Best Dispersed Camping near Telluride, CO
Dispersed camping near Telluride, Colorado occurs primarily on U.S. Forest Service land throughout the San Juan Mountains, with several free primitive sites available around Alta Lakes, Priest Lake, Last Dollar Road, and Lizard Head Pass. Most sites are located between 9,000-11,000 feet elevation on forest service roads that branch from main highways, providing campers with remote alpine experiences without developed facilities. The Bureau of Land Management also maintains dispersed camping areas within driving distance of Telluride, though these typically require navigation of unpaved mountain roads.
Access roads to dispersed sites typically require high-clearance vehicles and often 4WD capability, particularly for Alta Lakes and Last Dollar Road. The rough terrain makes many sites challenging to reach with standard passenger cars or large RVs. Roads from Telluride to Last Dollar Road are generally more navigable than approaching from Highway 62, which features extremely rocky sections. Camping is permitted for up to 14 days in most areas, with no services, drinking water, or trash facilities available. Vault toilets exist at select locations like Priest Lake, but most sites feature only basic fire rings made of stacked rocks.
The high-country dispersed camping provides exceptional mountain scenery and solitude despite proximity to Telluride. A recent visitor to Alta Lakes noted, "Beautiful camping spot high in the San Juan's about 25 minutes from Telluride. Access via rugged dirt road." Sites at Lizard Head Pass feature particularly panoramic mountain views. While many locations become crowded during summer weekends and holidays, areas further from main access points often remain available. Campers should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions at these elevations, as afternoon thunderstorms and strong winds are common. During peak seasons, arriving early in the day significantly improves chances of securing desired campsites, as popular areas like Last Dollar Road typically fill by noon.
