Telluride sits at 8,750 feet elevation in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, creating variable camping conditions throughout the year. Many glamping sites near Telluride operate during summer months when temperatures range from 40-70°F, though afternoon thunderstorms are common. Camping options surround the town in national forest land and established campgrounds, with sites ranging from primitive to full-service facilities.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Little Molas Lake Campground connects directly to the Colorado Trail for day hiking options. "There are great trails heading out of the campground in both directions," notes Annie C., highlighting the accessibility without needing to drive elsewhere.
Fishing opportunities: Haviland Lake Campground offers lake fishing with no motorized watercraft allowed. "The lake was great for kayaking and we saw a lot of people fishing," reports H.Z., making it ideal for a relaxed outdoor day.
Hot springs visits: Many campers use their glamping close to Telluride, Colorado as a base for visiting Ouray Hot Springs. "We loved the trail into town - an easy walk to the hot springs pool or to grab something to eat," shares Delci L. from Ouray Riverside Resort.
Wildlife watching: The campgrounds provide chances to see local wildlife. Stephanie M. at Thistledown Campground reports: "My husband got a peek at him [a bear] our second night and the campers at site 9 (down the hill) also were visited by him," emphasizing the importance of proper food storage.
What campers like
Creek sounds for sleeping: Campsites near moving water are highly valued. At Ouray KOA, Todd G. appreciates that "our site backed up to a stream that sounded wonderful with running water," creating a natural white noise machine.
Mountain panoramas: Dakota Terraces Campground offers exceptional views. "We stayed in site 021 which has a gorgeous view of the mountains," notes Lori A., highlighting specific sites worth requesting when glamping close to the Telluride area.
Privacy between sites: While not universal, some campgrounds offer good spacing. At Thistledown Campground, Stephanie M. describes: "Sites 10-12 are walk in camping. You must haul all of your stuff up the hill but the pluses are: no trailers/rvs and headlights shining into your tent."
Onsite amenities: Glamping sites often include unexpected conveniences. BASECAMP 550 provides "quarter-operated hot showers and laundry, restrooms, Wi-Fi, full hookups, and a clubhouse with coffee + tea, kitchen access, and a great workspace," according to Fred E.
What you should know
Elevation challenges: Camping at higher elevations affects equipment performance. At Little Molas Lake Campground, RaD_Travels notes: "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 noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic sound despite mountain settings. About Ouray KOA, Manisha S. mentions: "close to the main road, especially for sites by the entrance, we could hear cars all the time."
Bear precautions: Bears are active throughout the region. "We hauled all of our stuff up and down every day because there is a lot of bear activity in the area," reports Stephanie M. at Thistledown Campground, where bear boxes are provided at sites.
Site leveling: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven sites. Ursula notes about Dakota Terraces: "Needed all our levelers as the site is sloped downhill. Windy in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Ouray KOA Holiday offers facilities specifically for children. "This campground has so much to offer families! Stunning views, private spaces nestled amidst trees, clean facilities, a great restaurant and two playgrounds!" reports Nicole S.
Lake activities: Ridgway State Park provides water recreation options. Kristin K. shares: "The beach was within a bike ride or a walk from our site. Most sites have a covered picnic table which was very helpful during the frequent light rain showers."
Hiking trails for different abilities: Choose campgrounds with varied trail options. At Haviland Lake, Neil C. mentions: "There are several trails around the park and lake that leave right from the campground," allowing families to adjust hike length based on children's abilities.
Space between sites: Look for campgrounds that offer breathing room. At Dakota Terraces, Kathi V. notes: "The spacing of the sites is ample and most of the sites have covered picnic tables," providing kids with play areas without disturbing neighbors.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Ouray Riverside Resort, Kimberly M. advises: "Some of the sites are a little larger so you would have a little more space. We had a picnic table and electric, sewer and water hookups."
Navigating mountain passes: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. Todd G. shares: "After surviving towing the airstream up Red Mountain pass, we pulled into the KOA and couldn't be more happy," highlighting the challenging routes to reach some glamping areas around Telluride.
Seasonal timing: For RVers, Daniel K. at Dakota Terraces suggests: "The closer you get to the water (find a map online) the more leveling you will likely need to do if in an RV. There are level camp sites."
Campground location strategy: Ridgway State Park offers distinct camping sections. As Bob M. explains: "Close to Black Canyon of the Gunnison (main reason we booked it), Ouray, Telluride, Silverton. Several good golf courses nearby. Montrose is about 24 miles away, has all the grocery & fuel needs."
