Tent camping near Purgatory, Colorado provides access to numerous dispersed sites within the San Juan National Forest. Old Lime Creek Road offers tent-only camping just 2.5 miles past Purgatory Ski Resort, with sites scattered along a meadow and near a small pond. Hermosa Park Road Dispersed area provides secluded tent camping with a 4.8/5 rating, while Forest Road 316 Roadside Camp offers walk-in tent sites with established fire rings. Jersey Jim Lookout stands out as a designated tent-only area with picnic tables and toilet facilities, though fires are not permitted at this location.
Most tent campsites around Purgatory require visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. No drinking water is available at these primitive tent camping areas, and vault toilets are rare except at Jersey Jim Lookout. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with bans common during dry periods. Many sites feature established fire rings, though campers should verify current fire restrictions before their trip. Bear activity is prevalent throughout the region, making proper food storage essential for backcountry tent camping. Weather conditions can change rapidly at these high-elevation sites, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer and cold nights even during peak season.
Tent campsites near Purgatory offer exceptional mountain views and direct access to hiking trails at elevations where afternoons can shift quickly from sunny to stormy. According to reviews, Old Lime Creek Road provides "beautiful views, tons of wildflowers, and amazing weather" with convenient access to Durango, Silverton, and Ouray. Most dispersed tent sites fill quickly, especially on summer weekends, with campers recommending arrival before noon to secure a spot. Hermosa Park Road Dispersed camping is noted for its "little streams running nearby, wildlife viewing" and beautiful approach drive. Many sites require high-clearance vehicles or 4WD to access, particularly after rain when dirt roads can become muddy and challenging for standard passenger vehicles.
"I just drove up in June of 2025 and it was a really nice dirt road and my two-wheel drive ProMaster had no trouble so not sure why the four-wheel drive ideas in the other comments If I'm like four or"
"4x4 required, but there's tons of camping along missionary ridge road. Beautiful alpine creek-side sites galore."
"I was surprised that I was able to roll up at dusk and get a spot no problem - there seem to have a handful of pullouts here (with fire rings!). Maybe because it was mid week after elk season closed."
"Small camp ground by the stream with metal fire rings."
"Can definitely hear some road noise, but good place to set up for a night or two."
"Awesome spot, TONS of places to pitch a tent or park a camper. That being said - lots of generators, moderate views, cars driving by often."
"Right off the highway, multiple spots available. Ground is a bit tough to stake in. Can hear highway noise but it’s not excessive"
"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."
"Dispersed camping, no amenities, but beautiful location. Little streams running nearby, wildlife viewing, the drive up the slope is beautiful as well"
"There is also a decommissioned forest service campsite on the north side about halfway in with tables and fire rings still. Creek was a bit high but not bad."
"Perfect lake views, snow capped mountain tops, and wildflowers for days."
"Beautiful views of surrounding mountains and Alta lakes as well as access to the ghost town of Alta."
"We had plenty of room on our site to set up camp around the picnic table and fire ring. We snagged the last site with a picnic table and fire ring around 10AM on a Friday morning."
"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."
"Definitely sites suitable for some big rigs, enough space for lots of tents too, and some nice fire rings with a beautiful view of the twilight (?) mountains. Pretty decent Verizon cell service."
"Beautiful mountain setting around 8500 ft up with a hard to get to Creek and pond at the very bottom of the hill."
"been raining so was muddy, but we were able to setup the tent on a patch of grass to stay clean. multiple sites here, only 3 or so were used. can hear the river when vehicles aren't passing by on the nearby"
"We were heading west and found this spot off the highway. Far enough off the highway and light traffic that would couldn’t hear cars that much. Fish were JUMPING so get your fly rods ready!"
TravelerPretty quiet at night for being close to the road. Spacious sites. Very clean restrooms and showers has a laundry, Dog park area, easy access to services in town and to Mesa Verde. Full hook ups. Bonus is the Mi Mexico restaurant on the corner of the property. Great food, service, fair prices, excellent house margaritas!
ScoutStayed at Site 8. Arrived at 12am to find sites open immediately. Road was in surprisingly good condition considering I got there 2 hours after it raining all day. Site 8 is a loop setup and is fairly level compared to sites 6 and 7. Would not use an RV at this specific site due to space issues. Mid size crossover SUV had just enough room to do the loop at site 8. Cell service with T-Mobile: 5g connection with half bars filled, enough to watch a YouTube video without any lag / buffering. Unsure whether cell service holds up if you go further back.
GuidePlenty of spaces after you continue left!
TravelerIt’s right on the dan Juan River
TravelerWe camped in the dry camping area and found a shady site. Bathrooms and water spigots were plenty. Avery nice camping experience.
We did not know what to expect in our visit to Mesa Verde. Plan to drive 50 miles or so inside the park to see all of the sites.
TravelerCash or check only. Level gravel sites with hookup in the main section; a few dirt and less level sites with minimal or no hook ups down by river. Friendly and welcoming host. Cash or check only. Distant road noise; quiet otherwise. Aztec Ruins National Monument just down the street. Would stay here again.
GuidePerfect, no negative comments. The views are amazing. The sites are large with full hook ups. There is glamping and tents. Everything looks brand-new. Restrooms/ showers are meticulous. There is firewood available, nice firepits. You can buy propane. Very friendly couple that own and host the camping/ rv site. They guide you to your campsite. In one word perfect, we will be back
ScoutSmall camp ground by the stream with metal fire rings.
GuideI arrived around 4 on a Friday in the fall and it was packed. I had to leave but came back the following Monday and there were lots of spots right off 550 close to Ouray
Near Purgatory, Colorado, dispersed camping options range from 8,500 to 11,000 feet elevation within San Juan National Forest. The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations with nighttime temperatures dropping below 40°F even in July and August. Most sites become accessible by late May, though higher elevation locations may remain snow-covered until mid-June.
Fishing access: Forest Road 316 Roadside Camp offers convenient access to nearby streams. "Tons of sites along the road, never too busy. Can definitely hear some road noise, but good place to set up for a night or two," notes Ryan L. The area provides multiple pull-offs where anglers can set up before exploring fishing spots.
Wildlife viewing: At Hermosa Park Road Dispersed campers report regular wildlife sightings. "Cows=poop. Lots of it...," mentions Robert S., indicating the open grazing that occurs throughout the area. The elk population is particularly active during early morning and evening hours.
Stargazing: The lack of light pollution makes this region ideal for astronomy enthusiasts. "At night the stars are amazing," reports Tracy T. about Forest Road 316. Bring red-lens flashlights to preserve night vision while navigating camp after dark.
Seasonal wildflowers: Old lime creek road beaver bond showcases abundant wildflowers during peak season. "Beautiful views, tons of wildflowers, weather was amazing," writes C.J. L. The best viewing typically occurs from late June through mid-July when alpine meadows burst with color.
Stream-side camping: Campers at Roche Gulch near Delores River appreciate the water proximity. "Far enough off the highway and light traffic that would couldn't hear cars that much. Fish were JUMPING so get your fly rods ready!" shares Jakey and Alex L. Most stream-adjacent sites fill by Friday noon during summer months.
Varied terrain options: The elevation changes create distinct camping environments. "Towards the top the landscape changes from piñon pine to an aspen grove so you really get a few different options to fit what you're looking for," explains Dan B. about Forest Road 316 Roadside Camp. This allows campers to choose between shaded pine forest or more open aspen groves.
Seasonal road closures: Many access roads remain closed during winter and spring months. "Road is currently closed. Assuming through March like most others in the area," reports Jacob C. about Forest Road 316. Always check road status before planning early or late-season trips.
Variable road conditions: Cherry Creek Gravel Lot presents challenging access at times. "Getting up there was not possible in my Travato. I've got some Falken Wildpeaks so traction was not so much the issue as the uneven path up," explains Adam S. Recent precipitation can significantly impact road conditions.
Cattle presence: Many camping areas double as open range for cattle. "Lots of good parking spots along the road, all well established spots. Only con is there were a whole bunch of cows, making noise allllllll night long," warns William L. about Forest Road 316.
Easy access options: For families seeking the best tent camping near Purgatory, Colorado with minimal hiking, consider Bay City Campground. "We camped in early May. There are 3 (maybe 4) spots and it's beautiful! The CG is about a half mile from the end of the pavement. No bathroom but there was a fire ring," shares Julie K.
Stream play areas: Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area offers water features that children enjoy. "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," explains Melissa K. The shallow water provides safer play areas for younger children.
Arrival timing: Planning arrival by mid-afternoon increases site selection. "We arrived around 7PM on Friday during Memorial Weekend and thought I'd be out of luck but it was barely half full!" notes Kelsey I. regarding Priest Lake. Most family-friendly sites with level ground fill first.
Big rig accessibility: Several areas accommodate larger vehicles despite their dispersed nature. "Big spaces easy access for larger campers very peaceful," reports Salvy F. about Forest Road 316. Most suitable spots for RVs are located within the first half-mile of forest road entrances.
Generator considerations: Forest Road 316 experiences mixed use. "Awesome spot, TONS of places to pitch a tent or park a camper. That being said - lots of generators, moderate views, cars driving by often," notes Jacob D. When seeking quieter surroundings, explore sites farther along access roads.
Winter options: For off-season camping, Cherry Creek Gravel Lot remains accessible. "Only free place near Durango in the winter. We called and asked the BLM & Forest Service. Easy access, lots of space. Bumpy access road and highway noise," advises Nicole V.
Frequently Asked Questions
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