Directions: Travel approximately 5 miles south of Telluride, CO on State Highway 145. Enter your email below to be notified when we get access. Make sure your car is up for the trek though. Hike up the short trail to view the remnants of the old mining town with many of... Ophir Pass (el. Alta Lakes is a lake in Colorado and has an elevation of 11,312 feet. Facilities for small groups. Painted Rocks Lake is located less than 5 miles away by paved road. Your total drive to the lakes is 5 miles each way and you gain 1700 feet elevation. Trailers and RV's are not … Pass a nearby ghost town en route to camping with beautiful lake views. A beautiful popular campground area located at 11,000 feet that is generally snow-free by late June. Near empty in late October before the snowfall, beautiful scenery with the foliage changing colors. Alta Lake State Park in Pateros is rated 6.8 of 10 at Campground Reviews. To get to the lakes, turn right at the town and follow the signs to Alta Lakes. Lakes Trail - Heather, Emerald and Pear Lakes, near Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park. The park offers good trout fishing during summer months. That sure applies to Alta Lakes Campground, which is accessed only via rugged road that requires high clearance and all wheel drive. Discover and book tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping—everywhere from national parks to blueberry farms. We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be inclusive. Turn east on Forest Road #623 (Alta Lakes Road) and climb about 3 miles, pass the town of Alta to the lake. Working clockwise you can now descend from Alta Pass through talus and forested slopes to the lower Lila Lakes basin rejoining the crowds before making your way back down the trail. About: Alta Lakes is a popular dispersed camping area that offers fishing and camping in a spectacular alpine setting. We integrate with the National Weather Service to provide valuable fire advisories to Hosts and Hipcampers. Forests, meadows and lakes. Share. Primrose Lake Finding few campgrounds open around Telluride, I headed to Alta Lakes which was already crowded on a Monday. View Map. Would you recommend Alta Lakes Campground? This location is beautiful but I had to hike the last mile becuase someone parked their rental jeeps in the road. General Notes: Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. Mystic Falls is not marked on any map I've ever seen. Sharing is caring, y'all. The Lakes Trail, one of the most popular hikes in Sequoia National Park, climbs through dense forest to a landscape of polished granite dotted with four beautiful lakes and set amid a backdrop of rugged ridges anchored by Alta Peak (11,204-ft.). This is one of the best campgrounds in the lower 48. They draw over two million visitors a year. Please take care of this place. The Alta Point Trail is accessible. There are a lot of great paved or gravel bike routes in the Telluride area, including segments of the Galloping Goose Trail, the Telluride town trail and this rough gravel road leading to the Alta Lakes Recreation Area. And keep in mind that there are very limited facilities up there. Open late June to late September. Spectacular views along the way! Use our interactive ADA recreation mapto search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities. 16 primitive sites that are completely undeveloped, 7-day limit, 2 vault toilets and no water. Turn left and follow the main dirt road for about four miles until you reach a old mining ghost town. campground has powered sites, shower facilities with flush toilets, a covered camp picnic area, and a lookout. The Cold Lake Provincial Park has many sites, and is more secluded than the M.D. Helpful. All Hipcampers should review and adhere to these standards for safety, trip preparation, and respect in order to uphold Hipcamp’s most important value: “leave it better.”. General Information. Your total drive to the lakes is 5 miles each way and you gain 1700 feet elevation. The views become more stunning the higher you gain the ridge to the top of Alta Mountain. Twin Lakes Trail: Begins at the Lodgepole Campground. Open Sky Campground with Lakeside Features! 145. A Subaru or a brave sedan could make it no problem. We arrived at 10:45am and got the last spot right on the lake's edge facing the mountains (there were other spots but were further from the lake). High-clearance vehicles recommended. Free. It can get chilly at 11,000'. This campground is gorgeous! This perfect summer weekend destination is available from late June, when the snow melts, to late September. Take in the scenery while enjoying scenic drives, hiking through forests, road biking, and exploring our IMBA Gold Level Ride Center recognized mountain bike trails. Painted Rocks Lake is located about five miles north of the campground. Elevation: 11,060' Directions: Travel approximately 5 miles south of Telluride, CO on State Highway 145. Alta Lakes Campground is not operated by Hipcamp and can only be booked externally. Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area in Uncompahgre National Forest, Telluride Colorado. Alta Lakes is a popular dispersed camping area that offers fishing and camping in a spectacular alpine setting. Natural features you'll find at Alta Lakes Campground. Alta Lake State Park in Pateros, Washington: 8 reviews, 4 photos, & 1 tips from fellow RVers. A huge expanse of moderately graded slopes and bowls that separates the Pear Lake/Tokopah Valley area from the canyons that drain north into Kings Canyon. Alta Lake's beauty and stately mountains that guard the peaceful valley are magical. A vaulted toilet and no water. It is one of only a few homes in the United States … I would absolutely recommend camping here if you want to visit Telluride. Nearby Campgrounds Westerly RV Park 4.6 - 7 Reviews $$$ (970) 247-1275 Durango, Colorado King's Riverbend Park 4.7 - 7 Reviews $$$ (970) 249-8235 Montrose, Colorado Everything is well spread out and it's dispersed camping. The M.D. So drink plenty of water, you'll be camping and recreating at just over 11,000 ft at the campground. Alta campground is located along the West Fork of the Bitterroot River, a popular fishing river in the area. Learn more, Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future. You know that saying, "If it were easy, it wouldn't be worth it."? Large yellow-barked Ponderosa Pine tower above many of the campsites which along with fir, aspen and lodgepole pine provide shade for many of the campsites. To get to the lakes, turn right at the town and follow the signs to Alta Lakes. Consider combining this adventure with a climb of Alta Mountain or with a trek to Rampart Ridge Lakes on the Southeastern flank of the ridge. First allowed campsite - Cahoon Meadow (3 miles). © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. At an elevation of 4,500 feet, the campground encompasses 6 acres. Once you get up here, the primitive dispersed camping in a sweeping alpine setting, fishing, and hiking are real, real worth it. Alta Lake is about two miles long and a half mile wide. Autumn days in Aspen are filled with sunshine and nights with crisp cool air. Germania Pass via East Greeley Distance: 2.5 miles (one-way) Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet Follow this old mining road from the Upper Albion Meadows trail, or the Cecret Lake parking area. Take the left-hand turn, and stay on the main road for 4 miles to reach the ghost town of Alta. From the trailhead, follow the trail signs and fill out a hiking permit. Just like a phoenix, we’d bet Alta Lake State Park Campground is going to emerge from its 2014 fire damage even more beautiful than before. Getting Started. Pack your trash out, Leave no trace. Don't be dissuaded by the rough road. Alta Lakes Road is 6 miles south of Telluride on Hwy. Hipcamp is working closely with the government to allow bookings here asap. Overview Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Facilities: The campground offers 14 campsites, three of which are accessible, for tent and RV camping. We made it up in our campervan but it was a little dicey at times. V... Alta Ghost Town is located about 10 miles from Telluride on Alta Lakes Road. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! Cold Lake is situated near many campgrounds due to its proximity to the lake. Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. Near historical town of Alta, the first Ranger Station in the United States. The marmot town in Alta ghost town was quiet as they were winterizing. Note: Camping is permitted around the lake. The access road to the area is narrow and rough, requiring a high clearance vehicle. Get here early!!! adventures and follow local regulations. Direction: Travel approximately 5 miles south of Telluride, CO on State Highway 145. Moderately steep climb. Reminder — You can select the order of your own photos in your Host Dashboard so that they will show up exactly where you want them to on your listing. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Visitors enjoy swimming, boating and fishing. With nearby mountains, US Forest Service Land, and a wide range of elevation-dependent temperatures and a great community of year-round outdoor enthusiasts, Salt Lake and the Wasatch Mountains are an ideal place for trail runners. Supporter Subscription ... Alta Lakes Designated Dispersed Campsites. Bring a jacket too, even in summer I have woken up to frost on the ground. Date of experience: October 2020. There is a small beach great for swimming on the shore of Lake Alva. Starting at Highway 135 just a mile or so south of the excellent Sunshine Campground, Alta Lakes Road has some great views, especially on the lower section. A lot of the camping around Alta Lakes has been taken away. Read more. site (which is surrounded by development). Alta Campground is located in Bitterroot National Forest of southwest Montana. Even though a high clearance 4x4 is required to reach this area it still gets very crowded with visitors and campers. The Observatory is nestled underneath the 13,000-foot Palmyra and Silver Peaks of the San Juan Mountains and is adjacent to the Telluride ski area. Free: Yes. The only developed facility in the area is one older vault restroom. Please explore responsibly! (For now!) Hughes Creek was the site of early placer gold mining. Mount Baldy is the summit capping the north-south ridge which divides Alta and Snowbird ski resorts. There are picnic areas and 43 campsites and 2 group campsites at Lake Alva. Gain elevation and reach the first of the tour of lakes: Lake Lillian. It should be noted that the sun hits the east rim of the lake (closest to the mountain face) an hour later than the western side. - Winter Alta Peak. © 2020 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. 5.0 - 1 Review (970) 327-4261 ... High profile trucks will not have a problem. Elevation: 11060. Must camp in designated sites. Lake Alva Campground is situated in thick spruce and sub alpine trees 11 miles north of Seeley Lake at an elevation of 4,100 feet. Worth the trip up to lake at 11000 ft elevation. With a growing population of 9,500 people, new vacation rentals and real estate properties are readily available. Lakes Trail: Begins at Wolverton. The Alta Lakes are located in the Uncompahgre National Forest near Telluride, Colorado. Access to Silliman Pass and Jennie Lake Wilderness. From the Mountain Village near Telluride, drive south on CO 145 toward Lizard Head pass. There are 20 designated campsites that are completely undeveloped. Lower Soldier Lake This 19.2-mile loop crosses Cottonwood Pass and New Army Pass to visit a beautiful lake that is an ideal camping spot for backpackers heading higher and deeper into the sierra. Bring a water purifier and make use of the natural spring that flows through the middle of the site. Moderately strenuous climb. Cayton Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145) and the Dolores River. Type: Forest Service Elevation: 9282 Season: Jun 28 thru Sep 15 Forest campground near the top of Little Cottonwood Basin, SE of Salt Lake City. Haviland Lake Campground is situated on its beautiful namesake within the San Juan National Forest, 18 miles north of Durango. The lake and surrounding area were absolutely beautiful. Once you get up here, the primitive dispersed camping in a sweeping alpine setting, fishing, and hiking are real, real worth it. Alta Lakes features a beautiful and popular campground located at an elevation of 3,353 m (11,000 feet). And even some locals seem to have never heard of it. Anglers will find mountain whitefish and a variety of trout. A few miles before you reach the turnoff for Ophir, there's a brown forest service sign for Alta Lakes on your right, and a dirt road immediately after to your left. The sport of trail running is growing very quickly in Utah and beyond. The scenic lakes are a popular mid summer destination for camping, fishing and hiking. 11,114’), officially known as Forest Service Road #630, is one of the easiest of the high alpine trails in the San Juan mountains, but still can provide trouble to the inexperienced or when bad weather is present, particularly on t... Take the Gondola from either Telluride or Mountain Village and get off at mid station. Words can't describe how incredible this spot is. Walk up the path, pass the entrance to the bike park, and continue up the gravel road until you come upon signs for the Village Trail. Alta Lakes Campground. Matterhorn Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145), near the quaint town of Telluride, at an elev... Overview Watch the mountains and valleys turn gold with the changing Aspen trees. A short and easy approach hike with minimal elevation gain, along with excellent views of the ski resorts and Little Cottonwood Canyon, make this an excellent peak for beginning or intermediate hikers. And keep in mind that there are very limited facilities up there. I've been visiting Telluride, CO for the last 20 years, and I'd never once heard of this place. Alta Lakes Campground; Alta Lakes Campground . Also known as "Skier's Alta" or more technically "Peak 11,328", this is actually the highest point on the Alta Peak ridge, about 3/4 mile NE of Alta Peak. Alta Lakes is situated north of Ophir. Switchback up through flower filled meadows to an overlook above Cecret Lake. Denver, Colorado 205 … Recreate responsibly during COVID-19. Hopper211 wrote a review Aug 2020. Visitors enjoy the area for... Overview All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. Camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Bueller? See views of the Central Cascades from the summit. But I do it in my Suby Forester all the time... just go slow :) There are campsites all around the three lakes, so take your pick! High-clearance vehicles recommended. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Reservations are required for groups of 11 or more and cost $25 - $35. The three lakes that make up the group can be found above the mining ghost town of Alta, Colorado at an elevation that is over 11,000 feet above sea level. Discover campsites, ranches, vineyards, farms, glamping, public parks and more. Colorado, Alta Lakes Campground, Gunnison National Forest (Dispersed camping). Turn east on Forest Road #623 (Alta Lakes Road) and climb about 3 miles, pass the town of Alta to the lake. Favorite campsite of all time right here. That sure applies to Alta Lakes Campground, which is accessed only via rugged road that requires high clearance and all wheel drive. No one? The views are stellar and the abandoned mine town you pass on the way up is pretty cool! 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. There are approximately 16 primitive camping spots that are completely undeveloped. Alta Lake State Park is a 181-acre camping park where the mountainous pine forests meet the desert. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. We didn't have any issues with people being too close. It is close enough but far enough away that you don't get stuck with crowds or big groups, Wild boy basin just a short drive away provides some of the most secluded alpine lake camping ever! Alta Lakes is tough to get to, but is 110% worth it. Sky Blue Lake This hike extends beyond Lower Soldier Lake up Miter Basin to a deep blue lake surrounded by towering peaks. Alta Lakes from Mapcarta, the free map. Lake Chelan, with its many activities, is 30 minutes away. Take the rugged dirt road approximately 2 miles until the ghost town appears on the left. For more information, head to the US Forest Service website. Turn east on Forest Road #632 (Alta Road) and climb about 4.3 miles, pass the Alta townsite. Couldn't have picked a better spot to camp. Camping is allowed around the lake. Probably need 4x4 tho. So drink plenty of water, you'll be camping and recreating at just over 11,000 ft at the campground. And, it's free! While Alta Lake State Park is currently being restored due fire damage suffered last year, the park still meets high standards of beauty, cleanliness, and campsites that are private. Alpine vistas and lakes. Learn more about our photo removal policy if you would like to proceed with flagging this photo for removal. ... Elevation 9,580 ft / 2,919 m. Tent Camping Yes. Continue on to the pass, for panoramic views of Alta. Camping is allowed around the lake. Denver, Colorado snowfall, beautiful scenery with the National Weather Service to provide valuable fire advisories to Hosts Hipcampers! ( 11,000 feet ) area located at an elevation of 3,353 m 11,000. 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