Bear River Designated Dispersed

Closed — Closed for winter. Forest Service Road 900 is not maintained for winter access and is typically impassable due to snow from late fall through spring. The area sees heavy use during the summer season.

About

Bear River Designated Dispersed offers 30 numbered campsites spread along Forest Service Road 900, starting approximately 10 miles from Yampa and extending 13 miles toward Stillwater Reservoir. Each designated site features a numbered post, picnic table, and permanent fire grate, providing basic amenities in a scenic dispersed camping environment. The sites overlook Yamcolo Reservoir and offer views of the Flat Tops Wilderness. Be prepared for exposed conditions with minimal shade or tree cover, and windy weather is common. The area serves as a basecamp for numerous trails including Bear River Trail, North Derby Trail, East Fork Trail, and Mandall Lakes Trail. Nearby amenities include Bear Lake Picnic Area and access to Stillwater Reservoir at the end of the road. The 17-mile drive on Forest Service Road 900 begins behind Montgomery's Grocery Store in Yampa on County Road 7. The road becomes gravel after 7 miles. While the washboard surface can be rough, no high clearance or 4WD is typically required during the summer season. Maximum trailer length is 40 feet. Pack out all trash as there are no services.

Directions

From Yampa, take County Road 7 behind Montgomery's Grocery Store for approximately 7 miles. The road becomes gravel and turns into Forest Service Road 900 upon entering the national forest. Continue approximately 3 more miles to begin seeing designated campsites along the road. Sites continue for 13 miles until the road ends at Stillwater Reservoir trailhead at mile 17. The road is washboard but typically passable without high clearance or 4WD during summer months.

Nearby Campgrounds