Blue Lake Dispersed Camping- CLOSED

Incredible spot to car camp right at the base of the trailhead to lower, middle and upper lakes + Mount Sneffels! The flowers in July were amazing in the higher elevations and the weather was just right. We saw dear, marmots and coyotes, too! Highly recommended on a week day if you can swing it!

This location is beyond words. We are a truck team of three and we headed up on Sunday afternoon. We planned to camp at the trailhead and not the lake itself. There were plenty of spots open at the time but we nabbed one next to a small stream. Ample room at the spots and good distance from each other which reduced the neighbor noise. The scenery was stellar. Because they were finally getting loads of rain, we did have a pesky fly problem in addition to the mosquitos but it did not deter us from staying the whole week. No, you will not have cell reception there. Yes, the road gets a bit rough. Ideally have a vehicle with higher bottom clearance. Yes, this area is quite busy so getting a spot is hit and miss. I highly recommend this area for an immersive Colorado nature experience.

We came here the Saturday afternoon of Labor Day weekend, and had planned to camp by our car. The area was completely packed with cars and people already set up, and we found it difficult to find a spot. We drove around for about 30 mins, saw some cars and trucks blocking off sections to certain areas (as they wanted to reserve the areas and keep them somewhat private), and ended up camping in a muddy, suboptimal spot.

The next morning, we did the 3.6 mile hike up to the Lower Blue Lake. The hike was great and the lake is gorgeous. There were a lot of tents set up right near the lakes. Would highly recommend backpacking up and camping by the lakes instead of car camping

This site rivals my favorite spot in Big Sur. I chose this campground thanks to the previous reviewers. The spot I chose on the map was already taken when I got there, which was next to the creek. After scouting out a few more sites up the road, I landed on one that was even better than I could have imagined. There was a little brook running through and I had to carry my gear over a log to the actual site (though you could definitely set up camp where I parked) and burning the extra calories was worth it. My backdrop was beautiful and even though it rained the entire time I was there, this is still one of my favorite camping spots I’ve stumbled across here in Colorado. It looks like there were multiple fire rings where I camped so I imagine it gets really busy with hikers once summer is in full swing. Totally perfect for anyone who enjoys truly primitive camping. The road up was muddy and had big divots but I think any vehicle would be fine, as long as you take it slow. No cell signal up here so plan for that. Not that you’ll need it :) Enjoy, guys!

First off, make sure you’re using the GPSing to Blue Lakes Trailhead, Telluride 81435 There are two different trailheads and there is camping at the other one (going through Ouray), but you can find that through the NPS system (Thistledown Campground and Angel Creek Campground).

The true dispersed camping is along the route to the “telluride/ Ridgway” trailhead. You should be entering the forest through route 7. This is an 8-ish mile road from the highway to the forest entrance. The camping spots will not appear until you’re actually across the forest threshold (there is a sign and a cattle guard), with only about 1.5 miles left your gps-ed route. The round is rough and long, but manageable in a 2wd car. (I have a Camry.)

I stayed here the past two nights and was lucky enough to have some campers split their space with me. We were right by the stream, maybe a half mile from the TH itself. It’s shortly after the meadow, on your left as you drive in. Cars definitely came and went throughout the evening, but the sound of the stream drowned them out. The temps are def dropping at night this time of year and it was in the 30s. There was ZERO cell service for Verizon. Would def stay here again - in warmer conditions!

You are also able to hike your gear in and camp at the Lower Blue Lake level itself, if that’s you’re thing!

If you go in on camp bird rd. this will take you to an area above the upper blue lakes. Unless you want to hike down into the lakes don’t go this route.

Go in through Ridgeway to 62 and take East Dallas Road. 5 miles or so up this gravel road will get you to the official campground for Lower Blue Lakes. There are a ton of walk in tent spots and roughly 10 drive in sites with a lot more dispersed areas. From previous reviews we thought we needed to get here early to grab a spot but there are so many options! Spots have a stone firepit at each.

The hike up to lower blue lakes is 3.4 miles with roughly 1,600 elevation gain. We got caught in a hail storm after we reached the lake. It rained every afternoon we were there. Make sure to bring a rain jacket, it gets chilly! Hike is mostly shaded with amazing views, but it is uphill.

Camping at the lakes is free and dispersed.
Dogs are welcome and must be on leash or under voice command.

There is another trailhead at the base for mount Blaine, great hike if you’re staying in the area and want an easier hike.

Blue lakes is one of the most vibrant colored lakes in Colorado and you can camp right at its shores! This is dispersed/backcountry camping only. Spots can be found right before the lake, look for a clearing and setup. This area can get really busy with day hikers and campers so go early and try for a weekday. We went up there on a weekday and saw about 10 other tents. Camping is free, make sure to pack it out there. 

Great jump off point to hike Mt Sneffles or up to the other lakes. The hike is around 3.2 miles one way but worth every step.

The hike isn’t easy but well worth it. It was busier than I expected especially since we decided to hike on a Tuesday. I would love to come back and hike in to camp rather than drive because there are only a few drive in sites near the river and they are right by the road. at the top many people had their tents pitched by the lake which looked lovely after such a hard hike. I hope to come back sometime soon! :))

If you are pulling an RV in, use this pin for directions, not the one to the south. I’m glad we came, but be prepared that the road is HORRIBLE. We were pulling a 21’ camper and would probably not have tried to get here had we known how bad the road was. We are not looking forward to driving back out!

There were a couple of small RV parking areas, but more tents. RV camping was in the more open area about a half-mile from the trailhead. We are right next to a stream, with an established fire pit. There are some pull off spots before the trailhead, but you will not be able to turn a camper around at the trailhead, due to the number of parked cars.

The hike is wonderful, but fairly strenuous if going past lower blue lake. But we made the 4.5 mile hike to the middle lake to get pictures of lower blue from above.

Still a great camping site, but just be prepared for a VERY bumpy, narrow drive

If you are pulling an RV in, do not use this pin for directions, use the one north of here, which lists boondocking. I’m glad we came, but be prepared that the road is HORRIBLE. We were pulling a 21’ camper and would probably not have tried to get here had we known how bad the road was. This pin is at the lake, but the lake is over 3 miles from the trailhead. We are not looking forward to driving back out!

There were a couple of small RVs, but more tents. RV camping in the more open area about a half-mile from the trailhead. We are right next to a stream, with an established fire pit. There are some pull off spots before the trailhead, but you will not be able to turn a camper around at the trailhead, due to the number of parked cars.

The hike is wonderful, but fairly strenuous if going past lower blue lake. But we made the 4.5 mile hike to the middle lake to get pictures of lower blue from above.

Still a great camping site, but just be prepared for a VERY bumpy, narrow drive.

If your planning to do the Blue Lakes hike this is a great spot to boondock. There are a few tent or rooftop spaces along the creek that looked amazing. We ended up in a relatively open area that worked well for dispersed RV’s. The way in is about 30 minutes of gravel that could be handled by just about any car or truck. In the area we were we could see a few RV’s 20 - 30 feet, several tents, and several roof top tents. We were in a 30’ trailer with a 4x4 truck, it worked but knowing what I know now I wouldn’t take something that big in there. The road in can get narrow in places and if we had met another unit our size one of us would have had to back up to a place that would allow the other to pass. I talked to a local and she said that rigs even larger will go in if they are a 5th wheel but there is no way I would do that. If you are in a RV I would go straight to the coordinates and find a spot. There were 6 campers there when we were there but we were all far enough away I never heard a word. Also if you’re in a RV do not go past this location, the road gets narrow and the hike to Blue Lakes is so popular you may not be able to turn around. If you are tenting or roof top, go explore, there are some amazing spots to camp.

Parked and camped below the trail head in the dispersed camping there. It was full of shade and a river flowing through it. Will be back.

We camped just near the trailhead. Hike was challenging but well worth it. Please be prepared. Many folks we saw were not. Our campsite was at the end of the road on a creek that was perfect for our post hike feet!

my favorite place in the area. the wildflowers are insane during the summer! there is a nice wooded area where there are numerous places to camp it’s right next to lower blue lake. there is lower blue lake, which you get to in around 3 miles in from trailhead off cr 7 from hwy 145. then there’s middle blue lake another mile or two up, then theres upper blue lake further up towards mt. sneffels.

Make sure to pack light, the walk is steep! Camping here is so beautiful and just above Yankee Boy Basin. Mt Sneffels trailhead is right there too.

Blue lakes campsites are about 3 miles in at the lower Blue Lake. From there, hike 2.5 miles to get to the Blue Lakes Saddle below Sneffels, and continue up to summit this great 14'er.