Dispersed camping sites near Nucla, Colorado range from established campgrounds with amenities to primitive spots along riverbanks and forest service land. The area sits at approximately 5,800 feet elevation with summer temperatures reaching the 90s and cool nights dropping into the 40s even during warm months. Weather patterns can change rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months across the western Colorado plateau.
What to do
Fossil hunting and hiking: Bedrock Recreation Site offers trails with interesting geological features. A local visitor shared, "There is a trail that goes back a bit... He commented that there aren't much for rattlesnakes, only seen one in the last 10 years, lots of bull snakes though and they kill the rattlesnakes."
River activities: The San Miguel River provides opportunities for fishing and rafting at Ledges Rockhouse Campground. One camper noted, "There nice trout to be caught when the river is running clear. Locals said that some pull out catfish too."
Mountain biking from camp: Thunder Road Dispersed camping area connects directly to trail systems. According to a review, "There aren't many places where you can camp in a cool pine tree forest, hop on your mtb or dirt bike, and ride right from camp. Thunder Trails are it!"
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Ledges Cottonwood Campground visitors enjoy spotting various animals. One camper reported, "We watched golden eagles soaring along the canyon rim above us and added a couple of high desert birds to our life list. We did have a fox visit us one morning."
Night skies: Uravan Ballpark Campground offers excellent stargazing. A camper described, "Night was amazing. Wide open skies, bats flitting around, stars covering the sky, and fireflies flickering all around us."
Spring wildflowers: Columbine Campground in Uncompahgre Forest is known for its seasonal blooms. A visitor mentioned, "This was a great place to camp in spring due to the wildflowers. It's also great since other campgrounds aren't open yet or still covered in snow."
What you should know
Insect considerations: Mosquitoes can be problematic in riverside camping areas. A Ledges Cottonwood Area camper advised, "The mosquitos can be quite bad. During the super heat of the day they were there but not overwhelming, but by the time it started to cool slightly, they came out in full force!"
Site conditions vary: Some campgrounds may have overgrown sites during peak growth seasons. At Bedrock Recreation Site, a camper observed, "This site is incredibly overgrown. Our options for tent placement were in the mud due to rain or on really high weeds."
Road access challenges: Many camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. As one Ledges Cottonwood visitor described, "We had to go through a cattle gate, it's not always closed but this trip it was. Rule of thumb, leave it how you found it... The road is narrow and a bit bumpy."
Tips for camping with families
River play areas: Uravan Ballpark Campground offers safe water access for children. A camper shared, "Right off our site were some little stairs that led right down to the river... There was a lovely bench that was carved out of a tree, nice little addition to the view of the river."
Wildlife education opportunities: Families can observe various desert wildlife. At Ledges Rockhouse, a reviewer noted, "The locals told us that bear come through at night and so do mountain lions. Both have been seen in the last week. They don't usually bother anything but keep your kids and dogs close."
Covered picnic areas: Some campsites near Nucla provide shelters for weather protection. A visitor to Bedrock Recreation Site mentioned, "There are four cabanas, each with a grill, no fire pit, and each with a picnic table."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: RV camping options vary by location. For Ledges Cottonwood, a camper advised, "We have a short 5th wheel but I think any camper under 32' should have no problem. As the other review pointed out, the road in is narrow and there is a cattle fence/gate at the beginning."
Seasonal access: Some campgrounds near Nucla have limited seasonal availability. A Columbine Campground visitor noted, "The aspens had not yet bloomed but were definitely budding. There are no tables in the campsites and there was no host when we were there. This site says max RV length of 32 ft and ours is 34ft and many of the sites are pull through."
Amenities for longer stays: Camp V offers more developed options for RVers wanting additional comforts. The campground provides "several types of dwellings for you to choose from" including RV sites with electric hookups, making it suitable for extended stays.
