Guide to Boondocking and Overlanding in North Park

Have you ever wanted to wake up and start the day off by looking over a mountain valley at sunrise, or spend your evening under starlight with only the sound of the breeze and the voices of owls and coyotes in the distance? This isn’t the kind of camping where you spend a couple days sleeping with a rock in your back and trying not to touch the wet walls of a tent. We are talking about a different kind of outdoor experience. Not exactly roughing it and not checking into a resort hotel for a weekend.

Boondocking and overlanding offers the best of both worlds. Relative comfort and all the amenities of home, with the ability to move and travel in remote locations. You get to experience nature at a whole other level and go further into the wild than you ever have before. Did we also mention that North Park is one of the best places in Colorado for boondocking and overlanding left in Colorado?

What is Boondocking/Overlanding?

Though similar, boondocking and overlanding are two different kinds of critters. Overlanding is RVing at its most extreme. 4X4 vehicles such as heavy duty pickup trucks, retired military vehicles, and rigs outfitted for rugged terrain have been built with camping and off-grid living in mind. These vehicles are often built like tanks, able to travel in places with bad roads (if there are roads at all) and still give you the comfort and protection of a camper or cabin once you get to your destination.

Boondocking is similar, but less extreme. Boondocking focuses more on off-grid living over longer periods of time. Rather than a weekend getaway, think two weeks at a time with your own water supply, power, sewer, and shelter. Unlike RVing, boondocking means you don’t need water, sewer, and power hookups at a campground. Everything is contained. You can drive up to your spot, stay a long time, and use your boondocker as a jumping off point for mountain biking, hiking, climbing, or fishing.

Though all overlanders are boondockers, not all boondockers are overlanders. Boondockers are usually limited by just how far they can go. You’ll find improved traction systems, better suspension, beefier tires, and other equipment such as winches and locking hubs on an overlander. A boondocker can have some of these things as well, but are generally vehicles such as RVs, conversion vans, and even converted school buses--vehicles that will get you to your destination for a while. Overlanders will get you there, and all the way through to the next place, regardless of how challenging the roads and trails might be.

Great Places to Go in Jackson County

Why North Park? As the rest of Colorado is experiencing an influx of private land buyouts due to urban sprawl, industry, and commercial expansion, Jackson County’s population has remained steady for decades. With fewer than 2,000 permanent residents, a large portion of our landscape is public lands. Even forest and cattle leases on public land from private entities allow for access to most public land, with a wide network of access roads to BLM, State, and National Forest.

Our public lands are what allow hunters to hunt in the fall, and thrill seekers to find their adventures the rest of the year. Walden, CO is remote, with about an hour of highway driving to the next large town. Without as much buildup as places such as Estes Park or Ouray, North Park is relatively inexpensive. Its lack of congestion means not having to drive in a caravan on oversaturated off-road trails like Black Bear Pass. You can take your time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. When you set up camp, you might be the only ones around for several miles. With nothing blocking your enjoyment of those clear North Park night skies at night.

Boondockers can take advantage of plenty of BLM and National Forest sites with ease of access from a well-maintained network of county roads, Forest Service roads, and defunct oil field roads. Take it slow and easy, and your suspension will thank you. Overlanders can afford to get lost in the woods a little bit more, with old jeep trails and logging roads that take you to secluded areas off the beaten path with scenery like nothing else you will experience in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Check out some of these spots in Jackson County for your trip:

• State Forest State Park: From Kelly Lake to Lake Catherine, Ranger Lakes, Michigan Reservoir, and more! Many of these areas are off limits nowadays to overlanding, but access to established campgrounds and some wild camping sites allow for some great jumping off points for ATVs, mountain bikes, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails
• Arapaho and Routt National Forest: Much of the southern end of Jackson County provides access to these forested mountain areas. From Gould all the way to Buffalo Pass, Lake Katherine, Owl Mountain and more! National Forest wild camping typically allows 14 day stays. Be respectful of the campsites and practice Leave No Trace sustainable camping.
• Medicine Bow National Forest: North of the State Forest State Park, you will find access to the southern end of the Medicine Bow National Forest, which extends into Wyoming. 
• BLM and Colorado State Trust Land: Much of the flat interior of North Park is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management. Much like National Forest Land, wild camping and dispersed camping typically allows a 14 day limit.
• Mt. Zirkle and Big Creek Lakes: Hiking, fishing, and miles upon miles of trails await visitors to the Park Range. Hike along the Grizzly-Helena Trail or cast a line to try for an elusive lake trout in Big Creek Lake.
• North Sand Hills Recreation Area is a sweet spot between Colorado State Forest State Park, BLM, and even some Medicine Bow National Forest land. Thousands of acres of sand dunes provide ATV and off-road enthusiasts with a literal sand box to play in, while back roads, jeep trails, and paths can take up into some beautiful spots above treeline nearby.

Rules of the Road

If you are new to boondocking or overlanding you need to learn your ropes, not only to have a safe and enjoyable experience, but also to allow others to continue to enjoy this extreme form of recreation. Being a part of the 

• Be cool: Boondocking/overlanding community means you are also an ambassador to the lifestyle, and it carries plenty of responsibilities. Being obnoxious makes the kinds of visitors locals dread and don’t welcome back. Be respectful.
• Leave No Trace (LNT) is a philosophy on sustainable use of public (and private) lands we should all be using. Not only does it mean not leaving garbage and litter everywhere you go, but it also means not tearing up the land. Leave it how you found it—or better! Pick up garbage and junk that jerks leave behind and you’ll build a reputation for the kinds of people locals would love to see more of and public lands will always be open to.
• Be Respectful of Private Property: Never cut fences, trespass, drive through ranch property, or travel across private land without permission. Not only is trespassing illegal—and will be enforced by law—but lands are often blocked off for your own safety.
• Open Range: Many places in North Park practice open range grazing, which means roads will often be occupied by livestock. Do not harass livestock, bump them with vehicles, or attempt to drive them off. These North Park traffic jams usually sort themselves out soon enough. Take the opportunity to park, wait out the cows, and enjoy the landscape. Livestock protection dogs are also on duty to protect cows and sheep from wolf attacks. Do not approach these dogs and keep pets and children away from them as well.
• Wildlife: Much the same thought on wildlife as for open range livestock. Don’t harass or attempt to stampede the animals. This can result in injury to the animals, or even forcing them into an aggressive or defensive response. Just kick back and enjoy those grazing moose or herds of elk. Don’t forget that being bear aware in North Park also applies to other large predators such as wolves or mountain lions.
• Observe Public Land Rules: Access roads will often be marked as private property and are meant to be driven through. Resist the urge to set up camp at a location within private land, and keep going until you are within bounds of public acreage again. If you open a gate, close it behind you again. Observe fire restrictions and bans at all times of year. To reduce impact on the land, stay on established roads and campsites. Keep an eye out for fee areas and make reservations online for paid campsites if necessary.
• Drive Safely: Due to how remote Jackson County is, as well as the nature of many of our roads, our highest fatality rate in the area stems from auto accidents. Whether you are traveling the highways or back roads, maintain a safe speed, never drink and drive, and be aware of changes in the road and be ready at all times for the unexpected. Head on collisions with motorcycles, log trucks, and rollovers on washed out roads have already claimed too many lives. Let’s all be careful out there.

Must Have Equipment

To overland in North Park, you are going to want a setup that is prepared to take you where you might be your only source of help if things go bad.

• Off-Road tires: Mud, snow, rocks, and steep grades require off-road tires and traction.
• Tire chains: Good for mud and snow, chains will give you that edge when it comes to keeping your grip on the trail.
• 4WD: All-wheel-drive does not really count. A four wheel drive traction system, preferably with locking hubs is par for the course when it comes to some of our more rugged terrain. 
• Traction and Winches: Traction plates and winches might be the only thing to get you out of that slough, mud hole, or snowbank when you are miles from anywhere.
• Cell Phone Booster/Starlink: Cell service outside of Walden, CO is sketchy at best. A reliable booster or Starlink might be the only thing keeping you connected.
• CB Radios/WalkieTalkies: Citizen Band radios, HAM radios, or other radios to communicate over long distances will help you stay in touch with the rest of your traveling companions, and even be used to call for help if things go south. Remember that Channel 9 is typically the emergency channel.
• Shovel: Sometimes you just need to dig your way out of a sticky situation. Also great for building a firepit.
• Plenty of Water: Our clear lakes and creeks might look enticing, but you can still make yourself very sick drinking unfiltered or untreated water in the Colorado mountains. Carry lots of drinking water. North Park is part of a high country desert and after runoff season, it can become surprisingly dry at altitude. Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to avoid altitude sickness.
• Extra Fuel: Walden, CO has the only gas stations in Jackson County. Be sure to top off your tank and carry extra fuel cans with you if you plan on going to more remote locations. It’s a long, long walk back to town.
• Chainsaw: Windstorms can block roads with unexpected tree fall. Make sure your path can be cleared even when you can’t call for help.
• Maps (Download or use paper): Check out our maps to get a better idea of where you want to go. Just remember, with little to no cell reception, you will need to download maps or carry paper maps with you to help you navigate in the mountains. It’s also a great way to make sure you haven’t crossed onto private property.

Things to Keep in Mind

Boondockers need to pick a spot by no later than late afternoon. Mountains and shadows can make it more dangerous to drive through wooded areas, and difficult to see oncoming vehicles or animals. Sudden temperature changes can also turn a location that seemed good enough in the dark, into a whole other landscape when seen by the light of day. Snow, rain, fog, and sleet can happen just about anytime, and finding a good place to park when the light is still good will help you get back on the road.

Log trucks and heavy equipment also use the same roads. They aren’t as good at seeing you might think. And they take a lot longer to stop due to heavy loads. Make room for these kinds of vehicles. A friendly wave doesn’t hurt either.

Fire Danger: Please check out last week’s article on the dangers of this upcoming fire season. It is crucial that your rig is safe, from checking and double checking fuel systems such as propane, to a properly maintained exhaust system that won’t be kicking out sparks in a dry landscape.

Beware Clearances/Low overhangs and narrow roads: Low hanging trees and narrow roads can turn a great day bad. Be aware of how much space your vehicle takes up, not only across the road, but above it. 

Road Conditions: Difficulty of most roads in Jackson County is low to moderate. Take it slow and low. Some old jeep trails and logging roads are very difficult and have basically been left to degrade to prevent travel. Or are simply too expensive for the Forest Service to maintain.

Extraction Services

Currently there are no local tow-trucks or extractions running out of Walden. The nearest extraction services are in Steamboat Springs, Laramie Wyoming, Granby, and Kremling, CO. Travel at your own risk and always have a method or plan to get out.

Where to Resupply Near Walden

Walden, CO is going to be your main choice to resupply. With two mini-marts/fuel stations, an RV/truck fueling station, two grocery stores, a hardware store, and a handful of restaurants, resources are slim, but we do have them. Jack’s Auto Parts and Service in Walden is a great resource for tires, auto parts, and limited mechanical service for your boondocker or overlander. Their phone number is (970) 723-4674. There are also several hotels, vacation rentals, and other accommodations if you need an extended stay outside of your vehicle.

Welcome to North Park! Enjoy your adventure!

We always enjoy seeing newcomers, especially if they have cool overlanders or boondock rigs! Please enjoy the public lands we get to see every day and above all else, be safe on your visit. We want to see you come back!

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