294 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The San Juan Mountains surrounding Placerville, Colorado feature a diverse range of camping options within a short drive of town. Caddis Flats, located along a scenic road between Norwood and Ridgway, offers both developed sites with picnic tables and more secluded riverside spots with fire rings. Free dispersed camping can be found along Last Dollar Road, while more developed options exist at Telluride Town Park Campground and Ouray KOA. The region's camping landscape spans from primitive forest sites to full-service RV parks, with elevations typically ranging from 7,000 to 9,500 feet. Most campgrounds remain open from May through September, though some higher elevation sites have shorter seasons.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted, "Caddis Flats is nice and spacious, with river access and close to Placerville if you need something. I had 2-3 bars of Verizon LTE at the campground, but ironically none in town." Summer temperatures remain moderate due to the elevation, though afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through August. Fire restrictions are frequently implemented during dry periods, and bear activity necessitates proper food storage. Many campgrounds lack trash facilities, requiring visitors to pack out all waste. Cell service is spotty throughout the region but surprisingly available at certain campgrounds.
Mountain views and water access rank as top priorities among campers visiting the area. The sound of rushing water is frequently mentioned in reviews, with one visitor describing "the rumbling of the river" as "quite nice" at Caddis Flats. Stargazing opportunities receive high marks, with minimal light pollution at sites farther from towns. Traffic noise affects some campgrounds near highways, though it typically diminishes after midnight. Wildlife sightings are common, with bears occasionally spotted near camping areas. Vault toilets at primitive sites are generally well-maintained, though amenities vary widely between established campgrounds and dispersed areas. The region's dramatic scenery and proximity to outdoor recreation make it a popular destination despite limited facilities at many sites.
"Some of the best in Colorado. I had good cell service too (working remotely). There are some larger dispersed campgrounds near the top trailhead that are more in the woods."
"We drove in from ouray side and took the long 40 min dirt road and I will say, the road was rough.. we made it just fine in my hyundai tuscan but I will say, I was sh*ting myself driving it!"
"Beautiful views of surrounding mountains and Alta lakes as well as access to the ghost town of Alta."
"Absolutely stunning site with views of lake and mountains. Multiple trailheads near by in walking distance. Plenty of sites but definitely busy."
"Had a wonderful stay right next to the lake. Woke up to the sounds of birds. Sites include RV/van sites (2?) and at least six tent only sites. Each night only one other site was occupied."
"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."
"The campground is bordered on one side by the San Juan River and by the park on the other side, making a tight but nice campground."
"It's right next to the town and is used a lot for Telluride's summer festivals. Its more than a campground it is also where a lot of town events are held and also has sports venues."
"We stayed in site #8 which was quite lovely, tucked in the aspen trees with a picnic table and fire ring. The small pond behind our site was dried up, probably due to the ongoing drought."
"In pursuit of the perfect campground in Colorado, Telluride has so many to choose from it makes it near impossible to select just one."
"Campground Review Caddis flats is located not too far from Placerville, and a short distance farther in the opposite direction from Norwood."
"Nice and spacious, river access, close to Placerville if you need something. Functional picnic tables and fire pits. Absolutely stunning views."
"Steps away from Woods Lake and the trails!"
"We found site 12 open and it was a nice roomy site with a long drive leading down to our picnic table, and beyond that there was a tent pad."
"Matterhorn Campground, located near Telluride and nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, offers an excellent balance of comfort and outdoor adventure."
"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."
from $26 - $40 / night
Check Availability"the sites are full, or snag a hotel near 550 when we don't want to chance a night on a slope."
"Site was clean, easy to access and close to restroom. Great views all around and super close to Ouray and surrounding hiking trails."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"We had a great spot in the back, near the river so we could just walk from camp to fish. There was more highway noise than you’d expect, but that’s really the only con."
"Gorgeous little spot next to a river, and hardly anyone was there. The only downside - the Porta potties are gag-tastic. I get it, they’re Porta Johns but geez Louise yuck."
from $14 - $18 / night
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GuideBy my count there's 14 spaces and most are large enough to accommodate multiple vehicles and or a trailer/camper. Highly recommend if you're exploring SW CO and need a place to call home for a few days.
GuideThis will do in a pinch; however, there are no trees to keep you shaded from the sun. It is very windy at the top of this hill, but the views are pretty, and it is secluded with some minor traffic along the logging road next to the area.
GuideKendall is definitely a busy dispersed camping spot, with everything from tents to large RVs. I was still able to find a nice secluded spot tucked away for my Bronco and tent. Despite the crowd, it was surprisingly quiet overnight. There was some generator noise from the larger rigs during the busier hours, but nothing that really bothered me. Great location just outside Silverton, vault toilets available, and Verizon service was good enough for calls and texts. I’d definitely stay here again.
GuideWe stayed here specifically because of trolley stop across the street from the campground. We took it into Durango twice, once to take the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge and the other to walk around town. The campground sits right on the tracks for D-S, so you can watch the 3 trains go up in the morning and come back late in afternoon. Laundry room clean and lots of machines. Showers clean. Nice staff! The only negative is road noise from traffic if you're up in site close to road. Would return!
GuideEasy to find, good roads, and beautiful view! We did wake up at 2:30am to yotes outside but other than that it was super nice!
ScoutWe were initially going to only spend a night, but ended up staying 2. The 360 Mountain View’s are stunning, easy walking distance to everything Silverton has to offer. Cleanest bathrooms we’ve seen in a campground, and staff was super friendly. There is a stream behind the campground, and I’m told there’s a beaver that lives 100 yds away. Other campers report seeing moose and bears wandering through. We will definitely return!
ScoutWe had this campground practically to ourselves on Labor Day weekend. Beautiful mountains and a stream running right through. Not a ton of great spots to pitch a tent but we had our pick of the lot and found a great spot! Highly recommend
GuideNot very crowded easy in and out. Fresh water bathrooms were closed for renovations
GuideVery nice campsite I enjoyed so much more than south rim, but a long drive on unsaved road
Dispersed camping sites near Placerville, Colorado range from 7,000 to over 9,500 feet in elevation, offering diverse terrain across the western San Juan Mountains. Most sites remain accessible from late May through early October, with road conditions deteriorating rapidly after snowfall. Temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer months, with overnight lows in the 40s common during July and August.
Hiking from camp: Last Dollar Road offers easy access to multiple trail systems. "There are a lot of spots off the main road and some more hidden spots in the trees if your vehicle can handle a rough ride. Very pretty views, and popular sunset viewing area," notes Lilliana S. For a short but scenic hike, consider the path near Sunshine Campground. "Don't miss the little short hike near one of the camping spots," recommends Vanessa C.
Fishing opportunities: The San Miguel River provides fishing access at several points. At Caddis Flats, you'll find riverside spots with easy water access. "The river is right there in the campground and it is running pretty low right now, but still moving along quite nicely," reports one camper. Priest Lake offers additional fishing options, though some anglers note mixed results: "We could see tiny fish jumping in the lake but none swimming. Fished for a while with no luck at all."
Mountain biking: Woods Lake Campground connects to multiple trail systems. "Another perk to coming out, mountain biking. Well, for us it was a cross between road and mountain, we stuck to the roads but they were dirt and washboard and had some pretty big rocks. But it was a wild 10 miles from Woods lake down to HWY 145," shares Melissa K.
Mountain vistas: Alta Lakes Campground delivers panoramic views at higher elevations. "The lake is beautifully blue with gray snow covered stunning peaks surrounding it," describes Madison G. This dispersed camping area requires preparation: "You'll pass an abandoned mining town and continue of the road for a while before you reach the lake. It took us about 30 mins to get up and down the mountain."
River sounds: Many campers value waterside sites for their natural soundscape. At Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area, "The sound of rushing water is a highlight. "I love this campground. It is only 15 minute drive from Telluride, but once you are there you are immersed in wilderness," says Patrick L.
Stargazing: Sites further from towns offer exceptional night sky viewing. "The stars were BEAUTIFUL! This is a great spot for stargazers too," reports Kelsey I. about Priest Lake. Last Dollar Road campers frequently mention excellent night viewing: "I stayed at a spot about .4 miles BEFORE this spot and it was amazing," notes David, who camped at a secluded site.
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires appropriate vehicles. For Matterhorn Campground, "Road dirt and a bit potholy," notes Bill R. Last Dollar Road presents even greater challenges: "I have a truck that can pull 12,000lbs and my smallish travel trailer with water weighs 5500lbs. The roads are completely sketchy pulling a trailer," warns John H.
Campsite availability: Competition for sites varies by location and season. At Priest Lake, "We pulled in shortly after lunch on a Friday and it was already somewhat crowded but by bed time it was packed," reports one camper. For the best selection at popular sites, mid-week arrival is recommended.
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region. "There was a bear in the campground—we didn't see it—but you're camping in the mountains so you should expect it," notes Mike H. who stayed at Sunshine Campground. Proper food storage is essential at all sites.
Accessible water play: Telluride Town Park Campground offers safe water access for children. "The adjacent park has a kids fishing pond with a sign that says you can rent gear," shares Matt B. The campground provides modern amenities unusual for the area: "Bathrooms and showers are super nice and have hot water. A river/creek flows right next to the campground too which is lovely!"
Educational opportunities: The Alta Lakes area includes historical features that interest children. "You can check out Alta ghost town (abandoned mining town), which used to serve Gold King Mine," suggests Linds E. Several dispersed sites include abandoned structures that provide learning opportunities.
Weather preparation: Mountain conditions change rapidly, requiring extra preparation with children. "We went at the end of may and we ended up incredibly cold all night. As we were in the grand canyon a few nights before. Just BE AWARE that the weather in Colorado is unlike the weather anywhere else. It is bi polar," warns Carter W. who camped at Sunshine Campground.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Woods Lake Campground accommodates various vehicle sizes. "Our site, #4, was narrow & deep; no problem for a camper van," notes Fred S. However, not all sites work equally well: "We are in a 25 ft class C RV. No one else was here so it was nice and cozy," reports an RVer at Caddis Flats.
Power options: Few dispersed sites offer hookups, making Matterhorn Campground valuable for those needing electricity. "28 sites total, 8 sites are full hookups. Most are reservation only," explains Greg L. "Best deal here for me was the non electric site with senior pass...$13 and free showers!"
Turnaround space: Some campgrounds have limited maneuvering room. At Caddis Flats, "You should be able to bring any size of RV into the campground and get out easily if people have followed the no parking in the turn around rule," advises one camper. This consideration is particularly important during busy periods when parking areas may become congested.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Placerville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Placerville, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 294 campgrounds and RV parks near Placerville, CO and 108 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Placerville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Placerville, CO is Last Dollar Road with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Placerville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 108 free dispersed camping spots near Placerville, CO.
What parks are near Placerville, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Placerville, CO that allow camping, notably Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and San Juan National Forest.
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