Best Tent Camping near Montrose, CO
Tent camping options are plentiful in the foothills and mountains surrounding Montrose, Colorado, with sites ranging from established campgrounds to dispersed backcountry areas. Angel Creek Campground offers designated tent sites along a creek just outside Ouray, while Black Canyon provides dispersed tent camping opportunities near the national park with more primitive facilities. Several boat-in and hike-in tent camping sites can be found in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, including Hermits Rest and Curecanti Creek.
Most tent campgrounds in the Montrose area feature basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables, but facilities vary significantly between locations. Angel Creek provides leveled tent pads, bear boxes for food storage, and vault toilets, while dispersed sites on BLM land typically offer no services beyond established fire rings. One camper described the Angel Creek facilities as "bear boxes for food storage, leveled tent areas, and pit toilets," noting the convenience of being "10 minutes outside downtown Ouray." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote tent camping areas, particularly those along Last Dollar Road or near Alta Lakes, where rough dirt roads can become challenging after rain or snow.
Tent campers in the Montrose region often enjoy exceptional solitude and scenic views. The more remote dispersed camping areas provide excellent star-gazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "the sites are much more spread out than nearby campgrounds," allowing for a more private tent camping experience. Fall tent camping is particularly rewarding with cooler temperatures, changing aspen colors, and fewer crowds at popular backcountry tent sites. Wildlife sightings are common at these tent campgrounds, with deer frequently passing through campsites. Campers should be bear-aware, especially at established tent camping areas like Angel Creek where bears have become habituated to searching for food. Winter access to higher-elevation tent camping areas is typically limited by snow until late spring.
