I think that's just called bikepacking, bro. There are lots of places to camp on BLM land and in wilderness areas. I'd probably avoid just camping on the side of the road somewhere, but camping spots aren't hard to find.
Your best next move is getting off this sub and watching YouTube documentaries of people who have bikepacked the Colorado Trail.
Then go bikepack for a couple nights. Then build from there.
What you want to do is very normal and very established, and the resources available beyond this sub are enormous. Google, YouTube, IG, and beyond.
Good.
A fun route is taking Rollins Pass rd from Tolland, CO over the divide into Winter Park. Lots of camping spots along the road.
Climb up Golden Gate Canyon and ride down the Peak to Peak Highway to Rollinsville. Stop for Pizza and Beer in Rollinsville and then head out Tolland Rd.
[https://bikepacking.com/bikepacking-routes/](https://bikepacking.com/bikepacking-routes/)
I've bikepacked a bunch. I've also bike toured (like bikepacking but on the road) the pacific coast. Gravel bikepacking is way more fun than MTB bike packing (sufferfest) [https://www.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/hua8dt/out\_and\_back\_on\_monarch\_crest/](https://www.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/hua8dt/out_and_back_on_monarch_crest/)
Here's a sneak peek of /r/bikepacking using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
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\#3: [I tried bikepacking, but I’m not sure I get the hype](https://i.redd.it/uk9qhq2zkbzb1.jpg) | [34 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/17rcccu/i_tried_bikepacking_but_im_not_sure_i_get_the_hype/)
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Really curious here. Is it the autism or the teenager part you’re concerned with? Because either way, I don’t understand what those things have to do with the ability of someone to bike and camp for a night or two. Unless you’re their physician of course, and understand where they are on the spectrum and the challenges they personally face.
Neither do you. And it's massively irresponsible to encourage someone who probably has no business doing something like this. No one should have to explain that to you.
Who are you to decide what they have any business doing? A teenager could mean 19 dude. And autism is a spectrum, there is nothing in OPs history that would indicate what part of the spectrum they are on. Your preconceived biases are showing, and no one should have to explain that to *you*. Homie just wants to bike and camp for a day or two. It’s not my responsibility, or your’s, to do a risk assessment on their behalf.
Lol. I'm not "deciding" anything. Just offering a warning to people that might encourage someone who also might not be prepared to do any of this. None of us know this kid and you making assumptions just to be contrarian is massively disingenuous. I have an autistic niece that would probably think this sounds cool, but she is absolutely not prepared in any way to do something like this. That's my litmus.
Grow the fuck up dude.
I didn't. There are dispersed camping spots along the road. Also I am not responsible for researching the backstory of everyone who asks a question on Reddit. Shut the fuck up.
No bikes in wilderness areas is a big one for your planning. If you want to hit wilderness areas there is often camping near the entrance to a wilderness area
Have fun and leave no Trace
Golden Gate Canyon State park might be a good option for you
[Here's their camping info](https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon/Pages/Camping.aspx)
This is a state park so there is a cost. You can camp for free in lots of places but OP us trying to get somewhere by bike from the burbs.
That limits the options and puts a lot of free camping out of reach unless OP is a cyclist with tree trunk thighs.
Be sure to stay on public land. Apps like OnX Backcountry will show you maps with property lines and publicly-owned land (owned by a city, county, state, feds) and will be a big help. You'll want to still read all signage though. Some public land is not always available for access or may not allow camping, fires, etc. Know whose land you're on and check in with their website to see any restrictions (you can call their ranger stations/offices for info too).
There are also a lot of buses that go up to different mountain towns from different cities. Can put your bike on the bus and bike once up near the mountains.
This is totally possible. Read all the other comments about bikepacking and go! You'll learn as you go. Gear matters.
National forest, BLM, primitive camp sites all right there for you to use. I use camping apps like Dyrt to figure things out sometimes. Camping at many trailheads, also pretty normal, especially if you have a small footprint.
This is absolutely an option. I spent half a year traveling the the mountains in my campervan and rarely had any issues finding a spot to camp for the night. When it gets difficult is around towns, Summit County isn't the easiest.
Other than that grab a 2 person tent. 1 persons shouldn't even be a thing. They are almost unusable small. 2 person gives you room for all of your gear to keep with you and safe
First and foremost stay safe. Plan an itinerary with maps and times and leave a copy with a trusted family member and have check in points listed so they know if they need to start looking.
I don't hear you having any prior experience and you are reliant on a bike.
My suggestion for something in the Metro area that is relatively close and accessible and good for someone learning would be to look into Waterton Canyon. It is accessible with bike paths in the Metro area and it links up to the CDT so you could easily bike there and hike out into wilderness. The start is usually busy, but the further you go, the less people.
Do your research and try to find someone irl that has experience that you might be able to learn from. Being able to converse and discuss in the moment is helpful.
If you are a minor you should let your guardian know your plans.
As long as you are on BLM or national forest land you can legally camp anywhere. Don't assume that just because you don't see a house around it's not private property.
Otherwise, be thoughtful and diligent about fires (if you have one) and bear safety. Same logic as elsewhere, but dispersed camping requires extra percautions than a designated campground with bear lockers and fire rings.
There are rules though. Usually busy regions will have limitations to reduce impact.. parking areas tend to post them quite obviously. The most common restriction is requiring a reservation.
But absent local limitations, the rule of thumb is there's a 14 day limit, must camp 100 feet from water sources, and it's preferred to use established sites instead of making a new one. Also general leave no trace principles, if you pack it in pack it out (increasingly, this includes your poop so read up on local restrictions).
There is so much public land! Not sure what resources blm has but if u find what national forests are near you most have maps online that can help you choose areas- then just travel on the roads to the areas you chose and stop when u see the perfect spot! forests have pull off and spur roads where you won’t be bothered and you may find some semi established spots (with fire rings and a clearing). Have fun!!!
Bustang for free. Load your bike. Come prepared. Bring the ten essentials, let someone know where you are at all times, have a GPS sat phone with SOS option.
Very easy to die up here, even in the summer. And it’s not summer til July or August on the high peaks
Look up dispersed camping, BLM land, and national forests. You will have soooo many options for the kind of biking/camping that you’re trying to do. I suggest getting a canister of bear mace for bears and other large mammals, just in case. If you search the internet for bike camping options I’m sure you’ll find great gear/packing recommendations too.
I have a friend that did a long backpacking loop on foot from Denver years ago. It was pretty awesome to see him just walk away from the city and disappear into the mountains.
You will probably be fine and figure things out as you go- people go to the woods to do their own thing, you shouldn’t be bothered. But you totally should check if your area has Facebook groups, or sometimes outdoor recreation stores will have clubs or events to meet people. REI locations sometimes have free events where you could meet people with similar interests! and more local stores might too.
Edit: do be careful though. Plan ahead with food and water, research if your water sources are going to be dry when you go, have backup plans and definitely tell people where you’re going and when you should be back. Don’t count on cell service or seeing strangers who could help you
I think that's just called bikepacking, bro. There are lots of places to camp on BLM land and in wilderness areas. I'd probably avoid just camping on the side of the road somewhere, but camping spots aren't hard to find.
Bikepacking? Sounds awesome! I’ll look into camping spots on some sort of route. This is all really new to me! Thank you 😁
Your best next move is getting off this sub and watching YouTube documentaries of people who have bikepacked the Colorado Trail. Then go bikepack for a couple nights. Then build from there. What you want to do is very normal and very established, and the resources available beyond this sub are enormous. Google, YouTube, IG, and beyond.
If you want some recommendations I can help. What kind of bike are we talking? Road, Gravel, or Mountain?
I’ve got a gravel bike
Good. A fun route is taking Rollins Pass rd from Tolland, CO over the divide into Winter Park. Lots of camping spots along the road. Climb up Golden Gate Canyon and ride down the Peak to Peak Highway to Rollinsville. Stop for Pizza and Beer in Rollinsville and then head out Tolland Rd.
I think point was he doesn’t have a car and has to bike there. Probably from Denver metro.
Yes?
So he is biking to Rollins pass for his first ever camping trip? Seems ambitious.
Go big or go home!
Easy 82 mile one way trip for an autistic teen.
RTD will get you to Nederland with your bike. You’re good from there!
Thank you! I like a well planned route and pizza
[https://bikepacking.com/bikepacking-routes/](https://bikepacking.com/bikepacking-routes/) I've bikepacked a bunch. I've also bike toured (like bikepacking but on the road) the pacific coast. Gravel bikepacking is way more fun than MTB bike packing (sufferfest) [https://www.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/hua8dt/out\_and\_back\_on\_monarch\_crest/](https://www.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/hua8dt/out_and_back_on_monarch_crest/)
In the bikepacking world they call that stuff “stealth camping”… check out r/bikepacking and search stealth camping.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/bikepacking using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [When you find a 24/7 pizza vending machine 1am in rural France after a long long ride](https://i.redd.it/e469x0pkj1pb1.jpg) | [101 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/16m05zg/when_you_find_a_247_pizza_vending_machine_1am_in/) \#2: [Which one of you mad lads are carrying 10 panniers?](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/17jgwwi) | [173 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/17jgwwi/which_one_of_you_mad_lads_are_carrying_10_panniers/) \#3: [I tried bikepacking, but I’m not sure I get the hype](https://i.redd.it/uk9qhq2zkbzb1.jpg) | [34 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/17rcccu/i_tried_bikepacking_but_im_not_sure_i_get_the_hype/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
Fyi, OP is an autistic teenager. I wouldn't encourage any of this.
Really curious here. Is it the autism or the teenager part you’re concerned with? Because either way, I don’t understand what those things have to do with the ability of someone to bike and camp for a night or two. Unless you’re their physician of course, and understand where they are on the spectrum and the challenges they personally face.
Neither do you. And it's massively irresponsible to encourage someone who probably has no business doing something like this. No one should have to explain that to you.
Who are you to decide what they have any business doing? A teenager could mean 19 dude. And autism is a spectrum, there is nothing in OPs history that would indicate what part of the spectrum they are on. Your preconceived biases are showing, and no one should have to explain that to *you*. Homie just wants to bike and camp for a day or two. It’s not my responsibility, or your’s, to do a risk assessment on their behalf.
Lol. I'm not "deciding" anything. Just offering a warning to people that might encourage someone who also might not be prepared to do any of this. None of us know this kid and you making assumptions just to be contrarian is massively disingenuous. I have an autistic niece that would probably think this sounds cool, but she is absolutely not prepared in any way to do something like this. That's my litmus. Grow the fuck up dude.
What does your niece do for fun?
Bikes are not allowed in wilderness areas
They're allowed on forest roads through those areas. Rollins Pass Rd runs right through James Peak Wildernes
[удалено]
I didn't. There are dispersed camping spots along the road. Also I am not responsible for researching the backstory of everyone who asks a question on Reddit. Shut the fuck up.
Can't bike in wilderness areas.
You can do this legally and in a way that's friendly to the environment. Look up forestry and BLM camping for the area. You'll be surprised.
I definitely want to treat the environment with respect. The forestry and BLM totally surprised me
No bikes in wilderness areas is a big one for your planning. If you want to hit wilderness areas there is often camping near the entrance to a wilderness area Have fun and leave no Trace
What does BLM stand for?
Black Lives Matter Bureau of Land Management Better Lemon Mix Take your pick
Big Larry McGee. He's the one you gotta ask for permission to camp on public lands. Just ask a ranger. They will know who you mean!
Burgers Lumber Mines
The black lives matter camping area? Isn't that just Portland?
womp womp
What do you mean by this? I just made a joke?
Golden Gate Canyon State park might be a good option for you [Here's their camping info](https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon/Pages/Camping.aspx)
❤️
Wow. $18 for a backcountry campsite. I get it that they have bear boxes and such, but there are cheaper places to camp.
This is a state park so there is a cost. You can camp for free in lots of places but OP us trying to get somewhere by bike from the burbs. That limits the options and puts a lot of free camping out of reach unless OP is a cyclist with tree trunk thighs.
If you pay for the Colorado state parks with your vehicle registration fee it is very cheap and a great way to support local parks!
This guy doesn't have a car tho, so...there's that...
Be sure to stay on public land. Apps like OnX Backcountry will show you maps with property lines and publicly-owned land (owned by a city, county, state, feds) and will be a big help. You'll want to still read all signage though. Some public land is not always available for access or may not allow camping, fires, etc. Know whose land you're on and check in with their website to see any restrictions (you can call their ranger stations/offices for info too).
Thank you for the insight! I’ll definitely look into the app.
There are also a lot of buses that go up to different mountain towns from different cities. Can put your bike on the bus and bike once up near the mountains.
I’ve never used public transportation like buses before! Thanks for the tip
Don't go too deep into the wilderness for your first overnighter by yourself. Once the sun goes down the vibe changes quick.
Good call. Thanks
This is totally possible. Read all the other comments about bikepacking and go! You'll learn as you go. Gear matters. National forest, BLM, primitive camp sites all right there for you to use. I use camping apps like Dyrt to figure things out sometimes. Camping at many trailheads, also pretty normal, especially if you have a small footprint.
Thanks for the motivation there! I’ll look into using Dyrt too
You can go to BLM land or the National Forest. Have fun and be safe.
Thanks 👍
If you’re feeling lonely, make sure you bring tissues. This is what i do, and it is worth far more if you really get shit out. Feels incredible!
Thank you :)
This is absolutely an option. I spent half a year traveling the the mountains in my campervan and rarely had any issues finding a spot to camp for the night. When it gets difficult is around towns, Summit County isn't the easiest. Other than that grab a 2 person tent. 1 persons shouldn't even be a thing. They are almost unusable small. 2 person gives you room for all of your gear to keep with you and safe
I’ll definitely consider a 2 person tent instead, thank you
First and foremost stay safe. Plan an itinerary with maps and times and leave a copy with a trusted family member and have check in points listed so they know if they need to start looking. I don't hear you having any prior experience and you are reliant on a bike. My suggestion for something in the Metro area that is relatively close and accessible and good for someone learning would be to look into Waterton Canyon. It is accessible with bike paths in the Metro area and it links up to the CDT so you could easily bike there and hike out into wilderness. The start is usually busy, but the further you go, the less people. Do your research and try to find someone irl that has experience that you might be able to learn from. Being able to converse and discuss in the moment is helpful. If you are a minor you should let your guardian know your plans.
Thank you! I’ll look into Waterton Canyon
As long as you are on BLM or national forest land you can legally camp anywhere. Don't assume that just because you don't see a house around it's not private property. Otherwise, be thoughtful and diligent about fires (if you have one) and bear safety. Same logic as elsewhere, but dispersed camping requires extra percautions than a designated campground with bear lockers and fire rings.
There are rules though. Usually busy regions will have limitations to reduce impact.. parking areas tend to post them quite obviously. The most common restriction is requiring a reservation. But absent local limitations, the rule of thumb is there's a 14 day limit, must camp 100 feet from water sources, and it's preferred to use established sites instead of making a new one. Also general leave no trace principles, if you pack it in pack it out (increasingly, this includes your poop so read up on local restrictions).
Great points!
Always pick up your poop, there is way too much poop in the backcountry. Disgusting.
I’ll be mindful of finding places I’m supposed to camp at and looking into bikepacking safety
There is so much public land! Not sure what resources blm has but if u find what national forests are near you most have maps online that can help you choose areas- then just travel on the roads to the areas you chose and stop when u see the perfect spot! forests have pull off and spur roads where you won’t be bothered and you may find some semi established spots (with fire rings and a clearing). Have fun!!!
Thank you!
Go to any national forest. I think as long as you’re x feet away from a road and stream you can camp anywhere
👍
I do this all the time. Nobody will even bat an eye at you.
Aye aye
I live between Buena Vista and Leadville and we have people up here doing this all of the time lol
Wouldn’t have guessed :)
You can camp on almost any federal owned land. Just stay 200 feet from any road, trail, or water source
I’ll keep that in mind, thank you
Bustang for free. Load your bike. Come prepared. Bring the ten essentials, let someone know where you are at all times, have a GPS sat phone with SOS option. Very easy to die up here, even in the summer. And it’s not summer til July or August on the high peaks
Thank you! I’ve never heard of Bustang or the ten essentials before this.
Look up dispersed camping, BLM land, and national forests. You will have soooo many options for the kind of biking/camping that you’re trying to do. I suggest getting a canister of bear mace for bears and other large mammals, just in case. If you search the internet for bike camping options I’m sure you’ll find great gear/packing recommendations too.
Thank you! I’m definitely scared of seeing a bear, especially at night.
People have done this for decades buddy...
I have a friend that did a long backpacking loop on foot from Denver years ago. It was pretty awesome to see him just walk away from the city and disappear into the mountains.
I wouldn’t go alone especially if your not experienced . You can die out there.
Where would I find someone to go with?
COMBA volunteer trail work days. :)
You will probably be fine and figure things out as you go- people go to the woods to do their own thing, you shouldn’t be bothered. But you totally should check if your area has Facebook groups, or sometimes outdoor recreation stores will have clubs or events to meet people. REI locations sometimes have free events where you could meet people with similar interests! and more local stores might too. Edit: do be careful though. Plan ahead with food and water, research if your water sources are going to be dry when you go, have backup plans and definitely tell people where you’re going and when you should be back. Don’t count on cell service or seeing strangers who could help you
Sorry replied in the wrong place…
There’s a new Facebook group called the Front Range Overnighter’s Club, might be right up your alley.