Designated camping to be required on roads in the Homestake Valley

MINTURN, Colo. (Aug. 6, 2024) – Beginning Aug. 12, the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District will require campers use designated dispersed camping sites in the Homestake Creek drainage to better address impacts associated with high use.

Camping along Homestake (NFSR 703) and Missouri roads (NFSR 704) will be limited to 48 designated dispersed sites. The sites will be marked with a numbered camping sign and available on a first-come, first-served basis only, with camping stays limited to seven days. Camping in the Homestake Valley will be limited to these sites or the developed Gold Park Campground.

“Over the past several years, camping along the roads in the Homestake Valley has significantly increased and people are beginning to camp in more sensitive areas, leading to impacts to sensitive areas such as streams and wetlands,” said Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis. “Designating dispersed camping sites allows us to maintain current levels of use but focus camping to the less-sensitive areas that are already being used.”

Campfires will be limited to metal fire rings provided at each site. The designated campsites do not have garbage service or toilets. Visitors are required to properly store and pack out all food and trash to help prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife. Packing out solid human waste is also a requirement in the Homestake area. Group size is limited to 40 people.

"Designating specific, sustainable sites for dispersed camping will help visitors better understand where they are permitted to camp, help prevent wildfires, and allow us to better protect natural resources,” Veldhuis said.

The Eagle-Holy Cross District has required dispersed camping to occur in designated sites with on the Piney Road (NFSR 701) north of Vail for the past several years.

More information is available from the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, 24747 US Highway 24 in Minturn, (970) 827-5715.

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