Dispersed camping near Dolores, Colorado ranges from 6,936 feet in town to over 10,000 feet at higher elevation sites, with summer temperatures reaching 85°F during the day and dropping to 45°F at night. Many camping areas in San Juan National Forest remain accessible from May through October, though some higher elevation roads close during winter months. The Forest Service manages numerous primitive camping sites with varying levels of access and amenities throughout the region.
What to do
Fishing the Dolores River: At Roche Gulch near Delores River, campers report excellent fishing opportunities. "Fish were JUMPING so get your fly rods ready!" notes one visitor. The site sits just a 4-minute hike from the river, making it convenient for anglers.
Exploring historic sites: The Alta Lakes area offers camping near an abandoned mining town. According to a camper at Alta Lakes Campground, "You can't explore any of the buildings, at least not legally, but you can see them and experience what used to be." The ghost town is situated just before reaching the main campground.
Stargazing: Clear mountain skies provide exceptional stargazing conditions. At Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area, one camper noted, "The stars were BEAUTIFUL! This is a great spot for stargazers too." Light pollution remains minimal at most sites around Dolores due to the remote locations.
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Many sites offer substantial distance between campsites. At Forest Road 316 Roadside Camp, a camper mentioned, "A really great area! Tons of spots as you go up, some more secluded than others so a lot of variety of privacy and sizes for any setup." The changing landscape provides different camping experiences within the same area.
Diverse terrain options: The region offers camping in pine forests, aspen groves, and near water features. According to a camper at Forest Road 316, "Towards the top the landscape changes from piñon pine to an aspen grove so you really get a few different options to fit what you're looking for."
Easy access sites: Some areas accommodate vehicles of all types. One camper at Cannonball Mesa noted, "The entrance is a gate in a private land, drive about 1 mile to BLM land, mostly dirt roads." This accessibility makes tent camping near Dolores suitable for those with standard vehicles.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some sites requires high clearance vehicles. A camper at Canyons of the Ancients, Sand Canyon reported, "The road is ROUGH. Driving a Nissan Rogue we only wanted to go the the first spot on the road, it was very bumpy and rocky."
Seasonal closures: Many roads to camping areas close during winter and early spring. A visitor to Bay City Campground shared in April, "Road is closed as of today, think it opens in May." Similarly, a camper noted about Alta Lakes in June 2025, "The road to the lake is closed, the sign said it was due to deteriorating conditions."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly. A camper at Alta Lakes shared, "It got pretty chilly at night and rained most of the days." Even summer nights can be cold at higher elevations, requiring adequate sleeping gear.
Tips for camping with families
Choose lower elevation sites in shoulder seasons: For camping with children, sites at lower elevations provide more moderate temperatures early or late in the season. Cherry Creek Gravel Lot stays accessible when other areas are closed, with a camper noting, "Only free place near Durango in the winter."
Consider noise factors: Some sites experience more traffic noise than others. At Cherry Creek Gravel Lot, a reviewer mentioned, "You can hear the highway, but it's not much. Just ambient background noise." Similarly, at Roche Gulch, a camper noted it was "Far enough off the highway and light traffic that would couldn't hear cars that much."
Lakeside camping for kids: Sites near water provide natural entertainment for children. At Priest Lake, a camper observed, "The kids enjoyed being able to fish though with little supervision since the lake is really quite shallow and it's very close to the sites."
Tips from RVers
Arrive early to secure suitable spots: The most level and accessible sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. At Hermosa Park Road Dispersed, a visitor advised, "Very busy on a Friday-Sunday. Arrive early to find a spot."
Campsite size considerations: While many dispersed areas appear spacious, actual level parking can be limited. At Hermosa Park Road, a camper noted, "Lots of big pull offs for dispersed camping. There is also a decommissioned forest service campsite on the north side about halfway in with tables and fire rings still."
Generator etiquette: In quieter camping areas, generator use can create tension. One camper at Cherry Creek observed, "There was one night an inconsiderate person parked his company truck and camper as close to me as was possible with wide open space all over and ran his generator."
