Camping on Public Land in Colorado and Utah

Camping on public land in Colorado and Utah requires that you know something about the rules and regulations. Always make sure that you know where you are at all times by having maps that show private as well as public lands.

Private lands usually are not posted in Colorado because they don't have to. In Utah, land owners must post their land with signs or florescent paint or cultivate it if they want to keep people off.

As much time that is spent by some land owners in Colorado trying to catch people on their land, they could have posted their property many times over.

Regardless, camping on public land in Colorado and Utah is a wonderful and economical way to see and enjoy this area.

BLM and Forest Service lands have different rules as it applies to camping.

On BLM land there is a 14 day limit for dispersed free camping (camping where you please, no amenities) and then you must move at least 25 miles away to a new area.

Also you may not return to the original campsite within 28 consecutive days. Further you must be 300 yds from any water source used by cattle or wildlife so as not to disturb them.

In developed fee campgrounds(water,toilets,hookups,) there is a limit of 7 days. Always try and respect other campers privacy. If you leave your camping gear in developed BLM campgrounds unattended for more than 24 hours and more than 3 days on undeveloped BLM land they consider it abandoned and can remove and dispose of it.

On Forest Service lands dispersed camping is limited to 16 days and is free. There must be at least one person in attendance during each 24 hour period in developed fee campgrounds. Camping on public land requires that everyone pitches in to keep areas open so that everybody gets to enjoy them. Public lands says it all.

In all developed fee campgrounds there will be lists of rules displayed and easily found on BLM and Forest Service lands.

For dispersed camping make sure that you leave your site as you found it with no trash or waste left behind. Many times I have found trash left behind by others who must think there is a clean up crew designated for this purpose by the government.

Camp fires must be totally out before you leave and wood gathering is forbidden in developed campgrounds. Always check for any fire restrictions in an area that you will be visiting.

In some areas a fire pan is also a requirement so make sure you have one if you plan on making a fire for cooking.

If you bring it, then please, take it back home with you. Fire pits are not for waste disposal as some materials will not burn and will be left for the next person to clean up before they can use it.

The Forest Service human waste rules require that you stay 200 ft. away from a water source and dig a shallow hole so that you can cover waste withe 6 to 8 inches of soil.

BLM would rather that you do not dig a pit toilet but rather have means to transport your waste back out with you. Use of small chemical toilets or buckets with bags like the luggable loo are what I usually use. Sprinkle chemicals in each bag to help reduce odors in each bag before use.

Camping on public land is a great way to get away from the humdrum of everyday living and as a base for outdoor activities like four-wheeling and hunting.

Check out the links to BLM and The Forest Service on my Info Links page for more detailed information on specific areas.

For more information on Camping on Public Land.

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