Colorado · Camping

Sunshine Campground

Jun–Jul, Sep
best months

Is Sunshine Campground open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Sunshine Campground, 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 9,595 ftHigh camp: expect cold nights, even in summer
  • Norwood Ranger DistrictGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

Sunshine Campground is a single-loop, paved campground in the Norwood Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. It sits about 8.6 miles from Telluride, where restaurants and shops make it easy to stock up before or after a stay. The campground has 17 campsites in a dense aspen forest around a small mountain lake. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and 1-2 parking spaces, and some have tent pads. It can accommodate smaller RVs, with a maximum spur length of 35 feet. Vault toilets were installed in summer 2024, and drinking water is available. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Telluride show July highs around 77°F with lows near 41°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. The Sunshine hike starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Magic Meadows Spur mountain bike trail is 0.2 mile off. The South Fork San Miguel River, a canoeing route, is 0.8 mile away. Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) is about 2.3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Jul, Sep

    Best time to visit Sunshine Campground

    Best months: June–July and 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

      36° / 0°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 5°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 13°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 22°

      9 wet

    5. May

      60° / 29°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 41°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 40°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 34°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 23°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      45° / 13°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 2°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Telluride 4wnw, CO, 4.2 mi away at 8,646 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more campsites worth the drive

Alta Lakes Camping AreaPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Alta Lakes Camping Area

~4 min drive

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

Secret Campsite

~13 min drive

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

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)

~13 min drive

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

BED

Cayton Campground

~16 min drive

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

Dispersed camp site

~18 min drive

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

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

Silverton Lakes Campground

~24 min drive

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

BED

Amphitheater (co)

~26 min drive

BED

Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed)

~4 min drive

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

BED

Matterhorn

~5 min drive

BED

Priest Lake Designated Camping Area

~6 min drive

First-come lakeside camping in Colorado's scenic high country.

Sunshine Campground

Book on Recreation.gov

Check dates