- Uncompahgre National Forest
The best camping in Uncompahgre National Forest, CO
85% (23)
Head to wild western Colorado to truly get away from it all.
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Paul
2 weeks ago
23 ft campervan
With pets
Terrific! The spot is 10 minutes from Durango and far enough from the owners home that it felt private. And there are endless acres of forest for the dogs to explore. We had no problem accessing the site in our rwd Ford Transit. Verizon signal was adequate. Tree coverage made starlink useless.
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Jerry
October 2025
Tent
It was good. I needed a place last minute and it was easy to book and find. Left first thing.
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Robert
October 2025
21 ft campervan
The site was level, clean and had a very nice view. Utilities were nice and convenient.
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Marlana
October 2025
30 ft fifth wheel
Small and somewhat private location close to several wonderful places!
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Diana
October 2025
1 night at Junction West Durango
Nice cabin by the river! The room was comfortable and we enjoyed hearing the sounds from the water.
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Amy
October 2025
Tent
With pets
This was my favorite campground and campsite for my cross country trip. I would have stayed several days had my schedule permitted it. I was on site 109 and it was such a great spot for stargazing! Loved having the picnic table, fire ring, water and electrical hookup! Quiet and peaceful. Beautiful surroundings. Host was very well organized for my late arrival, and very helpful when I needed assistance. Love this place!
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Michael
October 2025
16 ft car
With pets
Quiet, peaceful and a perfect spot for a quick overnighter. Super clean restrooms with a hot shower! Would definitely recommend this place!
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Ryan
October 2025
Tent
I had a great time with my son here for a few days. We used it as a home base and spent most of our time exploring the area. The front office was very accommodating which I thought was very nice. There is a little camp store and a game room there too! Showers and bathrooms were clean. The sky is amazing!
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Rebecca
October 2025
1 night at Junction West Durango
Beautiful location with great views of the river right outside the cabin. Cabin itself was cozy and warm.
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Rebecca
October 2025
32 ft travel trailer
Great campground! Everything was clean, staff was friendly the views are amazing!!! I highly recommend the Durango Hot Springs and Spa down the street! We went for a two hour soak and it was absolutely spectacular!!! Close proximity to the Spa and downtown were convient and the peaceful less of the campground were the perfect combination! We enjoyed our stay and will be back!!
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Kelly
October 2025
With kids
Beautiful! Staff was very nice. We had a beautiful riverside cabin. The river was raging when we arrived due to days of downpours. I was concerned about potential flooding. While it was not near flood level, they kindly and quickly moved us to a cabin several hundred feet from the river bank.
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Christine
October 2025
Tent
We loved staying on Melinda's land! It was pouring rain from a freak storm and she generously allowed us to use her mudroom and her addition downstairs. Genuinely, she saved our trip. She had great recommendations on things to do in the area and was available and communicative. I could not ask for a better host,
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Nicole
October 2025
25 ft campervan
Enjoyed our two night stay at HTR Durango. Beautiful surroundings with creek running through our site. Camp is well-maintained. Close proximity town.
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Kristen
October 2025
22 ft travel trailer
With kids
Beautiful area. Tricky to back into the spot and wish it was more level. Thanks for the firewood.
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Keeghan
October 2025
29 ft travel trailer
With pets
Beautiful location with gorgeous sunsets and stargazing. A little close to the neighbor rv’ers. Didn’t appreciate the dogs barking early morning. Overall a great overnight stay!
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Katie
October 2025
Tent
I thoroughly enjoyed camping on this land!! Very quiet, the two farm dogs are beautiful and friendly. I also greatly appreciated the clean bathroom facilities. Lovely space, I’d love to return!!
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Tammy
October 2025
Tent
We love camping at Melinda’s. Beautiful views, gracious host and close to hiking trails and Durango. This was our 2nd time there and we’ll be back our next time through Colorado.
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Brian
October 2025
Tent
It was pretty close to perfect experience. The bathrooms and showers were clean, heated and private. The tent sites were flat. The location was about a 30 minute drive to Ouray, CO and Black Canyon Gunnison. The location was also 8 minutes to downtown Montrose which had every store you would want. The host Audrey was friendly. The cost was reasonable.
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Abigail
October 2025
With kids
Cozy cabin had everything we needed. Would definitely stay again. Right outside of Durango. Loved the closeness to the river. Peaceful few days.
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Kathy
October 2025
23 ft travel trailer
Peaceful ! Wanna get away - this is a nice spot ! Good views and quiet !
See moreTop public campgrounds in the park
Stay at a public campground in Uncompahgre National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds
The best camping in Uncompahgre National Forest, CO guide
Overview
About
You'll have a hard time seeing everything in these vast forests. Visit blue lakes, the largest flat-top mountain in the world, and Alpine Tunnel. And these are just some of the highlights.
Drive to Grand Mesa, the largest such landform in the world. It covers more than 500 square miles. It sits 6,000 feet above the surrounding countryside. More than 300 lakes and thick forest cover the land.
Hike to Alpine Tunnel, one of the highest tunnels in the world. It was the first tunnel to cut through the Continental Divide. The project ended abruptly in the 1880s, and the tunnel is sealed off. Don't forget to stop off at the restored telegraph office and train station.
Do not miss Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride. At 365 feet tall, the falls are the tallest in Colorado. In the winter, the waterfall freezes over and becomes a beacon for ice climbers. Warmer months showcase a towering curtain of water.
Several campgrounds combine to offer hundreds of campsites in this forest.
85%
23 ratings · 10 reviews
Many of the sites offer quite a bit of privacy. The campground was mostly quiet.
Lori Jean R.
19 reviews
Not recommend
· July 2019
There is no water at the cabin and, therefore, no bathroom available. There is the world's most disgusting porta potty, however. Don't do it.
Jill H.
6 years on Hipcamp
July 2019
There is no bathroom available here as there is no water available , even though it is advertised. There is a disgusting porta potty, however. Pretty cool for $120 per night.
Jill H.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2018
Near empty in late October before the snowfall, beautiful scenery with the foliage changing colors.
Megan M.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2018
This place was full the first few times I tried to visit. Popular place and for a good reason. Follow your bear safety protocol folks! We saw lots of bears in the area. Love the drive to the campground. Be sure to spend some time in Ouray while you’re here!
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Erica E.
2 reviews
Recommends
· March 2017
Wild boy basin just a short drive away provides some of the most secluded alpine lake camping ever! Probably need 4x4 tho
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Annie G.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2017
This campground is gorgeous! Make sure your car is up for the trek though. We made it up in our campervan but it was a little dicey at times. Everything is well spread out and it's dispersed camping. We didn't have any issues with people being too close. Spectacular views along the way! I would absolutely recommend camping here if you want to visit Telluride. It is close enough but far enough away that you don't get stuck with crowds or big groups
Alyssa M.
9 years on Hipcamp
August 2016
Love this campsite! Just south of town on the side of a mountain. Views are incredible, and sites are spread out for maximum privacy. It's a short drive walk to Baby Bathtubs, and Lower Falls hike, and there are many more longer trails you can catch in vicinity including Ouray Perimeter trail. We stay in campsite #9, which was about 100 ft from the road, and offered tremendous privacy. Couldn't see anyone standing in the middle of the site. Also had water spigot nearby, and just a short climb to nearest bathrooms which are everywhere. One complaint - wish the bathrooms had been cleaned, bit smelly. Camp host was out of wood, but if your crafty there are usually piles of cut down beetle trees on the way up.
Mark S.
10 years on Hipcamp
June 2016
Favorite campsite of all time right here. Alta Lakes is tough to get to, but is 110% worth it. The views are stellar and the abandoned mine town you pass on the way up is pretty cool!
Madison G.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
This is one of the best campgrounds in the lower 48. Bring a water purifier and make use of the natural spring that flows through the middle of the site. Bring a jacket too, even in summer I have woken up to frost on the ground. It can get chilly at 11,000'
Don't be dissuaded by the rough road. A Subaru or a brave sedan could make it no problem.
Please take care of this place. Pack your trash out, Leave no trace.
Dillon S.
10 years on Hipcamp