Caribou Dispersed Camping Area
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Caribou Dispersed Camping Area
The Caribou Townsite is five miles northwest of Nederland. There are 11 numbered, designated campsites located along the National Forest System Road 505, which emerges to the north and west from Five Points. See the "At A Glance" section below for important information. A four wheel drive high clearance vehicle is recommended. There are no facilities in this area. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only ( click here for a map ). The Boulder Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map displays National Forest System routes open to motorized travel and is available online. This road is open seasonally. For current information on road openings and closures, check the Road Status Table .
Before you go
Restrictions
Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in one location. After 14 days, the campsite must be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for another 14 days. Camping is restricted to 28 days in any 60-day period. A significant amount of private property is located within this area. Do not trespass. • Read the kiosks in the area for rules & regulations, fire & shooting restrictions and Stay the Trail information. • High clearance four wheel drive is recommended. • Stay on the well-marked designated routes. • Do not drive off the roadways or into any of the high alpine meadows. • The Eldora side is a technical, narrow and steep route. The shelf road is just barely wide-enough for even small SUVs. • Pack out what you pack in. Do not litter. Bury human waste in catholes 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water. Practice Leave No Trace principles. • Camp only at clearly marked campsites within 50 feet of a numbered marker. All campsites are first come, first served. Do not cut standing trees, living or dead. Check on current fire restrictions before having a campfire by contacting the Boulder County Sheriff . Campfires must be out cold to the touch when leaving the campsite for any length of time Sites 1 – 2 are easily accessible and clearly marked off the FS 505 headed towards Eldora. Sites 3 – 5 are located off of the same route but across the creek in thick vegetation, narrow, rocky terrain and are clearly marked. Sites 6 & 7: located off of that route across the creek up high in the thick timber. Access to those two sites is narrow, steep, and rocky. Sites 8 – 11: located along the route between Rainbow Lakes and the Caribou townsite.
Accessibility
NFSR 505 is seasonally open from around late June or early July through late October or November in most years.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.