The San Juan Mountains around Silverton provide diverse camping options across elevations typically ranging from 9,000 to 11,000 feet. Little Molas Lake Campground sits at approximately 10,300 feet, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature drops even during summer months. Forest roads leading to many camping areas become challenging after rainfall, often requiring vehicles with higher clearance.
What to do
Hike to Ice Lakes Basin: South Mineral Campground serves as the primary trailhead for the popular Ice Lakes Basin trail. "The trail head for Ice Lake and Island Lake is just across the road. There is a stream that runs along side the campground. The spaces are nice and large," notes one South Mineral Campground visitor.
Explore ghost towns: Alta Lakes Campground offers access to nearby abandoned mining structures. "The ghost town comes before the campground and we did attempt to go to the campground but in one spot we couldn't see what was on the other side of our hood of our truck and chose to turn around," shares a camper at Alta Lakes Campground. "You can't explore any of the buildings, at least not legally, but you can see them and experience what used to be."
Fish for trout: Multiple lakes and streams provide fishing opportunities throughout the area. "The lake is amazing, people were fishing, although I didn't see anyone pulling out fish," reports one visitor to Alta Lakes, while another Molas Lake camper noted watching "an osprey" catching fish.
What campers like
Lake access with mountain backdrops: Molas Lake Park & Campground offers premium lakeside sites with unmatched views. "This campground has a great location and if you are lucky enough to get a lakefront site, the view is wonderful!" mentions a visitor to Molas Lake Park & Campground.
Proximity to the Colorado Trail: Little Molas Lake Campground provides direct access to this famous long-distance trail. "There are great trails heading out of the campground in both directions," explains a camper at Little Molas Lake Campground. "This was a great spot to camp as a home base for hiking the Colorado Trail."
Creekside camping: Many visitors specifically seek out water-adjacent sites. "We parked close to the road tucked in some trees. Wanted to be by the water but it was taken by multiple coach RVs," notes a visitor to Kendall Camping Area. Another camper states, "We were able to get a site right on Mineral Creek, and found ourselves within a great community of people."
What you should know
High elevation challenges: Campgrounds near Silverton sit between 9,000-11,000 feet, affecting both humans and equipment. One visitor to Matterhorn Campground observed: "Elevation is about 10,300 and posed a problem for our generator that caused severe spark-plug fouling. But, re-jetting the carburetor from a #61 to #58 solved the problem."
Road conditions vary widely: Access to many dispersed sites requires careful driving. "The road up is a bit rough. We managed it barely in all wheel drive vehicles but did get stuck for a bit at one point when we had to stop for someone on their way down," warns a camper at Kendall Camping Area.
Campsite availability challenges: Most free sites fill quickly during peak season. "This campsite fills up quite quickly. We arrived relatively early, but were unable to find a site," notes a visitor to Alta Lakes. Another camper advises, "We arrived around 7PM on Friday during Memorial Weekend and thought I'd be out of luck but it was barely half full!"
Tips for camping with families
Easier hikes for children: Several campgrounds offer gentler trails suitable for younger hikers. At Molas Lake, one camper mentions, "The Colorado Trail runs through the campground and whether you do a quick toddler hike to the waterfall or a much longer hike down to the river there is just so much to do here and to explore."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot animals safely. "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," shares an Alta Lakes visitor. Others report seeing deer, moose, and even a lynx at various campgrounds.
Plan for temperature swings: The high elevation means dramatic temperature changes that affect children especially. "It got pretty chilly at night and rained most of the days," notes an Alta Lakes camper, while another at Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area advises: "It's up pretty high so make sure you're ready for a cold night!"
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups available: Most campgrounds offer minimal or no services for RVs. "There are 8 sites here, several large enough for my 34' fifth-wheel trailer, one is a pull-through with two sites. Vault toilet, no water or dump station," reports a visitor to Little Molas Lake.
Size constraints at higher elevations: Many forest roads have tight turns and steep sections. "The 'parking area' has some rocks and is a bit and uneven. We have a 33ft 5th wheel camper. We had to go slow to not scrap our jacks," notes a Kendall Camping Area visitor. Another camper with similar equipment adds, "Found a spot along the creek. Camper was level, no blocks needed."
Reserve electric sites well ahead: The few campgrounds with hookups book quickly. At Matterhorn Campground, a visitor explains: "28 sites total, 8 sites are full hookups. Most are reservation only. Two restrooms, one is flush toilets and showers and other by tent walk-in sites is a vault toilet."
