Guide to Camping on the Tour du Mont Blanc, Guide to Hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte, Guide to Camping on the West Highland Way, Guide to Camping on the Walkers Haute Route, The Ultimate Guide to the Coast to Coast Walk, The Complete Guide to Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park, The Best Dispersed Camping Areas Near Winter Park, check fire restrictions at this website before heading out, Butler Gulch trailhead which features a beautiful hike, The BEST Dispersed Camping Near Glenwood Springs. Even after the sunrise, the alpenglow on the snow-capped peaks is so beautiful. This meadow has a hiking trail that is easily accessible from the sites. Address: Jones Pass Road, West of Berthoud Falls, Empire, CO. A ride to the top and back is possible with a great payoff at the apex. Located just 25 miles north of Greenville, South Carolina . However, above that the road gets substantially more rugged. Fish along Woods Creek, West Fork Clear Creek, or Ruby Creek. It has a capacity of 36 people and 10 cars. If the trail head is empty a 30ft trailer can be turned around. If you find all of the sites on the way up occupied, keep driving past the reservoir as youll find more sites along FR 129 further up. The area is popular because it has beautiful views and offers easy access to hiking up Vasquez Peak. Hi Anthony! The biggest thing about winter camping is to be prepared. If youre coming from Berthoud Pass on Highway 40 (Main Street), youll go 2.4 miles past the Winter Park ski resort. The lower down campsites are reachable by most vehicles, but the further up you travel the higher the need for 4WD. After a night of dreams and nightmares, the alarm clock rang in our little hut at Thorong High Camp at 4:45 a.m. We were not hungry because of the effects of altitude, but we had a little breakfast and started the final hike-a-bike toward the pass by the light . Or perhaps you are an avid mountain biker and want to stay right on some of the best trails in the Winter Park area. 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. If thats the case, there are still plenty of options for camping near Winter Park.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'offpathtravels_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',601,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-offpathtravels_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); These options are all located in the Sulfur Ranger District. ) or https:// means you've safely The easy access from I-70 makes it a popular place for a hike or a quick drive to the . Upon exiting I-40 head towards the molybdenum mine on 202. We decided to try our luck higher up and followed the road until we ran into a jeep that had set up camp in the middle of the road because it was snowed out just beyond them. As a Colorado resident of nearly 11 years, I make it a point to visit this . Jones Pass is a popular spot with backcountry skiers and riders as well as snowmobile enthusiasts. With access to the Continental Divide, amazing views, alpine terrain, and fun low angle skiing, this destination is a great winter objective for skiers of all abilities. Although not the absolute most peaceful camping site, the Jones Pass sites are close to Denver and really easy to access. Distance to Winter Park: 8 milesRestrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds: ModerateMap. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Crowds: Busy Map. Learn how to plan your route, create GPS files, navigate offline, and even print you own maps. Just drove up for a quick overnight trip. This road is paved and 40mph, in excellent condition. Distance to Winter Park: 5 milesRestrooms:NoWater:No, but may be pulled from Vasquez CreekCrowds: BusyMap. As a Colorado resident of nearly 11 years, I make it a point to visit this beautiful landscape every year. Here's the complete guide to visiting Jones Pass, Colorado. Because if youre willing to look, you can find some incredible dispersed campsites all around the reservoir and camp very close to the waters edge. Pro Tip: There are a LOT of active bears here! Jones Pass Road is located on the south side of Berthoud Pass and makes for a stunning dispersed camping area near Winter Park. Yosemite National Park - California. She'd rather be dirty than done up. REENADED . The Wildflowers of Vasquez Peak. Jones Campground at Squaw Lake. Such an epic spot! The absolute best way to make sure everyone is talking about the same place. If youre ever trying to meet up with people in the backcountry, they are a must! Jones Pass Road begins by a molybdenum mine, but don't let that fool you. Do you enjoy the solitude of the wilderness? Rules can change quickly. For the most part, the sites were clean. The Jonas Pass Trailhead is large enough to drop a trailer or leave a Class C to scout ahead. Then afterward, you can even check out some of the best ski towns in Colorado too. Begin your hike around sunrise as inclement weather often rolls in during the late afternoon. And for the most part, there are quite a few trees in the campground area so you should have shade. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If you're a beginner winter camper, choose a location that's easy to get . The lower half of the circle has the better road. Garmin elevation at the main camping area listed us at 10,400'. Many people travel the road via snowmobile in winter. Be sure to keep food and trash stored properly (away from your tent, sealed up in a car with the windows rolled up and doors locked). GPS: 39.9008, -105.7409. There are road signs once you get off I-70 that will help you the rest of the way that say Jones Pass. Unless there has been a deep snowfall recently, you may not even need snowshoes; YakTrax should be sufficient. It is an circle drive with a large parking area on the far end. Dispersed camping (also known as primitive camping or car camping) is free tent camping with access to your vehicle. Upon exiting I-40 head towards the molybdenum mine on 202. The most popular spot here is right at the entrance to the reservoir. skiwhitefish. Jones Pass Road begins by a molybdenum mine, but don't let that fool you. Youll also find some good sites close to the water, but be sure to consult the MVUM to be sure camping is permitted before setting up. A few notable places to check out include: Jones Pass, Colorado is an excellent city break for the nearby Denver-metro area. Be sure to check out our other guides below: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1. The Best Way to Reach There: From Denver, take I-70 west. But you can reach the ridge and hike your way up to the Continental Divide Trail for killer alpine views. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center winter hours Nov 1 - March 31: open Wed through Sun 10 am - 5 pm. Start the Fire - Place your tinder (lightweight material that catches fire easily) on top of the platform. In addition to this trail there are several more in the area. Idlewild Campground is one of the most popular and highest reviewed campsites in the Winter Park area. Getting awesome photos here is almost too easy because of the natural beauty. On a weekday, This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com, Oh man what a great spot! Opening dates weather dependent. Taking Road 50 west from Fraser will lead you into a treasure trove of wilderness with more dispersed campsites than you can count. Pets are welcome at all of the dispersed camping areas included in this guide. Eva) along the Rocky Mountains. Sites 1-10, 21-30, 101-110, are closed Nov. 1 - April 1. I wouldn't call this travel trailer friendly but everybody adventures differently. Keep reading to learn about our seven favorite dispersed campsites near Winter Park! Meadow Creek Reservoir is located northeast of Winter Park, and offers some excellent dispersed camping for those willing to make the trek. Make a left on Road 72. For more information check out our complete guide to dispersed camping in Colorado here. - Get there early to avoid the crowds. This road is paved and 40mph, in excellent condition. It is somewhat similar to Idlewild as it is right off of Highway 40, but still gives you a bit more space from town. Junction City - Schreiner Park Campground, Upper Teton View - Toppings Lake Dispersed Campsites 8-16, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, Video: Where to Camp in Quartzsite, Arizona. If youre really lucky, you can go dispersed camping (or wild camping or boondocking as its sometimes known) for an entire trip without seeing another person. Photo: Rob Writz. With mountain vistas, tumbling waterfalls, and pristine forests, the Upstate is home to some of South Carolina's most stunning landscapes, including Jones Gap State Park. From Denver: 1 hour, 15 minutes Final Destination: This about five-mile dirt road, which requires four-wheel drive, climbs to 12,600 feet on the Continental Divide. If you make it past the initial pot holes it is decently smooth sailing from there. Manage Settings Hot Sulphur Springs is another very popular spot nearby. 26 sites. For those looking for more solitude and a quieter dispersed camping area near Winter Park/Fraser, look no further than Country Road 50. In fall, winter and spring, the trail is covered in snow, which makes it ideal for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Please respect this closure, and make sure to minimize your impact while camping at any of the other sites included in this guide. The rest is in much better repair. 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. Your email address will not be published. Getting There: From I-70, take Exit 232 to U.S. 40. It has picnic tables and can have portable toilets. Use the custom map layers to find public land, download offline maps, and navigate to your perfect dispersed campsite. You will lose cell service and the roads can loop around in a bit confusing of ways. One of my favorites for mountain biking but there is an active bear. Its definitely worth adding to your list. From there, head east a My friend Austin and I hiked up to Mt Flora last year on what was probably the coldest day ever. The Dyrt PRO is our favorite resource for planning your trip. Show up too late? However, because it connects with a network of trails that spread all over th Berthoud Pass is 55 miles from Denver making it one of the closest places to get out and backcountry tour in the winter. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Snow tends to linger in many areas surrounding Winter Park through mid-June and the flurries can begin as early as September at many of the camping areas included in this guide. You'll enjoy stunning views and relatively easy access . We maneuvered sideways and leveled our truck with the help of a few strategically placed rocks and called it good. There are two main options in this area, but both of them start at the same place. Gaia GPS - Download offline maps for easy navigation! Thank you and glad you enjoyed the photos! Spray Park Trail, Washington 98304, USA. For further information see: Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee National Grassland - Jones Pass Trailhead (usda.gov) Travel the first mile along the Jones Pass Road to the top of the valley floor, then leave the road and proceed north .