Best Tent Camping near Silverton, CO
Tent campsites near Silverton, Colorado range from dispersed primitive areas to established walk-in locations at elevations averaging 10,000 feet in the San Juan Mountains. Alta Lakes Campground and Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area provide tent-friendly options within the Uncompahgre National Forest, with most sites situated near alpine lakes or mountain creeks. Red Mountain Creek and Silverton 20A offer additional primitive tent camping areas where vehicle access varies by location.
Most tent campgrounds feature fire rings but require visitors to pack in all water and supplies. High-clearance vehicles are necessary for accessing remote tent sites like Alta Lakes, while others such as Priest Lake have designated parking areas with walk-in tent pads. Vault toilets exist at some locations but often lack regular maintenance or toilet paper. Weather conditions can change rapidly at these elevations, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months and snow possible into June. Forest Service regulations limit stays to 14 days in most dispersed camping areas, and seasonal fire restrictions frequently apply during dry periods.
These high-elevation tent sites provide exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Priest Lake tent camping areas include both open and tree-covered sites, with some positioned directly next to streams for natural white noise. Areas with designated tent pads typically fill by mid-morning during summer weekends, especially those with picnic tables and established fire rings. Angel Creek Campground offers more developed tent sites with bear boxes for food storage, an important consideration for tent campers in this region. A visitor commented that "sites vary from right out in the open to being completely tree covered," with the most desirable spots featuring both shade and water access.
