Camping regulations

[forwardbias]

So I'm having trouble finding answers to this the various park web sites and thought maybe someone here would already know. I'm sure I've missed something so I apologize for the question but hoping someone can help shed a little light.

1) So I was reading an (old) trip report for someone doing Evans + Bierstadt and they described just driving up to summit lake and sleeping in their car there. Is that sort of thing allowed?

2) I have seen in several places (for instance the Indian Peaks wilderness) where signs describe requiring camping just be 100 feet from a stream or trail and nothing else, does that mean I could just carry my bivy hike up to somewhere and just plop down a few 100 feet from the trail? Maybe I missed something, seems too easy.

3) Is there somewhere I could see the breakdown of the various regulations in the myriad different park systems in CO?

[Chicago Transplant]

I do not think something exists that is comprehensive. Most national forest and BLM land, you can just plunk a tent/bivy down if its not a designated Wilderness area.

Wilderness areas have more specific requirements, not within 100' or water or trails, and no fires withing 1/4 mile of lakes or timberline, or above timberline. Some require permits, in summer I believe Indian Peaks does require permits. In some extremely popular areas, you are only allowed in designated sites. The individual Wilderness area regs are posted for each on the Forest Service and BLM websites.

Not sure about state or city parks, but I am sure they have their own regulations as well.

Some roads you can just camp anywhere on the side of the road, but some have restrictions, generally noted at the beginning of the road. For example, you may see a sign at the beginning of a road saying "camping in designated sites only" or "no camping within 1/4 mile of such-and-such creek".

It varies and can be tough to sort through when planning a trip, its best to try and check the website for the appropriate land manager to find out more. The most restrictive areas tend to be the most popular because they need the most attention to protect them from abuse.

[RBski]

Short answer no. Each Forest, Wilderness, or NP have specific regulations for those specific areas.

In general National Forests without specific designations have very few restrictions, just use common sense. Typically you can have a fire, don't need a permit, and camp where you want. Again use common sense and check with the local ranger station for current or temporary restrictions.

Wilderness areas have the most area specific restrictions. Sometimes different trailheads in the same wilderness area will have different regulations. IPW is a great example of this. Here is a good site to help with regulations for specific wilderness area...
http://www.wilderness.net/NWPS/stateView?state=CO

National Parks generally have the most restrictions. Almost always designated sites, very restrictive on fires, permits are almost a given.https://www.nps.gov/index.htm

And don't even get me started on State Parks!! A friend of mine was issued a ticket for 'destruction of government property' because he put a hatchet into a tree stump. The ticket was later dropped by the Boulder DA.
Just avoid them.

[forwardbias]

Thank you all for the great info/leads!!