Tent campers can choose various campgrounds near Nucla, Colorado, ranging from established sites to dispersed camping areas. Miramonte Reservoir offers tent camping with picnic tables and fire rings, located south of Norwood in Western Colorado. Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area provides free tent sites near Telluride with designated camping spots. Alta Lakes Campground, situated high in the San Juan Mountains, features 20 designated tent camping sites with fire rings around alpine lakes.
Most tent sites in the region have minimal amenities, with vault toilets available at some locations but not all. Campers should bring their own water, as drinking water is rarely provided at these primitive campgrounds. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many tent camping areas, particularly Alta Lakes where the road includes rough terrain and occasional water crossings. Fire rings are common at designated sites, but campers should check current fire restrictions before their trip. Several campgrounds, including Yellow Circle Road Dispersed Camping Area, require pack-in, pack-out practices for all waste and trash.
In early fall, many tent sites offer crisp air and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time to visit. The higher elevation campgrounds like Alta Lakes provide stunning mountain views but can experience significant temperature drops at night. Tent campers at Priest Lake enjoy relative seclusion despite the campground's popularity, with sites spread out enough to maintain privacy. The terrain varies from open areas with little shade to forested spots that offer protection from sun and wind. A camper noted, "We were able to get our popup to these sites but not necessarily recommended to even attempt to bring a trailer. Worth the risk because, wow! Perfect lake views, snow capped mountain tops, and wildflowers for days."
"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."
"We got up there late, the wind was blowing, it was raining and the ground was insanely hard!"
"first come first serve with easy access to the water not too crouded, large camp spaces with daily clean up."
"This was our second night boondocking near Moab, and it was peaceful. We were the only ones out in this area camping with not a single car driving by while we were here."
"AFTER CLEANING UP A HUGE MESS THAT SOME A HOLE LEFT, we arranged our gear and set up camp. Best time I have ever had camping. We were even greeted with 4" of snow our last day there!"
"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."
from $50 - $125 / night
"Our site was a little close to the road so we did her some road noise but not enough to bother us. dog loved chasing the lizards around the camp site ."
"Chose a spot I could get to with my small car - a few fire pits around evidenced past campers. Unfortunately there was quite a bit of trash around."
"Pretty spot with stream water right behind the sites. You have to drive over a stream when you come in but it was easily crossed when we visited."
"As in the description, very quiet, and accessibility can be tricky when weather comes into play."
"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."
"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 $45 / night
"We stayed here for a long weekend to go see Telluride and the surrounding area. The directions led us to the campground, would be easy to miss otherwise."
ScoutDecent camping spot if no rain in the forecast. We got up the dirt/clay road fine in the evening with 2WD but a small amount of rain turned the clay into a sticky, muddy mess. Had to wait it out until sun dried out enough to drive down. Definitely encourage 4WD.
TravelerGreat little spot. Was very private. Ford F150 towing a 22’ camper. I didn’t go to the top but camped about halfway in and the road wasn’t too bad. I probably could have made it to the top camping spots at the end of the dirt road but didn’t want to risk it
TravelerGreat spot just off the main road. Nice canyon views
ScoutRoad is terrible. 2.5 miles off road to find out the entrance is a wasteland.
TravelerVery muddy but easily found a spot. Not crowded at all (granted it is mid to late October but still).
GuideAs soon as I left 191, at the gate, there was a sign reading "no camping beyond this point". It was wrong. If you continue to follow the road, you will arrive at the location. It was a little rocky in the way up to the higher level, but doable in a 2wd pickup.
GuideThis is an amazing 7day spot with spectacular views but the rd here is rocky and rutted! I made it in my van but probably wouldn’t recommend it
GuideKen’s Lake was a great little spot just outside Moab if you’re looking for rustic camping without a bunch of extra fluff.
There are pit toilets and no water, so bring your own and plan accordingly. Once you’ve accepted that, it’s a really nice place to camp.
One of the best parts was the walk to Faux Falls. My 10-year-old kept talking about wanting to go see “Fox Falls,” and for a while I genuinely thought he had somehow discovered some other waterfall in the area that I didn’t know about. I kept wondering how on earth he knew about this mystery waterfall considering he had never even been here before.
Eventually I realized he meant Faux Falls.
So naturally that turned into a family lesson on French words, silent letters, and why the French apparently decided spelling should just be more of a suggestion.
The kids and dogs absolutely loved it. They had a blast running around, exploring, and making the walk out to the falls.
Ken’s Lake is simple, scenic, close to Moab, and a great place to let the kids and dogs burn off some energy. Just bring plenty of water, be prepared for pit toilets, and don’t be surprised if your kid starts telling you about mysterious waterfalls that don’t actually exist.
RangerThis is pretty easy to find on the right.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nucla, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nucla, CO is Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) with a 4.4-star rating from 49 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Nucla, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Nucla, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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