Primitive Campgrounds in Colorado

Discover the best primitive campgrounds across Colorado. Escape the crowds and experience camping the way it was meant to be. Minimal facilities, maximum wilderness.

20+ Campgrounds4.7★ AverageBest: Year-round (weather dependent)

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Pet-Friendly With Showers Potable Water Flush Toilets Reservable Under $15/night

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

Perched at 9,800 feet along Middle Cottonwood Creek, this alpine basecamp delivers true backcountry solitude with vault toilets as your only amenity and the Sawatch Range towering overhead.

Campgrounds - Taylor Park Area

Almont
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

Tent-only sites line the Taylor River beneath canyon walls, where spring-fed water and vault toilets support self-sufficient camping without modern distractions. The rushing river soundtrack and towering pines create natural privacy between canvas shelters, buffering campers from the outside world.

Creede
Rio Grande National Forest

Tucked at 9,200 feet where the Rio Grande rushes through sun-dappled meadows, this riverside sanctuary offers true backcountry solitude with only vault toilets interrupting the wilderness.

Tents

RVs

About Primitive Campgrounds in Colorado

Primitive camping in Colorado offers adventurers an authentic wilderness experience across some of the most spectacular mountain terrain in the American West. From the towering peaks of the Sawatch Range to the remote valleys of the Rio Grande, Colorado's primitive campgrounds provide access to pristine backcountry settings where modern conveniences give way to the raw beauty of nature.

Best Time

The primitive camping season in Colorado typically runs from late May through September, though exact dates vary significantly with elevation. High-altitude campgrounds like Rainbow Lakes and Collegiate Peaks may not be accessible until late June or early July due to lingering snowpack, while lower-elevation sites open earlier in spring.

What Makes It Great

No reservations needed at many sites
True wilderness experience
Minimal to no amenities
Often free or low-cost

More Primitive Campgrounds in Colorado

Discover 17 additional top-rated primitive campgrounds in Colorado

4.8

(164)

Target Tree Campground

San Juan National Forest

Vault toilets mark the only modern intrusion at this 7,643-foot high-country retreat, where individual and equestrian sites sprawl across a south-facing hillside above Thompson Park's sweeping meadow.

Red Feather Lakes
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Five tent-only sites tuck deep into ponderosa pine forest, separating you from RV neighbors and delivering true backcountry quiet beside a pristine 25-acre lake. Hand-pump water and vault toilets keep you self-reliant while towering pines create natural barriers between campsites.

Rainbow Lakes Campground

Nederland
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Tucked at 10,000 feet elevation, this alpine basecamp delivers true self-sufficiency with vault toilets and bear boxes but no water—you'll filter from mountain streams while planning your assault on Indian Peaks Wilderness trails.

Tucked into ponderosa and aspen forests at 9,000 feet, this Sangre de Cristo basecamp offers walk-in sites and stream-side spots where vault toilets mark the only trace of civilization.

Silver Bar Campground

Aspen
White River National Forest

Four walk-in sites nestle along Maroon Creek, putting wilderness-bound backpackers steps from trailheads while keeping vehicle noise and crowds at bay. Bear lockers and vault toilets provide essential support without compromising the raw, self-reliant experience of camping beneath the...

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4.6

(136)

Shepherds Rim Campground

Meeker
White River National Forest

Escape to 9,720 feet where fifteen secluded sites serve as your basecamp for exploring the Flat Tops Wilderness, with only vault toilets and mountain water keeping you connected to civilization.

Purgatoire Campground

Canon City
PSICC

Tucked at 9,800 feet where the Purgatoire River begins as mountain runoff, this campground delivers true backcountry solitude with only vault toilets separating you from wilderness.

Idaho Springs
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG

Perched at 10,900 feet in Colorado's alpine wilderness, this high-elevation escape delivers genuine backcountry solitude with South Clear Creek flowing between two intimate camping loops.

Bear Lake Campground (Co)

Cuchara, Colorado
PSICC

Vault toilets mark the only human touch at this 10,480-foot mountain sanctuary, where spacious sites scattered across San Isabel National Forest demand complete self-reliance amid towering pines and Culebra Range peaks.

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RVs

Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Primitive Campgrounds in Colorado

Map of campgrounds near Primitive Campgrounds in Colorado

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Map Key

Collegiate Peaks

Campgrounds - Taylor Park Area

River Hill

Target Tree Campground

West Lake

Rainbow Lakes Campground

Alvarado Campground

Silver Bar Campground

Shepherds Rim Campground

Purgatoire Campground

Guanella Pass

Bear Lake Campground (Co)

Twin Peaks Campground

Aspen (Co)

Lost Man Campground

Angel Creek Campground - Ouray Rd

Columbine Landing Recreation Site

Palisade Campground

South Fork Campground & Trailhead

Alamosa Campground

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Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Backcountry hiking and wilderness explorationTrout fishing in alpine streams and lakesWildlife photography and observationStargazing and astrophotographyWildflower identification and nature studyMountain biking on forest service roads

Tips & Recommendations

1Success in Colorado's primitive campgrounds requires thorough preparation and respect for the high-altitude environment.
2Always bring more water than you think you'll need—even campgrounds with hand pumps may have seasonal water shutoffs, and treating stream water is essential.
3Pack layers for dramatic temperature swings; summer nights regularly drop into the 30s and 40s even when daytime temperatures reach 70-80 degrees.
4A quality four-season sleeping bag rated to at least 20°F ensures comfort at higher elevations.

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Curated for Primitive Campgrounds in Colorado

Primitive Campgrounds in Colorado FAQ

Colorado has 20+ primitive and dispersed camping areas. Popular options include BLM land, national forests, and designated wilderness areas.

Many primitive camping areas in Colorado are free or have minimal fees ($5-15). Check local regulations for maximum stay limits, typically 14 days on BLM and National Forest land.

Primitive camping in Colorado requires self-sufficiency. Bring your own water, waste disposal bags, and be prepared for no electricity, restrooms, or cell service. Leave No Trace practices are essential.