If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Lake City, look no further. The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Colorado tent camping excursion.
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.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
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.
Thistledown Campground is adjacent to the historic site of Thistledown and the Weehawken Trailhead in Canyon Creek near Ouray, CO. There are 9 designated campsites with tent pads and fire rings/grills. A vault restroom and trash service is available. There is no water. This campground is heavily used by people planning to hike into Mount Sneffles & on other nearby trails, enjoying the wildflowers in Yankee Boy Basin or driving on the local jeep trails. Tent camping is recommended.
$30 / night
Access to the Weminuche Wilderness
Guide
If you are tent camping I would try and get a site that is next to the reservoir. Makes for a great sunset view! Overall the campsite is well maintained. Each tent site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Everyone is generally spread out enough that noise isn't an issue.
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
Tent camped here at campsite 8 for five nights. Very nice tents sites but after traveling the country I felt it sucked because showers were $5 for a four minute shower and the toilets were basically glorified holes in the ground. Beautiful sights everywhere. Not far from Silverton and the OHV routes.
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.
Legend
My friend and I stayed at the South Fork Campground for a fly fishing trip.
The campground seems to be primarily a RV campground with 50 sites, but they do allow tent camping with 6 sites. There is an office at the entrance and the staff were friendly. Next to the office is a community room and laundry room.
The RV sites have water and electric hookup. The tent sites do not - at least ours did not. There are restrooms with sinks, toilets and showers nearby the campsites.
The campground itself sits on the Rio Grande River which is a world class fly fishing river. When we were visiting the river was flowing fast and deep, so it was not a very productive time. We choose to fish in the mountain lakes and streams instead.
Overall the South Fork Campground is a nice place to stay for a few days or longer. The campsites were a little close in proximity for me, but I'm one that is accustomed to backcountry camping where there are few people around. The campground is a short drive to the town of South Fork where there are grocery stores, gas stations and outdoor gear and fly fishing stores.
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!
Scout
Excellent Boondocking area. Close to Silverton on Mineral Creek. Plenty of free tent camping along the road too
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.
TravelerGreat spot, with lots of spaces RV, cabin and tent camping. Five minutes from Grand Lake Village where there is access to the Lake. A family of moose are often seen there.
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.
Traveler
Our family of 4 tent camped at this site. We were able to walk to the edge of the cliff and had a clear view of Lake San Cristobal. We had a creek running beside our campsite.
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.
ScoutTent 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
$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.
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
The tent sites are kind of centralized, not a lot of privacy. With that said, the sites were level and the facilities were fine. Good location, not far from crested butte.
Traveler
This spot is pretty open with room for a small rv or tent camping. Area Code It's a short drive up to Poage Lake at the top of the mountain and also a short drive to Beaver Creek Reservoir down the mountain.
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.
Scout
Early in June there are two moose that have babies in the area so keep your eyes open. The toilets are clean and the river helps drown out any noise from your neighbors.
If you’re looking for more rustic tent camping there is an informal area just downstream.
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
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.
Guide
I stayed here for one night and was pleasantly surprised. It’s surrounded by tall Lodgepole pines that offer awesome shade and privacy from neighbors. Bathrooms were clean. Camp hosts were friendly. It sounds like there is a lot of bear activity so tent camping could be a concern. There were mostly RVs.
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.
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.
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of Colorado, Lake City offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake City, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake City, CO is Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lake City, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 55 tent camping locations near Lake City, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
