Ouray / Silverton Camp ground

4J in downtown Ouray. HWY 550 is something to experience if you are coming in from Durango.

Silver Summit in Silverton seems to be the place to go for hookups. It's always full when we drive by.

http://www.silversummitrvpark.com/

We always stayed at the free BLM area at South Mineral Creek and were lucky enough to be able to pull in front first with the stream 10' in front of us. Gorgeous but a warning - it's very crowded around July 4. Silverton puts on a fantastic 4th parade and fireworks. Viewing is by the Visitor Center. It's a neat little mining town - well preserved.

If you have a Jeep this is the ultimate 4-wheeling!! Or you can easily rent one in town or take a Jeep tour.

4J in Ouray or the KOA on the north edge of town. If u decide to explore some of the 4x4 trails, and you should, get trail info at any of the Jeep rental places. Stay OFF the Black Bear trail that goes from 550 over to Teluride!!! Experienced 'Wheelers' have died on that trail! Be sure to ride the steam train out of Silverton! If u'r driving up from Durango on 550 be ready for some scary places between Silverton & Ouray. In a few spots there is NO ROOM to install a guard rail. Just the roadway, the white line & the ravine. We now go further west to Delores and up 145 past Teluride and over to 550 at Ridgeway. If all is full at Ouray or Silverton, there is a wonderful state park north of Ridgeway called Ridgeway. While in the area you should REALLY camp at and tour Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l park.

We've stayed several times at the 4J RV Park in Ouray with our DP and Jeep, and we always enjoy it.

Called last fall to make reservations again for this summer, but numerous calls to the 4J went unanswered. Then we found the Ouray RV Park online, and decided to give it a try.

The one downside to the 4J Is that it can be very tight and we now have a trailer added to the mix; the Ouray RV Park is larger and more spread out. Haven't been there before, but I don't think you could go wrong with either.

jtad wrote:
Planning a trip this summer to the Ouray / Silverton area, was wondering if anyone could recommend a good place to stay. Will be in a 40' pusher with a Jeep, would like full hook ups. Thanks in advance, Joell and John.

jtad,
Well Sir,
The smartest thing for you to do would be to stay in the KOA, just about 5-6 miles north of Ouray. It's waaaaaaaaaay less conjested and a whole lot quieter than in town. It's very serene and has two sections for larger RVs, one in front and one around the back which, is the one all of us use because it's on grass and is more pleasant, and, is waaaaaaaay more negotiable than the in-town camping, especially if you're cruising around in a 40 footer toating a Jeep. Been to Ouray several times and have stayed in both. I'd stay in that KOA every time over the one in town. But, I'm the kind that don't like camping 2 feet from the other guy.

You're towing a Jeep but don't say what experience you have. In all reality, about 99.999% of the trails that lead out of Ouray and the Silverton area are non-complicated, non-obstacle trails. They are without a doubt, very scenic and, there's tons and tons of history in that entire area.

And as far as Black Bear pass, no sweat. Been on that trail several times. They (the Jeep tours based in Ouray) take fully loaded jeeps(as in several people) over that pass/trail every day when the pass is negotiable. It does have one section that has a pucker factor but, it's not all that bad. There are several hair pin u-turns that runs down the mountain side, into the town of Telluride.

If you plan it right, that is, enter the head of that trail at or near about 08:00 in the morning, you'll be at a very beautiful city park, right at the leading edge of Telluride for lunch. It's a neat place to eat and take in the sights before heading back to Ouray on the long pavement drive back.

Engineer pass is also a great one. You'll be above the tree line there, approximately 13,000 feet. There's many, many scenic trails in that entire area. If possible, do make sure you're with at least one other Jeep, if not more. Have fun.
Scott

KOA, +1

we did the one in town in silverton, it was OK. Not the best campground the world had ever seen, but full hookups, nice view, right next to the train tracks, walking distance to town.
http://www.silversummitrvpark.com/

Black Bear is for very experienced drivers only. Even they die on it. One summer 3 died within a week. There are many, many beautiful other runs to do before attempting Black Bear. If you're not experienced with mountain 4-wheeling there are easy runs, too! Have fun! It's an amazing place.

Thanks for all the replies.. We have been jeeping for about 4 years now. Been in CJ 7, but just bought a new JKU.. I'm not an beginner nor an expert by no means but Red River NM every year, Big Bend twice a year for the last 5 years. Jeep has a 2 1/2 lift and 33's. If any one has any more suggestions throw them out.. Thanks again we are really looking forward to it. We are kind of bummed to be so close to Moab and are not going to have time to make it that far.. Maybe in March.

jtad wrote:
Thanks for all the replies.. We have been jeeping for about 4 years now. Been in CJ 7, but just bought a new JKU.. I'm not an beginner nor an expert by no means but Red River NM every year, Big Bend twice a year for the last 5 years. Jeep has a 2 1/2 lift and 33's. If any one has any more suggestions throw them out.. Thanks again we are really looking forward to it. We are kind of bummed to be so close to Moab and are not going to have time to make it that far.. Maybe in March.

jtad,
Congrats on your new Jeep upgrade. The CJ-7 was a good Jeep in its day but, is SERIOUSLY OUTDATE in todays world of Jeeping, convenience, ride, comfort, personal traits, suspension, reliability, technology, MPG, and a zillion other things. What you've done to yours to enhance your off road worthiness is in all reality, just fine. You'll have great time in that Jeep.

To go any farther in enhancements and upgrades is, well, it all depends on what you want in the end. If you plan on conquering some of the toughest trails in Moab, New Mexico, some in California (hammers) Big Bear, and a zillion other places, then you'll need lots of upgrades. But, you'll loose good road manors when you do that.

In any case, you'll love the Ouray/Silverton area. Durango doesn't have as much to offer in terms of off roading and, that town gets seriously over crowded during the summer/travel season. I don't know if you've been on the 550, otherwise known as the "Million Dollar Highway" or not, (the one that leads through Ouray/Silverton down to Durango and, up to Montrose but, it's by far, one of the most scenic in the state of CO.

Some run and hide when you mention driving a motor home on it. It's quite safe. Fuel trucks and other 18-wheelers run on it every day as well as many, many RVs towing toads. The only thing that makes it primarily different is, THERE'S NO GAURD RAILS. I don't know why that makes a difference. No one that I know rubs up against them to keep themselves on track. IT'S A ROAD, PERIOD. Just drive it normally. You'll be just fine. Enjoy your trip.
Scott