321 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
San Juan National Forest land wraps around Silverton on most sides, putting dispersed camping within a few miles of town in multiple directions. The elevation runs high here, mostly above 9,000 feet, which means nights are cold even in July and the camping window tightens fast at either end of the season. Free camping outside Silverton covers the no-fee dispersed options on national forest roads, including which access routes hold up for standard vehicles versus high-clearance rigs. Snow can close higher roads by late October and some don't reopen until June.
Ouray is about 24 miles north and gives a backup when Silverton's national forest roads are gated or muddy. Bring warm layers regardless of the forecast. The Dyrt campers logging check-ins here report temperature drops that catch people off guard, particularly at sites above 10,000 feet where afternoon thunderstorms roll through fast and evenings get genuinely cold.
"Beautiful views of surrounding mountains and Alta lakes as well as access to the ghost town of Alta."
"The off road trail it get to Alta lakes took us about 40-50 minutes in my boyfriends F-150. The views were amazing so neither of us really minded."
"I've spent quite a bit of time at various sites around this campground during annual vacations and using it as a base for geological field work nearby."
"Small lake with non-motorized boating and fishing. Level sites, pit toilets, tables, fire rings, and camp store. Kayaks for rent."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"We parked close to the road tucked in some trees. Wanted to be by the water but it was taken by multiple coach RVs."
"Or create your own. 3 miles from Silverton. Beautiful small town with good food. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Colorado to camp."
"Had a wonderful stay right next to the lake. Woke up to the sounds of birds. Sites include RV/van sites (2?) and at least six tent only sites. Each night only one other site was occupied."
"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."
"On the way there you will pass several single dispersed campsites next to the river or in the reeds by the beaver ponds, as well as a few semi developed dispersed campgrounds."
"Large campsite near intersection of campground roads; some traffic driving by. Campground wasn't crowded during our stay."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"We traveled from Silverton into Ouray. And this place had perfect spots for us to set up our rooftop tent. Located just outside of Ouray and in the mountain but still have cell service."
"the sites are full, or snag a hotel near 550 when we don't want to chance a night on a slope."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"The campground is bordered on one side by the San Juan River and by the park on the other side, making a tight but nice campground."
"It's right next to the town and is used a lot for Telluride's summer festivals. Its more than a campground it is also where a lot of town events are held and also has sports venues."
"Beautiful campsite with easy access to lots of fun trails, including the CO trail. Only a short drive from Silverton and an hour or so outside Durango"
"Nice little campground on the Million Dollar Highway heading between Durango and Silverton, with the Colorado Trail passing right through the campground."
"Matterhorn Campground, located near Telluride and nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, offers an excellent balance of comfort and outdoor adventure."
"We were happy to have hot showers as we were on day 4&5 of our camping across Colorado honeymoon and it had rained nights 1-4. There were two camp hosts both of the ladies were nice."
from $26 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in site #8 which was quite lovely, tucked in the aspen trees with a picnic table and fire ring. The small pond behind our site was dried up, probably due to the ongoing drought."
"In pursuit of the perfect campground in Colorado, Telluride has so many to choose from it makes it near impossible to select just one."
Ranger2 campgrounds. South CG is a mile from main CG but 1 block from Downtown Silverton. Sites are small but plenty of things to do in area. Facilities are spotless and staff is friendly. Just keep in mind if you choose to stay at South CG it is in a residential neighborhood. I had no issues. People here are great.
ScoutCool campground, more our style traveling with our Class B than the big RV parks - clean bathrooms, all the amenities we’re looking for without feeling like a parking lot. The fireplace and chairs in the coworking/clubhouse space is a nice touch. Overall, a nice base for exploring the area. Some comments here mentioned construction but I didn’t notice any, maybe that’s done.
RangerQuiet secluded spot. Sounds of the creek, birds and occasional semi air brakes coming down mountain. Absolutely beautiful. Shaded spots and full sun. Some spots are on top of each other and some are secluded. Look for fire rings(rocks) for established level sites. Or create your own. 3 miles from Silverton. Beautiful small town with good food. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Colorado to camp.
ScoutI’ve been there twice in the past 7 years. The staff are super friendly and helpful! The showers and restrooms were immaculate! That’s not an understatement! Great location! They pick up your trash, deliver fire pits to your site and pick it up when you’re done. Anything you may have forgotten, they will have it. 👍🏻👍🏻
RangerGreat tent sites. Well maintained. Clean bathrooms. The hiking trails are beautiful. Landry and showers available.
RangerPeaceful spacious sites. The scent, shade and privacy of Pine is welcomed. Great bathrooms. Laundry available. Cell tower in campground. Good hiking with great views.
TravelerOne of our new favorites. Remote, quiet, and great staff. Very welcoming. Spent a week there and absolutely loved it. Scenery is amazing.
GuideKendall is definitely a busy dispersed camping spot, with everything from tents to large RVs. I was still able to find a nice secluded spot tucked away for my Bronco and tent. Despite the crowd, it was surprisingly quiet overnight. There was some generator noise from the larger rigs during the busier hours, but nothing that really bothered me. Great location just outside Silverton, vault toilets available, and Verizon service was good enough for calls and texts. I’d definitely stay here again.
GuideBeautiful, quiet setting in San Juan National Forest with great mountain views. The drive in is easy enough, but it still feels nicely removed. Verizon coverage is pretty weak. Vault toilets onsite. There were two other campsites occupied during my stay and everyone was quiet and respectful. Would stay again.
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.
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.
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."
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!"
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!"
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free camping sites available around Silverton, Colorado?
Silverton is surrounded by excellent free camping options. Bandera Mine Dispersed Campsite offers a beautiful meadow setting about two miles up County Road 7 past South Mineral Campground, identifiable by a three-tier beaver pond and old mining buildings. Dispersed Campsites on 591 near 550 (Lime Creek Area) provide quick access to fishing opportunities, though you'll hear some highway noise. Both areas follow the standard 14-day stay limit for National Forest dispersed camping. These free sites typically have minimal amenities—perhaps fire rings and possibly vault toilets—so come prepared with water and waste disposal plans. The trade-off for free camping is spectacular mountain scenery without the cost.
Where are the best campgrounds near Silverton, Colorado?
The San Juan Mountains surrounding Silverton offer stunning camping opportunities. Little Molas Lake Campground is highly recommended for its beautiful sites and access to numerous trails, including the Colorado Trail. It's only a short drive from Silverton and about an hour from Durango. For those seeking a lakeside experience, Molas Lake Park & Campground provides breathtaking views, though be prepared for rustic facilities. The campground offers tent sites and convenient access to Silverton and OHV routes. Both locations provide the perfect base camp for exploring the stunning alpine terrain that makes this region of Colorado so special.
When is the best season for camping in Silverton, Colorado?
The best time for camping in Silverton is late June through early September, when high-elevation mountain weather is most stable. Located at over 9,000 feet elevation, Silverton experiences a short summer season with cool nights even during peak months. Golden Horn Dispersed camping area (9,600 ft elevation) typically becomes accessible by late June when mountain passes open. July and August offer wildflower displays and consistent weather, while September brings stunning fall colors, especially in areas like Owl Creek Pass with its aspen groves. Weather can change rapidly year-round, so pack for temperature swings and potential afternoon thunderstorms regardless of when you visit.
What are the camping options in downtown Silverton, Colorado?
Silverton has limited camping directly in town, but offers facilities that support campers. Silverton Lakes RV Resort provides RV spots within walking distance of downtown. For those staying at nearby dispersed sites, Silverton offers public showers and bathrooms that are convenient for day visits. Most camping options are found just outside town limits, like Kendall Camping Area, which is only about 5 miles from downtown with minimal elevation change. When staying at outlying campgrounds, many visitors appreciate Silverton's amenities for resupplying and accessing services before returning to their campsites. The town serves as an excellent hub for campers exploring the surrounding San Juan Mountains.
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