So, as the title implies a couple of us are headed to Colorado and Utah for a three week ride in June. We intend to carry all supplies on the bike and are looking for input as to the hazards of picking an obscure location to pitch a tent. Are the bears a concern in CO? How about tresspassing issues? If we are miles from anywhere and set a camp are we likely to be roused by a park ranger? We have made use of the tent space list to contact local residents and plan to get permission if possible. I'm hoping to occasionally pick a spot and just camp-out. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Stealth camping in CO/UT is pretty easy, for the most part. There's a ton of BLM land and national forests, as well as a lot of plain old remote country that makes finding a secluded spot to camp a snap. If it's cropland, posted, or in view of houses/roads I avoid it. Otherwise, go for it! As far as park rangers, unless you're in a national park (Rocky Mountain, Zion, etc.) I would be shocked if you were bothered. On bears: I don't know about CO specifically, but here in WY they are an issue in the mountains. Do your cooking and eating a good distance away from camp, and do NOT keep food in or around your tent in suspected bear country.
Thanks for the replies. We suspected this was the case. I was awakened once on a deserted beach and told to move on. Coming from Canada we were concerned that some ranger cold slap on a bunch of fines for camping in the desert or make a federal case of it. As for the question of where in Utah and Colorado we are travelling, we're not sure. We intend to trailer to Denver area, unload our bikes, and ride for 3 weeks. We will get to the Bonneyville salt flats and Moab and otherwise just take local advice as to the best spots. Thanks again.
As others said, you should be good-to-go on any public land -- of which there is a ton in Colorado and Utah...just look at all of the 'green shading' on the state roadway maps -- unless otherwise posted. Speaking of maps, I always recommend the Benchmark series for planning DS rides out here. One suggestion, since you're already trailering the bikes: I would start your ride a bit west of Denver (perhaps the Collegiate Peaks/Buena Vista/Salida area) and avoid the traffic congestion around the Denver metro area. The riding and scenery really improves once you're about an hour or so west of Denver. Search a bit in the "Rockies" sub-forum, there have been many threads on suggested rides throughout Colorado and Utah. Good luck
As far as bears go, I've spent a few hundred nights in the back country of CO and seen bears twice. When I'm camping I don't use any bear containers and enjoy keeping snacks in my tent. The bears I've seen just run away as fast as possible. Both times I've seen bears was deep in the weminuche wilderness, I think along forest roads you won't have any issue at all.
I've camped on public land across Colorado & Utah my whole life. There are endless places to get off the side of a side road and set up a tent - especially if you are taking back/dirt roads. In many areas, you will find obvious sites where others have camped before. As long as you're off the I-70 corridor, you shouldn't have to pay for a (or worry about) single night of camping unless you want campground amenities. My main bit of advice would be to start scoping for a campsite before it gets dark, and give yourself ample time to ride down a couple different roads before you find a quiet spot. +1 on Hakatan's post too, though you don't need to get too far off the front range to start good riding. Just starting from Golden or Boulder will get you on to fun roads pretty quickly. Bears are around in CO, but quite rare to actually see. I've only encountered a handful in a lifetime of wandering the CO backcountry, and as mentioned above, they always turn tail and run as soon as they see you.
Hola, We deal with black bears when camping in the Boundry Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota, and they can be pests. I always picture Yogi and Boo Boo waiting to steal a picnic basket, but there they will take your whole pack or what ever your food is kept in, which is annoying when your 5 days back in the bush. A few simple rules we follow when Yogi is around are:1. Hang your food up in a tree from a rope at night. 2. Don't cook where you sleep. 3. Don't crap near the campsite. 4. Don't bring food into the tent. And finally and contrary to some opinions...5. Don't bring bacon, peanut butter, marshmellows, or bear porn magazines......they can't resist these especially. Saludos, Eduardo
