Colorado’s Top 17 Off-the-Grid Vanlife Camping Spots (No Hookups, No Problem) 🚐

ByLola Monroe Life Outdoors

Colorado, renowned for its towering peaks, pristine wilderness, and rugged outdoor spirit, also offers some of the most spectacular off-grid camping opportunities in the country.

From high-altitude mountain passes to remote desert canyons and tranquil lakeside meadows, the Centennial State provides countless adventures for vanlifers seeking freedom from hookups and crowds.

We’re counting down Colorado’s premier boondocking destinations, revealing their unique features, accessibility requirements, and the unforgettable experiences that await your van!

Jump to a Spot

Arches National Park camping
Source: Pixabay

17. Kelly Flats

🚐 Van Accessibility: Suitable for most vans with reasonable clearance
🏔️ Elevation: 7,800-8,500 feet
📶 Cell Service: Limited to no service
💧 Water: Bring your own; seasonal creek nearby

Highlights & Details: Kelly Flats offers an excellent introduction to Colorado’s off-grid camping scene with relatively easy access and stunning mountain scenery. Located in Roosevelt National Forest northwest of Fort Collins, this area provides numerous dispersed camping opportunities along forest roads with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.

It is popular for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing, but can get busy on weekends.

Backpack by a mountain stream
Source: Pixabay

16. Browns Canyon National Monument

🚐 Van Accessibility: Most forest roads suitable for standard vans
🏔️ Elevation: 7,500-8,500 feet
📶 Cell Service: Limited service
💧 Water: Arkansas River nearby; filter required

Highlights & Details: Browns Canyon National Monument offers spectacular dispersed camping opportunities in one of Colorado’s newest national monuments. The area features granite cliffs, diverse wildlife, and world-class fishing along the Arkansas River, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

It is home to Gold Medal trout fishing waters and excellent whitewater rafting. BLM and Forest Service managed lands provide abundant wildlife and hiking opportunities.

Hiking boots by a campfire
Source: Pixabay

15. Buffalo Creek Recreation Area

🚐 Van Accessibility: Good for all van types on main road
🏔️ Elevation: 8,000-8,800 feet
📶 Cell Service: Minimal to no service
💧 Water: Seasonal creeks; bring your own

Highlights & Details: Buffalo Creek Recreation Area provides excellent dispersed camping along Forest Road 550 with easy access from Denver. The area offers beautiful mountain scenery, numerous hiking trails, and fishing opportunities along the South Platte River system.

It features multiple dispersed sites along CO Road 550 for several miles, with access to the Colorado Trail and excellent trout fishing at Cheesman Canyon.

Camp tent in a forest
Source: Pixabay

14. Twin Lakes Area

🚐 Van Accessibility: Most vans can access lower sites; 4WD recommended for upper areas
🏔️ Elevation: 9,200-10,500 feet
📶 Cell Service: No service
💧 Water: Clear Creek and Twin Lakes nearby

Highlights & Details: The Twin Lakes area offers stunning alpine scenery with camping opportunities along Clear Creek Road (Forest Road 390). Located beneath towering 14ers, this location provides excellent access to high-altitude adventures and pristine mountain lakes.

It is a base camp for climbing Mt. Belford, Mt. Oxford, and Mt. Missouri. It features excellent fishing for brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. The road continues past private property to dispersed sites.

Campfire with glowing embers
Source: Pixabay

13. Flagler Reservoir

🚐 Van Accessibility: Excellent for all van sizes including large rigs
🏔️ Elevation: 4,200 feet
📶 Cell Service: Good coverage
💧 Water: Reservoir often dry; bring your own

Highlights & Details: Flagler Reservoir provides easily accessible camping in Colorado’s eastern plains. While not mountainous, this BLM area offers unique high plains beauty with abundant wildlife, especially birds, and serves as a convenient stopover for vanlifers traveling across the state.

It features a large gravel parking area suitable for big rigs, surrounded by trees, cacti, and seasonal wildflowers. It now requires a Colorado hunting/fishing license or SWA pass for camping.

Campfire at night
Source: Pixabay

12. Shavano Wildlife Management Area

🚐 Van Accessibility: Excellent for all vehicles including large RVs
🏔️ Elevation: 8,400-9,200 feet
📶 Cell Service: Limited service
💧 Water: Bring your own; seasonal streams available

Highlights & Details: Shavano Wildlife Management Area near Mount Shavano offers some of the best RV-friendly dispersed camping in Colorado. The area features flat, level campsites with well-maintained access roads and stunning views of this impressive 14er.

It has numerous side roads with level campsites and is great for solar panel users due to open exposure. The first mile is accessible to all vehicles; rougher roads beyond for more privacy.

Camping tent in woods
Source: Pixabay

11. Salamonie Lake Dispersed

🚐 Van Accessibility: Good access for most vans on main roads
🏔️ Elevation: 6,800-7,400 feet
📶 Cell Service: Limited coverage
💧 Water: Lake and stream access; filtration recommended

Highlights & Details: The dispersed camping areas around Salamonie Lake provide excellent opportunities for vanlifers seeking lakeside camping with recreational activities. The area offers both lake and stream fishing, hiking trails, and peaceful mountain scenery.

It features multiple dispersed sites near the lake with opportunities for fishing, boating, and hiking. Seasonal ice fishing is popular in winter months.

Camping site with tent and chairs
Source: Pixabay

10. Rabbit Ears Pass

🚐 Van Accessibility: Main roads suitable for all vans; side roads vary
🏔️ Elevation: 9,400-10,000 feet
📶 Cell Service: Limited service
💧 Water: Seasonal streams; bring your own

Highlights & Details: Rabbit Ears Pass offers high-altitude camping just 20 minutes east of Steamboat Springs on Highway 40. The area provides easy access to dispersed camping on forest service roads with beautiful mountain views and proximity to hot springs.

It is easily accessible from Highway 40 with numerous forest roads for camping. It is close to Steamboat Springs for supplies and hot springs relaxation.

Continue to Spots #10-1: Big Views & Hidden Gems!

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Lola is your trail-loving guide to all things nature, adventure, and off-the-beaten-path escapes. When she’s not exploring new hiking trails or planning her next weekend getaway with her pup, she’s writing about the best outdoor spots and scenic adventures across the country. Her passion for fresh air, muddy boots, and four-legged companionship shines through in every article.

Fun Fact: Lola’s dog has hiked over 100 miles alongside her—and even has their own tiny backpack.