Looking for the best pet-friendly campgrounds near Ouray? Camping is an adventurous and unique way to escape the city—and you can bring along your furry friend. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Ouray's most popular destinations.
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.
Amphitheater Campground is located near the town of Ouray, Colo., at an elevation of 8,400 feet. Visitors enjoy the area for its beautiful scenery and great hiking and off-road trail opportunities.
Many hiking trails are found in the immediate area, including the popular Upper Cascade Falls Trail, which begins at the campground. Baby Bath Tubs and Chief Ouray Mine trails can also be accessed from the same trailhead. The campground is a favorite among jeep and off-road enthusiasts for its close proximity to a number of exciting trails in the surrounding area.
Many hiking trails are found in the immediate area, including the popular Upper Cascade Falls Trail, which begins at the campground. Baby Bath Tubs and Chief Ouray Mine trails can also be accessed from the same trailhead. The campground is a favorite among jeep and off-road enthusiasts for its close proximity to a number of exciting trails in the surrounding area.
The campground is named for the natural rock amphitheater that stands over Ouray. The massive gray cliffs were created by ancient volcanic and glacial activity. The campground is situated on the mountainside above Ouray, with stellar views of the amphitheater. A forest of Gambel oak trees and mixed conifers covers the area.
Ouray is known as America's Switzerland. The charming, historic, mountain town offers a variety of dining, shopping and lodging options, as well as a hot springs pool and a variety of annual festivals.
$28 / night
This is the most popular campground at Ridgway, located on the top of a mesa covered in Pinyon pine and juniper trees. Offering campsites 80-187, it is also part of the Dutch Charlie area of the park. RV campsites have electric hookups and shared water and there are 10 walk-in tent sites. The dump station is located down the hill at the entrance to the Dakota Terraces Campground.
All campgrounds offer: Restrooms; also, during the high season, showers, laundromat (coin operated), snack machines and a change machine in a Camper Services Building A playground Additional restrooms Hiking and biking trails
Telluride Town Park sits at the end of the main street in Telluride making it ideal for walking access to the downtown area and nearby hiking trails. Home to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Mountain Film Festival, this park is a happening spot to camp. As far as Telluride camping goes, this location is unbeatable! Online reservations only.
Molas Lake & Campground was granted to the Town of Silverton in 1925 from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The 137-acre campground sits along the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) in the central San Juan Mountains; the most spectacular peaks in the Colorado Rockies. The Campground is adjacent to the largest wilderness area in the state of Colorado, the Weminuche Wilderness.
Molas Lake Campground provides visitors with unforgettable scenery, a stocked 25-acre lake, National Forest access via the Colorado Trail, and dark, starry skies free from light-pollution.
$25 - $45 / night
Situated on several acres of beautiful landscape, the Ouray KOA Holiday offers several amenities such as a hot tub, pet walk, onsite restaurant, gem mining, and playground. With spacious RV sites, deluxe cabins, camping cabins, and a variety of tent sites, you can pick the pace of your travel. We offer an experience for every kind of camper, whether you're traveling with kids, pets, or friends, book your getaway today!
A camping trip to the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park makes for a beautiful getaway for sightseeing, stargazing, and hiking. The park protects the most dramatic section of the Gunnison River Canyon; no other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths of Black Canyon.
Take one of many spectacular hiking trails such as the Oak Flat Loop Trail and watch for birds like the black-billed magpie. In summer, catch an evening educational program in the campground amphitheater.______ Winter activities include snowshoeing on Rim Rock Trail or go cross country skiing on South Rim Drive (South Rim Campground is first-come, first-served in winter).
Take one of many spectacular hiking trails such as the Oak Flat Loop Trail and watch for birds like the black-billed magpie. In summer, catch an evening educational program in the campground amphitheater.______ Winter activities include snowshoeing on Rim Rock Trail or go cross country skiing on South Rim Drive (South Rim Campground is first-come, first-served in winter).
Perched on the South Rim of the Black Canyon, this campground is surrounded by scrub oak forests and sits atop ancient hard rocks. Deer, grouse, bears, and bobcats are known to frequent the area.
Visit the Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route. Head upstream to Curecanti National Recreation Area to enjoy water recreation on Colorado's largest reservoir.
$34 / night
Located in southwestern Colorado's San Juan Mountains, Ouray Riverside Resort has everything you need for the perfect vacation. We offer comfortable rooms, secluded cabins, and convenient RV sites just off U.S Route 550 (the Million Dollar Highway), along the Uncompahgre River.
Besides a variety of lodging accommodations, Ouray Riverside Resort has the amenities needed for a comfortable and convenient stay, including an onsite store, laundromat, jeep wash, fuel stations, and high-speed fiber optic WiFi. If you need a great meal, you can drop by our Ouray Cafe and Steakhouse. And, if you're looking to enjoy an off-roading adventure in the Ouray backcountry, one of our new Jeep Rubicons is exactly what you need.
All in all, Ouray Riverside Resort, is the perfect basecamp for your Ouray adventures. For more information, give us a call. We look forward to meeting you!
$50 - $99 / night
Please note that 4wd may be necessary.
In areas closed to the use of vehicles off forest roads, where developed parking sites are not provided, and where not otherwise prohibited, direct access to a suitable parking site within 300 feet of the road is permitted. Such travel must not damage the land or streams. Please select your route carefully, and do not cut live timber. Off road travel should be limited to when the ground is dry. The public is encouraged to camp in locations where others have previously camped and utilized existing routes to those camp areas. Campers are required to leave a clean camp, not to damage vegetation or pollute streams and lakes on the National Forest and implement “Leave No Trace” practices
Finding a site to camp and enjoy dispersed recreation activities in remote areas or in relative solitude has become a popular form of camping throughout the Forest. At some more popular areas,toilet facilities may be provided. Contact the local Forest Service office for current information and refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for each forest (Grand Mesa, Gunnison, and Uncompahgre National Forests). Dispersed camping is permitted in most areas of the Forest. Some caution should be used in selecting a site because of intermingled private lands within the National Forest. Recreation maps are available at all local Forest Service offices. Personnel at each office can answer questions on specific sites. Unlike developed campgrounds which are designed and maintained to protect the vegetation, soils, and natural setting, camping in undeveloped areas require more from the camper to help keep the site in the condition in which it was found. Dispersed camping must not occur within 100 feet of water sources (rivers, streams, ponds, or wetlands) or within 100 feet of any road or system trail. In some areas, dispersed camping is restricted to specific sites, contact the local Forest Service office for current information. Campsites can be occupied for no more than 14 days, then the site must be moved at least 3 miles away. Camping is also limited to a total of 28 days in a 60 day period.
$28 - $50 / night
Nice campground with spacious sites. Concrete pads under the picnic table and fire pits. Water access nearby. Bathrooms were super clean and the showers were nice and hot. Laundry facilities available. We stayed on D-183 and had a nice view of the mountains and the lake. Definitely one of the best state park campgrounds in Colorado.
I got in on a Wednesday around noon and was able to get one of the first come first serve spots in the C loop. Some are a little more secluded then others, but quite a few didn’t seem to have good shade. Fire pits, picnic table, and bear box in every site. There was a fun campground program that night that lasted about 40 minutes and around 30-35 people were there.
Beautiful 1 mile hike to the visitor center. Super convenient if you’re planning to do anything inner canyon
Loved this spot! Many spots along the road. Wildlife viewings were great. Starlink works amazing. 10/10
This rv is a lovely oasis for humans and dogs. Scott the host’s mission is to make sure everyone has a great stay.
Mid week after Labor Day. Site d92. Quiet. Flush restrooms are clean. Water spigots close. Power in site. Close to 550 for easy stop. However sites are small and close together. Somewhat level paved driveway. But site is terraced into the hill. 1 bar lte for T mobile If you were here for the lake it would rate higher.
I did not stay here. Got up to the entrance (turnaround) to find signs warning of overall length limitations. In my case with a pickup plus tow camper I was beyond the advised maximum length—which was noted as both 29’ and 35’ accordingly.
It was beautiful but SO buggy in June on the lake. Probably better later in year.
This site is easily accessed from the highway; I think even sedans could get to the first few sites if they went slowly. Sites 1-5 are close enough to the highway to get some road noise, but have good tree cover and great views of Grand Turk Mountain! The sites further in are more sheltered from road noise. Beautiful area to camp!
This site is very accessible and has tons of spots. It also seems to be the closest place to legally disperse camp south of Ouray. However, there's a ton of road noise from both the highway and the unpaved roads used to access campsites. Conditions were also very dusty from traffic on the unpaved roads. Lastly, it's tough to find private areas to pee that are also a safe distance away from the creek. Nice views, though!
Amazing views and a heck of a ride in describe this place well. We came on Labor Day weekend and somehow managed a spot at the campsites; only 20 available sites at the lakes so get there early.
Very close to Black Canyon park, nice private spots, road was a little gutted out but the corolla made it through no problem 🤟. some coyotes howling at night and my site was pretty close to the road
Book it Now! This RV park will fill up quickly. Riverbend is a beautiful park in a fantastic location. What sets this park apart from others is the owners and camp hosts. The park's owners are exceptional; everything they do is done for the benefit of their guests.
A few examples include oversized RV sites, WiFi, and they even love dogs because they have an off-lease dog park. The camp hosts here are fantastic;
Rob and Becky and Kirby and Robin are two couples that truely went above and beyond. They are simply the best!
We had such a great time we invited several of our friends to come down and rent a cabin, which they all did, and we had an absolute blast! The most amazing trip ever!
Simple and nice !
Drove to end of FS 633 to find an unoccupied clean, dispersed campsite with plenty of room. From there, hiked along the adjoining irrigation ditch to Piedra River Falls trailhead for breathtaking views of the multi-tiered waterfalls.
I stayed here for one night and was pleasantly surprised. It’s surrounded by tall Lodgepole pines that offer awesome shade and privacy from neighbors. Bathrooms were clean. Camp hosts were friendly. It sounds like there is a lot of bear activity so tent camping could be a concern. There were mostly RVs.
There’s a turn around about 1/4 mile up the trail.
I took the upper road from 62 and yes, it was a bit rocky, but I read that the other way from Telluride was rutted out as well. It's only 3mi of true 4x4 road to get up to the bluff. I was in a Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 and pulling a 13' off road trailer. Nothing too crazy but caution if it has been raining.
If you stay at the coordinates it has an amazing view. A thunderstorm did roll in over night with 50mph winds so that wasn't much fun. I left the next morning incase the dirt roads got too muddy.
I saw multiple people coming from both ways with 4x4 vehicles so it can't be too bad. AT&T service was good
This place is close to Telluride Mountain and fairly close to Telluride. You can take two gondola rides from Telluride Mountain down into Telluride. The campground is nestled in the trees with a few open sites in the middle. The camp hosts were very friendly and kept the place tidy. There is firewood for sale. The main bathroom has running water, flush toilets and hot showers, which I honestly can say was pretty great. We were at site 15 which was pretty small but we were able to get in there with our rooftop tent on a truck. Some sites are next to a stream but also close to the highway. There are a few pull through sites.
What was not mentioned in other reviews is there is a dirt road above the campground called Priest Lake Road which leads to Priest Lake that has tent sites on the lake and then further up is Trout Lake. Trout Lake has a boat ramp and you can paddle board there. I wish I had known that, as I would have brought my paddle board.
The Galloping Goose Trail is right behind site 15 and apparently goes all the way to Telluride.
I stayed here throughout the summer in 2024. It is a great place to explore from into the many surrounding popular locations. Gunnison is 25 minutes out, Crested Butte an hour, Ouray, Silverton, Lake City, Arkansas River Wilderness all an hour to 90 minutes away. Many hiking trails in the National Forrest's are just a few minutes away. World Class fishing in the Gunnison River as well as Blue Mesa Reservoir. These are a few of the Pro's of this Thousand Trails Campground. The back in sites are fairly level. Some need a wedge level to bring your rig closer to level. Class A's have no issues backing into spots. 50-30-15 Amp, Sewer and Water at the majority of the spots. I stayed in the upper section and had no problem getting a reservation, even on busier weekends.
The dig is that you will be backed up and beside other campers. By this, I mean their rigs will be within 20 feet of you. Sipping coffee, you will be able to have a conversation in a low voice with your camping neighbors. Not a big deal for me, I am a friendly and generous neighbor. Heck, I even share the fish I catch with those that do not have a Kayak or fishing gear. There is no Cellular service at this Campground. They have Wi-Fi, but I cannot attest to its strength or reliability; I use Starlink. They have Laundry at $2 a load for wash and $2 a load for dry. A small swimming pool that closes at 8. Bathrooms with showers that are cleaned daily. A nice paved road throughout.
I use this Campground to explore and enjoy hiking, fishing and 4WD into remote areas near hear. I can stay 21 days, out 7 and right back for another 21 if I desire. I disperse camp and come back to do laundry, rinse tanks, resupply fresh water tank. Gunnison has a Safeway, Local Grocery and Walmart. The Walmart is not a super store and has very little in the way of groceries. Local Grocers and Safeway are your better choice for food.
Montrose is an hour away. However, Hwy 50 is down to one lane once in the morning and once in the evening due to bridge repairs. You cannot pull a trailer across the bridge at any times. Towing, you are required to use County Road 26 detour. It also has a pilot car guide and at only a few times a day. It is almost 2 hour detour. Check with Colorado Dept. Transportation for info.
Stayed in the loop D Back-In section. It has water and electric. The bathrooms are clean and sanitary. No showers. Just sinks and toilets. You are in close proximity to other campers as is usual in a BLM or NFS campground. Not an issue really. There is a rodent issue at the camp. Use cotton balls soaked in mint oil under the hood of vehicles to deter from wires being chewed. Do not feed or leave food out. I had several chipmunks crawl up on me sitting in my camp chair. The night sky is awesome. Several hiking trails near to enjoy as well as off road exploring in the surrounding National Forest. Fly fishing in the Gunnison as well as great fishing and swimming in Blue Mesa Reservoir is a short walk or drive. The Village of Gunnison is 30 minutes away, Crested Butte an hour.
We loved this campground. Easy to find, well maintained. Clean bathrooms. Pot holes weren’t that bad. 20B was spacious but no trees for shade. 17A was closer to the lake, great spot, little too close to the pot smoking, drunken couple arguing half the night… then the monsoon like rain started. Not the campgrounds fault though
Great stay and amenities availability.
Nice campground, can be reserved through recreation.gov. We were happy to have hot showers as we were on day 4&5 of our camping across Colorado honeymoon and it had rained nights 1-4. There were two camp hosts both of the ladies were nice. The outer spots on the backside of the loop are tucked more into the woods which would have been lovely but they were not available when we reserved our spot at the last minute. It is fairly close to the highway but there is a creek close and drowns out most of road noise at night. Nice trail close to walk. Our last night a camper pulled in late and kept his generator on all night which was annoying but the camp hosts spoke with him the next morning!
We stumbled upon this campsite through Dyrt. We left on a 10 day honeymoon to the mountains with no real plans. This was our first time to the Silverton area and this spot was perfect for us to spend two nights. The spot we camped at was the first one when you pull in. This spot would be great for large campers or campers with horses/trailers. It had several large pines for us to put our tent between to help with the rain coverage as it rained both nights we were there. This spot is closer to the highway but we weren't there during the day and at night there was not a lot of road noise. We did have to drive to the bathrooms from this site due to the rain and distance. Would stay here again.
The road to get to the site is rough. You need 4x4 and high clearance vehicle and good tires. I saw a sedan with a flat tire trying to make its way up.. while the campground had stunning views and a nice fire pit, most sites didn’t have a flat spot for a tent or multiple tents.
With that being said, if rain is in the forecast, your site will flood. We were site 6 and our tent was underwater. Same with the site next to us and across from us and the fire pit was a cauldron of water.
Great dispersed camping close to town with a decent number of spots that feel secluded, but people were NOT exaggerating about the road. I took my 4Runner up and spun in a few spots, though I also saw someone manage to get a teardrop up with some careful maneuvering. Overall great spot if you’re in Ouray with a vehicle that can handle some ruts
The location shown looks like it’s super far out but you can find campgrounds pretty close to the entrance(10 minutes from parking lot). There is also a portapotty within walking distance of the first camping loop, and the site has a table and fire ring. You do need to know how to drive on and around rock in the road though.
Camping near Ouray, Colorado, offers stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a cozy established campground or a more rugged dispersed camping experience, there's something for everyone.
Camping near Ouray, Colorado, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation. With beautiful landscapes and a variety of campgrounds, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next outdoor getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ouray, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ouray, CO is Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) with a 4.4-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ouray, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 155 dog-friendly camping locations near Ouray, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
