Established Camping

South Mineral Campground

14 Reviews

About

National Forest

South Mineral Campground, located along South Mineral Creek, is one of the most popular campgrounds in the San Juan National Forest. The campground has 26 sites, all of which are first-come, first-serve. Most campsites are shaded and well-spaced thanks to spruce and fir trees. Some sites are handicapped accessible. Some sites have large parking areas.

Services include water, trash pickup, fire grates, picnic tables, and pit toilets. Bear-safe food storage is recommended. No electricity. Between September and May, this campground has no services (water, electric, trash pick up or rest rooms). Please keep them clean and pack it out.

Nearby peaks have cliffs of brilliant color-contrasting reds and grays. A waterfall on the creek just upstream from the campground adds to the attraction of the area. But the main attraction is the trail adjacent to the campground, Ice Lake Trail, a strenuous, steep, and popular hike.

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Firewood Available
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

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Sam A.

Scout

Reviewed Mar. 18, 2024

So peaceful and absolutely breathtaking

Top 3 sites for me. Absolutely love it here and can't wait to go back

Month of VisitSeptember

S K.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 3, 2023

Crowded and not dispersed camping at all

This is not dispersed camping at all. The actual South Mineral Campground is a drive-in, specific site, pay first come first serve situation. It was so crowded. Even in the free sampsites it was overrun by RV's, trailers, and tons of people. It may have been because it was Labor Day weekend, but definitely not a place that I would want to camp if you are looking for peace, quiet, and serenity. It was like going to a tailgate party at some sort of festival. I would change the description of this plae as driving in to what we thought was "dispersed camping" was actually not. Great for families. We did not stay here.

Month of VisitOctober

Kristine F.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2023

Great week stay

Got there on a Sunday at 11 am in late July and they had around 6 sites available. We enjoyed the weather the view and the sounds of the rushing creek. The hosts keep the park clean, portable toilets kept clean and firewood for sale. Our site was near the trailhead to Ice Lake. Lots of dispersed camping on the CR 7 going towards campground. Also a forest road for 4x4 vehicles drive past the campground to find amazing views and even more great dispersed areas to camp.

Site2

Month of VisitAugust

(7) View All

Location

South Mineral Campground is located in Colorado

Directions

From Silverton: Follow Hwy 550 two miles west of Silverton. Turn left (west) and follow Forest Road 585 for 4 miles to the campground entrance. The road parallels South Mineral Creek the creek, and is driveable by 2WD. Just past the campground, the road becomes 4WD. South Mineral Campground is the last developed camping area along U.S. Highway 550 on the San Juan National Forest. Driving off-road is prohibited, but many other 4WD roads in the Silverton and Red Mountain Pass areas are open to motorized use.