Skeleton Gulch
Rocky Mountain National Park · Wilderness Permits
Skeleton Gulch in Colorado has 2 open booking windows on Recreation.gov right now, the soonest Sun Oct 4–Sun Nov 1. 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 8 Number of Sites: 1 (1-7 people) Elevation: 10,600 ft. Elevation Change: 1,600 ft. gain from CO River TH, 500 ft. gain from La Poudre Pass TH Distance: 6.2 mi. from CO River TH via Lulu City, 4.8 mi. from La Poudre Pass TH Privy: No
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. 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: 14.6 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 18 openings at Skeleton Gulch over the last 30 days, on 18 separate days, almost all of them for stays about 3 days out and the openings typically covered 3–28 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
❓ Skeleton Gulch FAQ
How do I get a wilderness permit for Skeleton Gulch?
Skeleton 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 Skeleton Gulch row, pick your entry date, and reserve the permit.
How can I get a spot at Skeleton Gulch when it's fully booked?
Popular campgrounds like Skeleton 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 Skeleton Gulch?
CampSage's scans caught 18 openings at Skeleton Gulch over the last 30 days, on 18 separate days, almost all of them for stays about 3 days out and the openings typically covered 3–28 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 Skeleton Gulch located?
Skeleton 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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