Dispersed camping on the White River forest has real limits

Much of the high country around Glenwood Springs and the rest of Garfield County is White River National Forest, and you can camp there for free outside developed campgrounds. That is called dispersed camping. It is a real perk, but “free” does not mean “anywhere, any way, any length of time.”

The forest sets a stay limit. You can camp in one general area for up to 14 days within a 30-day window; after that you have to move a set distance away. The idea is to keep any one spot from becoming a long-term squat.

There are placement rules too. Pick a site that is already bare and used, rather than crushing fresh meadow, and keep it close to the existing road rather than driving off across the land. Camp well back from streams and lakes so you do not foul the water. Pack out trash, follow current fire restrictions, and store food so you do not draw bears.

Some areas are stricter. Certain ranger districts shorten the stay limit or allow camping only at designated, marked sites, and roads you can drive are set by the Motor Vehicle Use Map, not by where a track happens to lead.

For the current stay limits, area restrictions, and the Motor Vehicle Use Map, check the White River National Forest camping pages before you go.