Camping near Ouray and Ridgway

The gateway to Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Ouray County is loaded with outdoor adventure. Picturesque campgrounds dot the region around Ridgway and Ouray, offering travelers an inexpensive accommodation and way to see the land.

You’ll find everything from RV parks and Forest Service campgrounds to camping at the local hot springs in Ridgway. Both the San Juan and Uncompahgre national forests are accessible, the former to the southeast, and latter to the northwest. Ridgway marks the upper most point of the San Juan Skyway, a national scenic byway looping through Ouray, Silverton, Durango, Cortez, Dolores and Telluride.

List of camping by Ridgway and Ouray, CO, in order of proximity:

Campgrounds near Ridgway

Coming from the north on CO-550, Ridgway is a true gateway to the mountains, sitting at the base of the Mt. Sneffels at 6,985 ft. About a thousand people call this Western Slope town home, so it has ample size to accommodate travelers. The town’s gem is Ridgway Reservoir, located only a few miles north of downtown. Camp here at one of three excellent campgrounds, including a wonderful walk-in tent-only campground located on the wooded hillside.

Orvis Hot Springs Campground

If you enjoy clothing-optional resorts, Orvis Hot Springs is worth a visit. Camp, bring your RV, or stay in one of their gorgeous lodge rooms. Regardless of which type of hospitality you choose, you will have free access to the hot springs during your stay.

• Closest Town: Ridgway (2mi)
• Specs: Clothing-optional hot springs resort and campground for tent and RV camping
• Amenities: Full access to hot springs, tent platforms for tent campers, gorgeous lodge rooms, amazing mountain views, very close to Ridgway and not far from Ouray
• Reservations: Yes, call (970) 626-5324
• Address: 1585 County Rd #3, Ridgway, CO 81432 (Map)
• Directions: From Ridgway, use Hwy 550 to travel south for about two miles. Turn right onto Co Rd 3, then the hot springs will be on your right.

Basecamp 550

Whether you’re a travel blogger, social media influencer, or just a traveler passing through, Basecamp 550 features scenic sites for just about anyone looking for a place to stay. Enjoy a night cozied up by the fire pit outside your tent or spend the day taking in the gorgeous mountain views from the front porch of your tiny home.

• Closest Town: Ridgway (3mi)
• Specs: Glamping tents, full hookup RV camping, and tiny house lodging in a scenic setting
• Amenities: Bathrooms, hot showers, outdoor kitchen/grill for cooking, WiFi, free firewood, picnic areas, close to Ridgway (5min) for more recreation
• Reservations: Yes, at Basecamp550.com
• Address: 20725 US-550, Ridgway, CO 81432 (Map)
• Directions: From Ridgway, take Hwy 550 south for about three miles. The campground will be located off of the highway, on your right.

Ridgway State Park Campgrounds

Ridgway State Park is located conveniently in between Ridgway and Ouray on the Million Dollar Highway. Featuring three total campground with generous amenities including RV hookups, this state park is one you won’t want to miss on your next trip down Hwy 550.

Dakota Terraces Campground

Dakota Terraces is the smallest of the three campgrounds, but it is also the only site to allow RVs all year long. With nearby access to the boat ramp for fishing and other water recreation, just about every site at this campground is a scenic one.

• Closest Town: Ridgway (6mi)
• Specs: 79 total sites for tents and RVs, all RV sites have electric and water hookups
• Amenities: Bathrooms, showers and laundry at Camper Services building, playground, nearby hiking and biking trails, access to boat ramp for water recreation
• Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
• Address: Elk Ridge Campground Rd, Ridgway, CO 81432 (Map)
• Directions: From Ridgway, use Hwy 550 to travel north for about five miles. Turn left to enter the park, then make a right onto Dakota Terraces Campground Rd. Turn right onto Loop B and the campground will be on your right.

Elk Ridge Campground

Elk Ridge Campground is generously-sized, with plenty of RV hookups to spare. Those who want to stay right by the water will love the proximity of this campground to the nearby lake.

• Closest Town: Ridgway (6mi)
• Specs: 107 total sites for tents and RVs, all RV sites have electric and water hookups
• Amenities: Bathrooms, showers and laundry at Camper Services building, playground, nearby hiking and biking trails, access to boat ramp for water recreation
• Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
• Address: Elk Ridge Campground Rd, Ridgway, CO 81432 (Map)
• Directions: From Ridgway, take Hwy 550 north for about five miles. Turn left to enter the state park, then make a left onto Elk Ridge Campground Rd. Turn left onto Loop E and continue along this road until you reach the campground.

Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground

If getting away from it all is important to you, the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground is an excellent choice. Nestled in a forest of juniper pines and located next to a nearby pond, this campground is both scenic and provides plenty of recreation opportunities.

• Closest Town: Ridgway (9mi)
• Specs: 95 total sites for tents and RVs, all RV sites have electric and water hookup, 10 walk-in campsites
• Amenities: Bathrooms, showers and laundry at Camper Services building, nearby group picnic area, volleyball and horseshoe courts, nearby hiking and biking trails, access to river for fishing
• Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
• Address: US-550, Montrose, CO 81403 (Map)
• Directions: From Ridgway, use Hwy 550 to travel north for about eight miles. Turn left to enter the park, then make a right to enter the campground loop.

Silver Jack Campground

Are you looking to get lost in the mountains? If so, Silver Jack Campground is one of three campgrounds in this scenic and unpopulated area. Be sure to bring all of your supplies in and pack them out as well–the closest town is twenty miles away.

• Closest Town: Cimarron (20mi), Ridgway (28mi)
• Specs: 60 pull-thru primitive campsites in an Aspen forest, group campsite for up to 100 available as well
• Amenities: Vault toilet, drinking water, nearby hiking trails, mountain climbing, Beaver Lake for fishing and water recreation, wildlife viewing
• Reservations: No, first come, first serve
• Address: Co Rd 858, Montrose, CO 81401 (Map)
• Directions: From Ridgway, use Hwy 550 to travel north for about two miles. Turn right onto Co Rd 10, then after about five and a half miles, make a left onto Co Rd 8. Continue on this road another ten miles, then it will become Co Rd 860. After seven more miles, make a left onto Co Rd 861, then another left onto Co Rd 858. Follow this road for another three miles, then turn left onto Silver Jack Campground Rd.

Big Cimarron Campground

Horse campers will rejoice at Big Cimarron Campground, a rare camping area that provides corrals to horse campers. Along with fishing and hiking opportunities, Big Cimmarron is a gorgeous place to spend a few nights away from civilization.

• Closest Town: Cimarron (18mi), Ridgway (29mi)
• Specs: 10 total primitive campsites, horse corral available
• Amenities: Vault toilet, picnic areas, nearby Beaver Lake for fishing and water recreation, hiking trails nearby, wildlife viewing
• Reservations: No, first come, first serve
• Address: Co Rd 858, Gunnison, CO 81230 (Map)
• Directions: From Ridgway, use Hwy 550 to travel north for about two miles. Make a right onto Co Rd 10, then travel about five and a half miles and take a left onto Co Rd 8. Continue for another ten miles, then it will become Co Rd 860. After seven more miles, make a left onto Co Rd 861, then another left onto Co Rd 858. Follow this road for another five miles and the campground will be on your left.

Beaver Lake Campground

Fishing on Beaver Lake is a popular activity during the warm summer months, and Beaver Lake Campground provides the perfect jumping-off point for campers and RV travelers. Ensure you bring all of your supplies with you, however, as the closest town is nearly twenty miles away.

• Closest Town: Cimarron (19mi), Ridgway (29mi)
• Specs: 11 shady primitive campsites
• Amenities: Vault toilet, picnic areas, access to Beaver Lake for fishing and water recreation, hiking trails, wildlife viewing
• Reservations: No, first come, first serve
• Address: Co Rd 858, Cimarron, CO 81220 (Map)
• Directions: From Ridgway, take Hwy 550 N for about two miles. Turn right onto Co Rd 10, then continue for five and a half miles and take a left onto Co Rd 8. After you’ve traveled another ten miles, this road will become Co Rd 860. Seven miles later, make a left onto Co Rd 861, then another left onto Co Rd 858. Follow this road for another four miles and the campground  can be found on your left.

Campgrounds near Ouray

Colorado’s Swiss-like town of Ouray is compared to the Alps because of its steep box canyon that it resides in, tall peaks rising high over town. It’s a welcoming community of about a thousand people, secluded in Southwest Colorado at 7,792 ft. Nature is what draws both locals and visitors alike to this little slice of heaven. There are a couple of RV parks in town and countless other campgrounds and free dispersed camping in the San Juan National Forest. Ouray is connected to Lake City seasonally via the 4×4 Alpine Loop.

4J+1+1 RV Park

Ouray is a mountain paradise, and the uniquely-named 4J+1+1 RV Park puts you right in the center of that mountain beauty. This park offers an array of RV and tent sites for every type of camper, along with amenities like a camp store, recreation room, and playground for the young ones.

• Closest Town: Ouray (<1mi)
• Specs: 68 total campsites, 45 sites with full hookups for RVs and trailer, 10 sites for tent campers
• Amenities: Bathroom, showers, laundry, camp store, recreation room, free WiFi, playground, close to Ouray for recreation
• Reservations: Yes, call (970) 325-4418
• Address: 790 Oak St, Ouray, CO 81427 (Map)
• Directions: From Ouray, travel north on Main St until you hit 7th Ave. Head west, then turn right onto N Oak St. Make the next right and the campground will be at the end of the road.

Ouray RV Park and Cabins

When you can’t decide what type of accommodations you want to stay in, take a look at Ouray RV Park and Cabins. This park boasts cabins, hotel rooms, tent camping, and RV spots all along the river in a gorgeous setting.

• Closest Town: Ouray (1mi)
• Specs: Full hookup RV park with riverside cabins, hotel rooms, and tent camping also available
• Amenities: Bathroom, showers, laundry, onsite restaurant, free WiFi, game room, close to Ouray for recreation
• Reservations: Yes, call (844) 687-2926
• Address: 1700 Main St, Ouray, CO 81427 (Map)
• Directions: From Ouray, travel north on Hwy 550 for about a mile. The RV park will be on your left, just past the edge of town.

Amphitheater Campground

Named for the nearby “amphitheater” that was formed by a prehistoric volcanic explosion, this quiet campground is close enough to Ouray to access all of the nearby recreation.

• Closest Town: Ouray (2mi)
• Specs: 35 pull-thru primitive campsites for tent camping and small RVs/trailers
• Amenities: Vault toilet, water, firewood available, close to Ouray for recreation like off-roading and hot springs
• Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
• Address: Amphitheater Campground Rd, Ouray, CO 81427 (Map)
• Directions: From Ouray, travel south on Hwy 550 for a little over a mile, then turn left on to Co Rd 16. Take a slight left onto Amphitheater Campground Rd, then continue for another mile. The campground will be on your left.

Thistledown Campground

Those who are intent upon hiking up to the top of Mt. Sneffles often choose to camp in Thistledown Campground, a Forest Service campground that is located close to Ouray. Although only tent camping is really recommended here, small trailers and RVs may fit in as well.

• Closest Town: Ouray (3mi)
• Specs: Primitive recommended for tent camping
• Amenities: Vault toilet, close to Mt. Sneffles trail, off-roading, wildlife viewing, close to Ouray for more recreation
• Reservations: No, first come, first serve
• Address: Camp Bird Rd, Ouray, CO 81427 (Map)
• Directions: From Ouray, head south on Hwy 550 for about a half-mile, then turn right onto Camp Bird Rd. Continue down this road for another two miles and the campground will be on the left.

Ouray KOA Holiday

Only a few minutes from Ouray lies the Ouray KOA Holiday, full to the brimming with amenities and recreation opportunities. Many of the campsites and RV sites are located on the river, giving you both spectacular views as well the relaxing sound of running water to fall asleep to every night.

• Closest Town: Ouray (5mi)
• Specs: 115 total sites including full hookup RV sites, tent campsites, tipis, and cabins
• Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, water, dump station, dog walk, hot tub, onsite restaurant, camp store, nearby Ouray for hot springs and off-roading
• Reservations: Yes, at KOA.com
• Address: 225 Co Rd 23, Ridgway, CO 81432 (Map)
• Directions: From Ouray, travel north on Hwy 550 for about four and a half miles, then make a left onto Co Rd 23. The KOA will be on your left.

Ironton Park Campground

Ironton Park Campground, located about halfway between Silverton and Ouray on the Million Dollar Highway, is a unique location with a variety of free, dispersed sites to choose from.

• Closest Town: Ironton (>1mi), Ouray (7mi) Silverton (16mi)
• Specs: 10 free primitive camping sites near historic Ironton, some require 4WD
• Amenities: Vault toilets, easy access to hiking, biking, and ATV trails, quiet sites with mountain views
• Reservations: No, first come, first serve
• Address: County Rd 20, Ridgway, Colorado  81432 (Map)
• Directions: From Silverton, use Hwy 550 to travel north for about sixteen miles. The campground will be on your left, just past Ironton.

Consider Silverton, Montrose or Telluride

Just a forty-minute rolling cruise on the Million Dollar Highway, CO-550 leads you south to the San Juan County Seat. Residing at 9,318 feet in elevation, Silverton is a remote and rugged mountain town. About 700 locals welcome visitors throughout the year. The summer attracts plenty of campers, with a lot of opportunities to camp near Silverton in the heart of the San Juans.

Forty-five minutes north of Ouray on CO-550 takes you past Ridgway to Montrose, the next county seat. With nearly 20,000 residents, you’ll find anything you should need here. Montrose lies at a bit of a crossroads, with easy access north to Grand Junction or east to Gunnison via Highway 50. The latter route takes you by the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Consider camping near Montrose on the South Rim for an incredible experience at Colorado’s least visited national park.

Everybody seems to love Telluride…and really it’s no wonder why. A fifty minute drive from Ridgway, Telluride also resides in a stunning San Juan Mountain box canyon. This San Miguel County Seat is well known for its fabulous festivals and stunning geographic features, such as its amazing waterfalls. There’s plenty of cool camping surrounding Telluride too, which are a reasonable drive to the hot springs of Ouray County!

Those are all the best places to camp near Ridgway and Ouray. Remember to practice good ethics and clean up after yourselves. Have a good time seeing the local sights of Southwest Colorado.