North Sand Hills OHV Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
North Sand Hills OHV Area in Colorado is about 11 miles northeast of Walden on the eastern edge of North Park near the Medicine Bow Mountains. This open sand dune area provides stunning terrain for ATV riding and off-road adventures. The forest trails wind through sagebrush, aspen groves and lodgepole pine forests and give you excellent opportunities for taking photos, spotting wildlife and exploring connected trail systems. If you choose to come here, plan for an active OHV experience rather than a quiet camping getaway. The ATVs and side-by-sides keep the area lively and energetic, especially on summer weekends. You'll find it easy to camp overnight with the developed and dispersed camping options, but you must plan for dry camping since there aren't any hookups.
Quick Facts About RVing in North Sand Hills OHV Area
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: Varies • Camping Type: Developed campground and dispersed camping • Reservations: No • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed (must remain leashed) • Roads: Paved highway with maintained gravel access roads • Best Season: Late spring through fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Colorado's only open OHV sand dune area • Pull-through campsites built for large RVs • Numerous dispersed campsites throughout the OHV area • Direct dune access for ATVs and side-by-sides • Connected trails reach State Forest State Park • Toy-hauler-friendly basecamp for multiday riding • Medicine Bow Mountain views surrounding your campsite • Cool mountain evenings after warm riding days
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Seven Lakes Trail
Not far away from the recreation area is Seven Lakes Trail. It runs for more than 11 miles and has an elevation of more than 2,000 feet, which makes it a little challenging. The trail accepts both horses and dogs and allows you to follow a clear path around the lakes.
Length: 11.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Big Creek Trail
The flowers and wild animals you see are just a few things that you'll see when you hike this trail, which is close to Bureau of Land Management free camping. Most hikers use the trail from March through October as the winter arrives early and can make certain areas inaccessible. Dogs are allowed on the trail as long as they stay on their leashes.
Length: 14.5 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Cowdrey Draw Trail
This mountain biking trail runs for less than a mile and has just a single track that you can follow. It provides convenient access to other trails that help you get back to the main road. Thanks to packed dirt, the trail is suitable for beginners.
Length: 0.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
Community Ditch Trail
Located west of Route 93, the Community Ditch Trail connects several of the east and west trails. Suitable for mountain biking, it runs for close to four miles and has firmly packed dirt for bikes of all types.
Length: 3.7 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
The best place to fish near the North Sand Hills OHV Area is Cowdrey Lake. The lake is two miles south of Cowdrey and 7.5 miles north of Walden. Children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing permit, but those 16 and over do. The lake has 80 acres of water and allows fishing on the shore or in a boat. A boat ramp is close to the main entrance. You can also fish and boat in the lake if you have a State Wildlife Area Pass.
Climbing
Several private and Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are close to rock climbing spots near North Sand Hills OHV Area. Eldorado Falls at Walker Ranch has a trail that leads you more than one mile back to the falls and cliffs. Koper's Trail is another popular option as it takes you to the Ice Cave. The Upper Ice Cave takes more time to reach but has some impressive views.
Wildlife Viewing
You have the chance to see tons of wild animals near these dunes, including Bighorn Sheep and Ord's Kangaroo Rats. The warm climate and desert environment make the area popular with armadillos and prairie dogs. Some wild birds also live in the area, including Calliope hummingbirds and Arctic peregrine falcons.
Picnicking
Though there aren't any picnic tables in the North Sand Hills OHV Area, there are soft and sandy spots where you can take a break. Make sure that you keep an eye out for vehicles that ride through the dunes.
ATV Riding
North Sand Hills OHV Area is a nice place for ATV riding that is open to motorized vehicles from the middle of December to the middle of April. It is free to visit and has 300 acres labeled as a Special Recreation Management Area. There are two primary dune areas for riders along with trails that let you get back and forth.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
In addition to BLM RV camping, there are private campgrounds nearby such as Granite Corner RV Park in Walden. This campground has full RV hookups and allows pets. There is also the Bockman State Forest Campground, which has 52 sites, including a group section with six sites and 13 pull-through sites for RV guests. RV camping near North Sand Hills OHV Area is available at different rates during the busy season and offseason.
Developed Campgrounds
Sage Campground offers limited amenities, but it is located in the heart of North Sand Hills OHV Area. Make sure you are aware of the following information before staying there. • Large pull-through campsites accommodate most RVs with ease • First-come, first-served camping; no reservations needed • Picnic table and fire ring at every campsite • Tent pad available at every campsite • Two vault toilets conveniently located within the campground • No hookups, dump station or potable drinking water • Stay up to 14 consecutive days per visit • Ride directly from the campground to the dunes and OHV trails
Dispersed Camping
There are numerous spots for dispersed camping throughout the OHV Area, making it simple to camp without feeling crowded no matter the time of year that you visit. You'll want to stock the RV with plenty of groceries, fuel, drinking water and other camping supplies since there isn't an onsite grocery store or gas station. When doing this type of camping, keep the following in mind. • Camp only in existing dispersed campsites • Free camping; no reservations needed • Maximum stay of 14 consecutive days • Pack out all trash before leaving • Observe all seasonal fire restrictions • Drive only on designated roads and routes • Colorado OHV registration required for non-licensed OHVs
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Excellent for dispersed camping thanks to their compact size and easy handling on washboard gravel roads. • Travel Trailers: A great choice for Sage Campground, though shorter trailers are easier to maneuver into dispersed campsites. • Fifth Wheels: Well suited for the large pull-through sites at Sage Campground but less practical on narrower dispersed camping roads. • Class A Motorhomes: Best for the developed campground as their low clearance makes soft sand and primitive roads less suitable. • Class B Motorhomes: Ideal for exploring both the developed campground and dispersed campsites with minimal concerns about turning radius. • Class C Motorhomes: A versatile option that comfortably handles the paved highway and maintained gravel access roads while providing ample living space.
Free Camping 
When checking online for BLM camping near me, you'll come across the Sage Campground. Located in Walden, this campground has a handful of pull-through sites that come with a fire ring and picnic table along with some tent sites with tent pads. There are also two vault toilets on-site. The North Sand Hills Campground also has 13 pull-through sites along with pit toilets and fire rings. Guests can camp here for up to 14 days.
RV Rentals Near North Sand Hills OHV Area Plan your next adventure
Planning your North Sand Hills OHV Area BLM trip
The temperatures here can easily hit 100 degrees, which is why you'll want to bring enough drinking water for your trip. While there are BLM campgrounds nearby, they do not accept reservations. If you arrive too late in the day, all of the spots might be gone when you get there. If you plan an extended trip, keep in mind that you can only stay for 14 days in a row. Workers are on hand to make sure that guests do not stay longer than they should. Check our blog for other BLM camping tips that you can use before heading to Colorado.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
There is no onsite dump station. The closest one is in Walden at the Walden RV Dump Station, about 15–20 minutes away. There are spots all throughout the OHV area with soft sand, which is why you should always keep your RV on established roads and campsites. If you're visiting in a larger RV, you'll likely want to stay at the developed campground that has large pull-through sites. The dispersed camping areas are better suited for smaller RVs, such as camper vans, Class B motorhomes and travel trailers under 30 ft. As you pick out the dates for your trip, keep in mind that the motorized sand dunes and trails are closed from December 15 through April 15.
Leave No Trace 
As the BLM only has a limited number of workers, it encourages guests to leave no trace when they visit North Sand Hills OHV Area. Do your best to limit the effects you have on the area, including keeping your trash packed and removing it when you leave. Also, avoid leaving food behind that can negatively impact some of the area's wild animals.
North Sand Hills OHV Area Location
To reach North Sand Hills OHV Area, follow Highway 125 north from Walden for 10 miles. Then turn onto County Road and head east. Turn right when you reach County Road 6N in 3.5 miles and go another two miles. You'll see North Sand Hills OHV Area dead ahead.
Address: Cowdrey, CO 80434
Ready to visit North Sand Hills OHV Area? 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 North Sand Hills OHV Area
• Morning: Sip on a cup of freshly brewed coffee as you watch the sun rise over the sand dunes and snap photos of the Medicine Bow Mountains. Use one of these delicious RV breakfast recipes to get yourself energized for a day full of ATV riding, hiking and exploring the OHV trail system. • Afternoon: Check out the forest trail system, which offers beautiful mountain scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities, and then ride your ATV through the open sand dunes. Keep an eye out for other OHV enthusiasts as they try new climbs on the tallest dunes and practice their sand-driving skills. • Evening: Feed the family a hearty campsite dinner cooked over a campfire (if fire restrictions allow) and then mingle with fellow campers as the sun goes down. The dark skies and cool mountain air provide ideal conditions for a restful night's sleep as you recharge for another day of off-road adventures.
Nearby Attractions
• Mount Zirkel Wilderness: Drive time: 2.5 hours. Explore the trail map to see the different wilderness trailheads. You'll love the peace and beauty of the alpine forests and crossing mountain streams as you photograph wildflowers. Keep an eye out for moose and elk while enjoying a picnic lunch beneath the shade of towering lodgepole pines. • Steamboat Springs: Drive time: 1.5 hours. This historic downtown area offers locally owned shops where you can pick up souvenirs to remember your trip by. If your crew gets hungry, there are several restaurants to choose from, including Mazzola's Italian Restaurant or Salt & Lime. The area's hot springs provide a relaxing way to unwind after a long day of ATV riding. • Buffalo Pass: Drive time: 1.5 hours. Get your camera out to capture the beauty of the wildflower-filled mountain meadows and surrounding peaks. The alpine lakes are ideal for fishing and relaxing along the shoreline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need a reservation for overnight camping? No. The developed campground does not accept reservations, and you don't need one for the dispersed camping opportunities either. Can I bring a toy hauler? Yes. You can bring your toy hauler to the developed campground or nearby dispersed campsites with direct access to the OHV area. Will I have to leave the site to access a dump station? Yes, but you won't have to travel far. The closest dump station is in Walden, which is only about a 15- to 20-minute drive away. Is it OK to visit during the winter? You can visit during the winter, but the motorized recreation area is closed from December 15 through April 15. The purpose of closing the area is to protect wintering wildlife. Why are the sand dunes so popular? The sand dunes at North Sand Hills are popular because they are the only open area in Colorado designated for OHV recreation. You'll have direct access to nearby forest trails and State Forest State Park, thanks to the interconnected trail system. Are there other activities besides ATV riding? Beyond exploring the sand dunes and connected OHV trails, you can hike, watch wildlife like mule deer and pronghorn, and photograph the surrounding mountain scenery.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
Depending on how many people you're bringing, you may want an RV that features bunk beds or pull-out sofas. If you're hauling ATVs or side-by-sides, an RV with an attached toy hauler can simplify loading and unloading your OHVs. There isn't an onsite dump station, so be sure to choose an RV with holding tanks large enough for the length of your stay. Smaller setups tend to be easier to navigate the gravel access roads leading to the dispersed camping areas. Plan your trip to North Sand Hills OHV Area by finding the ideal Walden RV rental today.