Free dispersed camping along Forest Road 20A puts campers in the middle of San Juan National Forest terrain above Silverton, with sites spread across two distinct clusters accessed via a gravel road that crosses a bridge over the river. No reservation is needed. Entry matters: reviewers consistently advise approaching from CO-52 and turning right onto 20A, since entering near Silverton Lakes RV Resort to the west sends drivers up a steep 4x4 switchback trail lined with private property signs.
The first cluster of three sites sits within reach of most all-wheel-drive vehicles and includes one shaded spot well-suited to tents, one grassy open area, and a more exposed site that works for vans doing a quick overnight. Drive further up and bear left toward Silver Basin to reach a larger marked site. That upper site requires 4x4 capability on the rocky road, though one reviewer notes that parking short and walking in opens up the shaded lower sites to non-4x4 vehicles. The Shenandoah mine complex and its ore buckets are visible from the area, adding an industrial-history layer to the landscape.
Side-by-sides and UTVs run the road through the day, though traffic drops off in the evening. Drinking water is listed as available. Moose have been spotted at the upper site. "I love being in the heart of the San Juan's here," wrote one repeat visitor. Arastra Creek and County Road 21 Dispersed are nearby alternatives for campers who want different terrain or easier road access.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSilverton 20A is located in Colorado near Silverton
Coordinates
37.8256451 N
107.62476182 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/25/26
- VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 7/25/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/25/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/25/26
- VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 7/25/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/25/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
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 Silverton 20A - Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 3 min from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 31 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 5 hrs 26 min from Pueblo, CO
- 5 hrs 47 min from Colorado Springs, CO













