Well-known camping resource The Dyrt has published their annual ‘best places to camp’ report, breaking down where some of the best campsites are found around the country by region.

As might be expected, Colorado is in the ‘Mountain Region’ along with Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona – pretty stiff competition when it comes to narrowing down great places to lay your head under the stars. That said, Colorado did end up having a lone camping spot land on The Dyrt’s ‘top 10 places to camp in the Mountain Region‘ ranking.

While Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping in Utah ended up snagging the top regional spot and Arizona’s Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground ranked second, Colorado’s Shavano Mountain Dispersed Camping ranked third.

Known for being near Salida and Poncha Springs and close to no shortage of hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation, Shavano Mountain Dispersed Camping comes with a stunning scenic view, as well. Fourteener trailheads are nearby and big skies can be expected above, perfect for sunsets and stargazing.

Find three large loops for campers that climb up rugged terrain with plenty of campsites available. Crowding tends to be sparse, offering a peaceful escape into Colorado’s backcountry.

Be warned – it’s dispersed camping, so don’t expect any facilities. You’ll have to pack out what you pack in, including waste, and the road to some of the sites may be too rugged for some 2WD vehicles.

With a five-star rating, all visitors who have left reviews on The Dyrt seem to be pleased with their experience at this dispersed camping area, with some people claiming it’s among the best dispersed camping they’ve found.

While fires may sometimes be allowed in this general area, it’s worth noting that fire bans are frequent during drier years. Always check with Chaffee County in regard to fire restrictions before planning a trip. At time of publishing, strict stage two restrictions are in place, so don’t go building a fire at your campsite.

Learn more about Shavano Mountain Dispersed Camping here and find the full list of the ’10 best places to camp in the Mountain Region’ from The Dyrt here.

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