Dispersed camping and equestrian accommodations near Telluride, Colorado offer options across a wide elevation range from 7,000 to 12,000 feet. The San Juan Mountains provide rocky, high-elevation terrain with limited cell service in most camping areas. Summer temperatures range from 40°F at night to 70°F during day, with afternoon thunderstorms common from July through early September.
What to do
Trail access from camp: Little Molas Lake Campground provides direct access to the Colorado Trail with multiple hiking routes. Christopher K. notes it's "about 7 miles south of Silverton Co above 10,000 ft" with "absolutely stunning views, many trails and fishing."
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer lake or river access for anglers. At Little Molas Lake Campground, Mandy K. shares: "Great for some leisurely fishing, and there is a hiking trail, which connects to the Continental Divide Trail."
Mountain biking: Thunder Road Dispersed camping area connects directly to trail networks. "There aren't many places where you can camp in a cool pine tree forest, hop on your mtb or dirt bike, and ride right from camp," says Make Memes Not War P. about Thunder Road Dispersed.
Fourteener climbing: Mill Creek Campground serves as a base for mountain climbing. Ryan L. confirms: "I stayed here for two nights in July while bagging Sunshine, Redcloud, and Handies. Very nice, quiet campground."
What campers like
High elevation cooling: Campsites above 9,000 feet provide relief from summer heat. At Mill Creek Campground, Loren O. appreciates that her site was "spacious, near the cleanest pit toilet I've ever encountered AND on the creek" with "very tree covered site" providing shade.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds report moose, elk, and other animal sightings. Mike S. shares that at Silver Jack Campground "saw deer and a fox, lots of Monarch butterflies, but no chipmunks. No one has seen a bear."
Riverside camping: Multiple dispersed sites provide stream access. At Anvil Dispersed Campground, Bonnie B. reports: "We stayed two nights next to the creek. It was crowded but still peaceful with beautiful views."
Equestrian access: Ute Creek Trailhead offers dedicated horse facilities. CC C. notes it's "used as a horse campground complete with halter point and tack bar with wide open spaced for trailers. Loads of foot and horse trails."
What you should know
Road noise considerations: Some campsites experience highway noise. At Target Tree Campground, Lauren notes "road noise but it's not so bad at night," while Ben F. adds: "All-day highway noise in an acoustically perfect valley keeps this place's popularity limited."
High elevation challenges: Camping above 9,000 feet affects equipment performance. At Silver Jack Campground, one reviewer noted that "the elevation is 9,100 feet" with multiple trails accessible from camp.
Tent pad surfaces: Some campgrounds have rocky tent pads requiring extra protection. J.B. warns that at Target Tree Campground, "IF you are tent camping, the tent pads are chipped rock, not round gravel. Bring an extra tarp or two to protect your tent footprint."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack amenities. Chris V. reports that Anvil Dispersed has "good road quality, hard packed gravel, river right next to the sites, 14 day camp limit."
Tips for camping with families
Group sites: Choose campgrounds with designated group areas. Mike S. notes that Silver Jack "has three loops with one dedicated to group camping. Lots of great views and decent site separation."
Clean facilities: Families benefit from well-maintained restrooms. At Lower Hermosa Campground, Thanh H. confirms "the bathrooms are clean, the camp host is an awesome guy" making family camping more comfortable.
Kid-friendly water access: Creeks provide natural play areas. Boldt E. shares that at Mill Creek, "we loved having a spot next to the creek so our dogs could swim and drink. Although cold, the kids loved playing in the creek with their rain boots on."
Noise considerations: Evaluate campground reports for noise levels. Linds E. says at Little Molas Lake: "Only downside - the number of other people who also like this spot. I'm picky when it comes to noise and had a hard time with all the other (tourists) campers."
Tips from RVers
Fairground options: In-town options exist for RVs needing hookups. At La Plata County Fairgrounds, Mark F. appreciates "6 large spots close to the free shuttle, bike path and rec center" noting it's "great for the price to spend a few days in durango or take the scenic train."
Big rig accommodations: Several campgrounds handle larger vehicles. At Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort, Bill confirms: "Great park for larger RV's we have a 40 ft toy hauler plus the added ramp patio plenty of room."
Generator limitations: High elevation affects generator performance. At Little Molas Lake, RaD_Travels noted: "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."
Water access planning: Many sites have limited water. Dallas W. notes at La Plata County Fairgrounds you "may need 50' hose as water shared with other sites."
