After about 0.9 miles, make another left to stay on USFS 129 and continue along it for just over 8 miles until you reach the reservoir. 2. However, because it connects with a network of trails that spread all over the Arapaho National Forest (including Herman Gulch and the Continental Divide Trail via Berthoud Pass), Ive been wanting to explore this area for a long time. Jones Gap State Park. It is always important to check current snow conditions, especially in the Spring. Dispersed camping (also known as primitive camping or car camping) is free tent camping with access to your vehicle. This road is paved and 40mph, in excellent condition. Distance to Winter Park: 8 milesRestrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds: ModerateMap. Check out these fun activities in Colorado: What is your favorite campsite in the area? The road is 7 miles out and back. Location submitted by: Loving Every Mile. To get here from Winter Park, head north to the town of Fraser before turning west onto County Road 50. Take your time here; the road gets a bit windy in parts and two-way traffic can be expected. Road 72 is a good option if you prefer to be close to services, as its an easy drive into Fraser or Winter Park from here. Although youll have to travel over the pass to get to Winter Park, we think this location merits serious consideration. Once you hit the dirt road and pass the Jones . Or perhaps you are an avid mountain biker and want to stay right on some of the best trails in the Winter Park area. Several wooded campsites dot the area and are free to use on a first-come-first-serve basis. Past Empire, continue west on US-40. The Jones Pass trailhead offers a variety of summer and winter activities. For the most part, the sites were clean. And its not just the winter season that keeps people outside. Jones Pass Road Dispersed Camping. Well cover: Head up I-70 and take the Hwy 40 exit. 3. Denver residents will likely utilize the Arapaho National Forest the most as it's located just west of the capital city with numerous . Dream of spending the night under the stars without a noisy campground? Thanks for the kind comments. He's a Coloradan with a passion for camping, hiking, backpacking, and sunsets over Rockies. Please respect this closure, and make sure to minimize your impact while camping at any of the other sites included in this guide. This is a good option for those without a high-clearance vehicle, as much of the route is a well-graded gravel road. The area around the big fence by the meadow seemed about optimum to me and a few other campers. The area is popular because it has beautiful views and offers easy access to hiking up Vasquez Peak. DMX. Meadow Creek Reservoir is located northeast of Winter Park, and offers some excellent dispersed camping for those willing to make the trek. Build a small platform out of rocks or sticks if snow is on the ground. Distance to Winter Park: 2 milesRestrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds:BusyMap. Part of the allure of Vasquez Peak is the extensive wildflowers of the summer months. Here's the complete guide to visiting Jones Pass, Colorado. So maybe dispersed camping isnt your thing. Thinking of getting some new gear for the trip? Jones Pass is an easily accessible trail for most vehicles with a good number of camp sites along the road. Located in Arizonas Sonoran Desert, Quartzsite is a popular RVing destination, especially for th With more than 30 parks to choose from, Arizonas state park system is filled with diverse landsc Arkansas excellent state park system provides RVers and tent campers with well-maintained campgr Indiana RV Campgrounds: 7 Places to Camp, Hike, and Explore the Hoosier State. Drinking water is available May through September. Was a nice high altitude stop over camp site. 30 maximum.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'offpathtravels_com-leader-2','ezslot_7',603,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-offpathtravels_com-leader-2-0'); This campground is located at the base of Berthoud Pass. There are road signs once you get off I-70 that will help you the rest of the way that say Jones Pass. First-come, first-served. Visitor Information: 970-295-6600, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28436, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland. As you come down the pass, turn right (east) into the campground. The trail becomes indistinguishable after the first mile or two, but usually you can follow previous skiers' tracks up the mountainside.What you miss in wildflowers or mine sightings, you gain in pristine, untouched, classic blue and white Colorado winter beauty. Get 20% here. Activities year round. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring, but no water. It can be reached by boat and has a boat launch and dock. Lets keep this land incredible for generations to come, make sure to leave no trace. We hope weve provided all of the information you need to plan a dispersed camping trip near Winter Park, and we know youll find the perfect campsite for your upcoming adventure! Once you hit the dirt road and pass the Jones Pass Trailhead you will begin to see camping sites on the sides of the road. 10 LGBTQ+-Friendly Campgrounds Throughout the U.S. Video: 5 Amazing Places to Camp for Free in the Western U.S. 5 National Park Sites Where You Can Boondock (or Find Boondocking Closeby), Best Campgrounds Near 4 of Baja Californias National Parks, How to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Where to Camp, The Best RV Campgrounds for Stargazing Adventures, How to Visit Prescott National Forest by RV and Where to Camp, How to Visit Coconino National Forest by RV and Where to Camp, 5 Alternatives to Utahs Popular National Parks, 5 Mid-Atlantic State Parks Worthy of a Detour, Reviews of Jones Pass Road Dispersed Camping, Written by someone with an affiliation to the property, Duplicate review submitted by the same member, Multiple reviews submitted by members of the same household, Reviewer did not actually visit the location, Fraser River Diversion Canal Dispersed 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It has excellent views of the West Fork Clear Creek drainage. more. Keep in mind that dispersed camping is not permitted towards the top of the road at Rollins Pass. Or, you can venture on the East or West side of the road and do out and backs. This area is also approximately 30 minutes from Winter Park, Colorado. You will lose cell service and the roads can loop around in a bit confusing of ways. This popular (and sometimes quite crowded area) is located directly west of the town of Empire, just as Berthoud Pass begins to climb and go into the switchback sections. Or, you can venture on the East or West side of the road and do out and backs. We pulled in around 7pm on Saturday evening and unsurprisingly all the actual spots lower down along the road were taken. I was also impressed by the beautiful photos you included in the article. Merino socks and ankle-height hiking boots will suffice in most situations, and your feet will be far happier in insulated boots. We're Kristina and Michael, the travel blogging couple behind Off Path Travels. Getting There: From I-70, take Exit 232 to U.S. 40. Many people enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with backpacking but don't have the energy or time to spend on all the gear and hiking. Established campgrounds include Pioneer Park, Willow Creek, and Gilbert Campgrounds. Weve put together the following dispersed camping guide in hopes of helping you navigate the often confusing process of finding a free campsite in the area. Solo Stove - Elevate your campfire with this smoke-free fire pit. 125 RV sites, numerous dispersed tent sites, 4 restrooms with flush toilets and showers available for a fee, potable water at central location, trash and gray water disposal, RV dump station nearby at South Mesa, two boat ramps, cartop and trailered, two buoyed swimming areas, picnic tables and BBG grills . Eva) along the Rocky Mountains. Youll need to drive a bit past the Henderson mine before camping is permitted, but then youll find several sites on both sides of the road. Turn right (east) off of Highway 40 (Main Street) directly into the campsite. more. Corona Pass Rd. The pass itself is usually snowed in until August. The further up you go the more Berthoud Pass is 55 miles from Denver making it one of the closest places to get out and backcountry tour in the winter. First-come, first-served. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Jones Pass Road is located on the south side of Berthoud Pass and makes for a stunning dispersed camping area near Winter Park. Hike with a wicking top and bottom, plus a mid-layer or wind shell (depending on conditions). Whitefish Mountain Resort. Seasonal fire restrictions and fire bans are very common in the wilderness areas surrounding Winter Park. From simply driving to the top of Jones Pass to enjoy a sunset to a weekend of camping in some of Colorados best wilderness, Im an expert in Colorado travel. Distance from Denver: 1 hour, 13 minutes; 53.5 miles If dispersed camping seems a little too wild for you, try your hand at camping off Jones Pass Road. This is a great area to do some exploration, or you can continue on to summit and descend on the other side. 25 maximum. There are road signs once you get off I-70 that will help you the rest of the way that say Jones Pass. There are plenty of sites available on the reasonable drive up that are on the left side of the road next to the river but they're all ground tents only. We highly recommend downloading offline maps (Google Maps app, Motion-X GPS, and Gaia GPS are all great options). The Jonas Pass Trailhead is large enough to drop a trailer or leave a Class C to scout ahead. Looking to find more dispersed campsites? Respi Mee Sup Sabahiiat. I began my trek at dawn, and by sunrise I had gained enough elevation to see a spectacular sunrise. You can stay for a maximum of three days, and you must register at lodging check-in. (8.1km) Day 3 - Hike out via Packer's Pass. From the Berthoud Pass parking lot, follow the Continental Divide Trail south for 2 miles up to Colorado Mines Peak. When I was a there, a car was stuck in the snow at the three mile mark; Id like to know that story! Maybe 5 mph average. There was maybe one site where you might be able to squeeze in a roof top tent but the site was occupied and we weren't going to investigate. Our favorite campsite in this area requires a bit of a hike down away from the car, but there are sites all around the reservoir which you can camp right next to your car. Get it now for just $7. Hiking opportunities include hiking on the Continental Divide Trail via the Henderson Spur trail and/or driving to the top of Jones Pass. Does it get cold at night? On a weekday, This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com, Oh man what a great spot! The lower half of the circle has the better road. Many people travel the road via snowmobile in winter. Or, you can venture on the East or West side of the road and do out and backs. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. How to Get to Fraser Dispersed Camping Road 72 and Road 73It may not surprise you, but this one is pretty easy too. Once you hit the dirt road and pass the Jones Pass Trailhead you will begin to see camping sites on the sides of the road. Plenty of RVs and trailers come up this way, so you shouldnt have any real issues regardless of your vehicle type.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'offpathtravels_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',194,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-offpathtravels_com-leader-1-0'); Why is this our favorite? Jones Pass. These helpful maps show all of the Forest Service Roads that permit dispersed camping, including a few we chose not to include. Wonderful pictures and useful iinformation links. Spray Park Trail, Washington 98304, USA. Backcountry skiers will love the mellow terrain with plenty of options for some steep stuff.