Colorado River Headwaters Byway
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Colorado River Headwaters Byway offers a truly breathtaking scenic drive along the Colorado River. You'll enjoy spectacular views of mountain valleys, dramatic canyons, and ranchlands before you reach State Bridge. Many RV travelers love the route for the fishing, hiking, rafting, and wildlife-viewing opportunities it offers. There are several public campgrounds on BLM land where you can take advantage of dispersed camping. Most of the byway is paved, but the southern stretch on Trough Road is gravel with limited pull-offs.
Quick Facts About RVing in Colorado River Headwaters Byway
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: 30 to 35 feet recommended • Camping Type: Developed and dispersed • Reservations: Recommended • Hookups: Varies by campground • Dump Station: Available along route • Potable Water: Available at campgrounds • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed (leash required) • Roads: Paved and gravel • Best Season: Summer and fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Scenic drive following the Colorado River • Developed and dispersed camping options • Rafting launches at Pumphouse Recreation Area • Fishing access along the Colorado River • Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park nearby • Quiet riverside campsites away from busy resorts
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Adams Falls Trail
Adams Falls Trail is a loop trail that passes a beautiful waterfall. The trail is inside Rocky Mountain National Park, so you will need to pay a fee to enter. The trail offers scenic views of Grand Lake and the Rocky Mountains. It is good for all skill levels.
Length: 0.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
East Inlet Trail to Lone Pine Lake
East Inlet Trail offers wonderful views of a waterfall, lake, forests, wildflowers, and mountains. Wildlife can often be seen along the path. Go early to avoid the crowds on this popular trail.
Length: 10.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Gore Canyon Trail
The Gore Canyon Trail near Kremmling follows the Colorado River through Gore Canyon. The trail winds along above the river, and you can view river rapids from above. Be careful because sections of the trail can become washed out. Bring trekking poles to help you through. It is worth hiking this trail for the amazing views.
Length: 2.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and Lake Granby are all popular for both fishing and boating. In addition, the place where the Colorado River, Blue River, and Muddy River converge near Kremmling is a great spot for trout fishing. Many of the other rivers and lakes in the area offer boating and fishing as well.
Climbing
Rocky Mountain National Park, at the start of the byway, is a world-class climbing destination. Summer and fall are the best seasons for rock climbing because the weather is moderate and it stays light longer. Wildlife such as mountain lions, bighorn sheep, bears, and eagles can often be seen while climbing. Popular spots for climbing in the park include Lumpy Ridge, the Diamond and the Casual on Longs Peak, and the Love Route on Hallet Peak.
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife is plentiful in Rocky Mountain National Park and at other spots along the byway. You are sure to see some deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, bears, eagles, falcons, or snakes during your visit.
Picnicking
You will find places all along the byway to stop and have a picnic. Popular stops include Grand Lake, Lake Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, and State Bridge.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
There are several campgrounds within Rocky Mountain National Park for RV camping, but none of them offer hookups. There are also some Bureau of Land Management campgrounds with primitive campsites along the route. If you would like to stay at a campground with hookups, you have options in the area near Kremmling. Red Mountain RV Park has full hookups for RVs, and Wolford Campground and Marina on Wolford Reservoir has electric hookups, water, and a dump station. The campground offers boating and fishing as well as camping.
Developed Campgrounds
Stillwater Campground Location: Lake Granby, about a 10-minute drive southeast of Grand Lake • Hookups: 21 electric sites (most sites have no hookups) • RV Length: Parking spurs accommodate RVs from 25 to 40 feet • Reservations: Yes • Amenities: Flush and vault toilets, showers, potable water, dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, and trash service • Camping Fees: $30 to $40 per night, depending on the campsite type • Season: Typically late May through late September Pumphouse Recreation Area Campground Location: Along Trough Road, about a 20-minute drive southwest of Kremmling • Hookups: None • RV Length: Campsites vary (many accommodate RVs up to 35 feet; check individual site limits) • Reservations: Yes • Amenities: Vault toilets, seasonal potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, trash service, and boat ramps • Camping Fees: $10 per night for a single campsite ($30 for group sites) • Season: Seasonal (generally spring through fall)
Dispersed Camping
Multiple spots offer dispersed camping along the Colorado River Headwaters Byway within the Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management Area. Many are within a 20-minute drive of popular attractions like Pumphouse Recreation Area, Radium Recreation Area, and State Bridge. These sites work as convenient base camps for fishing, rafting, hiking, and other outdoor adventures. As you're planning your trip, keep in mind that most of these camping spots have a 14-day stay limit within a 28-day period. You'll also want to research road conditions ahead of time, since some gravel or dirt roads can be rough and uneven, making them better suited to smaller RVs with high clearance.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Their good fuel economy makes them a good choice for the longer drives on this route. Additionally, their compact size provides easy access to both developed campgrounds and dispersed camping areas. • Travel Trailers: Rigs up to 35 feet will travel the main byway comfortably, though you will want to take it slow on the bumpy gravel side roads leading to boondocking sites. • Fifth Wheels: Big fifth wheels do best sticking to established campgrounds. Their size makes tight turns, washboard tracks, and narrow turnarounds for dispersed camping tough. • Class A Motorhomes: Great for cruising the main scenic road and setting up camp at developed sites, but you will want to steer clear of backroad camping due to low clearance and limited mobility. • Class B Motorhomes: Good for this entire trip. Their compact size lets you easily navigate backroads and slip into both established campgrounds and remote dispersed spots. • Class C Motorhomes: Small to mid-sized models handle the main byway with ease, though you should exercise caution on gravel roads when heading to dispersed camping sites.
Free Camping 
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available on BLM land along the Colorado River Headwaters Byway. Look for primitive BLM RV camping sites at the Cabin River Campsite, Toadflax Island Campsite, Pyrite Campsite, and Ponderosa Campsite. More primitive camping locations can be found on the BLM website or by searching for "BLM camping near me."
RV Rentals Near Colorado River Headwaters Byway Plan your next adventure
Planning your Colorado River Headwaters Byway BLM trip
The Colorado River Headwaters Byway is 80 miles long, and there are lots of things to see and do along the way. You could choose to camp in a centrally located place and take day trips to the attractions you want to see, or you could plan your route and stop at a different campground each night of your trip. If you are going to camp on undeveloped sites on BLM land, you may want to equip your RV with a generator so that you will have electricity. Be sure to bring a camping toilet since there will be no facilities at the primitive campsites. You must also bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking, and washing up.
If you love to fish, bring your fishing gear because there will be many places along the way that are great for fishing. If climbing is your thing, don't forget your climbing equipment. For boating or river rafting, most places will be able to rent you the boat or raft that you need, but if you have a boat, bring it along so that you can boat anywhere you like.
Be sure to be aware of the weather that is expected. In the higher elevations, it can snow not only in winter but also in spring and fall. Nights will be cold in any season at this elevation. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
If you plan to use cell service for navigation and communication, it will likely become significantly limited as you travel farther along the byway, especially on the gravel stretch between Kremmling and State Bridge. Downloading your maps for offline use is an excellent way to avoid getting lost in areas with little or no cell service. Some of the developed campgrounds offer potable water, and Stillwater Campground has an RV dump station. Planning your trip is highly recommended, as the weather can vary considerably from season to season. For example, during the summer months, you can expect warm days, cool nights, and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. However, if you visit during the spring or fall, you should prepare for cold temperatures and the possibility of snow at higher elevations. Grand Lake, Granby, Hot Sulfur Springs, and Kremmling offer the best places to stock up on groceries, fuel, and propane.
Leave No Trace 
The BLM advises visitors to "leave no trace." This means that you should leave your campsite the way that you found it. Do not leave any garbage; pack it out with you. The same applies to your activities during the day. Don't toss garbage out of your car or boat. Don't disturb the wildlife or natural settings. People enjoy being in nature without any traces of human habitation. Be sure to keep the BLM land in pristine condition so that other visitors can enjoy the same experience that you enjoyed.
Colorado River Headwaters Byway Location
The Colorado River Headwaters Byway starts in Rocky Mountain National Park. From Denver, take US-25 north to Mead. In Mead, turn and go west on US-66. When US-66 meets US-36, take US-36 west until it meets US-34. Take US-34 around Rocky Mountain National Park to Grand Lake, where you will meet up with the byway.
Address: Kremmling, CO 80459
Ready to visit Colorado River Headwaters Byway? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Colorado River Headwaters Byway
• Morning: Feed your crew with a delicious breakfast before you start a scenic drive along the byway. Pick out a few of the overlooks and trailheads to snap some photos of the mountain scenery and the headwaters of the Colorado River. • Afternoon: Use the afternoon time to fish and hike near Grand Lake or State Bridge. One of the top picks for kayaking is Pumphouse Recreation Area, which is great if you brought your kayak or inflatable watercraft. • Evening: Prepare a campfire dinner as you watch the sunset over the surrounding mountains. After the meal, head toward State Bridge or another remote riverside area to see some stunning views of the nighttime sky.
Nearby Attractions
Rocky Mountain National Park: This attraction is about 10 minutes from Grand Lake. It's an iconic national park that provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic mountain drives. Pumphouse Recreation Area: This is one of the most popular launch points for rafting and kayaking. It's about 20 minutes southwest of Kremmling. It also offers fishing and picnicking along the Colorado River. Grand Lake: A charming mountain town with restaurants, shops, marinas, groceries, and fuel. It offers a convenient spot to restock your RV or spend an afternoon shopping and eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Colorado River Headwaters Byway RV friendly? Yes. The majority of the byway is RV-friendly thanks to the paved roads. It's only when you head toward some of the dispersed camping sites that you'll find rough gravel roads. Are there campgrounds with hookups along the byway? Yes. But most of them have only electric hookups, so you'll want to plan for your water and wastewater needs carefully. Can you camp for free along the Colorado River Headwaters Byway? Yes. Several of the dispersed camping areas don't charge any camping fees. Just remember that there may be stay limits, which is only important if you plan to stay for 14 days or longer. Are there RV dump stations near the Colorado River Headwaters Byway? Yes. But as you get farther into the more remote sections of the byway, these locations become more limited. When is the best time of year to visit in an RV? Summer and early fall are usually the best times because of mild weather and full access to campgrounds and recreation areas. If you make this trip during the early spring or late fall, be prepared for more challenging weather and the possibility of snow at higher elevations.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
The Colorado River Headwaters Byway is a great destination. Because it offers so many outdoor recreation opportunities, you'll likely want to travel in an RV with ample storage for fishing and hiking gear, folding chairs, and other camping essentials. If you rent an RV with a generator, you'll significantly expand your options for camping in spots without hookups. Even though most of the main roads are paved and suitable for nearly any RV, you must be prepared for occasional gravel roads if you want to visit dispersed campsites. Camper vans and other Class B motorhomes are good choices. Book a Denver RV rental to experience the Colorado River Headwaters Byway.