Ridgway, Colorado sits at 6,985 feet elevation in western Colorado, where the San Juan Mountains meet the Uncompahgre Valley. The area experiences mild summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season (June-August) and cool evenings that typically drop below 50°F. Winter camping options remain available at certain facilities with temperatures often dropping below freezing between November and March.
What to do
Fishing access: 5 miles from camp: Big Cimarron Campground offers direct river access just 30 yards from most sites. A camper shared: "I caught a bunch of rainbow trout. Tall trees, a lovely circle of sky above, and even the mosquitoes were down the night I was there, July 14th."
Hiking from camp: 2-mile riverside trail: Ouray Riverside Resort features a riverside walking path ideal for evening strolls. "The river walk into town is so beautiful! The park is maintained with pride," notes one camper who appreciated the convenient access to town.
Winter activities: Year-round options: Ouray KOA Holiday provides a base for winter recreation when many other campgrounds close. A visitor mentions the campground has "stunning views, private spaces nestled amidst trees, clean facilities, a great restaurant and two playgrounds!"
What campers like
Convenient shower facilities: Quarter-operated: BASECAMP 550 offers "quarter-operated hot showers and laundry, restrooms, Wi-Fi, full hookups, and a clubhouse with coffee + tea, kitchen access, and a great workspace."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: On-site: Campers at BASECAMP 550 enjoy watching cattle from an adjacent ranch that "would come right up to the fence" near their camping spaces, providing an authentic Colorado ranch experience.
Privacy between sites: Varies by campground: Dakota Terraces Campground receives praise for spaciousness: "The spacing of the sites is ample and most of the sites have covered picnic tables. Inside the park there are some nice hikes around the Reservoir."
Central location for exploration: Multi-destination base: Ridgway serves as an ideal base for exploring the region. "A great location to call home while exploring the area. We spent a lot of time in Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton so we did not take advantage of the park."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Plan ahead: Popular campgrounds fill quickly. Amphitheater Campground often reaches capacity: "We rolled in just at dusk. Campground sign said FULL. So we pulled down the road and stayed the night in a parking lot for hiking."
Wildlife precautions: Bears active: Uncompahgre National Forest Thistledown Campground requires vigilance. "We hauled all of our stuff up and down every day because there is a lot of bear activity in the area. My husband got a peek at him our second night."
Weather fluctuations: Prepare for all conditions: At Ridgway State Park, a visitor noted: "Ridgeway is a very well kept park with beautiful views... Most sites have a covered picnic table which was very helpful during the frequent light rain showers."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple options: Elk Ridge Campground offers family-friendly recreation options. "There were kids riding bikes on paved walkways and some trails throughout the well maintained park. Nice waters @ the nearby reservoir."
Activity variety: Biking and water: Families appreciate Dakota Terraces Campground for its diverse recreation: "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."
Swimming options: Beach access: A visitor to Dakota Terraces notes: "We stayed for 7 nights, and loved it. Beautiful swimming beach, plenty of hiking trails. Restrooms were always clean."
Tips from RVers
Spacing between sites: Check campground maps: Centennial RV Park provides "very spacious pull thru rv spaces" and a "long green dog walk area," making it popular with RVers seeking more room between sites.
Campground connectivity: Variable by location: RV travelers appreciate the connectivity options at certain campgrounds. One visitor to Elk Ridge Campground noted: "The WiFi tower was right in the campground so WiFi was screaming. Mild temperatures in October. 5 stars!!!"
Leveling requirements: Bring equipment: Some sites require adjustment. At Dakota Terraces Campground, a camper mentioned: "Stayed for just one night at site 55. Needed all our levelers as the site is sloped downhill."
