Rollins Pass Camping
Rollins Pass Camping: Know what to expect, how to camp responsibly, and why your choices help protect this historic landscape
Camping on Rollins Pass or near the Moffat Tunnel offers a rare opportunity to experience high-elevation in one of Colorado’s most historically significant landscapes. But with that opportunity comes responsibility. This isn’t just a place to pitch a tent: it’s a living archive of thousands of years of use, early wagon routes, and pioneering railroad history. The preservation of this fragile environment and its cultural heritage depends on the choices we make today. This page serves as your guide to camping on Rollins Pass respectfully, responsibly, and in accordance with all applicable rules and protections.
ROLLINS PASS CAMPING: KNOW WHERE YOU CAN CAMP
Rollins Pass is managed as National Forest land, with dispersed camping allowed in many areas. There are no designated or developed campgrounds on Rollins Pass.
Dispersed camping is allowed in many areas on Rollins Pass, but it’s not universal—knowing where you pitch your tent matters. MVUMs (Motor Vehicle Use Maps), available on our Maps page, show where dispersed camping is permitted (as dots on one or both sides of the road, if allowed), and our custom map offers additional clarity. Dispersed camping means camping outside of developed campgrounds—without amenities like toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, or trash services. It’s a form of backcountry camping where self-sufficiency is essential and impact must be minimal. You must bring everything you need and pack out everything you bring—including all trash, food scraps, and human waste. There are no reservations, designated sites, or services—just you and the landscape. On Rollins Pass, dispersed camping also means respecting historic sites, fragile terrain, and wildlife corridors. It’s a privilege, not a right—one that depends on visitors acting responsibly to ensure access remains open for everyone. Always opt for campsites with minimal impact: if you notice a site has already been used, set up camp there instead of creating a new one. This helps preserve the surrounding environment.
If you use onX Offroad, the platform now displays dispersed camping data as a layer. Reminder: if dispersed camping is prohibited in a specific area on Rollins Pass, that means no camping—whether in a tent, in your car, or elsewhere. Dispersed camping, where allowed, must be within 300 feet of the road.
On Rollins Pass West, dispersed camping is permitted near the main entrance of the pass, excluding Arrow, and in areas leading up to the midway gate, continuing through to Sunnyside, above the Riflesight Notch Trestle. However, dispersed camping is prohibited from Ptarmigan Point to the summit due to the sensitivity of the alpine environment and the volume of visitor traffic. Review the Rollins Pass West MVUM for details—dispersed camping is indicated by small dots along the roadside, showing exactly where it is permitted. Be sure to check both sides of the road, as restrictions can vary.
On Rollins Pass East, dispersed camping is allowed at established spots such as Yankee Doodle Lake and Jenny Lake, and elsewhere only on the side of the road opposite designated wilderness areas. Camping is not allowed higher than the terminus of the road, above Jenny Lake but below Needle’s Eye Tunnel. Review the Rollins Pass East MVUM for details—dispersed camping is indicated by small dots along the roadside, showing exactly where it is permitted. Be sure to check both sides of the road, as restrictions can vary.
A NOTE ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY
Regardless of where you are on the lower portions of Rollins Pass (east or west), camping on private property is strictly prohibited without the landowner’s explicit permission—always confirm land status before setting up camp. Under Colorado law, it is your responsibility to know if you are on private land.
CAMPING IN WILDERNESS AREAS
Within the Indian Peaks Wilderness, camping is permitted by reservation only from June 15 through September 15 (permits available here). Permits are not required to camp in the James Peak Wilderness, but visitors must camp at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, and trails to protect sensitive ecosystems and minimize disturbance. Campfires are strictly prohibited, regardless of current fire restrictions; however, camp stoves are permitted for cooking.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS INFORMATION
There are no designated campgrounds on Rollins Pass, which means campfires are only allowed when fire restrictions are not in effect—and even then, extreme caution is required. There are no metal fire rings, and building a ring with rocks doesn’t make it safe or legal. If fire restrictions are in place, all campfires are prohibited. When permitted, use a portable stove instead to minimize impact and reduce wildfire risk. Read more on our Fire Information & Restrictions page. To summarize:
🔥 FIRE BANS/RESTRICTIONS AND RED FLAG INFORMATION 🔥
Just one unattended campfire can completely destroy the spectacular setting of Rollins Pass. Please recreate with care. Read more here.
When fire bans or restrictions are in effect, no campfires are allowed—regardless of how well-established a site may appear. There are no developed campgrounds on either side of Rollins Pass itself. All camping is dispersed, meaning there are no metal fire rings, picnic tables, numbered posts, toilets, or garbage service. Visitors must properly store and pack out all food and trash to avoid harmful interactions with bears and other wildlife. Rocks do not make a permanent fire ring. Developed campgrounds—none of which exist on Rollins Pass—offer designated campsites, amenities, and typically include fee collection and campground hosts.
Review details of any fire bans and fire restrictions:
US Forest Service | Grand County | Gilpin County | Boulder County
Not sure where the county lines are? View our detailed map to see exact boundaries.
Read more on: Fire Restrictions 101 and Red Flag Warnings | Campfire Safety Tips
Wilderness Campfire Bans/Restrictions: Campfires are always prohibited in the James Peak Wilderness per this US Forest Service page. Campfires are also prohibited in the Indian Peaks Wilderness on/near Rollins Pass by King Lake, Betty Lake, Bob Lake, Buttermilk Falls, Skyscraper Reservoir, Woodland Lake, and along the South Fork of the Middle Boulder Creek—these areas are in the Woodland BZ and Middle Boulder BZ where campfires are prohibited per this US Forest Service map; the only exception is on the ridge west of the Continental Divide (several hundred feet above Corona Lake), known as the Columbine Backcountry Zone (BZ).
Per a USFS Regional Order, “possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or pyrotechnic device” is prohibited in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. Exploding targets, tracer bullets, and fireworks are never allowed on National Forest System lands.
Railroad workers more than a century ago consistently mentioned high winds on Rollins Pass, which still experiences hurricane-force winds today. Times haven’t changed; please follow fire restrictions and, if allowed, keep any campfires small so the wind doesn’t spread fire and threaten the beauty and history of Rollins Pass. Drown your campfire with water, stir the embers with wet soil—ensuring all is soaked—then drown everything again. Everything (including the rock fire ring) should be cool to the touch—if it’s too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave. Learn more here.
FOLLOW LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES
Our Leave No Trace page for Rollins Pass isn’t just a checklist—it’s a call to action tailored to one of Colorado’s most fragile and historically significant landscapes. With no toilets, trash services, or infrastructure, the responsibility falls entirely on visitors to minimize harm. The page goes beyond generic advice by showing how everyday decisions—where you step, what you pack out, how you handle waste—directly affect historic archaeological sites, delicate alpine ecosystems, and the future of public access. If you’re planning to camp, hike, or explore Rollins Pass, reviewing this page is essential to ensuring your trip doesn’t unintentionally damage what makes this place irreplaceable.
WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS
Our Wildlife Interactions page is essential reading before any trip to Rollins Pass—it offers specific, science-backed guidance on how to safely and respectfully navigate encounters with the area’s diverse wildlife, from pikas and ptarmigan above timberline to bears and moose in lower elevations. This isn’t just about safety; it’s about stewardship. The page explains how even well-meaning behavior—like getting too close for a photo or leaving food unsecured—can have lasting consequences for animal survival and public safety. With insights drawn from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Leave No Trace, and other trusted sources, it equips you to enjoy unforgettable wildlife moments while ensuring Rollins Pass remains a sanctuary, not a stressor, for the species that call it home.
OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS
Our Outdoor Essentials page is a must-read before heading to Rollins Pass—it lays out exactly what you’ll need to navigate its remote, rugged, and weather-prone terrain safely and responsibly. With no/limited cell coverage, no facilities, and sudden weather swings, the page helps you make informed choices about what to bring—from cold-weather gear and navigation tools to food, water, and shelter—tailored for everything from half-day hikes to multi-day backcountry treks. By reviewing it, you’ll ensure you’re properly equipped for safety, self-reliance, and minimal environmental impact—so your adventure enhances the landscape’s legacy, rather than detracts from it.
DON’T JUST HEAD OUT: HEAD OUT PREPARED
Before heading out, be sure to plan your visit carefully and check our Rollins Pass (Corona Pass) Road Status page to confirm that your intended route is open and accessible—conditions can change quickly due to snow, washouts, or seasonal closures. Not sure where you’d like to go yet? Explore our Legendary Landmarks page for inspiration, or view our custom map to discover key historical sites, scenic highlights, and areas where access may be restricted. A little planning up front ensures your visit is both rewarding and respectful of the terrain and its history.
The primary purpose of our work is to inform the public.
