Winfield Dispersed Camping / Huron Peak Hike Preperation

[MileHighMigrant]

Myself and two friends are planning to hike Huron Peak in the next few weeks. I've read about camping at the trailheads and in the Winfield Dispersed Camping area, but I want to come prepared since this will be our first time camping in that specific area. It’s not our first time camping, or our first 14er, but it's our first time in this region, and I like to know what to expect before heading in and want to keep my friends safe and comfortable.
- Are there any permits required for parking or camping in the area?
- What's the location of the lower 2WD trailhead? I haven't seen it specifically marked on any maps. Geo coordinates are fine!
- How quickly do campsites tend to fill up, and what’s the best time of day to grab one?
- What's the bear canister requirement? I have one, but knowing this will help me plan what food to pack and how we should set up camp.
- Is there anything else I should be aware of or prep for? Any heads-ups about weather, camping conditions, parking, or other essentials?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[toddhoelzle]

I can answer a couple of these; I've never technically camped there, just slept in my car:

- There are no permits required for parking; I'm almost certain camping is the same.
- The 2WD "trailhead" is just at a sign that says something to the effect of "Rough Road, 4WD Only". Just turn left at Winfield and it's maybe 0.2 miles further. There are a couple of campsites there, plus several more farther up the 4WD road.
- The camping in the area seems pretty good, though it does seem to fill up. I've only been there on a weekend, though.

Hopefully, others can fill in my knowledge gaps.

[maff]

-No permits for camping that I'm aware of (none when I was there in 2022; none listed on this site);
-the "2WD TH" is Winfield, the old abandoned mining village. You'll see the buildings. Turn left towards Huron/Lake Ann; right goes towards the back side of La Plata.
-There's not really a shortage of spots to camp around Winfield. If it was full up, you could find somewhere back along the road closer to Missouri Gulch TH or even before that. There's a big open field at Winfield, depending on how close you're comfortable being to an outhouse.
-No specific bear canister requirement that I'm aware of. Usual best practices apply. Critters / varmints are more of a threat to your food than bears here.

[Monte Meals]

^"depending on how close you're comfortable being to an outhouse"

The outhouse has been removed.

[justiner]

-No specific bear canister requirement that I'm aware of.

There is a food storage order in effect for the area. Storing your food inside a vehicle does suffice.

[rzback]

I was there last week camping while doing Missouri-Bel-Ox, Huron, La Plata

-No permits
-2wd parking is about a quarter down the road from Winfield
-I was camped down the 4wd road Mon, Tue, Wed night last week and there was not many people camping, I'm sure that changes for the weekend though.
-I don't have bear spray, I have a pistol.
-Skeeters are out.