Colorado Is Calling — But So Are the Crowds

Every Memorial Day weekend, the same scene plays out across Colorado's beloved state parks: overflow parking lots, fully booked campsites reserved months in advance, and long lines at entrance gates. Sound familiar? If you've been turned away from Chautauqua, Eleven Mile, or Chatfield one too many times, it might be time to discover Colorado's best-kept camping secret — boondocking.

Boondocking (also called dispersed camping or dry camping) means setting up camp on public land outside of designated campgrounds — no hookups, no reservations, and absolutely no crowds. Colorado has millions of acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and National Forest territory just waiting to be explored, and Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to ditch the packed state parks and find your own private slice of Rocky Mountain paradise.

What You'll Need Before You Head Out

Boondocking rewards those who come prepared. Before you load up the truck and head for the hills, make sure you've covered these essentials:

  • Water: Carry more than you think you need. A general rule is at least one gallon per person per day, plus extra for cooking and cleaning.
  • Power: Solar panels, portable power stations, or a generator will keep your devices charged and your fridge running. Colorado's sunny skies make solar an especially smart investment.
  • Navigation: Cell service disappears fast in the backcountry. Download offline maps via apps like OnX Offroad or Gaia GPS before you leave civilization.
  • Waste Management: Pack out everything you pack in. Use a portable toilet or WAG bags, and never bury waste near water sources.
  • Vehicle Clearance: Many BLM roads require high-clearance vehicles. Know your rig's limits before committing to a rutted dirt road miles from help.

Top Colorado Regions for Boondocking This Summer

Not sure where to start? Colorado has some incredible boondocking territory spread across the state. Here are a few regions worth exploring:

San Luis Valley & Rio Grande National Forest

Wide open skies, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and light traffic make this southern Colorado gem a boondocker's dream. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout much of the Rio Grande National Forest, with stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as your backdrop.

Gunnison National Forest & Taylor Park

Taylor Park Reservoir draws crowds to its campgrounds, but venture a few miles down the forest roads and you'll find solitary sites along river corridors and aspen groves. This area is particularly spectacular as wildflower season kicks off in late spring.

BLM Land Near Moab-Adjacent Areas (Dolores/Paradox Valley)

Colorado's western slope along the Utah border offers classic canyon country boondocking with red rock formations, pinyon-juniper forests, and jaw-dropping solitude — all without crossing state lines.

The Golden Rules of Leave No Trace Boondocking

Boondocking comes with responsibility. The only way these incredible free camping areas stay available is if we all treat them with respect. Follow these non-negotiables:

  • Camp on already-disturbed surfaces like existing fire rings or hardpacked ground whenever possible.
  • Stay within the 14-day dispersed camping limit on most BLM and National Forest land.
  • Keep campfires small and check current fire restrictions — Colorado's fire conditions change rapidly.
  • Pack out all trash, including food scraps that could attract wildlife.
  • Leave your site better than you found it.

Find Your Perfect Base Camp with CampgroundViews.com

New to an area and not sure where to start your boondocking adventure? CampgroundViews.com is your ultimate scouting tool. With 28,000+ campgrounds listed across North America and over 3,600 immersive virtual tours, you can explore campsites from your couch before you ever turn the key in the ignition. Use it to scout nearby established campgrounds as reference points, read reviews from fellow campers who know the local terrain, and discover jumping-off points for your dispersed camping adventure.

This Memorial Day, Make Your Own Path

While everyone else is circling packed parking lots at Colorado's state parks, you could be waking up to a private mountain sunrise with nothing but aspen trees and elk for neighbors. Boondocking isn't just a budget-friendly alternative to crowded campgrounds — it's a whole different philosophy of travel. Pack smart, tread lightly, and go find your own piece of Colorado this Memorial Day weekend.