The creek runs close enough to camp beside it, and on busy summer weekends, that proximity is the main prize. Red Mountain Creek is a dispersed camping area in Uncompahgre National Forest, set along a small but cold stream south of Ouray on US-550. The area spreads across a wide corridor with enough variation in sites that campers in standard sedans, roof-top tent rigs, and large RVs have all found workable spots. No reservations, no fees, no hookups.
Noise is the most consistent trade-off reviewers mention. Highway 550 runs close enough that road sound carries into camp, and unpaved access roads generate dust throughout the day as ATVs, dirt bikes, and vehicles cycle through. Kerry B. sums up the vibe concisely: "Settle traffic of 550 with a maze of nooks riddled with car campers." Sites along the creek are the most sought-after, and they do fill up on holiday weekends. Arriving by late afternoon typically still leaves options, but the July 4th weekend can put neighbors within 30 feet.
Creek access is the main draw. The water runs cold even in summer, and campers frequently wade in to cool off after driving the canyon. Sites closest to the water sit under fir and pine canopy, providing shade and some buffer from road noise. Joshua M. describes "camping right on the creek with a cool night breeze." There are no restrooms on site, and the creek's proximity makes finding private, Leave No Trace-compliant bathroom spots a genuine planning consideration.
The campground sits adjacent to Ironton Park Dispersed, and nearby options include Ironton Dispersed San Juan NF and Mineral Creek Staging Area -- Uncompahgre NF, useful to know if Red Mountain Creek is full on arrival. The area draws a mix of through-travelers using it as an overnight stop between destinations and ATV-focused campers using the surrounding trail network as a base. Cell service is absent. Campers who want a quieter experience tend to have better luck on weekday nights or after Labor Day, when the crowd thins noticeably.
For those passing through the San Juan Mountains on a road trip, this is a genuinely accessible free stop with creek camping that rewards an early enough arrival to claim a waterside site.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsRed Mountain Creek is located in Colorado near Ouray
Coordinates
37.93579123 N
107.6768934 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/30/26- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/30/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/4/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/30/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/30/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/4/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Red Mountain Creek needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 57 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 2 hrs 15 min from Farmington, NM
- 4 hrs 53 min from Pueblo, CO
- 5 hrs 14 min from Colorado Springs, CO
