Colorado · Camping · Near Telluride

Alta Lakes Camping Area

Alta Lakes Camping AreaPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
from $10
fee
May–Sep
best months

Is Alta Lakes Camping Area open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Alta Lakes Camping Area, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 5,800 ft
  • Norwood Ranger DistrictGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

Alta Lakes is a popular dispersed camping area that offers fishing and camping in a spectacular alpine setting. There are 20 designated campsites that are completely undeveloped. The access road to the area is narrow and rough, requiring a high clearance vehicle. Trailers and RV's are not reccomended.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Alta Lakes Camping Area

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Oak Street

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 4 mi
  • If it rains

    Little Hawaii Grotto

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Telluride

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Alta Lakes Camping Area

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      40° / 12°

    2. Feb

      43° / 16°

    3. Mar

      52° / 22°

    4. Apr

      58° / 28°

    5. May

      68° / 35°

    6. Jun

      80° / 45°

    7. Jul

      83° / 50°

    8. Aug

      80° / 49°

    9. Sep

      74° / 42°

    10. Oct

      62° / 30°

    11. Nov

      50° / 19°

    12. Dec

      40° / 12°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Placerville, CO, 14.5 mi away at 7,383 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more campsites worth the drive

Primitive Campsite near Ice Lake (San Juan National Forest)Photo: John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Primitive Campsite near Ice Lake (San Juan National Forest)

~10 min drive

Rustic, first-come camping in Colorado for self-sufficient outdoor enthusiasts.

Dispersed camp sitePhoto: Tobias from Germany, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Dispersed camp site

~15 min drive

First-come dispersed camping on Colorado public lands with backcountry character.

Secret CampsitePhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Secret Campsite

~15 min drive

A secluded Colorado campground offering a quiet retreat in natural surroundings.

BED

Cayton Campground

~18 min drive

Silverton Lakes CampgroundPhoto: Rainer Halama, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Silverton Lakes Campground

~20 min drive

Alpine campground near Silverton Lakes with mountain lake and peak views.

BED

Amphitheater (co)

~24 min drive

BED

Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed)

Next door

Rustic dispersed camping in Colorado's high-altitude backcountry.

BED

Sunshine Campground

~4 min drive

BED

Matterhorn

~6 min drive

BED

Matterhorn Cabin

~6 min drive

Matterhorn Cabin is a campground in Colorado at about 9,485 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.