Dispersed camping in the Rio Grande National Forest

The Rio Grande National Forest wraps around much of the San Luis Valley, climbing into the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountains on either side. Beyond its developed campgrounds, the forest allows dispersed camping, which means setting up outside an organized campground, usually for free. It is a quiet way to spend a night on public land, but “free” does not mean “anywhere, any way.”

The Forest Service has plain rules. Use an existing, previously used site rather than making a new one. Camp at least 150 feet from any stream, lake, or spring so you do not foul the water. Keep your vehicle within 300 feet of a designated road. There is a stay limit, generally 14 days within any 30-day period, so the same spot cannot become a long-term home. Pack out trash, and bury human waste well away from water.

The other key tool is the Motor Vehicle Use Map, or MVUM. It shows which roads and trails are open to vehicles and which have seasonal closures. Driving off those routes to reach a campsite is not allowed, even on land that looks open. The maps are free at ranger district offices.

For the current dispersed-camping rules, any fire restrictions, and the Motor Vehicle Use Map, check the Rio Grande National Forest, the agency that manages this land.