The best camping spot in Colorado doesn’t have bathrooms and doesn’t accept reservations, but it does offer visitors privacy, expansive vistas and prime access to two of the state’s 14ers.
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Those are the selling points of Shavano Mountain dispersed camping sites, according to folks who use camping app The Dyrt, which recently released six regionally-focused top 10 best camping destination lists.
Shavano Mountain ranked No. 3 in the mountain region and, surprisingly, was the only Colorado spot to make the cut. Rankings were based on The Dyrt’s user ratings and reviews.
Located on Bureau of Land Management land, the area is a favorite because it has plenty of options along three loops that climb the mountainside and because it serves as a good home base for fishing and rafting adventures on the Arkansas River, The Dyrt wrote.
Additionally, the area is located near two of Colorado’s tallest mountains. Mount Shavano, near Poncha Springs, reaches 14,228 feet, and there’s a hiking route that connects to Tabeguache Peak at 14,157 feet. Because the dispersed camping is on BLM land, there’s no fee for overnight stays.
“Elevation delivers expansive vistas, with many sites overlooking the valley and mountains, and some offering a view of the city lights below,” The Dyrt said. “Sites are big and private enough that some campers report not seeing a single car pass by all day, and most come with existing rock fire pits.” (The forest is currently under stage 2 fire restrictions, so remember always to check before building a campfire.)
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The fact that only one Colorado destination made the list is surprising, since last year The Dyrt ranked two local campgrounds among the best in the entire country. In fact, Lost Lake Campground near Crested Butte took top honors as the No. 1 campground in the U.S.
Campers in the mountain region instead seem to be frequenting the desert this year, with Valley of the Gods in Utah placing first on the list and Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground in Arizona coming in second. The top five was rounded out by Dark Sky RV Park & Campground in Utah (No. 4) and Lost Moose Meadows Campground in Montana (No. 5). (See the full list here.)
If you’re seeking camping recommendations in Colorado, here are 10 of our stalwart favorites. But if you’re looking to go somewhere off the beaten path, check out Lake City, an underrated destination where you can find an amazing spot even during the height of summer tourism.
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