Truck Camping in Arapaho National Forest, outside of Estes Park

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PeterLedger
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Truck Camping in Arapaho National Forest, outside of Estes Park

Post by PeterLedger »

Hoping to do some free dispersed camping just east of Estes Park on 9/4. Anyone know if Soul Shine Rd and those areas are open to dispersed camping?
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cougar
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Re: Truck Camping in Arapaho National Forest, outside of Estes Park

Post by cougar »

Nothing on Soul Shine, all private homes, gated subdivision between it and Pole mtn rd. There is a little side road from the gate that might be ok to park but may be an emergency route. On the other side from Panorama Peak and the Notch (west end of Pole Hill road) I believe is okay, and have seen a few spots up there, with 4x4 access only. Lots of private property and cabins in the area, plus the jeep tours go in this area. The east access was blocked by a local landowner.

Johnny Park road to south might have a couple so-so spots, legal but not much more than parking at junctions. There's also a secret spot off the north side of 34 across from soul shine, just past some homes.

Haven't been around there since the fires, there were some in or near all these spots so they may very closed.
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Re: Truck Camping in Arapaho National Forest, outside of Estes Park

Post by PeterLedger »

cougar wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 10:57 pm Nothing on Soul Shine, all private homes, gated subdivision between it and Pole mtn rd. There is a little side road from the gate that might be ok to park but may be an emergency route. On the other side from Panorama Peak and the Notch (west end of Pole Hill road) I believe is okay, and have seen a few spots up there, with 4x4 access only. Lots of private property and cabins in the area, plus the jeep tours go in this area. The east access was blocked by a local landowner.

Johnny Park road to south might have a couple so-so spots, legal but not much more than parking at junctions. There's also a secret spot off the north side of 34 across from soul shine, just past some homes.

Haven't been around there since the fires, there were some in or near all these spots so they may very closed.
Thanks Cougar. What about south near Taylor Rd? What's our best shot at good dispersed camping within 30min -1hr of the Beaver Mtn entrance to RMNP?
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Re: Truck Camping in Arapaho National Forest, outside of Estes Park

Post by cougar »

Dispersed camping near EP is extremely limited, the places I mentioned seem to be about it. Pole Hill may be closed now, but is off 36 and worth checking. Taylor should be good, its just farther south. Also by there, at the junction of CO 7 and CO 72 there's a few spots. Besides that, Dunraven trailhead in Glen Haven. It's a popular trailhead, don't think you can have a camp setup, but fine to sleep in your truck, it's in national forest but has backpacking access to the park and forest, so fine to park overnight.
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Re: Truck Camping in Arapaho National Forest, outside of Estes Park

Post by PeterLedger »

cougar wrote: Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:51 am Dispersed camping near EP is extremely limited, the places I mentioned seem to be about it. Pole Hill may be closed now, but is off 36 and worth checking. Taylor should be good, its just farther south. Also by there, at the junction of CO 7 and CO 72 there's a few spots. Besides that, Dunraven trailhead in Glen Haven. It's a popular trailhead, don't think you can have a camp setup, but fine to sleep in your truck, it's in national forest but has backpacking access to the park and forest, so fine to park overnight.
Awesome. Really appreciate it
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Re: Truck Camping in Arapaho National Forest, outside of Estes Park

Post by justiner »

Just camp off of Ski Hill Road west of Allenspark. Easy gravel road to a bunch of spots right after the NFS boundary.
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Re: Truck Camping in Arapaho National Forest, outside of Estes Park

Post by PeterLedger »

justiner wrote: Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:14 am Just camp off of Ski Hill Road west of Allenspark. Easy gravel road to a bunch of spots right after the NFS boundary.
Thanks!
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