The best camping near Telluride with horseback riding

Tucked high in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Telluride is best known as a ski town. Don’t let that fool you—when the snow melts, the mountains come to life with adventure-seekers. Hike in Aspen forest, fish in alpine streams, or tackle heart-pounding mountain bike trails. Whether you want to relax in camp or get active, Telluride has the perfect campsite.

Stay close to downtown restaurants at the Telluride Town Park Campground. The park welcomes tents and RVs up to 30 feet (no hookups). It’s open from mid-May through early October and runs on a first-come, first-served basis.

Outside of the town of Telluride, the Forest Service operates several beautiful campgrounds. Beating the mountain views at Sunshine Campground is hard. Bringing an RV? You’ll find four sites with hookups at Matterhorn Campground.

For free primitive camping, head for Priest Lake Campground. From here, you’re a short walk from hiking and mountain biking trails. Alta Lakes Campground, which is also free, offers alpine views and horseback riding trails.

Telluride is home to more 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks than anywhere else in the U.S. The best way to see them is on one of the 90+ local hiking trails. Or, rent a 4WD vehicle and explore the network of forest roads. In the winter, try fat tire biking, snowmobiling, or Nordic skiing.

This tiny town sits at 8,750 feet, so the weather is unpredictable year-round. Bring a rain jacket for summer thunderstorms, and pack layers for high-elevation trips. Dry, cool autumn is the perfect time for hiking through the fall foliage. Winters are cold and snowy; extra-warm gear and snow tires can keep you comfortable.