Best Tent Camping near Telluride, CO

The walk to the river was short and there even is a parking area for those who are not camping but want to fish.

Sites were well maintained, restroom and showers were as well.

Picnic tables, fire ring and grill at all sites. Deer wandered around freely and was an extremely restful night.

They offer pull in sites or walk in tent sites. I chose a pull in even though I was tent camping. Had to check out a few sites to be sure there was level/cactus free spot to pitch the tent.

This place is close to Telluride Mountain and fairly close to Telluride. You can take two gondola rides from Telluride Mountain down into Telluride. The campground is nestled in the trees with a few open sites in the middle. The camp hosts were very friendly and kept the place tidy. There is firewood for sale. The main bathroom has running water, flush toilets and hot showers, which I honestly can say was pretty great. We were at site 15 which was pretty small but we were able to get in there with our rooftop tent on a truck. Some sites are next to a stream but also close to the highway. There are a few pull through sites.

What was not mentioned in other reviews is there is a dirt road above the campground called Priest Lake Road which leads to Priest Lake that has tent sites on the lake and then further up is Trout Lake. Trout Lake has a boat ramp and you can paddle board there. I wish I had known that, as I would have brought my paddle board. 

The Galloping Goose Trail is right behind site 15 and apparently goes all the way to Telluride.

Came across this in June 2020 on a late Friday night about 10pm and saw a ton of people camping on top of each other so we left and camped elsewhere. FF a year (Father's Day weekend), we stopped by to check capacity on a Saturday night at 6pm and found the opposite with only 4 of 6 tent sites taken and plenty of parking for small RV/van camping. Tent sites were pretty spread out so we didn't see the 2 empty sites available down the hill until early the next morning. We just ended up taking a parking space, instead, and set up our SUV tent. Sunday morning, the entire campground was cleared by 10am except for 1 other vehicle so we were easily able to take a tent site. By noon, a few new campers showed. We left our camp for the day to explore and it was fine all day. A couple other campers did the same and were fine, too. A picnic table and fire ring are provided at all sites, if not all. Toilet is also provided which is always a huge plus for dispersed camping. TP ran out once so BYO. Not a lot of camp shade except for the one site on the north side of parking. Several trailheads are nearby. Scenery is absolutely gorgeous and is situated at 10k feet next to Priest Lake which is just a big pond. Fishers were present but Trout Lake may be your better option which is just down by the main entrance. For showers, just head to the next campground (Matterhorn?) and freshen up for $8. They also sell firewood for $10 if you forget to grab a bundle from Telluride. Only downside, no Verizon service. Oh! And don't freak out on the crazy howling screams from humans at 8pm. It's a Coloradan ritual which I was not aware of. Hope this helps!

We originally had a tent site in Elk Ridge, but our friends with an RV couldn't get a site on that side of the park for the same dates.  Rather than have the 8 kids between us so far apart, we decided to get a tent site in Pa-Co.  We got #294, primarily because the tent sites are about 50 yards from the parking lot, and with 6 of us we haul a lot of stuff.  294 was one of the closest to the parking lot, with the downside it was also closest to the pit toilet.  If it was just two people with a couple backpacks this is a great location as you don't have any car noise and you're not hauling much, but for us it was a pain.

It was a beautiful view of the river from the site.  Sites are small and fairly close together but it was a quiet campground.  The bathroom wasn't a problem except for a couple of hours when it seemed like someone left a door open and the wind was blowing our direction.

Our tent is massive, and too big for the 10x10 space for tents at the site so we had to do some moving around but made it work.  I'd bring our smaller one next time.  The tent campground is well maintained and quiet, and the weather is great in the summer as the river keeps it cool.  The RV site our friend has didn't have a lot of trees and was close to the highway, so for just hanging out ours was preferable.  

Unfortunately the showers at the shower house about 100 yards away were closed due to COVID, but the weather is cool and dry mostly so not a big deal.  The shower house and laundry were very well kept, and the campground hosts were very friendly.   Firewood was $5 and I believe ice was only $1.  

The park overall was great.  We drove to the other parts to rent paddleboards and had a great time - very reasonably priced.   It worked well as a base for side trips, as Ouray and Ridgway were easy to get to, as was Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP.

For the price it’s a great place to camp near telluride. Sites are close together but have some trees for privacy. Porta potty’s have seen better days but are there for use. Don’t trust the Apple Maps directions took us to a wrong site but following written directions on website got us there. Spots filled up by 8pm so recommend getting there earlier.

An exceptional camping experience for our family. We go every summer and camp (in a tent) for about 10 days. The weather is superb and the trout is plentiful.

The greatest camping experience a family could possibly have! We go every summer and camp (in a tent) for about 10 days. The weather is perfect and the trout are plentiful!

I can't say enough good things about this place. The mayor of Stoner, Colorado, Scott is a great host and very generous. The place is very well maintained and clean and looked after. They have RV spots right on the river, Stoner Creek! My Jeep camper was quite happy over in the tent sites. With free shore power, even at the tent sites. Free barbecue with utensils and propane, fire pits with free wood! Yes, free wood! A different welcome gift each time but usually with a dozen farm Fresh eggs here from his chickens. Plus coffee, usually banana bread , tin foil even lighter fluid to light the free wood for your campfire! At 30 bucks a night for a tent site with shore power and all of that it just almost seems too cheap. 

With lots of really gorgeous, mature Noble fur trees, this spot is not only gorgeous but really well located above Dolores but below Rico to access so much of the natural Colorado landscape. I love it here! Tell your friends!

Dirt road to high alpine setting, big views and lakes - mountain camping at its finest!

4WD recommended for the drive up - water crossings and some good ruts. Gorgeous lakes, can be heavily used by locals so pretty obvious trails between tent sites. Check out Alta ghost town (abandoned mining town), which used to serve Gold King Mine.

You can hike up over the ridge onto Telluride ski area, and hike down into town of Telluride this way if you're feeling up for a long walk. Great views of Palmyra and some backcountry ski terrain!

If camping isn't your thing, walk up to the Observatory or book a stay there!

I had to change course on a road trip last minute which kept me in Southern CO on my way to UT instead of going north of Telluride. I found a tent site here last minute and it was such a gem! My site was right on the river and it was super spacious. The amenities were SPOTLESS. The cleanest showers I’ve ever encountered whilst camping and the bathrooms were HEATED! After a couple days of Colorado BLM pit toilets, I felt like I was glamping. The staff is incredibly welcoming and the grounds were very dog friendly. Would 100% recommend staying here if you’re ever passing through.

I love this campground. It is only 15 minute drive from Telluride, but once you are there you are immersed in wilderness. Great for car camping, solid fishing, bonfire pits and bathrooms available.

We tent camped here on an amazing tent deck.  Our first experience with this!  We love this part of Colorado.  So many beautiful sites to see and things to do.  We have family to visit here, as well.

Stayed here in the month of August when you have to watch for those pesky but awesome thunderstorms.  

Well maintained campground with clean facilities.  We'll definitely be back!

This is a very well maintained and managed campground. Good for tent camping or RV as they offer full hookups for just a few bucks more.

We are tent campers. There are only 4 tent sites and they are all wonderful; right next to the river! Bathroom/showers are very clean, but a bit of a walk from the tent sites. Office staff was super friendly and informative. Wifi available. Small store for any basics you may have forgotten/ran out of. Soft serve ice cream available. Basically, way more amenities than we are used to (a nice change from pit toilets). ..and the price is right! $20 a night for 2 people, plus $2 per additional warm body. Would come back in a heartbeat.

Camping here was nice. Limited trees so summer can be rough in direct sunlight. Sites are okay size wise. Bathroom and shower facilities were clean. Very pretty area. Park staff were super friendly. 5 min from Ridgeway, 25 from Ouray, 45 from Telluride.

We camped here overnight in October. We love to go to hot springs and thought this place was a 9/10. They had 10 tent sites and spots to park your camper or van. We called the same day and they were able to accommodate us that night. Price is a little steep at $50/per person per night but it includes 24/hr access to the hot springs, showers, coffee, etc. The tent sites are nice with fire pits and raised platforms. This place is super casual but well maintained which is what appeals to its charm. Staff is super friendly.

Our family of 4 tent camped at this site. We were able to walk to the edge of the cliff and had a clear view of Lake San Cristobal. We had a creek running beside our campsite.

Tent camping is pricey but the amenities r almost with it. Close to black canyon and in town food and booze with in walking distance. What more could u ask for. A pool, they got that.

Beautiful camping spot high in the San Juan’s about 25 minutes from Telluride. Access via rugged dirt road. Saw some stock SUVs (CRVs, Subaru’s, etc.) but questionable to get there without higher clearance and 4WD. There are only 20 designated camping spots with fire rings (portapotties nearby). Sites fill by about noon every day of the week and all sites are walk in. Of the 20 sites, most are shady and have views of the lakes. 3-4 sites are pretty bad, have no views, limited areas for tents, etc. This is an incredible camping spot if you get a good site.

We arrived at 8:30pm and found a spot right up the road next to the river. It was peaceful and easy to find. Plus it was close to town. We have a rooftop tent and the ground was somewhat level. I would not recommend tent camping because there were a lot of rocks.

Arrived in the evening on a Friday and somehow got the last first come tent site. Very nice area, shaded and easy to fly fish in the morning. Bathrooms were nearby as well