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The Red Feather NF Dispersed Camping, CO.
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Red Feather National Forest DC Campground
The campground is located by turning west from US 287 at Livermore, Colorado and drive west on County road 74e west, first 22 miles to Red Feather Lakes Village at Dowdy Lake road, then for another 1.5 miles to CR 86 which turns to the left. This is also known as Deadman Road which leads to the Historic Fire Tower thirteen miles from this intersection. However, when you do turn onto CR 86, within a hundred feet the road surface changes from a hard surface road to a gravel road. Continue on County Road 86 west about two miles to the first road to the right, which is FR 502.
Forest Road 502
Turn right on to FR 502 and you will notice that the road splits but rejoins in about one hundred yards. There are numerous site with rock fireplaces as you drive along SR 502. This road comes to a fork at 2000 feet, stay to the left, and the road will come to an end where a trench has been dug across the roadway.
You can camp in any of the areas with pullouts many of which have rock fireplaces.
Location:
Coordinates:
40.80341, -105.63188
Elevation:
8701 feet
Geographical Region
High Overlook
Coordinates:
40.801541, -105.641295
Elevation:
8842 feet
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Onsite:
This campground is boon docking at its finest, bring every thing you need because there are no water faucets, no electric hookups, not a single utility, but the sites are free.
Except for week ends, holidays and most of the time during summer months, this campground is not very busy. There are lots of hiking in the surrounding forest with numerous summit views.
Nearby:
Also, because this campground is so far from the city lights, it is very dark at night and the stars are amazing.
Too, there are many lakes in the area for fishing as well as rivers, including the Cache la Poudre and the North Fork Cache la Poudre.
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General Information:
This campground is a national forest dispersed camping site.
There are no fees to camp, nor or there any standard campground elements. The one exception is that there are some natural stone fire pits.
Fees:
Free
Campground Includes:
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The 2022 Journey,
Red Feather NFDC Campground, CO.
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Tuesday, 17 May 2022, Roosevelt National Forest, CO.
(Day 365 TN) 43°F. 8:00 am, sunny and clear
Red Feather Lakes NF Dispersed Camping
Coordinates: 40.801541, -105.641295
Elevation: 8842 feet
Awake this morning to a comfortable temperature, rise, open the jammer and begin preparing my morning meal, a cup of hot coffee, cup of tea and a cup of Daystart, which does not take long to make. Right away, the
Rufous hummingbirds that had showed up yesterday, return for some breakfast. I work at taking a few photos, but the light and the angle do not make for good photos. Still, I get a few for the gallery.
After eating, I put away my cookpot and then begin working on changing my tire. First, I remove the tire from the roof by disconnecting the four nylon cords. After I pull the wheel off of the roof, I then take all the knots out of the nylon cords and wash them in a bucket of water. Then, I let the cords dry before I begin to reassemble my roof rope tire rack. I try to implement the new design that I have been working on in my mind for the last several months, but as I begin to install the cords, I realize that I must needs tie the four cords together first. So, I remove all the cords and begin to tie them on the ground while sitting on a bench
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The 2021 Journey,
Red Feather NFDC Campground, CO.
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Arriving at the national forest dispersed camping area in the afternoon, I back into the space and set up for the evening. Later, I step out and take the first photo of the jammer at the national forest dispersed camping.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-2021-0603.1540) Solar Show out the back of the Jammer
(a1c04-co-redfeather-2021-0612.1548) Gordon arrives and sets up his camp
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The May 2020 Sojourn, 1st Week
Red Feathers Campground
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Drive from Elevation 4982 feet up to Elevation 8701 feet
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200501.0856) Drive into Roosevelt National Forest
(Day
618 TG)
Friday, 01 May 2020. Day One at Red Feather
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200501.1816) Setting up Camp at Red Feather Lakes
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200501.1817) This part of the Roadway was Blocked
(Day
619 TG)
Saturday, 02 May 2020. Day Two at Red Feather
(Day
620 TG)
Sunday, 03 May 2020. Day Three at Red Feather
It rained on the third day and so I stayed inside the jammer.
(Day
621 TG)
Monday, 04 May 2020. Day Four at Red Feather
Upon awakening on the morning of the forth day, I find it has snowed.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200504.0539) First Snow at Red Feather Lakes Campground
(Day
622 TG)
Tuesday, 05 May 2020. Day Five at Red Feather
Gordon hangs a hummingbird feeder and it did not take long for the Rufus humming birds to find the feeder and begin enjoying the nectar.
(Day
623 TG)
Wednesday, 06 May 2020. Day Six at Red Feather
The day of the full moon, actually it is late tonight.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200506.0233) The light of the near Full Moon Awakens me
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200506.0744 Hummingbirds arrive Early each Morning
(Day
624 TG)
Tuesday, 05 May 2020. Day Five at Red Feather
On my way back from a resupply trip into town, I take photos of the Lakes.
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The May 2020 Sojourn, 2nd Week
Red Feather Campground
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(Day
625 TG)
Tuesday, 08 May 2020. Day Eight at Red Feather
A cold day during which I spend inside the jammer keeping warm.
(Day
626 TG)
Saturday, 09 May 2020. Day Nine at Red Feather
Awake to the second snow here at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200509.0629) Second Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200509.0630) Second Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200509.0656) Second Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200509.0705) Second Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200509.1958) Evening Sunglow at Red Feather Campsite
(Day
627 TG)
Sunday, 10 May 2020. Day Ten at Red Feather
The middle of this day warms up nicely. I see some spring flowers.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200510.1023) Spring Flowers at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200510.1024) Spring Flowers at Red Feather Campsite
(Day
628 TG)
Monday, 11 May 2020. Day Eleven at Red Feather
Another cold day, but this one with fog. Still it warms up midday, however, it begins to snow again at six pm, the third snow.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200511.1801) Third Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200511.1810) Third Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(Day
629 TG)
Tuesday, 12 May 2020. Day Twelve at Red Feather
A warm midday, but also very windy.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200512.1703) Spring Flowers at Red Feather Campsite
(Day
630 TG)
Wednesday, 13 May 2020. Day Thirteen at Red Feather
Comfortable day which I spend mostly inside working on my book and website.
(Day
631 TG)
Thursday, 14 May 2020. Day Fourteen at Red Feather
Awake, pound keys on the computer, then drive to town for resupplies.
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The May 2020 Sojourn, 3rd Week
Red Feather Campground
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(Day
632 TG)
Friday, 15 May 2020. Day Fifteen at Red Feather
Upon returning to the campsite, photograph a deer.
(a1c04-co-redfeather.image) Upon arriving back in Red Feather Campsite
(Day
633 TG)
Saturday, 16 May 2020. Day Sixteen at Red Feather
Staying inside to avoid the Weekend Warriors
(Day
634 TG)
Sunday, 17 May 2020. Day Seveneen at Red Feather
Another Day close to camp.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200517.1402) Mid Day Warm at Red Feather Campsite
(Day
635 TG)
Monday, 18 May 2020. Day Eighteen at Red Feather
I work on my pantry today.
(a1c04-co-redfeather.image) Spring Flowers Popping Up Everywhere
(Day
636 TG)
Tuesday, 19 May 2020. Day Nineteen at Red Feather
Another day in camp. The afternoon has thunderstorms.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200519.0723) Greening Up of the Aspens Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200519.0734) Animals in Camp at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200519.0736) Animals in Camp at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200519.2019) Evening Sunglow at Red Feather Campsite
(Day
637 TG)
Wednesday, 20 May 2020. Day Twenty at Red Feather
Out for a Day Hike in the Roosevelt National Forest near Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200520.0732) Early Morning in Red Feather Campsite
(Day
638 TG)
Thursday, 21 May 2020. Day Twenty-one at Red Feather
Just before noon, I pack up and drive to town to replenish my waning water supply. Then, I drive back to the mountain, drive into the campsite, park in my space and get into the horizontal. I notice that most of the designated campsites have been taken by the weekend warriors.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200521.2025) Sunglow on highway to Red Feather Campsite
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The May 2020 Sojourn, 4th Week
Red Feather Campground
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(Day
639 TG)
Friday, 22 May 2020. Day Twenty-two at Red Feather
Weekend Warriors invade the Red Feather campsite for the worldly holiday.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200522.1134) The Weekend Warriors Invade Red Feather
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200522.1244) Photographing Gordon Photographing a Rufus
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200522.1819) The Weekend Warriors Invade Red Feather
(Day
640 TG)
Saturday, 23 May 2020. Day Twenty-three at Red Feather
I thought it could not be worse, but the campsite gets even more full.
(Day
641 TG)
Sunday, 24 May 2020. Day Twenty-four at Red Feather
Another day in the neighborhood, but in the afternoon, many of the weekend warriors pack out.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200524.0732) Forth Snow Keeps the Warriors Inside All Day
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200524.0733) Forth Snow at Red Feather Lakes campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200524.0738) A few Warriors venture outside to Pack Out
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200524.0837) Fourth Snow, Heaviest yet, 1 1/2 inches
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200524.0859) Fourth Snow, Heaviest yet, 1 1/2 inches
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200524.0859)
Rufus Hummingbirds Like Snow as much as I do
(Day
642 TG)
Monday, 25 May 2020. Day Twenty-five at Red Feather
The last of the Weekend Warriors leave today. Another frozen ground.
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200525.0647) Fifth Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200525.0648) Fifth Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200525.0649) Fifth Snow at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200525.0843) Boiling Water at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200525.1602) Cooking Supper at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200525.1603) The Cook Pot at Red Feather Campsite
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200525.1943) The Day′s End at Red Feather Campsite
(Day
643 TG)
Tuesday, 26 May 2020. Day Twenty-six at Red Feather
We are alone here in the National Forest
(a1c04-co-redfeather-20200526.1301) No, All the Weekend Warriors have Gone
(Day
644 TG)
Wednesday, 27 May 2020. Day Twenty-seven at Red Feather
Leaving in the afternoon I drive to town to replace my rear shocks, after I finish the repair, I drive to the w-mart to make a post on social media. While there it begins to rain, doing so with the sun shining. I look and see that the sun is two hands from the horizon and methinks, this is just the perfect conditions for a rainbow.
I open the side window and to my delight, there is a double rainbow stretched across the top of the g-mart.
(a1c04-co-redfeather.image) Double Rainbow to the east
(Day
645 TG)
Thursday, 28 May 2020. Day Twenty-eight at Red Feather
After overnighting in the parking lot of the g-mart, I return to the w-mart for coffee and to continue uploading files and create another post on social media before returning to the campground.
On the drive back to the campground, I see the rock formation to the east of the highway that I have been looking at all months, wondering if it is natural or manmade. So, I stop along the route and take a photo of the formation. When I zoom in, it appears to be natural, still I wonder how it came about to be in the shape it is.
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The May 2020 Sojourn, 5th Week
Red Feather Campground
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The Wayƒarers Journal.
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See Ya above the Treeline!
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This Page Last Updated: 11 January 2025
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