While making our way south from our summer hangout in the mountains of Colorado, we needed to find a little stop between stops to break up otherwise long, mountainous drive days. We’re a big fan of Freecampsites.net, but the sites on this page are not always guaranteed as advertised. Miramonte Reservoir West Campground is claimed to be free online. As we approached the site, we saw signs saying otherwise. Staying at Miramonte Reservoir West Campground requires a Colorado Access Pass. Think of it like a state parks pass in other states. For an annual fee, holders get access to camping opportunities throughout the state.
The campground is 10 miles off the paved road, but the gravel was well-graded with no discernible washboarding. The camping situation is a little like dispersed camping. Some spots that look good are clearly marked as no camping, but there are plenty more that are not so signed. There was tons of space when we visited, but it was mid-week. I could see this place getting very busy on weekends.
The only downsides we could cite were the shoreline and the bugs. The shore of the lake was deep, sucking mud. Both kids nearly lost their shoes playing in and by the water. With the water came clouds of bugs at night. Not as bad or as pervasive as the Far West Campground in Montana, though.
The campground is pretty far from any major cities, so it’s a great escape, though getting supplies may be a long trip. Either way, it’s a great place to cool your engine, rest your mind, and enjoy nature!
