Best Tent Camping near Ouray, CO
Searching for a tent camping spot near Ouray? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Ouray's most popular destinations.
Searching for a tent camping spot near Ouray? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each tent 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.
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.
Dispersed camping is a great way to enjoy the experience of camping away from developed campgrounds. Keep in mind, there are no picnic tables, drinking water, or toilets available. Please adhere to dispersed camping guidelines: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd766784.pdf
If you are tent camping I would try and get a site that is next to the reservoir. Makes for a great sunset view! Overall the campsite is well maintained. Each tent site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Everyone is generally spread out enough that noise isn't an issue.
The walk to the river was short and there even is a parking area for those who are not camping but want to fish.
Sites were well maintained, restroom and showers were as well.
Picnic tables, fire ring and grill at all sites. Deer wandered around freely and was an extremely restful night.
They offer pull in sites or walk in tent sites. I chose a pull in even though I was tent camping. Had to check out a few sites to be sure there was level/cactus free spot to pitch the tent.
Tent camped here at campsite 8 for five nights. Very nice tents sites but after traveling the country I felt it sucked because showers were $5 for a four minute shower and the toilets were basically glorified holes in the ground. Beautiful sights everywhere. Not far from Silverton and the OHV routes.
Views are stunning!! Best location to camp near Ouray as the hiking (right off the campground) is amazing! Close drive into town. Sites are nice. Some closer together than others. It gets busy so make reservations. Host was attentive.
We originally had a tent site in Elk Ridge, but our friends with an RV couldn't get a site on that side of the park for the same dates. Rather than have the 8 kids between us so far apart, we decided to get a tent site in Pa-Co. We got #294, primarily because the tent sites are about 50 yards from the parking lot, and with 6 of us we haul a lot of stuff. 294 was one of the closest to the parking lot, with the downside it was also closest to the pit toilet. If it was just two people with a couple backpacks this is a great location as you don't have any car noise and you're not hauling much, but for us it was a pain.
It was a beautiful view of the river from the site. Sites are small and fairly close together but it was a quiet campground. The bathroom wasn't a problem except for a couple of hours when it seemed like someone left a door open and the wind was blowing our direction.
Our tent is massive, and too big for the 10x10 space for tents at the site so we had to do some moving around but made it work. I'd bring our smaller one next time. The tent campground is well maintained and quiet, and the weather is great in the summer as the river keeps it cool. The RV site our friend has didn't have a lot of trees and was close to the highway, so for just hanging out ours was preferable.
Unfortunately the showers at the shower house about 100 yards away were closed due to COVID, but the weather is cool and dry mostly so not a big deal. The shower house and laundry were very well kept, and the campground hosts were very friendly. Firewood was $5 and I believe ice was only $1.
The park overall was great. We drove to the other parts to rent paddleboards and had a great time - very reasonably priced. It worked well as a base for side trips, as Ouray and Ridgway were easy to get to, as was Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP.
The best thing about this park was the location. It is located close to Ouray and many activities in the area. The park also offers beautiful scenery and it is a wonderful Basecamp for exploring the area. There is a state park nearby with a beautiful lake and kayaking. There are hiking trails nearby and many wonderful off road four wheel trails.
The park can accommodate big rigs and we were able to get our 38 foot 5’er into the parking and into a spot, but I would not call the park big rig friendly due to tight turns and small sites.
Amenities include a nice camp store, laundry facilities, restaurant with a nice outdoor deck, on property horseback riding, on property jeep rental, hiking trails. There were bathrooms and showers at the back of the property but it was too far to walk from the front of the property so we never used them. The laundry facilities are a little small for this sized park and we weren’t able to do laundry because it was too busy.
One big problem was electrical outages during 100° weather. The electrical system in the park just cannot keep up. Luckily we had solar and were able to maintain AC until evening hours.
There is one small hot tub that was usually very busy we didn’t use that either.
There are nice tent camping spots.
Most of the people in the park Had four wheelers or motorcycles for off-road trails. The off-road trails in this area are amazing and shouldn’t be missed. We took a tour from Ouray and thoroughly enjoyed it.
We took a horseback ride from the park and had a lovely time. The horses were very safe and great for a family experience. They also offer 15 minute rides for children.
We would stay again if we were in the area.
An exceptional camping experience for our family. We go every summer and camp (in a tent) for about 10 days. The weather is superb and the trout is plentiful.
The greatest camping experience a family could possibly have! We go every summer and camp (in a tent) for about 10 days. The weather is perfect and the trout are plentiful!
Camping here was nice. Limited trees so summer can be rough in direct sunlight. Sites are okay size wise. Bathroom and shower facilities were clean. Very pretty area. Park staff were super friendly. 5 min from Ridgeway, 25 from Ouray, 45 from Telluride.
We stayed here several times when we were planning our wedding in Ouray. It is right in town, there are RV hookups and tent only sites (which we stayed at). Showers and bathrooms are clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. Location is right in town, so walking distance to everything and if you need to wash clothes, there were machines very close by.
Sites are relatively close together so not a ton of privacy, but the tent sites have a bit more trees and back into the mountain range.
Gorgeous setting perched above the town of Ouray. Mostly tent camping although pop up tent-trailers can fit in the campsite. The campground books up quickly due to it's stunning views and location so plan early. There's only a very small grocery store in Ouray so stock up with necessary items in Montrose or Ridgeway. Pit toilets were clean, well-maintained and plentiful. There was a bear in the campground so absolutely no food in tents & the campground host said the bear recognizes coolers in cars so cover coolers with other items. Better yet, eat in town at the super fun rooftop bar at the Ouray Brewery. Can't say enough about this special gem! The campground hosts sell bundles of firewood for I think $7/bundle but we needed to dig out the accumulated ash in the firepit to get the fire to light so consider bringing a small shovel. There is potable water but no showers or sinks.
I can't say enough good things about this place. The mayor of Stoner, Colorado, Scott is a great host and very generous. The place is very well maintained and clean and looked after. They have RV spots right on the river, Stoner Creek! My Jeep camper was quite happy over in the tent sites. With free shore power, even at the tent sites. Free barbecue with utensils and propane, fire pits with free wood! Yes, free wood! A different welcome gift each time but usually with a dozen farm Fresh eggs here from his chickens. Plus coffee, usually banana bread , tin foil even lighter fluid to light the free wood for your campfire! At 30 bucks a night for a tent site with shore power and all of that it just almost seems too cheap.
With lots of really gorgeous, mature Noble fur trees, this spot is not only gorgeous but really well located above Dolores but below Rico to access so much of the natural Colorado landscape. I love it here! Tell your friends!
Excellent Boondocking area. Close to Silverton on Mineral Creek. Plenty of free tent camping along the road too
We tent camped here on an amazing tent deck. Our first experience with this! We love this part of Colorado. So many beautiful sites to see and things to do. We have family to visit here, as well.
Stayed here in the month of August when you have to watch for those pesky but awesome thunderstorms.
Well maintained campground with clean facilities. We'll definitely be back!
This is a very well maintained and managed campground. Good for tent camping or RV as they offer full hookups for just a few bucks more.
We are tent campers. There are only 4 tent sites and they are all wonderful; right next to the river! Bathroom/showers are very clean, but a bit of a walk from the tent sites. Office staff was super friendly and informative. Wifi available. Small store for any basics you may have forgotten/ran out of. Soft serve ice cream available. Basically, way more amenities than we are used to (a nice change from pit toilets). ..and the price is right! $20 a night for 2 people, plus $2 per additional warm body. Would come back in a heartbeat.
We camped here overnight in October. We love to go to hot springs and thought this place was a 9/10. They had 10 tent sites and spots to park your camper or van. We called the same day and they were able to accommodate us that night. Price is a little steep at $50/per person per night but it includes 24/hr access to the hot springs, showers, coffee, etc. The tent sites are nice with fire pits and raised platforms. This place is super casual but well maintained which is what appeals to its charm. Staff is super friendly.
The Paco Campground at Ridgeway SP is probably my favorite in the SP system. It’s down river from the lake and is tucked in rolling canyon of the Uncompahgre River. The river is a tailwater and has been restored by Trout Unlimited as a Catch & Release section. That bears repeating, especially for our Texas friends- Catch & Release... Sadly on 4 different occasions I’ve assisted Rangers in citing folks from there for keep trout.
The Campground is spacious and beautiful. There’s everything from tent sites to full hook ups. Facilities are spotless and the hosts are outgoing.
Bonus tip- Killer Thai food in Ridgeway. And daytrip for a soak in Ouray.
Great spot, with lots of spaces RV, cabin and tent camping. Five minutes from Grand Lake Village where there is access to the Lake. A family of moose are often seen there.
Our family of 4 tent camped at this site. We were able to walk to the edge of the cliff and had a clear view of Lake San Cristobal. We had a creek running beside our campsite.
Tent 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.
We had this campground all too our selves in late May as it was still rather cold out in the area but it was a great spot for tent camping. Lots of trails near by to explore.
$28 for a tent site. Showers bathrooms and people. If you don't have a 4x4 this is the place to stay. So many trails so close like 4miles max.
We arrived at 8:30pm and found a spot right up the road next to the river. It was peaceful and easy to find. Plus it was close to town. We have a rooftop tent and the ground was somewhat level. I would not recommend tent camping because there were a lot of rocks.
Nice campsite just outside of Ouray4. There's a camp at mile 2 and 3 on 361 county road outside of town. $10 a night. Mostly tent sites. Picnic tables and flat boxed areas for the tents. Super clean bathrooms. First come first serve. Van assesible.
Arrived in the evening on a Friday and somehow got the last first come tent site. Very nice area, shaded and easy to fly fish in the morning. Bathrooms were nearby as well
I stayed in one of the walk in tent sites on the edge overlooking the lake. It was absolutely beautiful. The staff were very friendly and facilities were clean. I use Verizon and had full service available.
Nestled in the stunning San Juan Mountains, Ouray, Colorado, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking breathtaking views and adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ouray, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ouray, CO is Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ouray, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 54 tent camping locations near Ouray, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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