Dispersed camping opportunities around Nucla, Colorado range from basic sites to developed campgrounds across varying elevations and ecosystems. Located in western Colorado's high desert at approximately 5,800 feet, the area experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, particularly at higher elevation sites. Most camping areas require visitors to practice leave-no-trace principles with limited or no facilities available.
What to do
Fishing in alpine lakes: At Oowah Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing in a clear mountain lake. "The deep, clear, emerald lake is perfect for a quick dip after a hot day," notes Lucille W., who also mentions hiking opportunities from the same area, "We hiked about a 3 mile round trip up to Clarke Lake - which is equally as beautiful and definitely worth a visit."
Off-road adventures: Many campgrounds serve as excellent basecamps for off-road exploration. "Great spot for jeeping. The area was clean and quiet," reports Jacob B. about Angel Creek Campground, located just outside Ouray with convenient access to popular 4x4 routes.
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution makes this region ideal for viewing night skies. According to Kelsey I. at Priest Lake, "The stars were BEAUTIFUL! This is a great spot for stargazers too." The higher elevation campgrounds provide particularly clear viewing conditions when skies are cloudless.
What campers like
Alpine lake access: Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area offers immediate water access from many sites. Kyle P. describes it as "a magical spot near Telluride" and notes "we drove our campervan in there & slept 2 nights while meeting other amazing campers." The lake provides both recreation and scenic value.
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation camping areas provide relief from summer heat. "It was worth the 1/2 hour drive to this wooded paradise to get out of the dust, dirt, heat and wind of desert campsites!" explains Tom C. about Oowah Campground. This temperature differential can be as much as 15-20 degrees compared to lower elevations.
Wildlife viewing: The diversity of habitats supports various wildlife. Kim S. observed at Angel Creek Campground that "deer went through the campground adding to the nice views there and a river by it." Bear activity is also noted in some areas, particularly around Priest Lake where Christina A. advises "Bears (and moose) are extremely active in this area, so it is especially important to store food in bear canisters."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some of the best tent camping near Nucla, Colorado requires careful vehicle consideration. At Fall Creek Camping, Mike notes "The directions led us to the campground, would be easy to miss otherwise," while at Oowah Campground, Lucille W. reports "The road up to the lake is about 3 miles of washboardy gravel. It was a bit sketchy in my 2002 Honda Civic - but she made it up just fine!"
Campground facilities: Most sites offer minimal amenities. Ben R. says of Angel Creek, "Most had bear boxes, we actually moved from our original site to a different one closer to the beautiful sounding river to get a bear box." When toilet facilities exist, they're typically vault toilets that may not be regularly maintained.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly. Dalton V. advises at Oowah Campground, "Great spot to escape the summer heat in Moab," but higher elevations can experience unexpected storms and temperature drops, particularly in late afternoon during monsoon season.
Tips for camping with families
Look for protected sites: When camping with children, seeking sheltered locations can improve comfort. At Alta Lakes Campground, Melissa K. observed, "The lake is amazing, people were fishing, although I didn't see anyone pulling out fish. There are a lot of opportunities to hike and experience the history of the location."
Pack extra layers: Temperature swings are significant, especially at night. Beth W. notes about Alta Lakes, "Even at the end of July it got really chilly up on top of the mountain but I would highly recommend it."
Water safety considerations: Families camping near lakes should be prepared for water activities. Melissa K. reports at Miramonte Reservoir, "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
Site selection challenges: Many camping areas have limited level ground. Robert H. observed at Fall Creek Camping, "Small area of uneven ground. Not good for large campers," while Betsy A. noted about Alta Lakes, "We would have been hard pressed to find level ground for our overland tents without putting blocks on the ground."
Camper size limitations: Smaller RVs and campervans fare better than large rigs. Nathan L. reports about Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area, "We took our travel trailer (22' total) up, just have to be careful. It was a good place to stay, pretty scenic area." Vault toilets are available at some but not all locations.
Generator etiquette: Some dispersed camping areas have no regulations regarding generator use. Jeff N. notes at Yellow Circle Road, "Awesome BLM" camping with good accessibility, though adjacent campers may run generators that can affect the wilderness experience.
