Montrose is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Montrose. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$45 / night
"There are canvas tents with cots and wood stoves for the colder months. The stars are beyond compare and if you’re a birder like me, you will have a magical time. Susan is an excellent communicator!"
"from the main road but very quiet. we arrived at night and there was plenty of spots. we camped in the car just for the night but plenty of flat land for tents and we say a fire pit. only a 15 minute drive"
"There were 8 tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. The vault toilet was clean and convenient. The reservoir was beautiful and we caught and ate two big trout."
"Perfect lake views, snow capped mountain tops, and wildflowers for days."
"Beautiful views of surrounding mountains and Alta lakes as well as access to the ghost town of Alta."
"Nice little campground with large bear boxes for food storage. I felt it's at a good location to venture off each day from."
"Primitive camping right outside outside Ouray Colorado. Imogene pass trail ends at the campground entrance. Trail into campground is a little rough but that's primitive camping."
"When I camped here, I parked at Pioneer Point and hiked the Curecanti Creek Trail down the canyon to the river. The trail from the top to the water is just under 2 miles."
"We had plenty of room on our site to set up camp around the picnic table and fire ring.
We snagged the last site with a picnic table and fire ring around 10AM on a Friday morning."
"Pulled into this area late one evening on a fall camping trip across Colorado. Totally expected it to be full but there were a couple areas left to setup thankfully."
ScoutThis was a great site for our group of 3 couples. We had plenty of room on our site to set up camp around the picnic table and fire ring.
We snagged the last site with a picnic table and fire ring around 10AM on a Friday morning. Throughout the weekend more people showed up and there seemed to be a bit more space to camp throughout.
The sites vary from right out in the open to being completely tree covered. Ours was right near a stream and had good shade during the day.
There's nothing but a vault toilet here so be sure to bring lots of water. If you're in need of a shower, head down to Trout Lake for a quick dip.
TravelerSunshine is a first come-first serve campground with 15 sites. There are several sites with beautiful views and full sun, but those were taken when we arrived. We stayed in site #8 which was quite lovely, tucked in the aspen trees with a picnic table and fire ring. The small pond behind our site was dried up, probably due to the ongoing drought. There is a short viewing trail just off site #9 that provided spectacular views of the mountains. We set up a couple of chairs on the trail and watched the fabulous sunset. The vault toilets were closed and the sign said they’d be closed through the ‘22 season. Portable toilets were provided in their place. The camp hosts, Don & Linda were super helpful by providing us with info about the adjacent bike trails and a short cut to get to Telluride. The campground was very quiet and while we heard some road traffic when we first arrived we never heard any during the night. I got 2 bars of AT&T cell service, enough to stream a movie on my iPad!
Camp fees are $20/day or $10/day with a Senior America the Beautiful Pass. We’ll definitely stay at this gem again!
GuideNice campground if you can get a spot, we've stayed at several different sites. The hosts are nice and will let you know the best one available. No running water or electricity or anything fancy. It's quiet, the stars are amazing, and there are good hikes in the area. Downsides are that it fills up fast (I think just 25 sites) and there can be a lot of mosquitoes. Bears may wander through too.
Vault toilets, bear boxes, picnic table, fire ring.
You can walk to the lake from the campground.
RangerThe 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.
GuideWe arrived at Soap Creek Campground around noon on a Friday in mid-July and found several wonderful sites to choose from. We selected site 8 as it was fairly close to the restroom, had decent shade, and large enough to accommodate our large tent and two vehicles...with room enough to spare to play washers! Vault toilets only, but they were very clean...host normally sells firewood, but they were out, however they did allow us to gather our own. No water at this time as it is spring fed and was low. Mostly surrounded by tent campers, but a few RV's made it down the narrow, windy and bumpy dirt road to the campground...but for the most part they kept their generators off (no electricity at this campground) during quiet hours. We were able to walk to the creek and what a view! Would definitely recommend and can't wait to go back!
GuideWe camped here in the canyon one night in September and it was the best experience. Beautiful scenery, great neighbors, clean toilets. There are only a few drive in campsites available, with several more hike in spots below. Bear boxes, fire rings (if there’s no burn ban), and picnic tables available, along with water and facilities.
ScoutNestled in pine trees alongside the lake fork of the Gunnison river. Most sites have tons of privacy. All have picnic tables and bear boxes. First-come first-serve. Very clean vault toilet restrooms. Camped here solo and felt very safe. Great access to fishing, hiking, and ATV trails.
GuideThis campground is on NPS land, so there is a fee ($16 in season+ water/$8 off season no water) that can be paid at the nearby ranger's station on the honor system. All 13 sites are in a single loop at the end of the road on the North Rim and are all first come first served. Pinyon and juniper offer shade and some visual privacy, however sites are all close so there is little audible privacy. Pets are OK if leashed. There are nice sized BearSaver boxes at each site, plus a fire ring and large picnic table. Vault toilets and potable water are both in the center of the camping loop, where you can also find other tables and lots of shade. Chasm trail begins near the end of the loop and there are great views of the canyon a short distance from all sites. Beware: drought year, so lots of yellow jackets - they swarm vehicles in search of water! Also, water is a limited resource brought in by truck to this canyon, don't be wasteful :)
TravelerThis campground has decent separation between sites but not much shade because the juniper trees are so short. The views at this park are incredible, however you won't see much from your campsite itself. It's tucked into thick juniper forest. This place has lots of bear activity so be sure to bring a bear canister to supplement the provided bear boxes. We saw a blonde haired black bear along one of the roads and were so happy that we were in our car. There's a little self service kiosk for walk up sites. Vault toilets, picnic table, and a fire ring with open flame grill. Just be aware that to do anything on the north rim of the canyon it is a several hour drive. So your activities will likely be limited to the south rim. Would gladly return!
Montrose, Colorado, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for beautiful scenery and unique experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find tent camping sites near Montrose, Colorado?
The Montrose area offers several tent-friendly camping options. Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area provides designated tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, though they fill quickly on weekends. For those seeking more established facilities, Peach Valley OHV Recreation Area offers reservable tent sites closer to Montrose. Other options include dispersed camping in surrounding national forests, where you'll find primitive sites with stunning mountain views. Most dispersed areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak seasons.
What amenities are available at tent campgrounds near Montrose?
Amenities vary widely across tent campgrounds near Montrose. Angel Creek Campground offers large bear boxes for food storage, level tent pads, pit toilets, and beautiful river views. Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) provides portable toilets and stunning mountain vistas, but no running water or trash facilities. Most developed campgrounds include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while dispersed sites typically have minimal to no amenities. Remember to pack in all necessary water and pack out all trash when visiting more primitive locations.
When is the best season for tent camping in the Montrose area?
The optimal tent camping season near Montrose runs from late spring through early fall (May to October). Miramonte Reservoir is especially popular during summer months when fishing opportunities peak. Early autumn brings spectacular foliage and cooler temperatures, making it ideal for experiencing places like Carson Lake Recreation Area. Higher elevation sites, including those near Telluride and Silverton, may have shorter seasons due to snow lingering into June and returning by October. Always check weather forecasts before heading out, as mountain conditions can change rapidly even during summer months.
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