Shavano Wildlife Management Area Dispersed Camping
BLM
Write a Review County Rd. 250 Salida, CO 81201 719-269-8500 Official WebsiteGPS: 38.5608, -106.124
Overview of Shavano Wildlife Management Area Dispersed Camping
Shavano Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a large dispersed camping area located about 8 miles west of Salida, Colorado. Shavano WMA is managed by the BLM Rocky Mountain District and is a popular site for free camping near the towns of Salida and Poncha Springs. Mount Shavano towers nearby at 14,231-foot (4,338 m), one of Coloardo's 58 fourteeners that is popular with hikers. Mount Shavano is famous for the Angel of Shavano, a snow formation of an angel that emerges on the east face of the mountain during snow melt each spring. Campers should be aware that the dispersed campsites at Shavano Wildlife Management Area have a 14-day stay limit, campsites are first-come-first-served and do not have developed facilities or potable water (dry/primitive camping).
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by kakampers on 9/11/2023
Longest RV Reported: 48 feet
Reported by Lucky Charm RV'ing on 10/12/2018
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 8,366 ft / 2,549 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Shavano Wildlife Management Area Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 719-269-8500
Spruce Goose Rv adventures asked on 7/8/2022
How are the dirt roads on 250? Are they rough?
Reviews of Shavano Wildlife Management Area Dispersed Camping 54 people have reviewed this location.
“Great...until it wasn't..”
Reviewed 9/11/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Really nice place, but the entry road is horribly rutted the last .2 of a mile. That said, found a really nice spot even with some of the roads blocked off. Unfortunately, one week into what we thought would be a two week stay, Rangers showed up and marked spots for posts that will, as of next week, chain off large areas leaving very... more
Really nice place, but the entry road is horribly rutted the last .2 of a mile. That said, found a really nice spot even with some of the roads blocked off. Unfortunately, one week into what we thought would be a two week stay, Rangers showed up and marked spots for posts that will, as of next week, chain off large areas leaving very few sites available, and little to none for any type of big rig...very disappointing!! Apparently people trying to "live" here all summer and people making their own spots and leaving trash, has lead the Rangers to severely limit where they will allow future camping.
kakampers would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great place getting less so with BLM "improvements"”
Reviewed 9/10/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
The rating applies to this and past years only. BLM has been busy blocking off sites and roads,drastically limiting the options,especially for larger rigs 27'--. Its hard to tell just how many options will apply in 2024---there are markings all over the area for fences or boulders to restrict.
jhm would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Absolutely the perfect spot to stay”
Reviewed 9/6/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Easy access. About 1/2 mile of washboard road when you enter but totally fine when driving slow. So many spots and nicely spaced. Quite. Clean. Beautiful. The view can not be beaten. Wish we could stay longer. Would have loved to walk around the site tonsee it all. This is a must stop if you are anywhere nearby! Verizon cell servic... more
Easy access. About 1/2 mile of washboard road when you enter but totally fine when driving slow. So many spots and nicely spaced. Quite. Clean. Beautiful. The view can not be beaten. Wish we could stay longer. Would have loved to walk around the site tonsee it all. This is a must stop if you are anywhere nearby! Verizon cell service was perfect.
Bargesser would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful views”
Reviewed 9/4/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Nice place to overnight. Got in with our 39ft living quarters horse trailer. Road was rough but took it nice and slow. Had no problems finding a spot even on Labor Day weekend! would come again.
Only downfall was lots of traffic coming in and out. All night.
camper-850258 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Hard No”
Reviewed 6/13/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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I drove ahead in my AWD small SUV to scout this out before taking the road in my bus. Maybe the road has deteriorated since other reviews were left (recent hard rains, road is split in half with deep rutting from runoff) but this is definitely not currently suitable for campers and motorhomes. I turned around about a quarter mile in (a... more
I drove ahead in my AWD small SUV to scout this out before taking the road in my bus. Maybe the road has deteriorated since other reviews were left (recent hard rains, road is split in half with deep rutting from runoff) but this is definitely not currently suitable for campers and motorhomes. I turned around about a quarter mile in (after backing up because there was no room to turn around in my car). Might be ok for tent campers or a van with 4wd. Definitely wouldn’t camp here in anything during fire season. Wouldn’t want to have to try to get out in a hurry at night.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not bad for free”
Reviewed 11/6/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Worked well for a couple nights. Would have stayed longer, but a storm was rolling in, and wasn't sure how muddy it would get.
Verizon good.
AT&T good.
DKOP would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Views, Bad Roads.”
Reviewed 8/8/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Stayed on night hard drive on our sedan trucks and vans will do fine but not worth it in a low clearance car. Nice views close to town.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful views!”
Reviewed 7/22/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
This was a wonderful site with beautiful Rocky Mountain views. It was flat with trees for shade and fire rings. The road in was rough, but it wasn’t awful. We had 5G att reception. We will definitely stay here again.
OurNewAdventure would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great location! Free! Cell Service! ”
Reviewed 6/24/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | n/a |
RV Length: | 13' (Travel Trailer) |
Hidden gem. This site was large and spacious, plenty of sites available. We stayed for a week with our two dogs- beware of cactus!!! Great convenient location a few minutes outside of Salida, close to plenty of hiking, can walk the trails within the camping area. We stayed and worked the whole week with plenty of cell service to run ou... more
Hidden gem. This site was large and spacious, plenty of sites available. We stayed for a week with our two dogs- beware of cactus!!! Great convenient location a few minutes outside of Salida, close to plenty of hiking, can walk the trails within the camping area. We stayed and worked the whole week with plenty of cell service to run our hot spot. Rocky road on the way up but it a short "driveway" to the camp sites. Can't wait to come back!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great views, easy camping, popular apot”
Reviewed 6/11/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Great free camping near Salida, Colorado. 360 views of the mountains and some trees for shade. Typically within earshot of another camp though during peak season.
HalieGreen would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
Pets
- pets
Nearby
Poncha Springs Visitor's Center RV Dump Station
Note The Potable Water is Not Available Currently
- Steve
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