Priest Lake Campground

For Colorado locals who cherish the serene beauty of the mountains and the authentic experience of dispersed camping, Priest Lake Campground near Telluride offers a truly fantastic spot. Nestled in the Uncompahgre National Forest, just a short drive from the iconic town of Telluride, this campground provides breathtaking views, a tranquil atmosphere, and direct access to a wealth of outdoor activities. It’s a favorite among those who seek to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in nature, all while enjoying the majestic backdrop of the San Juan Mountains.

Priest Lake Campground isn't your typical developed campground with paved sites and full hookups. Instead, it embodies the spirit of dispersed camping, offering a more rustic and secluded experience that many Coloradans prefer. As one delighted camper reviewed, "Yes! So happy I discovered this fantastic spot! What a view to wake up to! ... It was quite cold and my car was completely iced up. Took a stroll around the lake, when it got warmer in the morning and seeing the golden aspen and mist of the lake made my heart so happy!" Another noted, "This was a great dispersed campground with a lake view. A short drive off the highway yet secluded feeling." These testimonials highlight the natural beauty and peaceful solitude that make Priest Lake Campground a cherished destination.

Priest Lake Campground is located on Priest Lake Rd, Telluride, CO 81435, USA. This prime location places it approximately 8 miles south of the charming and renowned town of Telluride, making it easily accessible for a quick getaway or a longer outdoor adventure. To reach the campground, travelers typically take State Highway 145 south from Telluride. You'll then turn left on County Road 63A, and then a left again onto Forest Road #628. Proceeding about half a mile north on #628 will bring you to the Priest Lake Camping Area.

While the access road off the highway is generally traversable by most vehicles, visitors should be aware that the roads within the actual camp area can be "rough and rocky," as noted by a reviewer. This makes it ideal for tents and smaller pop-up campers, but trailers and large RVs are generally not recommended due to limited parking and challenging turnaround space. Despite the slightly rugged interior roads, the campground's proximity to Telluride means essential services, dining, and shops are just a short drive away, providing a convenient balance between wilderness immersion and town amenities.

As a designated dispersed camping area within the Uncompahgre National Forest, Priest Lake Campground offers a more minimalist set of services, emphasizing self-sufficiency and a "pack it in, pack it out" philosophy. However, it does provide key basic amenities to enhance the camping experience:

• Designated Dispersed Campsites: The area features nine designated camping sites, offering a balance between maintaining the natural environment and providing clear spots for campers.
• Vault Toilet: A significant convenience for a dispersed campground, a vault restroom (pit toilet) is available on site, as confirmed by customer reviews, ensuring basic sanitation. Users are advised that toilet paper may run out, so bringing your own is a good idea.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Most sites are equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring or grill, allowing campers to enjoy outdoor meals and safe campfires (subject to fire restrictions).
• No Fees: Priest Lake Campground operates on a no-fee basis, making it an incredibly budget-friendly option for experiencing the beauty of the Colorado mountains.
• First-Come, First-Served: Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning no reservations are taken. This encourages spontaneity but also means arriving early, especially during peak season, is advisable.
• No Potable Water: Campers must bring their own drinking water, as there are no water hookups or spigots available at the campground.
• No Trash Service: There are no dumpsters on-site, reinforcing the "pack it in, pack it out" ethic to maintain the pristine natural environment.
• No Hookups: As a dispersed camping area, there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups for RVs.

Priest Lake Campground's appeal lies in its stunning natural features and the array of outdoor activities it facilitates:

• Spectacular Lake and Mountain Views: The primary highlight is the "fantastic view to wake up to" of Priest Lake, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the San Juan Mountains. The scenery is particularly breathtaking with golden aspens in late September and early October.
• Secluded and Peaceful Atmosphere: Despite being a popular spot, the dispersed nature and the surrounding forest often provide a "secluded feeling" and a quiet environment, ideal for relaxation and connecting with nature.
• Priest Lake Access: While shallow, Priest Lake allows for non-motorized boating activities like kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Fishing for brook trout is also possible, with a valid Colorado fishing license.
• Galloping Goose Trail Access: The campground offers convenient access to the 17.6-mile Galloping Goose Trail, a popular multi-use path for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, providing endless opportunities for exploration.
• Wildlife Viewing: The serene alpine setting and dense forestry make the area home to various native wildlife, including deer, elk, grouse, and a wide array of bird species, enhancing the wilderness experience.
• Proximity to Telluride: Being only 20 minutes from Telluride, campers can easily access the town's renowned festivals, dining, shops, and attractions, balancing rustic camping with vibrant town life.
• Aspen Viewing: In the fall, the surrounding golden aspen groves create a spectacular display of color, drawing photographers and nature lovers.
• High Elevation Experience: Situated at approximately 9,600 feet in elevation, the campground offers a true high-mountain experience with cooler temperatures, especially at night, and stunning alpine vistas.
• Free Camping: The absence of fees makes it an incredibly attractive option for budget-conscious travelers seeking an authentic Colorado outdoor experience.

As a U.S. Forest Service dispersed camping area, Priest Lake Campground does not have a direct booking phone number. Information and inquiries are typically handled by the managing district of the Uncompahgre National Forest:

Address: Priest Lake Rd, Telluride, CO 81435, USA (Approximate location)

For general inquiries regarding the Uncompahgre National Forest, you can try contacting the Norwood Ranger District, which oversees this area:

Phone: (970) 327-4261 (Norwood Ranger District)

Alternatively, the general information line for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests may also assist:

Phone: (970) 874-6600

Please remember that campsites are first-come, first-served, so direct reservations are not possible for Priest Lake Campground.

For Coloradans, Priest Lake Campground embodies the essence of what makes our state's outdoor offerings so special. It's a prime example of accessible, high-quality dispersed camping within a truly iconic landscape. The "fantastic view to wake up to" and the "secluded feeling" mentioned by satisfied campers perfectly capture the desire of many locals to find peace and natural beauty away from the more crowded, developed areas. It provides an authentic mountain experience, complete with stunning views of golden aspens in the fall and clear skies for stargazing, as one reviewer loved.

The fact that it's a free, first-come, first-served site makes it incredibly appealing for spontaneous weekend trips or longer, budget-friendly excursions. While it requires campers to be self-sufficient (bringing water, packing out trash), the presence of a pit toilet adds a significant convenience for a dispersed site. Furthermore, its strategic location near Telluride offers the best of both worlds: a deep dive into wilderness during the day and the option to visit a vibrant mountain town for amenities or a special meal. Priest Lake Campground is an ideal spot for Colorado residents seeking a genuine, serene, and visually spectacular camping experience without breaking the bank, truly allowing them to connect with the heart of their home state's natural grandeur.