Off County Road 48 in the San Isabel National Forest, this dispersed camping area sits roughly four miles from camp sites outside Leadville. The access road features bumps and rocks, though campers report SUVs and vans handle it fine. Multiple pull-offs line the left side of the road, with the first area offering two large sites equipped with stone fire rings positioned close together.
Sites farther down the road provide better mountain views, according to reviewers, though the first pull-off remains popular for its easier access. The farthest camping spots require about a 2.5-mile round-trip walk to reach Turquoise Lake. Tyler A. notes "there are tons of hummingbirds" in the area and mentions the Bodfish Trail toward Molly Brown Campground as a nearby hiking option.
Expect company during busy periods, as this free camping draws steady traffic from RVs of all sizes to smaller rigs. Verizon provides two bars of cell service, and the area allows both pets and alcohol. Some sites show signs of heavy use, with scattered trash reported in certain spots. Temperatures drop significantly at night even in late summer, making this location suitable for those prepared for mountain conditions.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Dispersed CampingDispersed Camping CR 48 is located in Colorado
Coordinates
39.248860882392684 N
106.36895509161924 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 72 usersLast on 4/3/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 134 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 37 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 72 usersLast on 4/3/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 134 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 37 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Dispersed Camping CR 48 needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 54 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 3 min from Boulder, CO
- 2 hrs 26 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 39 min from Fort Collins, CO










