Tent camping near Ridgway, Colorado provides access to high-altitude sites ranging from 7,000 to 12,500 feet elevation throughout the San Juan Mountains. The camping season typically runs from late May through early October, with higher elevation sites often inaccessible until late June due to snowpack. Nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F even in summer months, requiring proper cold-weather gear regardless of when you visit.
What to do
Fishing at alpine lakes: Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area offers fishing opportunities in a high mountain setting. "We could see tiny fish jumping in the lake but none swimming. Fished for a while with no luck at all... switched to a smaller dry fly to mimic what was hatching and we caught one fish. A super small brook trout, very pretty and very feisty," reports one camper.
Hiking to backcountry sites: Silver Lake requires a challenging hike but rewards with solitude at 12,500 feet. "The hike is steep, but manageable... 3.4mi, 1500ft + gain. Starts from the top of Bridal Veil Falls, so either drive up the switchbacks at the end of town or be prepared for the dusty hike up," notes a visitor.
Ghost town exploration: Near Alta Lakes Campground, you can discover historic mining structures. "The ghost town comes before the campground and we did attempt to go to the campground... We camped behind the brothel, which is one of the only buildings still fully standing. You can't explore any of the buildings, at least not legally, but you can see them and experience what used to be."
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Campers at Red Mountain Creek appreciate the water features. "Camping right on the creek with a cool night breeze was amazing. It is a very busy spot but we found a spot on the creek for our RTT even pulling in late at night. It is a pretty large area so even lots of big RVs were here."
Seclusion and privacy: The dispersed sites along Last Dollar Road offer isolation from crowds. "Heavily wooded site about 30-40 yards off Last Dollar Road. Unable to see the road and traffic from back site... Very private. Quiet and not a lot of traffic."
Star gazing opportunities: The clear mountain air provides excellent night sky viewing at many Ridgway area tent sites. At Priest Lake, one camper notes, "The stars were BEAUTIFUL! This is a great spot for stargazers too." Another camper at Alta Lakes mentions "being at the top of the valley and the wind would just rush up and you could hear it coming."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many tent camping areas near Ridgway require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. A visitor to Angel Creek Campground shared, "Nice little campground with large bear boxes for food storage. I felt it's at a good location to venture off each day from... not the flattest of parking spots if using a rooftop tent or car camping without anything to level with."
Wildlife considerations: Bear activity is common throughout the region. "We actually moved from our original site to a different one closer to the beautiful sounding river to get a bear box," notes one Angel Creek camper. Several campgrounds feature bear-proof storage lockers, but at dispersed sites, you must bring appropriate food storage.
Cell service limitations: Most tent camping areas around Ridgway have limited or no connectivity. At Priest Lake, a camper points out there is "no service" among the list of rustic conditions, while another at Silver Lake notes the complete backcountry seclusion.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Children enjoy shallow water play at Priest Lake. "The lake is really quite shallow and it's very close to the sites. It's a pretty place with very scenic views. There are two abandoned cabins that were pretty cool to check out... watching the ducks and geese and the occasional deer, it was pretty cool."
Accessible short trails: Several areas feature kid-friendly hiking options. At Priest Lake, "There are little walking paths around the Priest Lakes that are very short and easy, plus another trail that I didn't check out."
Weather preparation: Mountain conditions change rapidly in the Ridgway area. At Alta Lakes, a camper warns, "When we were there there was a lot of wind so we were at the top of the valley and the wind would just rush up and you could hear it coming. Then our tents would suck in and puff out. It was insane. It got pretty chilly at night and rained most of the days."
Tips for RVers
Site access limitations: Many dispersed tent camping areas near Ridgway have challenging access for larger vehicles. At Fall Creek Camping, an RVer reports, "We found the area suited our 18 foot travel trailer. Was a little tricky getting it level but was manageable. There are no marked sites, we just parked where there was room and made the most sense for our rig."
Limited hookups: No electrical, water, or sewer connections exist at most tent sites. An RVer at Red Mountain Creek notes, "Easy spot to find came in around 7pm. Stayed right on the creek. Is a bit noisy and dusty as people do ride atvs here."
Level site challenges: Finding flat parking areas for RVs can be difficult. At Fall Creek Camping, one visitor simply described it as a "Small area of uneven ground. Not good for large campers."
