Searching for a tent campsite near Ophir? Finding a place to camp in Colorado with your tent has never been easier. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Alta Lakes is a popular dispersed camping area that offers fishing and camping in a spectacular alpine setting. There are 20 designated campsites that are completely undeveloped. The access road to the area is narrow and rough, requiring a high clearance vehicle. Trailers and RV's are not reccomended.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Angel Creek Campground is a primitive campground requiring high clearance vehicles. There are 8 designated camp sites with tent pads and fire rings/grills. Port-a-potties are available.
Thistledown Campground is adjacent to the historic site of Thistledown and the Weehawken Trailhead in Canyon Creek near Ouray, CO. There are 9 designated campsites with tent pads and fire rings/grills. A vault restroom and trash service is available. There is no water. This campground is heavily used by people planning to hike into Mount Sneffles & on other nearby trails, enjoying the wildflowers in Yankee Boy Basin or driving on the local jeep trails. Tent camping is recommended.
GuideWe arrived in the dark and left in the dark in late December 2024. The pull-off was flat and about 150ft from highway 160. There was a gate near our spot that was closed, presumably for the winter. Although we could hear road traffic it didn't keep us awake. There was about 4" of snow on the road.
Ranger
Blue Lakes Trailhead Dispersed Camping, located near Mount Sneffels in Colorado, offers an incredibly remote and breathtaking camping experience. If you're looking to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in pristine wilderness, this spot is ideal. The campsites are dispersed along the trailhead, offering peace and solitude with stunning views of the surrounding peaks and alpine lakes.
The beauty of this dispersed camping area is its complete immersion in nature. With no designated campsites or amenities, you get to choose your own perfect spot in the forest, whether it’s near the rushing creek or with views of the towering mountains. This is truly a wilderness experience, so you’ll need to be fully self-sufficient—bring your own water, food, and a solid plan for waste disposal.
The Blue Lakes Trailhead offers some of Colorado’s most scenic hiking, including access to the famous Blue Lakes and a challenging ascent of Mount Sneffels. The hike itself rewards adventurers with awe-inspiring views of alpine lakes, wildflowers, and rugged mountain terrain. It’s perfect for those seeking an immersive backcountry experience.
One downside of this dispersed camping is that the road leading to the trailhead is rough, so it’s best suited for high-clearance vehicles, and be prepared for the possibility of unpredictable weather, as storms can roll in quickly in the mountains.
Overall, Blue Lakes Trailhead Dispersed Camping is an incredible option for experienced campers looking to enjoy the wild beauty of Colorado’s high country. It’s remote, peaceful, and surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the state.
Ranger
Matterhorn Campground, located near Telluride and nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, offers an excellent balance of comfort and outdoor adventure. This well-maintained campground is perfect for campers seeking easy access to Colorado’s stunning alpine scenery without sacrificing convenience.
The campsites are clean, spacious, and equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Some sites even offer electric hookups, making it a great option for RV travelers. The surrounding area is breathtaking, with panoramic views of rugged peaks, lush forests, and wildflower-filled meadows.
One of the campground’s standout features is its proximity to the Uncompahgre Wilderness and nearby trails, such as the iconic Ice Lake Basin or Blue Lakes hikes. It’s also just a short drive to Telluride, where you can enjoy its historic charm and famous gondola rides.
The elevation keeps the temperatures cool, even in summer, and the nights are peaceful—perfect for stargazing. The campground is accessible via a paved road, which is a bonus for those with larger vehicles.
Whether you’re here for hiking, fishing, or simply soaking up the mountain views, Matterhorn Campground provides a great basecamp for exploring Colorado’s high country. With its mix of amenities and natural beauty, it’s a solid choice for both novice and seasoned campers alike.
Ranger
Nestled just minutes above the charming mountain town of Ouray, Amphitheater Campground is a true gem for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Surrounded by the breathtaking San Juan Mountains, this campground offers stunning views, a peaceful atmosphere, and convenient access to hiking trails, hot springs, and the iconic Million Dollar Highway.
The campsites are well-spaced, offering a mix of shade and sun. Many sites provide spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valley below. The facilities are basic but well-maintained, with clean vault toilets and potable water. While there are no hookups for RVs, the campground’s rustic vibe is perfect for tent camping or smaller camper setups.
One of the highlights is its proximity to the Perimeter Trail, a scenic loop around Ouray, and other popular hikes like the Box Canyon Falls trail. You’re also a short drive from town, where you can enjoy the famous hot springs or grab a meal.
A word of caution: the road to the campground is steep and narrow, so it may not be ideal for large RVs. Be sure to plan for cool nights, as temperatures drop significantly due to the elevation.
Overall, Amphitheater Campground offers an unbeatable combination of solitude, accessibility, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re looking for a basecamp for outdoor adventures or simply a serene spot to relax, this campground delivers.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranger
Madden Peak dispersed camping is a fantastic option for those seeking a peaceful and scenic camping experience near Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, and Durango. This area is big rig accessible, with relatively flat camping spots, though the access roads can be bumpy at times . Campfires are allowed, making it a cozy spot for evenings under the stars.
The location offers stunning views of the La Plata Mountains and the surrounding wilderness, providing a serene backdrop for your stay. For outdoor enthusiasts, nearby hiking options include the Madden Peak Trail, which spans 4.5 miles and can be extended to summit Parrot Peak and Gibbs Peak. It's an ideal choice for campers who enjoy combining relaxation with outdoor adventure.
Scout
We stayed for 3 nights due to the convenience of Mesa Verde NP. The GPS coordinate on Google were spot on. The driveway was a little rough and can get very pitted with wet weather. We have a 38 foot 5th wheel that had plenty of clearance. We stayed in site 9. They do recommend 30ft and under but we got lucky there was an available site.
Traveler
Stayed for 4 nights in early Oct 2024. Nice little campground with large bear boxes for food storage. I felt it's at a good location to venture off each day from.
Not too many sites, had leveled tent areas, pit toilets, deer went through the campground adding to the nice views there and a river by it.
The cons were there's no trash disposal there you need to go up the road to the other campground to get rid of it, cars were constantly going by looking for a campsite which was constant noise into the evening and they went really fast making the campground road not feel very safe to walk along, not the flattest of parking spots if using a rooftop tent or car camping without anything to level with
Enjoyed the place.
ScoutTent camping is pricey but the amenities r almost with it. Close to black canyon and in town food and booze with in walking distance. What more could u ask for. A pool, they got that.
Traveler
We loved our stay at the South Rim Campground. It was the perfect spot to explore the national park and take in its stunning views. The drive down towards the East Portal Campground was amazing and led us right to the beautiful Gunnison River, where we enjoyed some great fly fishing. Highly recommend
Traveler
Great campground just 10 minutes from Silverton. Several spots are right next to a small stream, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The vault toilet helped us conserve water, and we used the public shower/bathroom in Silverton, which was very convenient. It's also close to many hiking trails, making it a great base for outdoor activities.
Traveler
Definitely need 4 wheel drive to get up to sites, had to build our own fire pit but that was ok! The views were phenomenal.
Scout
This is my second time here and it is always such a great experience. I don’t even want to brag about it because I want to keep it to myself.
Scout
Camped at site #11. Beautiful sunset view. We drove a 4WD truck with truck bed camper with no problem. Never took it out of 2WD.
Scout
It is a little bit of a maze of roads, some are gonna need vehicles with higher clearance, careful not to commit too much on a road if you're unsure about your vehicle's offroading capability. If you get to a site, most have room for 1/2 vehicles and tents. Beautiful trees, each spot feels pretty secluded from others. Plenty of downed trees for firewood if fire danger is low. Will definitely come back.
Traveler
Reasonable prices & open during the winter.
The lake is beautiful and a great trail network around the camp, good for trail running.
Traveler
Clean, hot showers and large laundry room.
One of the more beautiful RV sites, sitting along the silverton & Durango tourist train.
However given we don’t even plug in, $78 including tax is too expensive for us.
Traveler17 spots all pretty spaced out, filled up around 5pm on Sunday October 12 (but this could be due to the Indigenous Peoples day being tomorrow).
The surrounding landscape is beautiful.
We didn’t find the road too bad in our Ram Promaster, but we have a pretty high clearance.
Scout
Beautiful place! It's pretty easy to get into, there are more secluded places up the hill a ways but it gets kinda rough. You can hear the highway, but it's not much. Just ambient background noise. I got a spot with shade all day, so that was awesome. There was one night an inconsiderate person parked his company truck and camper as close to me as was possible with wide open space all over and ran his generator. Luckily he was gone the next day.
Guide
Some of the roads were really rutted out, but we were lucky and everything was dry so we were able to get thru in my forester. There are some spots at the beginning of the property but there are more if you follow the dirt road back another two miles or so. Beautiful views, quiet and secluded. We did find a few deer legs left behind, so keep an eye out for Mountain Lion
Scout
The off road trail it get to Alta lakes took us about 40-50 minutes in my boyfriends F-150. The views were amazing so neither of us really minded. We enjoyed our 1 night stay and did not struggle to find a spot
Guide
We arrived at a Saturday around 3 pm and still had many opportunities to find a place. Lovley place to stay. As a toilet. I can recomment to stay there in fall.
Traveler
Very well maintained campground. Stayed in tent. Bathroom and shower new and very clean. Excellent views.
Scout
Friendly staff. Clean restrooms and showers
ScoutVery friendly staff. Easy access
TravelerVisited the first week of October 2024. Had beautiful weather, no bugs and few campers. Sites are dirt so I can see it be being messy when wet. Only few sites at entrance for larger campers. We got into with a Bean teardrop np.
Legend
The site is literally right off of hwy 160. If your gps tries to send you through residential areas or on county roads don’t listen to it.
There are quite a few available spots and most are pretty big. Roads can be a bit rough the farther back you go but it’s got large easy to access spots close to the front. It’s pretty busy but still plenty of room for everyone to have their own space.
Phone and internet connection is excellent!
Scout
Unfortunately the gates go this campground were locked!
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of Colorado, Ophir offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ophir, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ophir, CO is Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) with a 4.4-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ophir, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 48 tent camping locations near Ophir, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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