Tent campsites near Ophir, Colorado occupy national forest land at elevations above 10,000 feet where temperatures can drop below 40°F even in summer months. Camping areas around Ophir typically lack cell service, with most sites accessible between late May and early October depending on snowmelt conditions. Roads become increasingly challenging after rainfall, often requiring vehicles with higher clearance than standard passenger cars.
What to do
Explore ghost towns: Near Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed), visitors can discover historic mining remnants. "You can see them and experience what used to be. It's all dispersed camping so you can camp anywhere really," notes one camper who stayed behind the still-standing brothel building.
Fish alpine waters: Morning fishing at Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area offers opportunities for brook trout. A visitor reported: "We switched to a smaller dry fly to mimic what was hatching and we caught one fish. A super small brook trout, very pretty and very feisty."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We walked down to the lake where we saw some fish," mentions a camper who stayed at Priest Lake, while others report seeing deer, ducks, and geese around campsites.
What campers like
Private locations: Some dispersed areas offer more secluded options away from main camping zones. One reviewer of Red Mountain Creek praised their location: "Flat grassy site, good distance away from the campground below. Had the place to ourselves."
Morning scenery: The calm waters of lakes provide mirror-like reflections before daily winds pick up. "Early mornings often showcase calm, glassy water on the lakes, with trout visible near the surface," notes a visitor to Alta Lakes.
Seasonal water features: When timing permits, some sites allow for swimming. "One of those classic colorado vistas, with outdoors feel, safe swimming for children and all round good times," shares a summer visitor to Alta Lakes Campground.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements vary: Contrary to common advice, some visitors report accessing sites in standard cars. At Alta Lakes, a camper noted: "A LOT of different sources state that you need high clearance to get up here...not the case as we passed a few Prius' making the climb up the road to this site."
Timing is critical: Most sites fill early, especially on summer weekends. "This campsite fills up quite quickly. We arrived relatively early, but were unable to find a site," reports a visitor to Alta Lakes who arrived in the afternoon.
Weather preparedness: Angel Creek Campground and similar sites experience rapid weather changes. "We ended up staying inside most of the night and early morning because of the storm," recounts a visitor, emphasizing the importance of proper shelter.
Tent site surfaces: Many tent pads are uneven or rocky. "We would have been hard pressed to find level ground for our overland tents without putting blocks on the ground," explains a visitor to Alta Lakes.
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Sites near water require supervision. At Priest Lake, a camper mentioned, "The kids enjoyed being able to fish though with little supervision since the lake is really quite shallow and it's very close to the sites."
Child-friendly activities: Silver Lake provides hiking opportunities with viewing rewards. "Catching sunset in the San Juans on the edge of an alpine lake at 12,500ft is as great as it sounds," reports a visitor who completed the 3.4-mile hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.
Toilet facilities: Most dispersed campsites have limited or no facilities. At Priest Lake, a visitor warns: "There is one vault toilet, bring your own tp. Its not the prettiest vault but it works."
Protected food storage: Wildlife activity necessitates proper storage. A camper at one site cautions: "Bears (and moose) are extremely active in this area, so it is especially important to store food in bear canisters and tie up properly."
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Hermosa Park Road Dispersed offers various site sizes. "The sites very from very large, like the one pictured below, to small and tight. Almost all are directly on a creek," notes a visitor who explored the area in late August.
Road navigation advice: Many roads require careful driving regardless of vehicle type. A camper advises: "Make sure you enter from CO 52 then turn right onto 20A, if you enter 20A near the Silverton Lakes RV resort you will climb for a couple miles on a 4X4 trail with switchbacks and see nothing but private/no trespassing signs."
Parking surface considerations: Even with high-clearance vehicles, parking areas can be challenging. "Not the flattest of parking spots if using a rooftop tent or car camping without anything to level with," explains a camper who stayed at Angel Creek Campground.
