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 place to make a basecamp for local hiking”
Reviewed 6/25/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
RV Length: | 19' (Travel Trailer) |
Stayed during June 2020 - Great place to create a temporary base. Cell service (Verizon) was good on the east side; however, we were using a jetpack and would get throttled in the evening and weekends. Rough road to get up to the spots, but worth the slow drive.
Damrine would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful and peaceful”
Reviewed 5/20/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
The side with the view of the mountains was beautiful, although windy and a bit hot. The other side is more for sunset views. Some of the areas have nice trees you can pull in through. Most sites are spaced apart nicely and very private. We heard the cows but they didn’t walk through our site. Yes, the road is rough. But we di... more
The side with the view of the mountains was beautiful, although windy and a bit hot. The other side is more for sunset views. Some of the areas have nice trees you can pull in through.
Most sites are spaced apart nicely and very private. We heard the cows but they didn’t walk through our site.
Yes, the road is rough. But we did fine with our Subaru Outback and small teardrop trailer.
JenW would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Well worth the drive up the entrance road”
Reviewed 5/12/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | None |
RV Length: | 18' (Teardrop Trailer) |
Nasty washboard entrance road, steep and has ruts but it is wide. Large area at top of hill for all size rigs but really long rigs may not want to make the drive up the road. Scout ahead. Beautiful views, second to none. Had 3 bars with Booster Verizon.
BobS would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“excellent camping”
Reviewed 5/12/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
RV Length: | 26' |
I stayed for 14 days and would highly recommend this location. that said, the single downside to this location is the road is a bit rocky and rough going in. I drove at 2mph and was very passible if you drive slow. it is a large area with many sites separated from each other and only minutes from Salida.
Seven Wanders the World would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Crazy Washboard & Rutted Road, but beautiful area”
Reviewed 9/21/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
First, I would definitely stay here again; however the road in was a mix of deep washboard and chunky rocks in the road with potholes and deep ruts. I have a Hymer Aktiv van which has about 5-6 inches of clearance underneath (yes I know it's awful and need to get it lifted) and was able to make it up fine but I took it slow. Once yo... more
First, I would definitely stay here again; however the road in was a mix of deep washboard and chunky rocks in the road with potholes and deep ruts. I have a Hymer Aktiv van which has about 5-6 inches of clearance underneath (yes I know it's awful and need to get it lifted) and was able to make it up fine but I took it slow.
Once you get to the top and round the curve to the right there is a dirt road that has a ton of options for camping so you might look at that one first. If you go further up the main road there is a very very steep incline which I didn't attempt considering my low clearance.
AT&T worked really well especially boosted, but it was pretty strong without the booster. Verizon was slower, but still worked.
It's also close to Salida for groceries and entertainment.
StoryChasing.com would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Too rough a road”
Reviewed 9/14/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
I think I was just spoiled with our last boon docking spot that had a beautiful running creek. There are plenty spots here to camp and the road is doable for a big rig if you’re taking it slow. Salida is close by at least for the necessities.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Spacious + great views”
Reviewed 8/18/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
RV Length: | 23' (Travel Trailer) |
This is a beautiful and very windy stretch of BLM land. It's on an open plateau, with views of the Arkansas River valley on one side and Mt Shavano on the other side. Be prepared for absolutely howling winds (in August). The road is paved at first and goes through some pastures and residential areas. It then becomes unpaved and ver... more
This is a beautiful and very windy stretch of BLM land. It's on an open plateau, with views of the Arkansas River valley on one side and Mt Shavano on the other side. Be prepared for absolutely howling winds (in August).
The road is paved at first and goes through some pastures and residential areas. It then becomes unpaved and very wash-boardy, but pretty wide, easy enough for two trucks to pass each other. After about 0.4 mile of gravel, you then go through the BLM gate. The road becomes more steep and rocky at this point. Shortly after you crest a small hill, a side road goes to the right. There are lots of sites for big rigs in this area. We proceeded about a quarter mile further down the main road to a large site on the left. Just past our site was another short, steep hill. We explored up there in the truck but didn't take the trailer. It would be perfect for tents, truck campers, and some vans. (The road goes on for about 4 miles to the Mt Shavano trailhead. Lots of spots and side roads along the way, and the further you go, the higher you get.)
Verizon cell signal was pretty good, especially with our booster, except on the weekend when more people were here.
Mostly small pinon trees and no large trees, so plenty of solar.
You'll need your levelers. The whole plateau is gently sloping.
Folks drive up and down the road, but not too many. It wasn't at all crowded. Plenty of room for all RV types/sizes.
Hootie would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Close to Town, Lot's of Sites”
Reviewed 8/5/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Update: We returned after Labor Day and the squatters and homeless were back. Still a pretty place but loaded with folks living in their cars, in tents and under sunshades in one case. Lot's of junk piled around and people I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley at night. Maybe the BLM will clean it up again before next summer. We... more
Update: We returned after Labor Day and the squatters and homeless were back. Still a pretty place but loaded with folks living in their cars, in tents and under sunshades in one case. Lot's of junk piled around and people I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley at night. Maybe the BLM will clean it up again before next summer. We didn't stay and camped up near Buena Vista.
Original Review: It's not the most beautiful camp we've ever stayed in. Pinion Pines, sparse grass and cacti but the views of the mountains are nice. The whole area is gently sloping but fairly flat otherwise. Don't expect much shade but plenty of solar potential. The road in is rough but doable for most big rigs. The best part is Salida is about 15 minutes away with shopping and dining. The Poncha Springs Visitor's Center has a great dump station ($10) and fresh water (free).
AT&T and, to a lesser extent, Verizon signal was decent, though a few nights AT&T was acting up (network management?). Not much trash and though it was crowded there were still spots to be had, even on the weekend. The BLM has cleaned up the area, kicked out squatters and closed off some camping areas. There were no signs of folks living there and that's a good thing. All in all, a nice place to spend a week or two.
Dan & Jen Nevada would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great private boondocking spot close Salida downtown with great views.”
Reviewed 7/26/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
RV Length: | 19' (Travel Trailer) |
Easy access, private, close to Salida downtown, close to local dump station at corner of Hwy 285 & Hwy 50. Grimo’s Is a small little Italian restaurant at 146 Main St. In Poncha Springs, which is close by.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice views close to Salida”
Reviewed 7/17/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | n/a |
Nice place to camp. The road is a bit rough. Lots of sites and pretty clean. The views of the mountains were great. We were treated to a good sunset just about every night. Great mountain biking in Salida.
VanLucy 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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