Looking for the best options for tent camping near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Colorado camping adventure.
Alta Lakes is a popular dispersed camping area that offers fishing and camping in a spectacular alpine setting. There are 20 designated campsites that are completely undeveloped. The access road to the area is narrow and rough, requiring a high clearance vehicle. Trailers and RV's are not reccomended.
Our 45 acre, COMPLETELY SMOKE/PET FREE, Ranch sits on the Uncompahgre Plateau at 7,500 ft. above sea level in the Rocky Mountains, 30 minutes’ drive from Montrose, Colorado. We offer panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains, 2 million acres of magnificent national + state forest + BLM land within walking distance so activities like trial bike / horse back riding, fishing, hunting, white water rafting etc. are available! USA's best ski resort, "Telluride" is within 90 mins drive. Locals call this area "Paradise! "
Our COMPLETELY SMOKE FREE secluded and remote campsite offers 1 new 12ft X 20ft wooden level platform on which you pitch your own tent for $45 per night. It includes 1 table, 2 or more complimentary chairs, fire ring and free firewood for up to 2 nights. We suggest you bring liquid firelighter and paper to start your fire. Thereafter, firewood is $1 per log for which you pay me cash on arrival because Airbnb does not provide this option. You’ll probably need around 9 logs per night.
You may have up to 3 tents on 1 platform. We have a limit of 6 people
( including babies and children ) on 1 platform due to weight restrictions. However, after the 2nd person in any tent or platform on our Ranch, we charge $10 per 4yrs old and over person, per night. This covers the extra peoples’ use of our amenities such as shower and toilet etc.
All accommodation includes your shared use of a 20ft bathroom facility, located approximately 300ft from your platform, which has 1 toilet, 2 showers and 3 hand sinks with running hot and cold water. A separately located compost toilet is also provided within approximately 60ft from your platform. Please refer to pictures.
No power, WIFI or bedding is supplied. You can access the internet on our Ranch via your personal hotspot. Verizon provides the best phone connection. Other providers are unreliable.
Horse petting any of our 11 horses is available by appointment.
National / State forest and BLM land surround our ranch… I trailered 10 mins to a trail head yesterday and enjoyed a 3 hour horseback ride with spectacular views.
Wildlife you may see or hear includes deer, elk, coyote, chipmunks and eagles. Although it is unlikely you will encounter a bear or cougar, we recommend you bring bear spray.
After your reservation is confirmed, I will provide you our address and convenient information.
Since my husband Monty is a professional horseman and hunting guide, please don’t hesitate to ask to speak with him if you have questions.
Thank you,
Susan Moss.
$45 / night
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
This is a staging area for OHVs no more than 50" in width. Site amenities include loading ramps, shade structures, picnic tables, trailer parking, training area, beginner loop, skills course, and vault toilets. The site is within the 900-acre Peach Valley OHV Open Play Area. Outside of open play areas all vehicles are required to stay on designated routes. For more information, please contact the Gunnison Gorge NCA or Uncompahgre Field Office.
Angel Creek Campground is a primitive campground requiring high clearance vehicles. There are 8 designated camp sites with tent pads and fire rings/grills. Port-a-potties are available.
Traveler
We stayed at the tent camping spots by the river for one night on our trip back to Denver. The tents sites were widely available since it was a Sunday night but I could see it being a little crowded during peak times as the tent sites are close together (However, they only allow one tent per a site so big groups would have to rent multiple spots and this will keep things more calm and not over-packed). The tent sites have a table, fire ring, and shade cover by trees. The amenities (bathroom, shop, pool) were unexpected but very nice! I would stay here again as it is clean, not too expensive, good shade, access to the river, and close to downtown Palisades for wine tastings.
Ranger
The walk to the river was short and there even is a parking area for those who are not camping but want to fish.
Sites were well maintained, restroom and showers were as well.
Picnic tables, fire ring and grill at all sites. Deer wandered around freely and was an extremely restful night.
They offer pull in sites or walk in tent sites. I chose a pull in even though I was tent camping. Had to check out a few sites to be sure there was level/cactus free spot to pitch the tent.
Guide
We originally had a tent site in Elk Ridge, but our friends with an RV couldn't get a site on that side of the park for the same dates. Rather than have the 8 kids between us so far apart, we decided to get a tent site in Pa-Co. We got #294, primarily because the tent sites are about 50 yards from the parking lot, and with 6 of us we haul a lot of stuff. 294 was one of the closest to the parking lot, with the downside it was also closest to the pit toilet. If it was just two people with a couple backpacks this is a great location as you don't have any car noise and you're not hauling much, but for us it was a pain.
It was a beautiful view of the river from the site. Sites are small and fairly close together but it was a quiet campground. The bathroom wasn't a problem except for a couple of hours when it seemed like someone left a door open and the wind was blowing our direction.
Our tent is massive, and too big for the 10x10 space for tents at the site so we had to do some moving around but made it work. I'd bring our smaller one next time. The tent campground is well maintained and quiet, and the weather is great in the summer as the river keeps it cool. The RV site our friend has didn't have a lot of trees and was close to the highway, so for just hanging out ours was preferable.
Unfortunately the showers at the shower house about 100 yards away were closed due to COVID, but the weather is cool and dry mostly so not a big deal. The shower house and laundry were very well kept, and the campground hosts were very friendly. Firewood was $5 and I believe ice was only $1.
The park overall was great. We drove to the other parts to rent paddleboards and had a great time - very reasonably priced. It worked well as a base for side trips, as Ouray and Ridgway were easy to get to, as was Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP.
Traveler
An exceptional camping experience for our family. We go every summer and camp (in a tent) for about 10 days. The weather is superb and the trout is plentiful.
TravelerThe greatest camping experience a family could possibly have! We go every summer and camp (in a tent) for about 10 days. The weather is perfect and the trout are plentiful!
ScoutGreat find... vineyards all around, a local brewery, tent sites on the Colorado river. The winery next door (colterris) is awesome. Small family owned great atmosphere. A truly amazing stop on our way east
Scout
Excellent Boondocking area. Close to Silverton on Mineral Creek. Plenty of free tent camping along the road too
GuideStopped here for the night before skiing at PowderHorn. Campground was easy to find, clean and quite. We stayed in a tent site and were the only ones there! There is a portapotty at the entrance of the tent sites but a shower/bath house in the main are which is just a short walk. The bathroom was very clean and showers hot. There is a fenced in dog run area that my pup enjoyed.
LegendWe tent camped here on an amazing tent deck. Our first experience with this! We love this part of Colorado. So many beautiful sites to see and things to do. We have family to visit here, as well.
Stayed here in the month of August when you have to watch for those pesky but awesome thunderstorms.
Well maintained campground with clean facilities. We'll definitely be back!
Traveler
This is a very well maintained and managed campground. Good for tent camping or RV as they offer full hookups for just a few bucks more.
Traveler
We camped here overnight in October. We love to go to hot springs and thought this place was a 9/10. They had 10 tent sites and spots to park your camper or van. We called the same day and they were able to accommodate us that night. Price is a little steep at $50/per person per night but it includes 24/hr access to the hot springs, showers, coffee, etc. The tent sites are nice with fire pits and raised platforms. This place is super casual but well maintained which is what appeals to its charm. Staff is super friendly.
Scout
Tent camping is pricey but the amenities r almost with it. Close to black canyon and in town food and booze with in walking distance. What more could u ask for. A pool, they got that.
Guide
We had this campground all too our selves in late May as it was still rather cold out in the area but it was a great spot for tent camping. Lots of trails near by to explore.
Guide
$28 for a tent site. Showers bathrooms and people. If you don't have a 4x4 this is the place to stay. So many trails so close like 4miles max.
Scout
Arrived in the evening on a Friday and somehow got the last first come tent site. Very nice area, shaded and easy to fly fish in the morning. Bathrooms were nearby as well
Guide
We arrived at 8:30pm and found a spot right up the road next to the river. It was peaceful and easy to find. Plus it was close to town. We have a rooftop tent and the ground was somewhat level. I would not recommend tent camping because there were a lot of rocks.
Guide
Nice campsite just outside of Ouray4. There's a camp at mile 2 and 3 on 361 county road outside of town. $10 a night. Mostly tent sites. Picnic tables and flat boxed areas for the tents. Super clean bathrooms. First come first serve. Van assesible.
GuideI stayed in one of the walk in tent sites on the edge overlooking the lake. It was absolutely beautiful. The staff were very friendly and facilities were clean. I use Verizon and had full service available.
Scout
A site with amazing views that were all blocked by large RVs and campers, no privacy for tent camping or between sites, it was also very crowded by early morning. 4WD and high clearance is needed to continue on Last Dollar Rd if you’re hoping to find more dispersed camping up the mountain.
GuideRight off the highway, but easy to forget. Beautiful view. We stayed right next to a stream which made for easy relaxing. well cared for facilities with showers. A little pricey at $24 for a tent site but a great stay nonetheless.
Traveler
We stayed here in the tent camping spots for two nights. The restrooms were clean and the site had a light over the picnic table which was really nice for setting up in the dark. The highway noise could be a little loud at times, but generally it wasn’t too bad to get a good night sleep.
TravelerI got there around 4:30 pm on a Friday and was able to grab a good spot. A lot of RVs near the creek already, which were much closer than 100 ft distance. I car camped, but a lot of tent camping spots if you’re willing to walk from your car a bit. Great spots, kind people, free, bathrooms too.
Legend
This is a typical KOA in a beautiful setting. They have plenty to do for the kids in the campground, from fishing to hiking to dipping a toe in the creek. The facility was clean the camp host was nice. THe sites are a little crowded but they were level for a tent site.
Traveler
Near multiple fishing lakes, hiking trails and just down the road from a national recreation trail. Quiet and very clean. Love the walk up tent sites up on the hill. Gives opportunity to site on the hillside for breakfast while watching the fishing in the lake in front of the campground. Great place for a weekend getaway
ScoutArrived in the evening so it was a little dark and hard to figure out where the tent sites were. But we found our site, perfect spot, awesome morning views. You have to wheel your stuff in, but I like that they provided carts to bring in your things. Also loved the convenience of fly fishing in the morning. Nice walking path to follow along the river
Traveler
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!
LegendMatterhorn campground has the best walk-in tent sites with amazing views, privacy and plenty of Aspen trees. Some of the other campsites here are appealing because they have power outlets for RV's although many of those sites don't have much shade or privacy. I think the best camp sites here are 4, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21, and 27 (12 & 13 are walk-in).
Tent camping near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests is Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 tent camping locations near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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