Camping at Matterhorn Campground
2-4 hours
Moderate
Camping at Matterhorn Campground, located just outside Telluride, Colorado, offers a remarkable experience in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. This campground is unique due to its stunning alpine scenery, proximity to outdoor activities, and serene atmosphere. As a local expert, it’s important to highlight this area, as it draws adventurers and nature enthusiasts looking for a true mountain escape.
Campground Features: The campground includes 25 campsites, each thoughtfully spaced to ensure privacy. Amenities such as potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables enhance the camping experience. A hiking trail leading directly from the campground offers opportunities to see local wildlife and diverse plant life.
Scenic Views and Activities: Visitors can indulge in breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. The area is well-known for hiking, with trails such as the Bear Creek Trail and Jud Wiebe Trail nearby, offering stunning overlooks and varying difficulty levels.
Collectively used by outdoor enthusiasts, camping spots in the area exemplify the commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the San Juan Mountains. Historically, this region has been a favored location for mining, and remnants of that history can sometimes be spotted on hiking trails, offering campers a glimpse into Telluride's past.
Best Times to Visit: Late spring through early fall (May to September) is ideal due to pleasant weather.
What to Bring: Essential gear includes hiking boots, a sturdy tent, warm clothing for cooler nights, and camping cookware.
Driving Directions: From Telluride, take Highway 145 south, then turn onto Last Dollar Road. After about 10 miles, look for signs directing to the campground. Camping at Matterhorn Campground combines natural beauty with rich outdoor experiences, making it a must-visit destination for campers of all expertise levels.
The camp hosts were nice and there is a creek that runs along the campground. There is a beaver pond by the walk in sites. The highway that runs along campground does give some road noise.
We really enjoyed this campground. We went at the end of September when the trees were turning colors. Our camper was surrounded by beautiful shades or yellow, red, and green. It was gorgeous! The site was very clean and very well maintained. There was a picnic table, a metal fire pit, and a standing hook for lanterns. The staff was very kind and helpful. I am looking forward to staying here again in the future.
Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.
This was a beautiful campground, with wonderful hosts!! Jocelyn and Barry were just incredible camp hosts. The sites were lovely, in a wooded area, and the Galloping Goose trail (to two mountain lakes) was literally right beside our site so we didn’t have to even drive to a trailhead! The bathrooms were clean with warm showers. Also was just a 25 minute gorgeous drive to get to Telluride. Very pretty campground- we will absolutely go back!
We rented this cabin through recreation.gov for thanksgiving night (thurs) through Sunday. 12 of us from 3 different states, drove 6 hours to get to the cabin and when we arrived realized our reservation confirmation did not include the entry code for the door to gain access. We spent the next almost 2 hours trying to gain access and call someone for help, the emergency contact “John” had his phone off and even after multiple text, calls and voicemails never followed up. The local sheriff had no idea how to help, CO State Patrol did their best but could not help either and recreation.gov was closed. We eventually gained access through an open door and found some keys. The cabin is beautiful and more than equipped for a large group of different age groups. We stayed the whole weekend and never once heard back from anyone after our almost catastrophic holiday. Be aware and prepared. I would definitely recommend staying here, just be sure you don’t do it on a holiday and make sure you have the entry code prior to leaving!
8.20 miCamp at Matterhorn Campground near Telluride, Colorado. This area offers beautiful views and activities like hiking and fishing. The campground provides 25 sites with amenities including potable water and fire rings. Best visited during spring and fall.
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