Other Campgrounds
We setup the official Planet Bluegrass campgrounds to cater to Festivarians. They are close to town; they offer free shuttle buses to/from the Festival from morning thru late-night; they support our "sustainable festivation" initiatives; and they are filled with members of the Festivarian family eager to welcome newcomers with open arms. Unfortunately for some, these amenities have made these campgrounds very popular - popular enough to sell-out weeks in advance of the Festival.
We still have lots of space in several of our Planet Bluegrass campgrounds this year. As those spaces become scarce later this spring, we suggest investigating these alternative camping areas. Please note: since no shuttles are offered from these campgrounds to the Festival, you will need to drive to Telluride each day. Of course if sleeping under the stars isn't your thing, we also offer various lodging options in the Telluride area.
Alternative Campgrounds
The following alternative campgrounds are not affiliated with Planet Bluegrass or Telluride Bluegrass.
Matterhorn Campground
- Directions: From Telluride, travel west on Hwy 145 for 4 miles; turn south at Society Turn intersection (towards Rico and Dolores) and continue on Hwy 145 for 12 miles. Campground is on the east side of the highway.
- Facilities & Services: 20 campsites, 8 RV sites with full hookups (42' - 60'), picnic tables, fire grates, potable water, flush toilets and showers (showers for non-campers are $3/person), and trash pickup.
- Maximum People Per Site: 8
- Fees: $16.00/night (includes a 2nd vehicle); $24.00/night extra for RV full hookup (includes an extra vehicle); $8.00/night extra vehicle; $3.00/shower (non-campers only)
- Reservations: campers can reserve campsites by calling the National Recreation Campsites Reservation Service at (877) 444-6777 or via their website: www.reserveusa.com.
Sunshine Campground
- Directions: From Telluride, travel west on Hwy 145 for 4 miles; turn south at Society Turn intersection (towards Rico and Dolores) and continue on Hwy 145 for 5 miles. Campground is on the west side of the highway.
- Facilities & Services: 18 campsites (no RV sites), potable water, picnic tables, fire grates, composting toilets, and trash pickup.
- Maximum People Per Site: 8
- Fees: $14.00/night; $7.00/night extra vehicle
- No Reservations Available for this Campground.
Woods Lake Campground
- Directions: From Telluride, travel west/northwest on Hwy 145 for 12 miles through Sawpit; turn south on the Falls Creek Road (Forest Road 618) and continue on this road for 8 miles, then turn left onto Forest Road 621, proceeding 1 more mile to campground.
- Facilities & Services: 41 campsites (no RV sites), potable water, picnic tables, fire grates, composting toilets, trash pickup, horse corral/trough, and large day use parking lot with trail access to Lizard Head Wilderness.
- Maximum People Per Site: 8
- Fees: $14.00/night; $7.00/night extra vehicle
- No Reservations Available for this Campground.
Other Telluride-Area Campgrounds
- Search for area campgrounds at: http://www.reserveamerica.com/
- Also, search for regional campgrounds at: http://www.reserveamerica.com/
National Forest camping in the Telluride Area
There is no camping allowed in the Ilium Valley, outside of the Mary E campground, the Bluegrass fee campground. However, people are encouraged to camp in the following no-fee areas. Please note that a 7-day camping limit applies in all areas.
Alta Lakes Campground - No Fee
- Directions: From Telluride, travel west on Hwy 145 for 4 miles; turn south at Society Turn intersection (towards Rico and Dolores) and continue on Hwy 145 for 6 miles, turn east (left) onto Alta Lakes Road (Forest Road #632). Stay on this road through the ghost town of Alta (approx 5 miles) to campground. Road is rough -- for high clearance vehicles only.
- Facilities & Services: Room for 20 or more groups, (no RV sites), picnic tables, fire grates, one vault toilet.
- Pack in/pack out trash.
Priest Lake - No Fee
- Directions: From Telluride, travel west on Hwy 145 for 4 miles; turn south at Society Turn intersection (towards Rico and Dolores) and continue on Hwy 145 for 14 miles, turn east (left) into Trout Lake subdivision. Proceed down road for 1/4 mile, take first left onto unmarked forest road, continue north on this road for 1 mile. Undeveloped camping area near Priest Lake is on the west side of the road.
- Facilities & Services: Enough room for approximately 5 - 7 groups. One vault toilet. No other facilities.
- Pack in/pack out trash.
Lizard Head Pass - No Fee
- Directions: From Telluride, travel west on Hwy 145 for 4 miles; turn south
at Society Turn intersection (towards Rico and Dolores) and continue on Hwy
145 for 14 miles Lizard Head Pass. See restroom/overlook on right and sheep
corrals on left side of highway. After passing restroom/overlook, turn left (east) onto small dirt road on left, follow right fork of road that goes past sheep corrals. Camping is allowed only along the short segment of road that passes alongside the sheep corrals. There is room only for approximately 3-4 groups in this area. Please respect all road closure
signs. Road is rough ---- this is for high clearance vehicles only. - No other facilities.
- Pack in/pack out trash.