Dispersed Camping in San Miguel County, Colorado
Showing 91 locations in San Miguel County.
Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed)
A scenic alpine camping destination nestled next to pristine mountain lakes. The area features designated dispersed sites with metal fire rings, set against a backdrop of dense evergreen forest. High-clearance vehicles are highly recommended to reach this beautiful but rugged location.
Beaver Park Spur 1A
This quiet Forest Service spur road offers basic dispersed camping opportunities on native dirt surfaces in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
Black Bear Road Dispersed
A rugged mountain dirt road offering dispersed camping options along the corridor in the San Juan and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. High-clearance vehicles are recommended to access the secluded sites located near Telluride.
Black Mesa A Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping corridor along Black Mesa A road in the San Juan National Forest, offering serene forest access near Black Mesa.
BLM Land near Mountain Village, CO
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BLM Primitive Road Corridor
A network of primitive BLM roads offering dispersed camping options in a scenic, remote setting near Mountain Village and Coventry Hill.
Bullion King Road Dispersed Corridor
Rugged, high-clearance dispersed campsites situated along Bullion King Road offering dramatic mountain backdrops and views of nearby historic mining areas.
Burn Draw BLM Dispersed
Primitive dispersed camping corridor along Burn Draw and adjacent BLM tracks, offering quiet spots in a rugged rural setting near Coventry Hill.
Burnett Road Dispersed Camping
A scenic National Forest road corridor located in the San Juan National Forest near Mountain Village, offering dispersed camping opportunities.
Burro Bridge Campground
Burro Bridge Campground is a small forest service campground on the West Fork of the Dolores River. It offers picnic tables, vault toilets, and fire grates on a sloping hillside near the Lizard Head Wilderness.
Caddis Flats Campground
A scenic riverside campground located directly on the San Miguel River. Popular as a launching point for boaters and rafters, it provides convenient roadside access and basic amenities year-round.
Cayton Campground
Cayton Campground is a developed Forest Service facility situated along the Dolores River off the scenic San Juan Skyway. It offers spacious sites with electric hookups, drinking water, vault toilets, and an on-site dump station. The campground serves as an excellent base camp for fishing the river or exploring nearby Bolam Pass. Maintained facilities ensure clean spaces and comfortable camping.
Clear Lake A Road Dispersed
This remote alpine basin features stunning dispersed camping opportunities situated directly alongside Clear Lake. Accessing this high-altitude area requires navigating a challenging, narrow shelf road with tight switchbacks and loose gravel, necessitating a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Dispersed camping is allowed on Forest Service land near the lake, offering deep serenity and breathtaking mountain backdrops.
Cone Lake Road Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along the native dirt surface of Cone Lake Road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests near Lone Cone.
Craig Point Local B Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along Craig Point Local B road in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.
Dallas Peak Dispersed Camping
A remote dispersed camping site located in the high country near Telluride, offering access to nearby hiking trails like Mount Sneffels and Dallas Peak.
Dan Noble State Wildlife Area
A scenic camping area located within the Dan Noble State Wildlife Area along the shores of Miramonte Reservoir, offering excellent opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing.
Dan Noble SWA State Park
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Deep Creek Trailhead
A quiet trailhead parking area located in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests with direct access to local trails. The site is situated along an unpaved road that accommodates motorhomes and standard passenger vehicles.
Dolores To Norwood Road Dispersed
This scenic dirt road corridor winds through the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, offering access to numerous dispersed camping opportunities.
Dunton River Camp
An exclusive, luxury private glamping resort situated along the scenic West Fork of the Dolores River.
Dunton Road Dispersed Camping
This scenic corridor along Dunton Road features multiple dispersed camping sites nestled among evergreens and aspens. Located near the West Dolores River, it offers quiet, rustic camping close to several hiking trails.
Eagle Creek Road Dispersed
This scenic Forest Service road offers accessible dispersed camping within the San Juan National Forest. It features well-graded gravel terrain suitable for a variety of rig sizes.
East Beaver Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping opportunities along East Beaver Road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. This native-surface dirt road provides quiet roadside camping spots accessible to most vehicles.
East Dallas Road Dispersed Camping
A scenic mountain corridor along East Dallas Road leading toward the Blue Lakes trailhead. Numerous dispersed camping spots are nestled in the trees alongside the road, offering direct access to alpine hiking trails.
East Mckee Divide Road Dispersed
A dirt forest service road corridor located in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, offering dispersed camping options along the route. The road is composed of native material and is accessible to standard vehicles during the open season.
East Naturita Road
A scenic National Forest corridor offering dispersed camping access along East Naturita Road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.
Elk Creek Road Dispersed Camping
Rustic dispersed camping corridor along Elk Creek Road leading to the Wilson Peak trailhead. The road winds through a beautiful forest valley with scenic pullouts, but becomes significantly rougher as you climb.
Fall Creek Road Dispersed Area
An easily accessible dispersed camping corridor along Fall Creek Road, featuring multiple riverside pull-offs and a larger, open dirt staging area known as the Fall Creek Recreation Site. Located just off the highway near Mountain Village and Telluride, this area offers a convenient option with rushing water sounds, though many spots require leveling blocks and have a local seven-day stay limit.
Fall Creek Spur D
This scenic dispersed camping corridor runs along Fall Creek Spur D, offering quiet spots nestled in the national forest near Mountain Village.
Forest Spur (Gold King Basin)
A quiet, remote national forest corridor winding through pine forests towards Gold King Basin. This high-country road offers access to magnificent mountain and lake views in the San Juan Mountains.
Forest Spur Dispersed Camping
This Forest Service spur road provides dispersed camping corridors within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests near Telluride. The native material dirt road is open to passenger vehicles and motorhomes, offering peaceful access to the surrounding mountain landscape.
Forest Spur Dispersed Corridor
This quiet Forest Service spur corridor provides access to dispersed camping along a native dirt road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
Forest Spur Dispersed
This native-surface forest spur offers dispersed camping options within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests near Mountain Village, Colorado. It provides quiet, tree-lined pullouts suitable for various rigs, with convenient access to nearby natural features like Mud Spring.
Geyser Spring Road Dispersed
This dispersed camping corridor along the road to Geyser Spring Trailhead offers peaceful camping in the scenic San Juan National Forest.
Gold King Basin Dispersed Area
Scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Gold King Basin Road in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. This high-alpine area offers stunning mountain vistas and close proximity to the popular Alta Lakes. The native-surface road is generally passable during the summer but requires careful navigation.
Goodenough Road Dispersed
This dispersed camping area runs along Goodenough Road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The corridor transitions from a native dirt surface to gravel, offering quiet, shaded pull-offs suitable for self-contained rigs. It provides a peaceful, secluded forest setting while remaining relatively close to the San Miguel River corridor.
Gutshall Road Dispersed
This corridor along Gutshall Road offers dispersed camping opportunities within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests on a native dirt road surface.
Hamilton Road Dispersed
This dispersed camping corridor along Hamilton Road offers peaceful camping within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The native dirt road is accessible by most vehicles during dry conditions.
Hermosa Park (Bolam Pass Road)
This scenic dispersed camping corridor winds through the San Juan National Forest along Hermosa Park and Bolam Pass. The lower sections offer creek-side sites tucked into a rugged canyon, while the upper pass features wide alpine fields with stunning mountain views. Campsites are well-distributed, though the road can be rough and low-lying pastures become highly muddy during rainy periods.
Hermosa Park Road Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along Hermosa Park Road within the San Juan National Forest, offering quiet forest sites near Flattop Mountain.
Johnny Bull Trailhead Road Dispersed
A scenic forest road corridor leading toward the Johnny Bull Trailhead within the San Juan National Forest, offering dispersed camping pullouts surrounded by dense pine and aspen trees.
Jutten Camp
Jutten Camp is a quiet, primitive national forest camping area located along Jutten Camp Road in a wooded portion of San Miguel County.
Last Dollar Road Dispersed Camping
This scenic dispersed camping corridor along Last Dollar Road features numerous dirt turnouts with panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks and beautiful aspen groves. Most sites are exposed ridge pullouts that offer spectacular views but can experience severe wind, while several sheltered spots are tucked back into the dense trees. The southern section of the road is generally well-maintained and suitable for standard vehicles in dry weather, but the northern path becomes progressively rougher, requiring high-clearance or four-wheel drive.
Last Dollar Road Dispersed
Last Dollar Road offers scenic dispersed camping options within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The road is gravel-surfaced and generally accessible to passenger vehicles.
Last Dollar Road Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along Last Dollar Road, winding through the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.
Lizard Head Forest Road Dispersed
Situated just off Highway 145, this dispersed camping corridor provides convenient access to native dirt pull-outs. The road is accessible to most standard vehicles during dry periods, though it can become slippery and rutted during wet weather. While some ambient daytime noise from the highway is audible, the area becomes exceptionally quiet at night. Several spacious clearings along the corridor can accommodate larger rigs and trailers.
Lizard Head Pass Dispersed Area
A large, highly scenic high-mountain meadow dispersed camping area located directly off Lizard Head Pass. Popular and flat, this area can accommodate a variety of rigs but is completely unmaintained and inaccessible during winter months.
Lizard Head Pass Trailhead
A paved and graveled parking area serving the Lizard Head Trail. Primarily a day-use parking lot with pit toilets, but frequently used for quick, late-night overnights when nearby dispersed sites are full.
Lone Cone Cabin
The historic Lone Cone Cabin offers a rustic retreat with two bedrooms, woodstoves, and basic amenities including a flush toilet and shower. Located close to the Lone Cone Trailhead for hiking and equestrian access into the Lizard Head Wilderness.
Lone Cone F Dispersed
Dispersed camping sites nested along Forest Road Lone Cone F in the beautiful San Juan National Forest area.
Lone Cone Road Dispersed Corridor
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along Lone Cone Gs Road in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The area provides access to quality wilderness hiking and trailhead access.
Lone Cone Road Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor situated along Lone Cone Road in the Uncompahgre National Forest, providing standard roadside pullouts in a wooded setting near Groundhog Mountain.
Lone Cone State Wildlife Area Camping
Primitive camping area located within the Lone Cone State Wildlife Area, offering peaceful dispersed camping options with views of the surrounding mountains.
Lone Cone SWA State Park
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Lower Ryman Trailhead Road Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along the Dolores River and Lower Ryman Trailhead Road. It features a spacious grassy flat right off the highway suitable for larger rigs, as well as several rocky, secluded pull-offs closer to the river.
Main Beaver Spur 2D Dispersed Corridor
This quiet dispersed camping corridor runs along a native material dirt road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. It is open to all vehicle types under dry conditions, offering a peaceful retreat near Groundhog Mountain.
Mary E Campground
Mary E Campground is a scenic, designated developed camping area situated along the San Miguel River near Telluride. The campground features 15 established sites with picnic tables, portable toilets, and trash receptacles, but does not provide potable water. It operates seasonally on a first-come, first-served basis with strict limitations on vehicle/trailer lengths.
Matterhorn Cabin
A spacious 1,800-square-foot Forest Service group cabin available for rent during the fall and winter seasons. The facility features modern amenities, including electricity, running water, and heating, with direct access to extensive groomed cross-country ski trails right from the doorstep.
Matterhorn Campground
A premier Forest Service campground situated along the San Juan Skyway near Telluride. The facility features spacious, forested sites alongside modern conveniences including hot showers, flush toilets, and electrical hookups. It offers immediate access to the historic Galloping Goose Trail for hiking and mountain biking.
McCulloch Creek Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping corridor along McCulloch Creek Road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, offering peaceful wooded settings.
Mckenzie Point Road Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along Mckenzie Point within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The native dirt road is accessible to most vehicle classes, offering quiet forest spots.
Mid Beaver Road Dispersed Camping
This corridor along Mid Beaver road offers dispersed camping opportunities within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.
Middle Peak Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Middle Peak Road within the national forest, offering mountain views and quiet campsites. The road is open to all vehicles but has a native dirt surface.
Mill Creek Basin Backcountry Camp
This rustic backcountry camp offers primitive tent camping nestled deep in a high-alpine basin surrounded by dramatic San Juan mountain peaks.
Miramonte Reservoir Camping Area
Located along the shores of Miramonte Reservoir within the Dan Noble State Wildlife Area, this location offers designated campsites with scenic lake views. It serves as an excellent base for fishing and boating activities, though visitors must possess a valid Colorado wildlife area access permit.
Nelson Springs Road Dispersed
This remote forest road provides dispersed camping corridors within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. It offers a peaceful, wooded setting near Miramonte Reservoir, suitable for self-contained rigs during the dry season.
North Creek Parallel Road Dispersed
This dispersed camping area lies along the North Creek Parallel road corridor within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. Surrounded by deep pine forest, it features peaceful pull-offs ideal for self-contained rigs looking for a rustic wilderness experience. The main access is a native dirt road that can become slick and challenging during wet weather.
Norwood District, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
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Oak Hill Dispersed
This dirt road corridor offers dispersed camping access within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. It provides a native material surface suitable for most vehicle types during dry conditions.
Old City Reservoir Dispersed
Dispersed camping sites nestled along the Old City Reservoir corridor within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. This area provides primitive roadside pullouts surrounded by peaceful woodlands.
Ophir Pass Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping corridor along the rugged western approach of Ophir Pass within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. This route provides access to primitive pullouts amidst scenic mountain valleys near Telluride.
Ophir Pass Road Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor located along the lower reaches of Ophir Pass Road, providing access to sites within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.
Pipeline Road Dispersed
This seasonal dispersed camping corridor along Pipeline Road offers beautiful natural settings within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.
Priest Lake Camping Area
A scenic dispersed camping area located next to Priest Lake in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. It features several well-spaced, mostly walk-in sites with picnic tables and fire rings, along with a public vault toilet.
Rico Guard Station Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along the Rico Guard Station road within the scenic San Juan National Forest. This native-surface road offers peaceful, shaded spots with convenient access to nearby mountain recreation.
Silver Cloud Dispersed
This scenic dirt road corridor in the San Juan Mountains offers high-altitude dispersed camping opportunities near Telluride. It is managed by the Forest Service and provides a rustic wilderness experience with native dirt surfaces.
Silver Pick Road Dispersed
Silver Pick Road offers dispersed camping opportunities along a native material dirt road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. This scenic corridor is suitable for most standard rigs during dry conditions and provides access to beautiful forested surroundings near Mountain Village. Ensure you plan ahead for varying road conditions.
South Fork Illium Road Dispersed
This scenic corridor along South Fork Illium Road provides dispersed camping within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The well-graded gravel road runs through a deep canyon, offering easy access to riverside spots suitable for a variety of rig sizes.
Sunshine Campground
A beautiful Forest Service campground featuring 17 sites nestled among scenic aspen groves. Each first-come, first-served site offers a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad, with some locations showcasing stunning views of Sunshine Mountain and a marshy pond. The campground features clean vault toilets and on-site camp hosts during the season, though water availability can vary, particularly late in the season.
Sunshine Mesa Dispersed
Sunshine Mesa offers quiet dispersed camping along a native dirt road in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Situated near Mountain Village and Telluride, this area provides scenic views of the surrounding mesas and mountains with straightforward access for most vehicles.
Telluride Town Park Campground
A premier city-run campground situated directly adjacent to downtown, offering unmatched walkability to local trailheads, shops, and municipal amenities. Beautifully positioned along the river, it serves as a comfortable, developed urban basecamp.
Tin Can Basin Camp Spur
A scenic dispersed camping spur located in the beautiful San Juan National Forest near Mountain Village. This quiet native dirt road spur offers a secluded setting ideal for a peaceful nature retreat.
Trout Lake Forest Road Dispersed
A series of small dirt pull-offs located past Trout Lake along the forest road near the historic trestle. Offers a secluded forest setting but is highly restricted with active 'No Camping' postings in many spots.
West Beaver Highline Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along the West Beaver Highline road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.
West Beaver Spur 1A Dispersed
West Beaver Spur 1A offers primitive dispersed camping opportunities along a native-material dirt road within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. This quiet corridor is generally accessible to most vehicles during dry conditions, providing a peaceful forested setting.
West Dallas Forest Road Corridor
A scenic dirt corridor located within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests near Telluride, providing opportunities for dispersed camping.
West Dolores Road
This scenic corridor along West Dolores Road offers dispersed camping in the San Juan National Forest with easy access to nearby trailheads.
Willow Divide East Dispersed (FR 618)
Scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Willow Divide Road East in the San Juan region, offering native surface pullouts surrounded by national forest land.
Woods Lake Campground
A peaceful Forest Service campground located near Woods Lake, offering quiet sites nestled among deep trees. The campground features multiple loops, including a tent-only loop that prohibits trailers for a quieter experience, and is close to local hiking trails. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and payments can be made on-site.
Yankee Boy Basin Road Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping spots located along the rugged Yankee Boy Basin corridor in the Uncompahgre National Forest. Access requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle due to steep climbs, rocky shelves, and narrow switchbacks. Sites are situated on pull-offs near Governor Basin Road, offering spectacular views of alpine peaks and the basin below. This area is highly exposed with limited level space, best suited for well-equipped overland rigs.