Hitchens Gulch
Rocky Mountain National Park · Wilderness Permits
Hitchens Gulch in Colorado has 4 open booking windows on Recreation.gov right now, the soonest Wed Sep 9–Sat Sep 12. Reserve directly through the booking link above — cancellations go fast. To catch future openings the instant they appear, set a free CampSage cancellation alert.
Average Snow Melt-Out Date: July 7 Number of Sites: 1 (1-7 people per site) Elevation: 10,480 ft. Elevation Change: 1,480 ft. gain Distance: 5.8 mi. from CO River TH via Red Mtn. Trail Privy: No---Pack in and pack out Human Waste bags.
Camp safely away from standing dead trees as close to the silver metal arrowhead as possible. Carry in/out hard sided bear-resistant food storage canister required. NO FIRES, Fires Prohibited, Use portable stoves only. Purify water. Leave No Trace. Lightning and wind hazard. Be alert and prepared. Be off summits early in the day. Protect Park Resources. Do not collect or move anything from the park. Collection of natural and cultural resources is prohibited by law. Long Draw Road, used to access La Poudre Pass trailhead, traditionally opens around July 15th. Call the National Forest Service for actual opening date and road status.
⚡ EV charging nearby
Nearest DC fast charging: 12.7 mi away (straight line).
Distances are straight-line, not driving — the road can be much longer where a river, a lake or a canyon sits in between. From OpenStreetMap — community-mapped, so plug types can lag reality. Verify on your charging network’s app before counting on a charger.
📊 How often sites open up here
CampSage's scans caught 23 openings at Hitchens Gulch over the last 30 days, on 22 separate days, most of them for stays 3–33 days out and the openings typically covered 3–26 nights.
These are the openings our own scans saw — not a figure the booking system publishes. We re-check availability several times a day, so the real number can be higher.
🏕️ About this campground
💡 Insider tips from campers
❓ Hitchens Gulch FAQ
How do I get a wilderness permit for Hitchens Gulch?
Hitchens Gulch in Colorado is a backcountry camp area reserved through a wilderness permit on Recreation.gov. Use the “Book / check availability” button to open the permit itinerary builder. It asks for a Starting Area first — choose “Never Summer”; then find the Hitchens Gulch row, pick your entry date, and reserve the permit.
How can I get a spot at Hitchens Gulch when it's fully booked?
Popular campgrounds like Hitchens Gulch often fill months ahead, but campers cancel every day and those sites reopen for booking. CampSage checks availability for you and sends a free email the instant a cancellation opens — set an alert on this page and you can grab the spot before anyone else.
How often do campsites open up at Hitchens Gulch?
CampSage's scans caught 23 openings at Hitchens Gulch over the last 30 days, on 22 separate days, most of them for stays 3–33 days out and the openings typically covered 3–26 nights. These are the openings our own scans saw — not a figure the booking system publishes. We re-check availability several times a day, so the real number can be higher.
Where is Hitchens Gulch located?
Hitchens Gulch is located in Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado. Tap “Directions” above for driving directions, or see nearby campgrounds lower on this page.
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