Mineral Creek Staging Area — Uncompahgre NF

Along the Million Dollar Highway corridor in the San Juan Mountains, this large staging-area pullout sits inside Uncompahgre National Forest at nearly 10,000 feet, surrounded by peaks and historic mining country. A short bridge crosses the creek into a spacious, mostly flat parking area that handles big rigs and trailers with ease, and a pit toilet is on site. Cell signal is unreliable, but the spot stays remarkably quiet despite the scenic highway nearby — and wildlife tends to wander through.