Hot. Denver is hot. The freeways are a mess. Merge lanes merge directly into traffic. The average speed on city streets is 10mph over the posted speed limit. Traffic “safety lights (cameras) everywhere. Did I mention it was hot?

We stayed in Cherry Creek State Park. The campground has been updated with new tables and new parking pads. There is also something that bites through clothes that will leave a welt the size of a quarter on your shoulder, back of neck and side of face. They fade away but for a while you look like the elephant man. If we come this way next year, or anyway for that matter, maybe it would be better in the fall.

We visited grand-kids and got them fixed up for school then stopped in Ft. Collins to see Debbie’s brother and family. Lots of fun there.

Tonight we are at 8400 feet in the Ashley National Forest with a meadow out our picture window. It was cloudy but I am hoping it will clear so I can see the stars.

There are a lot of trailers up here. Most have no occupants. It is dispersed camping so it is ok but just strange. Does someone rent them out? Do their owners work in town and then come here after work? I haven’t seen this before.

Presley loves the big meadow. Signs of cows and some bear scat. It is bear county but I don’t know why it would be out in the open. We love our National Forests!

The US Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (and other state and local agencies) allow dispersed camping on most of their land – which is a lot!

Dispersed camping means you can drive along a FS or BLM road and basically pull off, drive a few feet and set up camp. As long as the area is not posted “no camping,” and 20′ from the forest road, you are good to go with just a few rules to follow:

• Camping at any one site is limited to 14 days per visit.
• Pack out what you pack in.
• Avoid camping within 200 ft. of any water source.
• Do not leave campfires unattended.
• Whenever camping outside designated camp sites please practice the following minimum impact style camping:
  • Camp at previously used sites, if possible.
  • Fire pans or stoves are recommended.
    Avoid building new fire rings.
  • Use only dead and down wood for campfires.
  • Do not put cans, bottles, or aluminum foil into a fire ring.
  • Burn campfire logs to ashes, then douse with water. CAMPFIRES OF ANY KIND MAY BE BANNED DURING HIGH FIRE DANGER PERIODS.
  • Dispose of human waste properly. The use of portable toilets is highly recommended. If no portable toilet is available, solid body waste and urine should be buried in a hole six to twelve inches deep. The disposal site should be located well away from streams, campsite, and other use areas. Toilet paper should be placed in a small plastic bag and put into your camp trash bag.
  • Pack out your trash (and a little extra).

Check the website of the particular national forest or BLM area you are going to be in or (better) stop at the local NFS or BLM office. Each national forest will have “localized” rules and suggestions.

One other note. If you are going to have a campfire in a FS dispersed area camp you will need a campfire permit (good for one year) and available at any National Forest Office.

For us, this is easiest and best way to camp. And don’t forget, Tread Lightly!