Alta Lakes Designated Dispersed Campsites
Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Write a Review FR-64F Telluride, CO 81435 970-874-6600 Official WebsiteGPS: 37.8846, -107.8467
Overview of Alta Lakes Designated Dispersed Campsites
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.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by a8z5 on 9/24/2023
Number of Sites 20
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally Open when roads are accessible.
Elevation 10,170 ft / 3,099 m
Max Stay 7
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Alta Lakes Designated Dispersed Campsites
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 970-874-6600
roadtrippers-roadtripper1267291 asked on 6/11/2024
Answer questioncamper-911790 asked on 3/7/2024
Do you need a permit to camp in any of these dispersed campsites overnight?
Reviews of Alta Lakes Designated Dispersed Campsites 11 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 7/3/2017
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 7/7/2020
“Definitely need high clearance 4WD ”
Reviewed 9/24/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Overall Rating
You need a jeep/subaru/truck to get up here for sure, but not off-road skills. Very popular, hard to get a site, very beautiful...but kinda over-used/trashed lately. You can kayak/SUP at the little lake even if you can't get a spot for the night. I wish they'd improve the road and add a few more sites, or just have a big parkin... more
You need a jeep/subaru/truck to get up here for sure, but not off-road skills. Very popular, hard to get a site, very beautiful...but kinda over-used/trashed lately.
You can kayak/SUP at the little lake even if you can't get a spot for the night.
I wish they'd improve the road and add a few more sites, or just have a big parking lot for folks that don't need lots of space.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Gorgeous views”
Reviewed 7/7/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Quite a few campsite options (got there on a Sunday afternoon), but make sure to only camp in designated areas (marked by poles). We went up past the ghost town/mining town and got a gorgeous campsite seemingly on the edge of the tree line. We had absolutely stunning views. However, we were there in early June and got hit by a little s... more
Quite a few campsite options (got there on a Sunday afternoon), but make sure to only camp in designated areas (marked by poles). We went up past the ghost town/mining town and got a gorgeous campsite seemingly on the edge of the tree line. We had absolutely stunning views. However, we were there in early June and got hit by a little snowstorm that night. Drove up in a Subaru Crosstrek which worked great, but definitely needed that clearance and AWD. Take it slow and you'll be fine!
lyds1331 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Worth The Trip But Beware The Snow”
Reviewed 6/21/2023
| Days stayed: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Site Number: | 5 |
Overall Rating
We made it to the campground in a 2wd suv. There were definitely moments we thought we wouldn’t make it, but we did by taking our time and being patient. Once we got to the campsite, the first 4 sites were already occupied. There is a bump in the road after site #5 that had snow and a pick up truck had gotten stuck when we got there. T... more
We made it to the campground in a 2wd suv. There were definitely moments we thought we wouldn’t make it, but we did by taking our time and being patient. Once we got to the campsite, the first 4 sites were already occupied. There is a bump in the road after site #5 that had snow and a pick up truck had gotten stuck when we got there. Thankfully a couple in a Xterra helped them get out and then they had to give them a push to get them over the bump. Pretty nice if them to do that. We got the last site before that bump. Our 2wd suv (ford explorer) would NOT have made it over the snowy bump. FYI, you can only camp at the numbered/designated sites. We got here at 7:30pm on a Wednesday night and still found a site. The weather is beautiful up here. The moon and stars are so bright. When we got here, it was in the 50s, but it’s supposed to go down to the 30s tonight. In June! That’s so unbelievable to me, but I love it! Make sure to bundle up! Well worth the drive!!!
camper-834076 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Could not make it”
Reviewed 7/14/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
What a waste of time! Managed to sort all kinds of washboard and stones but it got more and more challenging.
Not worth to have a vehicle breakdown.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“So sad to see!”
Reviewed 5/10/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Overall Rating
This beautiful area has been completely destroyed over the past few years. It is really sad to see the damage humans have caused by over camping around and visiting the lakes. If you want a peaceful and serene place to camp in this area find somewhere else.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“RV Accessible To Alta mining town but not campground plenty of dispersed though on the 2 miles prior”
Reviewed 8/13/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | Dispersed |
Overall Rating
Gorgeous views, amazing hikes are all around. We have a 26’ RV and debated the accessibility of the road based on reviews. I grabbed onto one review that didn’t sound too bad and decided to go with it. 😂 To be clear, the 3 miles up to the lakes are absolutely RV accessible. The campground itself, is not. Tons of dispersed camping below... more
Gorgeous views, amazing hikes are all around. We have a 26’ RV and debated the accessibility of the road based on reviews. I grabbed onto one review that didn’t sound too bad and decided to go with it. 😂 To be clear, the 3 miles up to the lakes are absolutely RV accessible. The campground itself, is not. Tons of dispersed camping below the mining town though. The road in is not remotely a four-wheel-drive trail. Slightly rutted in a couple of spots. The only issue is a couple of narrow areas that not even two small cars could pass each other. I scouted ahead and warned cars that an RV was coming. Plenty of pull offs and we had no issues. I will say that we arrived on a Saturday late afternoon and there were a lot of people coming down. We left at 7 AM on a Friday and only had to contend with a couple of cars. You can absolutely make this drive in an RV if you are comfortable behind the wheel.
JPRodibaugh would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful camping - challenging road!”
Reviewed 7/7/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
Overall Rating
Finding few campgrounds open around Telluride, I headed to Alta Lakes which was already crowded on a Monday. Note - camping is ONLY allowed in numbered spots, though there are an abundance of other sites w fire pits Ranger Pete explained the plans to restore the area surrounding the upper lakes to the unscarred alpine meadows they’re ... more
Finding few campgrounds open around Telluride, I headed to Alta Lakes which was already crowded on a Monday. Note - camping is ONLY allowed in numbered spots, though there are an abundance of other sites w fire pits Ranger Pete explained the plans to restore the area surrounding the upper lakes to the unscarred alpine meadows they’re meant to be.
The lakes are beautiful, nearby Alta town site was interesting and a short hike away. Only downside to Alta Lakes is the teeth rattling drive to get there. My Subaru made it but I’d prefer a Jeep or 4x4! Highly recommend- will be back!
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T-Mobile 4G
BBTX60 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Breathtaking views”
Reviewed 10/25/2017
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
A little cold but should be expected this time of year. Absolutely stunning spot though!
GooseGrace would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good morning heartache, you're like an old friend come and see me again. ”
Reviewed 7/3/2017
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Death was defied as we, in our big ol' Ford E-350 extended meandered up the dirt road to Alta Lakes. Luckily, everyone else had a 4Runner or Jeep, and so could simply climb around us. The lake camping area was pretty packed so we scooted back down, just a little below the old abandoned mining shacks, to a seemingly man made perf... more
Death was defied as we, in our big ol' Ford E-350 extended meandered up the dirt road to Alta Lakes.
Luckily, everyone else had a 4Runner or Jeep, and so could simply climb around us.
The lake camping area was pretty packed so we scooted back down, just a little below the old abandoned mining shacks, to a seemingly man made perfect outcropping of land and rock that overlooked a little meadow, big mountain views all around. See Figure 42 for reference.
This just in! Remember how I said the road was a little, as the local millennial say, gnar gnar? Well some guy did manage to drag a rather large trailer behind his big boy dualies pickup, only to camp alongside the road in a wide spot. I suppose if you could brave the climb, our spot would be perfect for a short RV or something like a T@B.
Occasional visits from the 1 bar of LTE fairy would occur, but nothing to write home about (or post on Instagram with).
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AT&T 4G
Nathan @ Wand'rly would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Stunning views, crowded weekends, recent site closures, no big rigs, brave and small trailers limited. ”
Reviewed 6/25/2017
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 12 |
Overall Rating
ALERT: Forest service is undertaking large changes. Access to upper lake has been closed, as well as numerous sites. June 2017
Stunning, if crowded. Lots of day visitors. Weekends are VERY busy.
Lovely spot, though.
Access road is not for the timid. 4WD may be needed if wet.
1 bar AT&T at times, no Verizon.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Mobilicus would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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36 reviews
noted 11/20/2019
Just before you get to the lake's bowl you have to go over a fairly gnarly bump section (short section) in the road as you make a left turn as the road peaks and you start to get into the lakes area. It helps to have a high clearance vehicle for this short section. I wouldn't do it in my Nissan Van and camped at the historic mining ghost town just below the lakes area. Nearly the entire graded dirt road up is single lane and so it is white knuckle when you meet another vehicle on the road. Remember that the headed downhill vehicle must yield and make way for the vehicle traveling uphill.
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- fishing
- recreation trail
- water access
Pets
- pets
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Barry- the Campground Manager…..solid As Mt. Rushmore! Thank You For The Memories!! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
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