San Juan NF — Silverton/Durango

8,000–12,000 ft · CO🚗 Directions

High San Juan terrain. Prime high-elevation king bolete and hawk's wing. Strong snowmelt zone in June. Spectacular but requires acclimatization.

Trees:Engelmann Spruce Subalpine Fir Aspen

Permit Info →

Updated Apr 13, 6:38 PM

Foraging Potential35/100

✅Moisture

❌Soil Temp

❌No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

0.25"

Precip 14d

2.20"

Soil Temp

35°F

SWE

Snow Water Equivalent — how much water is in the snowpack vs. normal. Declining SWE means snowmelt is adding moisture to the soil.

24%

Drought

None

Snowmelt

steady

Limiting Factors

Soil too coldOutside season windowHard freeze in 48h

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Nearby Camping

Kendall Designated Camping Area

developed

~3 mi from center

Kendall Campground

developed

~3 mi from center

Silverton Dispersed

dispersed

BLM9,300 ft~3 mi from centerFree/night

Multiple dispersed spots on mining roads around Silverton. 4WD recommended.

fire ring

Open May–Oct

Anvil Designated Camping Area

developed

~3.3 mi from center

Molas Lake Campground

developed

~4.3 mi from center

Cunningham Gulch Dispersed Camping

backcountry

BLM~4.6 mi from center

Cunningham Gulch Dispersed Camping

backcountry

BLM~4.6 mi from center

Cunningham Gulch Dispersed Camping

backcountry

BLM~4.7 mi from center

Cunningham Gulch Dispersed Camping

backcountry

BLM~4.7 mi from center

Cunningham Gulch Dispersed Camping

backcountry

BLM~4.7 mi from center

Molas Lake

developed

County10,500 ft~5 mi from center$25/night

60 sites

County-run campground south of Silverton on US 550. Stunning views. High-elevation.

vault toiletwaterfire ringpicnic table

Open May–Oct

Little Molas Lake Campground

developed

USFS~5.2 mi from center

BLM Dispersed Camping

backcountry

~5.7 mi from center

South Mineral Campground

developed

USFS~6.3 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Primitive Camping

developed

~6.5 mi from center

South Mineral

developed

USFS9,800 ft~7 mi from center$22/night

26 sites

Beautiful campground off US 550. Near Ice Lake trailhead. Good habitat.

vault toiletwaterfire ring

Open May–Oct

Dispersed camp site

developed

~7.8 mi from center

Dispersed Camping Area

backcountry

~7.9 mi from center

Million Dollar Highway Free Campsite

dispersed

~8.8 mi from centerFree/night

Animas Forks Camp

backcountry

~9.6 mi from center

Animas Fork Camp 2

backcountry

~9.8 mi from center

Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed)

developed

USFS~11.4 mi from center

toilet

Reserve →

Alta Lakes Campground (Designated) - Norwood RD

developed

USFS~11.8 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Priest Lake Designated Camping Area - Norwood RD

dispersed

USFS~12.2 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Matterhorn Campground - Norwood RD

developed

USFS~12.3 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

MATTERHORN

developed

USFS~12.3 mi from center

Reserve →

Matterhorn Campground

developed

USFS~12.3 mi from center

watertoiletelectric hookup

Reserve →

Thistledown Campground

developed

USFS~12.9 mi from center

toilet

Reserve →

Thistledown Campground - Ouray RD

developed

USFS~13.4 mi from center

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Angel Creek Campground - Ouray RD

developed

USFS~13.4 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Argentum Site 4

backcountry

~13.6 mi from center

Angel Creek Campground

developed

USFS~13.6 mi from centerFee required/night

Sunshine Campground - Norwood RD

developed

USFS~13.7 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Sunshine Campground

developed

USFS~13.7 mi from center

watertoilet

Reserve →

Argentum Site 5

backcountry

~13.8 mi from center

Argentum Site 1

backcountry

~13.8 mi from center

Cataract Gulch

developed

~13.9 mi from center

Argentum Site 3

backcountry

~13.9 mi from center

Burrows Park Dispersed Camping

backcountry

~14 mi from center

Mill Creek Basin Backcountry Camp

dispersed

N/A~14.4 mi from centerFree/night

AMPHITHEATER (CO)

developed

USFS~14.7 mi from center

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Four J Campground

developed

~14.9 mi from center

Mary E Campground

developed

~15.8 mi from center

Mill Creek Campground (CO)

developed

BLM~16 mi from centerAt Mill Creek Campground thirteen sites are RESERVABLE up to 180-days in advance during peak season, Memorial Day through September 30th. The remaining nine sites are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED with camp fee paid on site with cash or check. Sites cost $20 per night. Please pay with cash or check in the fee envelope at the campground for FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED sites./night

Mill Creek Campground

developed

BLM~16.1 mi from center

watertoilet

Reserve →

Sig Creek Campground

developed

USFS~17.3 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

CAYTON CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~17.5 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Ouray KOA

developed

KOA~18.9 mi from center

Williams Creek Campground- Gunnison RD

developed

USFS~19.3 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Williams Creek Campground

developed

USFS~19.3 mi from center

watertoilet

Reserve →

Secret Campsite

developed

~19.8 mi from center

Nellie Creek

developed

~20.3 mi from center

Nellie Creek Site 1

developed

~20.3 mi from center

HAVILAND LAKE CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~20.6 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Chris Park Group Campground

developed

USFS~21.6 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

CHRIS PARK

developed

USFS~21.7 mi from center

Reserve →

Woods Lake Campground - Norwood RD

developed

USFS~22.2 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Burro Bridge Campground

developed

USFS~22.3 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Woods Lake Campground

developed

USFS~22.3 mi from center

Reserve →

Thirty Mile Campground

developed

USFS~22.8 mi from centerFee required/night

Rio Grande National Forest

Reserve →

THIRTY MILE

developed

USFS~22.8 mi from centerSeason Dates/ Site Type/ Nightly/Daily Rates Friday before Memorial Day - Labor Day Weekend / Single Site / $29.00 weekends and holidays $31.00 Double Site / $58.00 weekends and holidays $62.00/night

Reserve →

VALLECITO CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~23.8 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Transfer Park Campground

developed

USFS~24 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

RIVER HILL

developed

USFS~24 mi from centerSeason Dates Site Type Nightly/Daily Rates Friday Before Memorial Day - Labor Day Weekend Single Site $20.00 Double Site $40.00/night

Rio Grande National Forest

Reserve →

River Hill Campground

developed

USFS~24.1 mi from center

Reserve →

Florida Campground

developed

USFS~24.7 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

FLORIDA CAMPGROUND (CO)

developed

USFS~24.9 mi from center

Reserve →

Road Canyon Campground

developed

USFS~25.8 mi from centerFee required/night

Rio Grande National Forest

Reserve →

Pine River Campground

developed

USFS~26.5 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Lower Hermosa Campground

developed

USFS~26.8 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Lower Hermosa Campground

developed

USFS~26.8 mi from center

Crooked Creek Dispersed Area

dispersed

USFS~27.2 mi from centerFee required/night

Rio Grande National Forest

Reserve →

Dunton River Camp

developed

~27.5 mi from center

Reserve →

Silver Thread Campground

developed

USFS~27.5 mi from centerFee required/night

Rio Grande National Forest

Reserve →

Silver Thread Campground

developed

USFS~27.5 mi from center

Reserve →

Caddis Flats Campground

developed

BLM~28 mi from centerFree/night

Reserve →

Miller Creek Campground

developed

USFS~28 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Bristol Head Campground

developed

USFS~28.1 mi from center

Rio Grande National Forest

Bristol Head Campground

developed

USFS~28.3 mi from center

Reserve →

Dakota Terraces Campground

developed

State~28.4 mi from center

North Clear Creek Campground

developed

USFS~28.5 mi from centerFee required/night

Rio Grande National Forest

Reserve →

North Clear Creek Campground

developed

USFS~28.5 mi from center

Reserve →

Middle Mountain Campground

developed

USFS~28.5 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Elk Ridge Campground

developed

State~28.5 mi from center

JACKSON GUARD STATION

developed

USFS~28.8 mi from center

Reserve →

Pine Point Campground

developed

USFS~29.1 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Pine Point (Vallecito Reservoir, CO)

developed

USFS~29.1 mi from center

Reserve →

NORTH CANYON CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~29.5 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Deer Lakes Campground

developed

USFS~29.6 mi from center

12 sites

watertoilet

Reserve →

Deer Lakes Campground - Gunnison Rd

developed

USFS~29.6 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~29.7 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Silver Jack Campground

developed

USFS~30.2 mi from center

Reserve →

Silver Jack Campground - Ouray RD

developed

USFS~30.2 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground

developed

~30.8 mi from center

Beaver Lake Campground - Ouray RD

developed

USFS~31 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Beaver Lake Camground

developed

USFS~31.1 mi from center

Reserve →

Big Cimarron Campground - Ouray RD

developed

USFS~31.5 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Big Cimarron

developed

USFS~31.6 mi from center

Reserve →

Big Blue Campground

developed

USFS~31.9 mi from center

Reserve →

Big Blue Campground - Gunnison RD

developed

USFS~31.9 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

ALPINE RANGER STATION

developed

USFS~32.4 mi from center

Reserve →

Hidden Valley Tent Campground- Gunnison RD

developed

USFS~32.9 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Jutten Camp

developed

~33.3 mi from center

Alpen Rose RV Park

developed

~33.5 mi from center

Reserve →

Darby Campground

developed

USFS~33.7 mi from center

Spruce Campground

dispersed

USFS~33.8 mi from centerFree/night

Reserve →

Spruce Campground - Gunnison RD

developed

USFS~33.8 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

WEST DOLORES CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~35.2 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Junction Creek Campground

developed

USFS~35.5 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Lower Beaver Campground

developed

~35.5 mi from center

toiletpicnic table

JUNCTION CREEK CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~35.6 mi from center

Reserve →

Lower Beaver Rec. Site

developed

BLM~35.6 mi from center

Junction Creek Campground - Day Use

developed

San Juan National Forest~35.7 mi from center

Jersey Jim Lookout

developed

USFS~35.9 mi from center

La Plata City Campground

developed

USFS~36.4 mi from center

MAVREESO CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~36.5 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Madden Creek Campground

developed

USFS~37 mi from center

Miner's Cabin Campground

developed

USFS~37.4 mi from center

Kroeger Campground

developed

USFS~37.7 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Snowslide Campground

developed

USFS~38 mi from centerFee required/night

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Transfer Horse Camp

developed

~38.3 mi from center

Transfer Campground

developed

USFS~38.3 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

Bay City Campground

developed

USFS~38.6 mi from center

HTR Durango Campground

developed

~39 mi from center

Reserve →

Meadows of San Juan Resort

developed

~39 mi from center

Caddis Flats

developed

BLM~42.1 mi from centerNo Fee/night

TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~43.4 mi from center

San Juan National Forest

Reserve →

SILESCA CABIN

developed

USFS~44.1 mi from center

Reserve →

Iron Springs Campground - Ouray RD

developed

USFS~44.5 mi from centerFee required/night

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Reserve →

Iron Springs Campground

developed

USFS~44.5 mi from center

Reserve →

Ledges Rockhouse Area

developed

BLM~48.5 mi from centerCampsite is $5.00 - $20.00 per night./night

Ledges Cottonwood Area

developed

BLM~49 mi from centerThe camp sites are $5.00 -$20.00 per night./night

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.