Dispersed camping near Silverton, Colorado positions campers at elevations between 9,000-11,000 feet within the San Juan National Forest. Most areas experience temperature drops of 20-30 degrees at night, even in summer months. Winter snow often lingers at higher elevations through early June, affecting accessibility to several campsites.
What to do
Explore abandoned mining structures: Golden Horn Dispersed Camping sits near historic mining structures where visitors can observe remnants of the area's mining heritage. "There are two abandoned cabins that were pretty cool to check out, although, we are pretty sure someone was living in the big one as there was a cot set up with a whole lot of clothes in the back room," mentions one camper at Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area.
Fish in alpine lakes: Numerous small alpine lakes and streams offer fishing opportunities, though catching can be challenging. At Priest Lake, "We could see tiny fish jumping in the lake but none swimming. Fished for a while with no luck at all. Finally we decided to rig up a bubble type bobber that you can put water in and it sets the hook when you get a bite... we caught one fish. A super small brook trout."
Off-road adventures: The network of forest roads provides access to remote areas perfect for 4WD vehicles. "I stayed at a spot about .4 miles BEFORE this spot and it was amazing. Also, about .7 miles down the road is the trailhead for Alder Creek…which was a nice hike," reports a camper at Last Dollar Road.
What campers like
Availability outside peak times: While popular areas fill quickly in summer, many dispersed sites remain available during weekdays or earlier in the season. "This campsite fills up quite quickly. We arrived relatively early, but were unable to find a site and it was just as well because we would have been hard pressed to find level ground for our overland tents without putting blocks on the ground," notes a camper at Alta Lakes Campground.
Creek-side locations: Many dispersed sites sit alongside running water, providing both scenery and natural white noise. "We stayed two nights next to the creek. It was crowded but still peaceful with beautiful views. There was quite a bit of dust but still worth the stay," says a visitor at Anvil Dispersed Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area offers frequent wildlife sightings, particularly during morning and evening hours. A camper at Ironton Park Dispersed shared: "Very scenic and lots of wildlfe. Moose walked through our camp, etc. Yeah, you can hear the road but all in all a nice spot. We camped one night in the aspen grove and the next night up the hill."
What you should know
Limited cell coverage varies by provider: Coverage can be spotty throughout the region with pockets of service. "I have AT&T and had good coverage here," reports one camper at Last Dollar Road, while another notes, "StarLink works great. No cell signal up here."
Weather changes rapidly: Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer months, with substantial temperature fluctuations. "We were there during monsoon season so it was raining when we got there and it started raining again at 11 the next day," explains a camper at Priest Lake.
Early arrival recommended: Securing prime sites requires planning, especially during summer weekends. "We arrived around 7PM on Friday during Memorial Weekend and thought I'd be out of luck but it was barely half full!" notes a visitor to Golden Hour Dispersed.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with toilet access: While most dispersed areas lack facilities, some provide basic toilets. "Having the vault toilet is a nice perk for a dispersed camping site, and the views are second to none!" shares a camper at Priest Lake Dispersed.
Pack extra layers: Even summer nights drop below 40°F at these elevations. "It got pretty chilly at night and rained most of the days," mentions a visitor at Alta Lakes, who also noted the extreme temperature swings.
Consider proximity to town: Some areas provide relatively quick access to Silverton for supplies. "This is a great dispersed camping option near Telluride. There are a few tucked away sites if you are lucky enough to get one otherwise you will be more in the open but the views are still amazing," explains a review of Lizard Head Pass Dispersed Camping.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require creative solutions for larger vehicles. "Nice simple site. Road is a touch rough watch dropping off the pavement with an RV. Not much level ground so bring things to get creative," advises an RVer at Lizard Head Pass.
Road condition awareness: Access roads range from moderate to challenging. "I have a truck that can pull 12,000lbs and my smallish travel trailer with water weighs 5500lbs. The roads are completely sketchy pulling a trailer. I wouldn't have done it if not for prior others who apparently did it," cautions a camper at Last Dollar Road.
Generator etiquette: Some areas experience noise issues from excessive generator use. At Anvil Dispersed Campground, "4 miles outside Silverton, CO. Several options on both side of the creek. Easy, flat road into the area. Two bars LTE for AT&T. Decent space to turn around before getting to last site."
