Dispersed camping areas near Norwood sit between 7,000-8,000 feet elevation in the western San Juan Mountains region. The area includes ponderosa pine forests, high desert terrain, and access to the San Miguel River watershed. Winter conditions typically close higher elevation roads from November through April, with summer temperatures ranging from 45°F at night to 90°F during peak daytime hours.
What to do
Mountain biking at Thunder Trails: Riders can access miles of cross-country style loop trails directly from Thunder Road Dispersed campsites. "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!"
Fishing at Miramonte Reservoir: The 405-acre reservoir at Miramonte Reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. "We brought our canoe so that we could try and catch lunch for the couple days we were there. Of the three species of trout we caught two rainbow trout and they were lunch both Saturday and Sunday."
OHV routes from Busted Arm Draw: Access numerous forest service roads connecting Norwood to surrounding towns. "Right off 44ZS (Lone Cone Road), there's easy access National Forest access to gravel and 4x4 roads that connect Norwood to Telluride, Rico, Dunton, Dolores, & Naturita."
What campers like
Dark sky viewing: The Busted Arm Draw camping area sits within a designated dark sky zone. "The entire area sits at about 8,000 ft in ponderosa forest. Many of the sites have excellent views of the Lone Cone mountain. The area is a designated dark sky zone, the night sky and the stars will blow your mind!"
River access paths: Trails from Caddis Flats campsites lead directly to the San Miguel River. "We parked by the boat ramp and there was a small trail that led back to an area that had about 4 tent sleeping areas and two fire rings... The river is right there in the campground and it is running pretty low right now, but still moving along quite nicely."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campers report wildlife sightings in the area. "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."
What you should know
High-clearance vehicles recommended: Many roads to dispersed camping areas require capable vehicles. "The road up is a bit rough. We managed it barely in all wheel drive vehicles but did get stuck for a bit at one point when we had to stop for someone on their way down."
Seasonal mosquito preparedness: Riverside campsites at Ledges Cottonwood Campground can have significant insect activity. "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!"
Limited cellular service: Cell reception varies widely across the area. "We have a weboost cell booster which is giving us ATT and Verizon a bar or two of LTE." Other campsites may have no service at all, particularly in canyons and lower elevations.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water play areas: The San Miguel River at Caddis Flats offers kid-friendly areas when water levels are low. "The kids were able to play around with minimal risk while supervised. There was a note saying that the river had changed paths up a ways and impassable by a boat."
Alta Lakes wildlife education: Alta Lakes Campground provides opportunities for nature observation at high elevation. "There are a lot of opportunities to hike and experience the history of the location."
Pet-friendly swimming spots: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Norwood provide water access. "The kids swam in it all weekend. We brought our canoe so that we could try and catch lunch for the couple days we were there."
Tips from RVers
Last Dollar Road cautions: Last Dollar Road requires careful route selection for larger vehicles. "We made the mistake of coming from the east end of Last Dollar Road with a stock F150 and a backpack camper. We made to the campsites but only because my husband is an expert! Highly recommend coming from Telluride side if your vehicle not high clearance with GOOD tires and 4x4."
Vault toilet availability: Many dispersed areas lack facilities, but established campgrounds maintain vault toilets. "The pit toilets were very clean, well stocked with toilet paper and had little odor. There was a bit of traffic noise from the highway that runs through the area but it died down sometime after midnight."
Limited parking at pull-outs: Some dispersed sites have restricted space. "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."
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