Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 6,985 feet, Ridgway serves as a central hub for exploring Colorado's western slope. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-80°F, while fall brings cooler nights dropping into the 30s. Most camping spots near Ridgway, Colorado sit between 7,000-9,000 feet elevation, requiring proper acclimatization for those coming from lower elevations.
What to do
Fishing options: 5 minutes from camp: At Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground, you'll find excellent fishing opportunities just steps from your site. "Great fishing in the tailwaters below the dam, 5 minute walk from campground to the river or two stocked ponds. River is catch and release," notes John D.
Hiking the Perimeter Trail: 4.2 miles: From Amphitheater Campground, access the Ouray Perimeter Trail directly. "The campground has direct access to the Ouray Perimeter Trail, a short-ish (~4.2 miles to cover the entire loop around the outer edge of town) hike that follows the bluffs around the outskirts of the town proper and offers great views," shares Tyler G.
Hot springs soaking: all-day access: When staying at Orvis Hot Springs, you get "24/hr access to the hot springs, showers, coffee, etc." according to Grace. The $50/person camping fee includes unlimited soaking in multiple pools of varying temperatures.
What campers like
Mountain views from camp: Dakota Terraces Campground offers panoramic mountain vistas. "We stayed in site 021 which has a gorgeous view of the mountains. Clean bathrooms, great hiking trails, beautiful views," explains Lori A. The campground's elevation provides excellent vantage points of surrounding peaks.
River sounds for sleeping: At 4J + 1+ 1 RV Park, campers appreciate sites alongside the Uncompahgre River. "This little place is on the outskirts of Ouray, tucked into the base of the mountain... Offers clean bathrooms, free showers, playground, and beautiful creek side camping," notes JJ V. River sites provide natural white noise for sleeping.
Facilities and services: Ouray KOA stands out for its amenities. "They have everything from teepees to tent, cabin and RV camping. A great restaurant on site with a well stocked store and laundry facilities. This place is really well run," shares Todd G. Many campers appreciate the on-site food options after long days exploring.
What you should know
Weather patterns: Mountain storms develop quickly near Ridgway. "It rains here more often than other places in the state but that means healthier tree cover too," explains Anna T. about Amphitheater Campground. Always bring rain gear, even for day hikes.
Limited availability: Popular campgrounds fill fast, especially in peak season. "This campground is up the mountain overlooking Ouray. We loved it. It was quiet and peaceful. Fairly large campground but everyone was respectful and it was extremely quiet sleeping under the stars," shares Brandi F., who recommends advance reservations for Amphitheater Campground.
Road conditions: Access to Last Dollar Road dispersed camping requires appropriate vehicles. "The road gets a bit more rough at that point - would not be an issue for a 4WD. I, however, was not in a 4WD. I was in a big Nissan van - I made it up fine but did have a couple of 'I wonder if this was a good idea' moments," reports David.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Pa-Co-Chu-Puk features stocked ponds perfect for young anglers. "There are a couple ponds nearby that are heavily stocked with hungry rainbow trout. We saw quite a few kids leave with their limit of 9-11" stockers. There is also a fish cleaning station at the bathrooms that is VERY well equipped making this an ideal place to teach kids to love fishing," writes Zachary K.
Playground access: Some Ridgway camping areas include play equipment. "This park is a great place for families because there is so much to do, from the endless bike trails to fishing and water access," says Jason S. about Dakota Terraces Campground, adding that "all of the sites are large and have plenty of space from the next site."
Swimming opportunities: Telluride Town Park Campground offers water access for cooling off. "Located inside the town park with jaw dropping views. Campsites are covered with tree bark, lots of shade and trees," explains Mariana E. The adjacent San Miguel River provides natural swimming holes during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many sites require equipment to get level. "Stayed for just one night at site 55. Needed all our levelers as the site is sloped downhill," reports Ursula about Dakota Terraces Campground. Bring extra leveling blocks for mountain terrain.
RV size considerations: Campgrounds vary in their ability to accommodate larger rigs. "Sites were well maintained, the bathrooms are cleaned and checked twice daily by the friendly hosts... The sites aren't the largest due to the size limitations of building a campground on a hillside, but still offer tons of privacy," notes Tyler G. about Amphitheater Campground.
Hookup availability: Electrical hookups can be limited at some campgrounds. "We stayed in the RV lot which didn't offer a ton of privacy. But the tent/rv camping on the hill above does and has even more stunning views," explains Allison M. about Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground, highlighting the tradeoff between privacy and services.
