortable, and conveniently close to the FR 380 entrance. It ended up being a great move. We could get a good night’s sleep, stock up the next morning, and head into the forest with a full day ahead of us instead of searching for a campsite after an 8.5-hour drive from Phoenix.
Dispersed Camping Rules in Rio Grande National Forest
Dispersed camping is allowed throughout much of Rio Grande National Forest, and no permit is required, but not every road or patch of National Forest land is automatically open to roadside camping. The Conejos Peak Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map is especially useful here because it identifies legal motorized routes and marks where dispersed camping is allowed along designated roads.
Important rules to know:
- Use existing campsites: choose previously disturbed sites whenever possible rather than clearing vegetation or creating a new campsite.
- Leave some space from the water: dispersed campsites should be at least 150 feet from lakes, streams, and other water sources.
- Keep vehicles close to legal roads: vehicles must remain within 300 feet of a designated road, and motorized travel is limited to authorized roads and trails.
- Follow the 14-day limit: camping is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period on Rio Grande National Forest.
- Check seasonal closures: individual roads may have seasonal designations or temporary closures, so verify the current MVUM and posted signs before driving them.
- Respect private property: private parcels are mixed throughout parts of the forest. Pay attention to property boundaries and posted signs.
- Check fire restrictions: restrictions can change throughout the season. Use existing fire rings when available, never leave a fire unattended, and extinguish it completely before leaving camp or going to bed.
- Store food properly: Rio Grande National Forest has specific food-storage requirements during bear season. Food, trash, pet food, cooking equipment, toiletries, and other attractants must be secured when unattended using an approved method such as a hard-sided locked vehicle, approved bear-resistant container, or proper bear hang.
- Dispose of human waste properly. Human waste should be buried in a 6-to-8-inch cathole at least 150 feet from water, and toilet paper and other trash should be packed out. Never dump RV sewage on the ground.
- Clean up after pets: pack out dog waste rather than leaving it around campsites, trails, or water sources.
Dispersed Camping Etiquette
The fact that the Southern San Juans still feel so quiet is a huge part of their appeal. Good dispersed camping etiquette helps keep them that way.
- Pack it in, pack it out: take all trash, food scraps, and other belongings with you. Before leaving, do a final sweep of camp and leave the site cleaner than you found it.
- Protect the water: don’t wash dishes, clothing, or yourself directly in streams or lakes. Carry water away from the source before washing and dispose of wastewater appropriately.
- Give other campers space: don’t camp on top of someone who is already there. If another camper has chosen a secluded site, keep looking rather than squeezing into the same clearing or setting up immediately beside them.
- Keep noise down: sound travels surprisingly far in quiet mountain areas. Keep music, generators, and late-night noise considerate of anyone camping nearby.
When to Go: Best Seasons for Southern San Juan Camping
The high elevation gives the Southern San Juans a relatively short camping season, with snow and changing road conditions limiting access outside the warmer months.
- Spring: generally too early for the type of dispersed camping covered in this guide. Lingering snow, snowmelt, mud, and seasonal road closures can keep high-country Forest Service roads inaccessible even when lower elevations are already warm.
- Summer: June through August offers the most reliable access, although snow can linger into early summer after a heavy winter. Expect green mountains, wildflowers, flowing creeks, and comfortable daytime temperatures. July and August also bring the summer monsoon, so afternoon thunderstorms are common. Start longer hikes early, and remember that storms can quickly make rough forest roads muddy or more difficult to navigate.
- Fall: September into early October can be beautiful, with cooler temperatures, changing aspens, and potentially even fewer visitors. Nights become considerably colder at these elevations, however, and early snow can quickly affect road access.
- Winter: not practical for the dispersed-driving trip covered in this guide. Snow makes many of these high-country forest roads inaccessible to normal vehicle travel, although the area transitions to winter recreation instead.
We went in mid-August, and the weather was nearly perfect for camping. Mornings and early afternoons were pleasantly cool to mild, with a mix of sunshine and overcast skies. A couple of afternoons brought brief rain showers that generally moved through within about an hour, and we also had some rain overnight. Evenings were gorgeous, never hot but not uncomfortably cold either. It was just chilly enough for a sweatshirt and a campfire to feel perfect.
Resources
Download what you need before heading into the mountains. Cell service becomes unreliable quickly.
Conejos Peak Ranger District West Motor Vehicle Use Map: probably the single most useful map for this trip. It shows legal motorized routes, vehicle designations, seasonal restrictions, and where dispersed camping is permitted along specific roads.
Rio Grande National Forest Visitor Guide: a useful overview of the entire forest with maps, camping and recreation information, safety guidance, scenic drives, wildlife, and information specific to each ranger district
Rio Grande National Forest Website: use the Forest Service site for current alerts, closures, recreation information, and fire conditions.
Conejos Peak Ranger District Website: useful for district-specific questions and current local conditions. The district office is in La Jara.
Southern San Juans: Lay of the Land
The dispersed camping covered in this guide stretches across a large section of the Southern San Juans between South Fork and the Conejos River Valley, so it helps to understand the road network before choosing where to look for a campsite.
FR 380 and FR 250 form the main route through the area. FR 380 enters the mountains from the South Fork side and travels east through the high country before connecting with FR 250, which continues toward Platoro and eventually the Conejos River Valley. Numerous smaller Forest Service roads and spurs branch from this main corridor, creating far more camping options than you’ll see by simply staying on the primary roads.
Here’s the basic layout:
- FR 380 / Park Creek Road: the primary route into the mountains from South Fork and the backbone for exploring the western and central portions of this guide. The turn from US 160 was signed “Demijohn Road” when we visited, which can be confusing, but this is the entrance to FR 380 / Park Creek Road.
- FR 250: continues through the eastern side of the area toward Platoro and the Conejos River Valley
- Secondary forest roads: branch throughout the route and lead to many of the more tucked-away camping areas
- South Fork: the main gateway and best place to stock up when approaching from the west
- Platoro: a tiny mountain community near the eastern portion of the route with very limited services
- Terrain: generally becomes more remote and rugged as you move away from the main approaches and onto smaller forest roads
Click into the map to explore the forest roads, campsites, and trailheads mentioned throughout this guide.
Where to Find Dispersed Camping in the Southern San Juans
Dispersed camping options are everywhere in this part of the Southern San Juans, with an extensive network of forest roads and smaller spurs to explore. Below, I’ve broken down some of the best areas to focus your search, along with road conditions, camping options, and firsthand notes from the areas we scouted ourselves.
FR 380: Easy Access & Plenty of Creekside Options
FR 380 is the main route into the area from South Fork and offers plenty of dispersed camping before you ever turn onto a smaller spur.
What to expect along FR 380:
- Camping: numerous established sites directly along the road, including large creekside campsites with mountain views and enough room for bigger RVs
- Access: the easiest place to start if you want a straightforward site without committing to a rough side road
- Traffic: not particularly crowded during our trip, but FR 380 is part of the route between South Fork and Platoro that sees some through traffic, including side-by-sides making the trip through the mountains
- Solitude: if complete privacy is the priority, use FR 380 as your starting point and explore farther
Western FR 380 Spurs: A Mix of Forest, Meadow & Creekside Camping
Several smaller Forest Service roads branch from the western stretch of FR 380, giving you additional places to scout beyond the campsites directly along the main road. The roads we explored in this section were labeled, making them relatively easy to identify as you drive FR 380. We recommend 4×4 for exploring these secondary roads, although conditions vary considerably and some are easier than others.
There are far more roads here than you’ll realistically have time to scout in one day. Pick the areas that look most promising for the type of campsite you want, and don’t feel like you need to explore every road along the way. We eventually started skipping some options to reach the areas we were most excited about, knowing we could always backtrack if they didn’t work out.
- FR 390: We found a couple potential campsites ranging from forested spots to open meadows, with opportunities to get fairly deep off FR 380. This could be one of the better options for finding privacy without driving as far into the mountains. We didn’t find a site directly on the creek, but several were within earshot.
- FR 374: We drove about a mile before the road became too tight and tedious for what we were looking for. There may be additional camping options farther in that we didn’t explore.
- FR 386: One of the easier secondary roads we explored, with several camping opportunities, although it was also one of the more occupied roads we checked.
- FR 380-2C: We only gave this loop a quick look and didn’t find anything that immediately stood out to us, but it looks promising on the map and there may be better camping options farther in. With so many roads left to explore, we decided to keep moving toward the areas we were most excited about.
Elwood Pass Area: Unexplored but Promising
FR 380 gets noticeably bumpier as you continue toward Elwood Pass. There are still some decent dispersed campsites directly along the main road, including options with beautiful mountain views. You’ll also pass the Crater Lake Trailhead along this stretch of FR 380, which makes a useful point of reference as you move through the area.
Several smaller Forest Service roads also branch off FR 380 around this stretch and look promising for more secluded camping:
- FR 380-5A
- FR 380-unmarked spur
These roads weren’t labeled when we drove through, and we didn’t scout them ourselves. We noticed a couple of promising turnoffs in this area that appear to correspond with roads shown on the Forest Service map, and all of them look promising based on the maps.
FR 243: Secluded Meadows with Mountain & Creek Views
FR 243 ended up being where we found our campsite and one of the quietest roads we explored. Lake Annella comes into view near the turn from FR 380, and after turning onto FR 243, you’ll pass the lake and a residence on your left. This initial area is private property, but continue beyond it and FR 243 enters the National Forest stretch where we found dispersed camping opportunities.
What to expect along FR 243:
- Road layout: a dead-end road leading to Summit Peak Trailhead, a very low-traffic hike, with dispersed camping opportunities along the way.
- Traffic: extremely quiet during our trip. FR 243 branches away from the main route toward Platoro, and we didn’t see side-by-sides using this stretch. Only two vehicles passed us during the entire time we were there
- Meadow camping: several spurs lead to secluded campsites with creek and mountain views
- Our campsite: faint tracks led down into the meadow where we ultimately set up camp
- Forested option: a more forested campsite sits near the end of FR 243, shortly before the Summit Peak Trailhead
FR 250 & the Platoro Side: More Roads to Explore
FR 250 forms the eastern side of the main corridor and follows the Conejos River toward Platoro. If you’re coming from South Fork, continue along FR 380 past the turn for FR 243 and it eventually becomes FR 250. We drove this stretch to explore farther into the area, check out Platoro Reservoir, and hopefully restock on a few supplies, but we weren’t actively scouting campsites along the way.
What to expect along FR 250:
- Road conditions: FR 250 is slow, rough, and uneven in places. We recommend 4×4, particularly if you plan to explore the smaller roads branching from it.
- Camping options: dispersed camping continues throughout this side of the forest, with additional Forest Service roads and spurs providing plenty of opportunities to keep searching if you haven’t found a site farther west.
- Conejos River: much of the route follows the river corridor, with additional waterways like Iron Creek nearby, so there may be opportunities to find camping near the water, although we didn’t scout these ourselves.
- Platoro: FR 250 eventually brings you into tiny Platoro, where services are extremely limited, so don’t count on the town as a convenient resupply stop.
Dispersed Campsites We Scouted
With such an extensive network of forest roads, there are undoubtedly more dispersed campsites here than we could scout in a single trip. Below are six viable options we found along the way, including the site we ultimately chose along FR 243.
I’ve included coordinates, access notes, privacy, shade, setting, and other considerations for each one to help you decide which are worth adding to your own scouting list.
Campsite Option 1: Forested Site
Coordinates: 37°29’50.7″N 106°42’00.5″W
Road: FR 390
Access: 4×4 required
Privacy: high
Shade: high
Campsite Option 2: Meadow Site
Coordinates: 37°30’02.0″N 106°42’05.7″W
Road: FR 390
Access: 4×4 required
Privacy: high
Shade: low to moderate
Campsite Option 3: Mountain and Meadow View Site
Coordinates: 37°24’13.7″N 106°38’06.4″W
Road: FR 380
Access: 4×4 recommended
Privacy: moderate
Shade: low
Campsite Option 4: Meadow Site Overlooking Creek
Coordinates: 37°22’10.0″N 106°38’00.3″W
Road: FR 243
Access: 4×4 required
Privacy: high
Shade: none
Campsite Option 5: Our FR 243 Creekside Meadow Campsite
Coordinates: 37°22’00.4″N 106°39’03.4″W
Road: FR 243
Access: 4×4 required
Privacy: high
Shade: none
Considerations: Tire tracks lead into the meadow, but the entrance is very steep and tricky. Avoid driving too far into the meadow, where the ground becomes increasingly marshy. There also wasn’t much downed firewood nearby, so we were glad we brought our own this time.
This site was a literal dream. We had vast 360-degree meadow and mountain views completely to ourselves, with a beautiful creek running right beside camp. The sound of the water was incredibly peaceful, and the creek was perfect for sticking our feet in or letting our dog splash around during the day. We didn’t have much shade, but with the cloudier mountain weather, it was a tradeoff we’d happily make for a campsite like this. Sites this secluded with mountain views and flowing water are hard to come by. We even had beavers hanging out along the creek.
Campsite Option 6: Forested Creekside Site Near Summit Peak Trailhead
Coordinates: 37°21’50.8″N 106°40’06.1″W
Road: FR 243
Access: 4×4 required
Privacy: high
Shade: high
Considerations: This site was occupied when we scouted it, and because it isn’t visible from FR 243 until you drive down into it, you may occasionally have other campers pull in to see whether the site is available.
Hiking in the Southern San Juans
The solitude we found while camping carried over to the trails. There are miles of high-country hiking throughout this part of Rio Grande National Forest, with alpine lakes, mountain views, and surprisingly few people. Below are two hikes worth considering while camping in the area, including the trail we hiked during our trip.
Crater Creek Trail / Crater Lake Trail #707
Crater Creek Trail gave us exactly what we wanted from a Colorado hike: forest, creeks, open mountain scenery, and an alpine lake, with essentially nobody else around. The trail is also known as Crater Lake Trail #707, which is the name you’ll see on the Forest Service trail sign, while AllTrails lists it as Crater Creek Trail.
This is typically a low-traffic trail, so there’s a good chance you’ll have much of it to yourself or share the small trailhead pullout with only a few other vehicles. During our Tuesday hike, we didn’t see another person on the trail. There was just one other vehicle at the trailhead, apparently belonging to backpackers who had already been out for several days.
Trail details:
- Distance: 7.3 miles round trip
- Time: about 4 hours of actual hiking for us
- Difficulty: moderate
- Trailhead: Crater Lake Trail #707 trailhead along FR 380
- Terrain: a mix of forest trail, creek crossings, open meadows, and exposed high-country sections
- Shade: mixed, with forested sections but also long exposed stretches
- Crowds: typically very low traffic; we didn’t encounter another hiker during our Tuesday hike
- Highlights: creeks, meadows, mountain views, Crater Lake, and the opportunity to cool off or let your dog swim at the lake
- Dogs: allowed
Navigation Tip
There is one obvious major fork early in the hike. Go right.
We had read reports of AllTrails directing hikers left here. We stayed right at the main fork and continued right at the smaller forks we encountered. Once we were on the correct route, the trail was easy to follow.
Save Some Energy for the Return
One slightly deceptive part of this hike is that roughly the final two miles toward the lake trend downhill.
That feels great on the way in.
It also means a substantial climb on the way back when you’ve already put several miles on your legs. The hike wasn’t especially difficult to navigate, but don’t assume reaching the lake means you’ve finished the hardest part.
Start Early
There are forested sections, but plenty of the route is exposed. Combined with Colorado’s summer monsoon pattern, that’s a good reason to get an early start.
We left camp early enough to complete the hike and enjoy the lake before the main afternoon thunderstorm window.
Summit Peak
For a more challenging alternative, Summit Peak climbs to roughly 13,300 feet for panoramic views across the Southern San Juans. This trail sees even less traffic than Crater Creek Trail, making it a great option if you’re looking for a difficult high-country hike with a good chance of having the trail largely to yourself.
Trail details:
- Distance: approximately 7.4 miles round trip
- Time: approximately 5 hours
- Difficulty: hard, with some harder-to-follow sections
- Elevation: approximately 13,300 feet at the summit
- Trailhead: Summit Peak Trailhead at the end of FR 243
- Terrain: rugged high-country terrain with some scrambling near the summit
- Shade: limited
- Crowds: extremely low traffic; there’s a good chance you’ll have much of the hike to yourself
- Highlights: panoramic mountain views, solitude, and a 13,000-foot summit
- Dogs: allowed
Navigation Tip
Parts of the route can be difficult to follow, so download an offline trail map before you leave camp and be prepared for some route-finding along the way.
Plan for the Elevation
With a summit above 13,000 feet, elevation is a bigger factor here than on Crater Creek Trail. Take your time, bring plenty of water, and pay attention to how you’re feeling as you climb, especially if you aren’t accustomed to hiking at high elevation.
Start Early
Like Crater Creek, this is a hike to start early during Colorado’s summer monsoon season. The higher, more exposed portions of Summit Peak are not where you want to be if afternoon thunderstorms begin developing.
How to Spend Your Time in the Southern San Juans
The Southern San Juans are worth giving yourself a few days to explore. Between scouting forest roads, hiking, exploring farther into the mountains, and simply relaxing at camp, there’s plenty to fill your time without needing to plan an activity for every day. It’s also worth keeping your plans flexible, since mountain weather can quickly change which days are best for hiking, exploring, or staying closer to camp.
Arrival Day: Get Close
If you’re making a long drive, consider spending the night in South Fork before heading into the forest. For us, this took the pressure off needing to reach the mountains, scout for a campsite, and set everything up after an 8.5-hour drive.
We grabbed dinner at SoFo Pizza Company in South Fork and really enjoyed it. They also have a dog-friendly patio, which made it an easy stop with our pup after the long drive.
Scout & Set Up Camp Day
Grab any final supplies in South Fork and head into the forest with plenty of daylight. Give yourself time to scout rather than planning to take the first open campsite you see. There are enough roads and dispersed camping options here that it’s worth exploring until you find a site that fits your vehicle and the experience you want.
Staying in South Fork the night before meant we weren’t rushed while scouting and still had plenty of time to set up camp and enjoy the evening. It also gave us a chance to settle in and feel refreshed before getting an early start on our hike the next morning.
Hike Day
Start early and tackle Crater Creek Trail / Crater Lake Trail #707, then spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at camp. If you’re looking for a harder hike, Summit Peak is another option and starts right at the end of FR 243.
Both trails are extremely low traffic, but Summit Peak is the more difficult option, while Crater Creek gives you the alpine lake and a chance to cool off at the turnaround point.
Explore Day
Set aside a day to continue east along FR 250 toward Platoro and explore some of the places you may not have passed yet while searching for camp.
Some options to combine depending on how much driving you want to do include:
- Hidden Falls: a quick detour if you’re exploring the FR 250 side of the loop. From the FR 380/FR 250 junction, continue on FR 250 for about 10 minutes instead of turning toward Platoro. A short unmaintained path leads to the falls.
- Platoro: a tiny mountain community along the route with no gas or reliable place to restock supplies. There is a small café with burgers and other lunch options if you’d rather eat in town than pack a picnic.
- Platoro Reservoir: continue beyond town to explore the reservoir and surrounding scenery
- Additional forest roads: FR 250 and the surrounding road network give you plenty of opportunities to explore beyond the areas you scouted while looking for camp
- Fishing: the Conejos River and other waterways throughout the area give you plenty of places to stop along the way
Camp Day
Don’t underestimate the appeal of doing absolutely nothing when you’ve gone through all the work of finding a secluded campsite in the mountains.
Cook breakfast, read, fish or explore around camp, make a good dinner, and actually enjoy the site you spent all that time scouting. If you’re staying longer and want another big activity, this can also become the day you do a second hike.
Departure Day
Pack up and give yourself plenty of time for the forest-road drive back toward South Fork before starting the longer highway portion of your trip. If you’re heading back toward Phoenix, Gallup, New Mexico makes a convenient lunch stop along the way.
We stopped at Fratelli’s Bistro, which has a dog-friendly patio and worked well for lunch before finishing the drive home.
Meals That Work Well for Colorado Dispersed Camping
With cooler mountain weather and several days to settle into camp, this is a great trip for cooking full meals at your campsite. For hiking and explore days, prep-ahead lunches also make it easy to pack up and head out without worrying about food along the way.
Breakfast:
Whether you’re settling in for a slow morning at camp or want something quick before an adventure day, these breakfasts work well in the mountains:
Lunch:
For days spent hiking or exploring, lunches that are made ahead and ready to eat make it easy to take food with you or have something waiting back at camp:
Dinner:
Cool mountain evenings are perfect for cooking dinner over the fire, with plenty of time to settle in and enjoy camp:
Dessert:
Dessert can be something fun to make over the fire or an easy treat you prep ahead and have ready when you want it:
Drinks:
Cool evenings, a campfire, and a campsite worth staying put for make this an especially good trip for a cocktail you can enjoy without going anywhere:
FAQ: Colorado Dispersed Camping in the Southern San Juans
Yes. Dispersed camping is allowed in many areas of Rio Grande National Forest, but camping access varies by road. Use the current Conejos Peak Ranger District MVUM to verify legal roads and where roadside dispersed camping is permitted.
There isn’t one best road. FR 380 provides numerous accessible options, while smaller spurs offer opportunities for greater privacy. FR 243 was one of our favorite areas for combining scenery, extremely low traffic, and secluded camping opportunities.
Not for every campsite. There are accessible dispersed sites along the easier portions of the main roads, including sites large enough for RVs. However, we recommend 4×4 if you plan to explore deeply into the area, and many of the smaller spurs we scouted require it.
Vehicles must remain within 300 feet of a designated road. The Conejos Peak MVUM should also be used to determine where dispersed camping is permitted along individual roads.
Rio Grande National Forest dispersed camping guidance says to camp at least 150 feet from water sources.
Dispersed camping is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period in Rio Grande National Forest.
South Fork. Fill your gas tank and pick up groceries, ice, firewood, and other supplies before heading into the mountains. Platoro is extremely small and shouldn’t be treated as a dependable resupply stop.
Expect limited to nonexistent service throughout much of the backcountry. Download maps, campsite coordinates, hiking routes, and anything else you’ll need before entering the forest.
Yes. This is black bear country, and Rio Grande National Forest has specific seasonal food-storage requirements. Food, trash, pet food, cooking equipment, toiletries, and other attractants need to be secured properly when unattended. We also recommend carrying bear spray.
Yes. The Southern San Juans are an especially good destination for camping with dogs. Dogs are allowed in Rio Grande National Forest and on both Crater Creek Trail and Summit Peak. With secluded dispersed campsites, creeks, meadows, and miles of low-traffic hiking nearby, there are plenty of opportunities to explore with your dog.
Final Thoughts
I expected the Southern San Juans to be beautiful.
I didn’t expect them to feel this empty.
That’s ultimately what made this trip stand out. We found the forests, creeks, mountain views, alpine hiking, and cool summer weather you’d hope for from dispersed camping in Colorado, without feeling like we were constantly sharing them with everyone else who had the same idea.
There isn’t one famous campsite everyone is trying to claim. There are miles of forest roads, different levels of access, and enough room to keep looking until you find the version of the Southern San Juans you came for.
For us, that meant a secluded campsite deep in the mountains, days built around camp rather than crowds, and a seven-mile hike where we didn’t encounter another person.
If you’re willing to scout a little farther, come prepared for changing mountain weather, and give yourself enough time to actually settle into the area, the Southern San Juans are one of the best Colorado dispersed camping destinations we’ve found.
Time for Your Adventure
Have you dispersed camped in the Southern San Juans, or is this area on your list? I’d love to hear about your experience or plans in the comments. And if this guide helped you plan your trip, I’d be so grateful if you shared it on social or with a fellow adventurer.
@thedisperseddietitian #thedisperseddietitian
Additional Resources
If you’re planning more off-grid adventures, keep exploring with more secluded camping destinations, make-ahead meal inspiration, and camp cocktails for your next trip.
For all of our hidden campsites and tasty recipes for your next elevated outdoor escape check out our entire blog!