Shavano Wildlife Management Area Dispersed Camping

Road a bit wash boarded at first and rutted and washed out on steeper secrions. But take it slow and easy - one should be fine We saw a 40 foot diesel pusher towing a flat bed trailer with two ATV s make it just fine. Once up on top, there may be as many as 100 spots We walked miles and enjoyed the various vistas

Excellent 5G service with our T•Mobile phones. Able to stream movies

We decided to try this location after having a not so great experience at another dispersed campsite in Salida. Just like most sites,the road is a little bumpy on the way in but we had no problem with our 26 foot travel trailer. We found a nice fairly level spot with great views of the mountains. We would absolutely stay in this location again. We had a Ranger do a drive-by at one point which actually was comforting to know that they check on the sites periodically.

This place is beautiful. Sites are very separated and there are many. Access from Salida, Colorado is easy. Dirt road into the area is generally in good shape. Many small sedans were navigating the road just fine. Cell coverage on Verizon was very good (Sometimes 3 bars). Had a great mountain bike ride.

Remember people: Don't dump your stinky tank on the ground!

Stayed here multiple times over the last few years...great BLM camping...pls pack in pack out. Take trash bag on arrival or departure and do some Environmental clean up for 10 min...respect your neighbor and the lands...enjoy 🙂.....great views and exploring...had a great 4th of July here in '19...views of fireworks in Salida from our spot.

Tons of camping with decent road to the top of a plateau. Room for all size rigs. We had no trouble getting into the area. Whole area used by cattle

The closer to Monarch pass the better the cell signal. We had 1 to 4 bars of 4G with Verizon.

We didn't stay due to a warning sign noting that the area was known to have plague, tularemia and tick borne disease. As we travel with a dog and cats we decided it was not worth the risk. High winds were also predicted and the area had no protection from any wind over the pass.

Very bumpy road up. Take it slow. Watch for oncoming traffic. On a random Tuesday in Sept, there were 50 plus rigs up here.
Dusty
Dry
High desert landscape
Lots of full time living going on up here. There was a pop up camper with siding set up for full time living.
Luckily it's still decently clean.
I wouldn't camp again but not bad for a night or 2. Easy 10 minutes to town for supplies.

Access is west from Salida along US50. Once past the junction of 285 and 50 look for 250 on the right. It is paved all the way to where the BLM land starts. Then the road gets rough. There are several spots that are not much more than raw rocks and quite steep slopes. Having said that I made it ok in my truck / enclosed cargo trailer. Also there were quite a few A's and C's.
This is true dispersed camping with tons of room. The views are astounding with plenty of room so you aren't on top of each other unless you want to. There are large open flat areas and smaller places amongst the bushes and trees that are a bit more daring.
As of writing no fires are allowed although there is plenty of evidence that under normal conditions they are.
Salida just like Leadville is trying to actually enforce the mask insanity so be prepared for that. I found a sharp NO worked well. The Walmart is minimal but ok, also with the maskateers present.
Packages can be received at Ship N Things on Rainbow for $6.
Showers are available between 4 - 7 pm for $5 at Simple Lodge & Hostel, 224 E 1st St, Salida, CO 81201. Tel (719) 650-7381 call first.
Both potable and non potable water is available at the Ponch Springs Visitors Center on the west side of the 50/285 junction. The potable water is a tap on the side of the building limited to 250 gallons.
Water and trash are also available at the 66 gas station on the north side of Rainbow (50) slightly east of the Aquatic center. Free - although I always filled my car and generator cans there to say thank you.