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San Juan/South Mineral
Overview
San Juan National Forest's South Mineral Campground offers a high-altitude escape near Silverton, Colorado. At an elevation of approximately 9,800 feet, this rustic destination provides direct access to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the San Juan Mountains. It serves as a premier basecamp for those looking to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of the Weminuche Wilderness. This is a true wilderness experience, offering a quiet alternative to crowded commercial parks while keeping you close to the heart of the Rockies.
Location & Surroundings
Located roughly seven miles off Highway 550 via Forest Road 585, the park is situated in a deep glacial valley carved by South Mineral Creek. The surroundings are defined by towering peaks, vibrant wildflower meadows, and dense coniferous forests. Travelers will find themselves surrounded by the sheer rock walls of the canyon, with several cascading waterfalls, including the nearby Clear Creek Falls, visible or audible from the vicinity. The air is crisp, and the scenery is characterized by steep slopes and the constant, soothing sound of rushing water.
Amenities & Park Features
As a Forest Service site, amenities are intentionally limited to preserve the primitive mountain experience. There are 26 campsites available, typically operating on a first-come, first-served basis. While there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups for RVs, the park provides vault toilets and potable water via seasonal hand pumps. Most sites are equipped with a heavy-duty fire ring and a picnic table. The access road is unpaved and can be rough or washboarded, so travelers with trailers or motorhomes should exercise caution and check conditions beforehand.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw for many visitors is the proximity to the Ice Lake Trailhead, which is widely considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado, leading to brilliant turquoise alpine lakes. For those with high-clearance or 4WD vehicles, the nearby Alpine Loop provides access to historic mining ruins and high-mountain passes. Fishing in South Mineral Creek is a popular pastime for many campers. Additionally, the historic town of Silverton is just a short drive away, offering local dining, shops, and the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Who This Park Is Best For
This location is ideal for self-contained RVers who prioritize stunning scenery and outdoor recreation over modern resort luxuries. It is a perfect fit for avid hikers, landscape photographers, and those seeking an off-grid mountain retreat. Because of the limited maneuverability and the gravel access road, it is best suited for small-to-mid-sized rigs, truck campers, and van lifers. If you enjoy cool mountain nights and immediate access to backcountry trails, this is a must-visit Colorado destination for your summer itinerary.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Andrew C
Good location to the Ice lake and Island lake trails. We were there around late September so it's winter price $20/day (lower than their $40 regular charges but still pricey compared to other better maintained campgrounds). No host when we were there, meaning no management at all. No drinking water. Most of the restrooms were locked and only one opened. It was somewhat smelly but bearable overall.
Matthew Dong
As of 10/2, there’s no host onsite, not sure if it’s because of the gov shutdown or just being end of season. Plenty of open spots when I checked in at 2pm and remained so throughout the day. You can self serve and attach payment receipt to your spot to lock it, it’s $20 per night now and def recommend it if you wanna do the Ice lake trail that’s literally just across the road.
william creighton
Wonderful campground with wonderful hosts! Very private sites, great views and right next to Ice Lakes Trail. Randy and his wife were fabulous hosts, welcoming everyone and helping with all kinds of info on hikes and local amenities. They managed the campground very well so that it was a great experience for all. Thank you to you both.
Tyler Rogers
Beautiful campsite perfect if you’re looking for a place to camp that’s close to trails and has plenty of good drinking water, it also has bathrooms that are locked to all non campers so that is nice! My only complaint would be that the host was a bit over bearing, nothing against the guy it might just be his personality but none the less a great camp site but also a bit high if you’re trying camp on a budget at 40$ a night with no electricity hook up, or phone signal.. seemed a bit pricey for what you’re getting IMHO Would recommend but there’s also some great dispersed camping on the same road that are way better in my opinion. The campsite itself gets 5 stars for views and location but I give it a 4 star because the host was a bit overbearing.
Carina Basio
We had a really nice experience . We were lucky to secure a site last minute . We were welcomed by the host. She was super nice and very informative . If you are planning to hike the Ice lake and Island Lake , this is the closest and the best spot to camp. The trailhead is just infront on it. The restrooms were very clean, the site was quiet . There was a very beautiful waterfalls closeby that you can visit while camping there . Great camping spot !
Aspen Maria Lanouette
Beautiful, spacious, well-maintained. Great camping spots, although not many dispersed options, and a friendly campground host. The views in the morning and the sky at night were spectacular.
Courtney Bardwell
First come, first served. $34/night cash or check. Check out at noon. Really well kept sights. Not crowded at all. Fire pit with grill and picnic table at each sight. Vault toilet. Potable water. A really nice creek running right by camp. Only giving 4 stars bc it’s a little pricey.
Cynthia
My husband and I really loved camping here! Ouray was full, so we drove a bit further and found this camp. The camp hosts are friendly and the vault toilets are super clean. We stayed in site 1 and it was spacious surrounded by lodgepole pine. Many sites are near the creek. South Mineral is on the $$ as far as camping goes - $34 7/22.
Nicholas Klein
An absolute treasure, the waterfalls tucked away here make you feel like you have discovered another world that is untouched. There is very little foot traffic and very simple trails to these amazing locations. UPDATE - I have since revisited after it reopened in September of 2021 (from the Ice Lake fire in 2020) and this area is nearly the same, with the exception of the falls to the north of the road now completely destroyed.
poor trekker
This area is stunning. STUNNING.