Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2021

Free Dispersed Camping with Toilet

Came across this in June 2020 on a late Friday night about 10pm and saw a ton of people camping on top of each other so we left and camped elsewhere. FF a year (Father's Day weekend), we stopped by to check capacity on a Saturday night at 6pm and found the opposite with only 4 of 6 tent sites taken and plenty of parking for small RV/van camping. Tent sites were pretty spread out so we didn't see the 2 empty sites available down the hill until early the next morning. We just ended up taking a parking space, instead, and set up our SUV tent. Sunday morning, the entire campground was cleared by 10am except for 1 other vehicle so we were easily able to take a tent site. By noon, a few new campers showed. We left our camp for the day to explore and it was fine all day. A couple other campers did the same and were fine, too. A picnic table and fire ring are provided at all sites, if not all. Toilet is also provided which is always a huge plus for dispersed camping. TP ran out once so BYO. Not a lot of camp shade except for the one site on the north side of parking. Several trailheads are nearby. Scenery is absolutely gorgeous and is situated at 10k feet next to Priest Lake which is just a big pond. Fishers were present but Trout Lake may be your better option which is just down by the main entrance. For showers, just head to the next campground (Matterhorn?) and freshen up for $8. They also sell firewood for $10 if you forget to grab a bundle from Telluride. Only downside, no Verizon service. Oh! And don't freak out on the crazy howling screams from humans at 8pm. It's a Coloradan ritual which I was not aware of. Hope this helps!

SiteMiddle site on top of hill next to parking lot.
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area by Shawna , June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area by Shawna , June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area by Shawna , June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area by Shawna , June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area by Shawna , June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area by Shawna , June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area by Shawna , June 24, 2021