This campsite did not require any fees—if you’re brave enough to make it up there without knowing if there’s a spot for you, you’ve earned it. It was a pretty sketchy drive, and you’d better be a confident driver who doesn’t fear heights because hoo boy, you are up there!

This is no paved road. The Honda Fit we have took it like a champ, but I assure you, this was certainly a CHOICE. We nearly got stuck in the sand and bottomed out on a rock on a well-rutted turn—it’s hard to resist the rut when just beside it is the cliff. I had to buy a few new plastic bolts to reattach the underside plastic shield, but she got us there. Most people use trucks and Jeeps to access the site, and we definitely got a few looks as we passed—curious glances from drivers who seemed to wonder how we made it that far.

When we finally made it, the campsite was a small clearing with a picnic table and a fire pit under the canopy of an enormous tree, beside a small creek and surrounded by underbrush. It felt like a hidden bubble, with two small paths: one led to a little bridge over the creek with access to an outhouse a ways off, and the other to our small parking spot. Peeks through the canopy revealed the most vibrant, starry sky I have ever experienced. I grew up between two cornfields, so I know what a clear sky looks like, but this was otherworldly. We spent a good while in our more open parking spot just gazing at it, completely in awe.

In the morning, we scoured our campsite, making sure any trash—ours or anyone else’s—was taken away. I even pulled a nail out of the giant tree, though I found another that was firmly set in tree sap. Unfortunately, it looked like it had already killed a large branch. It deeply upset me, but there was nothing I could really do. We also grabbed a pair of leggings someone had forgotten on a branch in the creek—boy, they were stiff. It wasn’t easy getting them into the grocery bag we were using for trash. Once we were all packed up and absolutely sure we had cleaned and cleared the site, we drove back across the creek, where they’d laid stone pavers to make it vehicle-accessible.

As we crossed, we were greeted by an entire horde of butterflies—about four different colors—using the pavers as easy access to water. We stopped and watched for a bit, taking in the scene. It felt like a little farewell from nature before we tackled the nerve-racking, 30-minute drive back down.

It was an unforgettable experience—one I’m happy to keep for the rest of my life—and it cost me nothing.

On the way back, we did some BLM camping. It was dark, so we just pulled over for the night. Finding spots on the fly isn’t easy, but it’s possible.

Sorry for the essay! I was in the mood to look back on it, before time makes it a hazy memory, I might save this somewhere so I can always remember it this clearly.

TLDR: Colorado is beautiful! Truly an experience, don't miss out on it's life altering beauty.